Emaar announces CDO

Source: Emaar. Sita.

Global developer Emaar Properties has announced the appointment of Veresh Sita, an international technology professional with deep expertise in developing customer-oriented solutions and experiences, as its Chief Digital Officer (CDO). 

As CDO, Sita will be responsible for developing systems that assure exceptional client service across multiple geographies. He will also work to deliver the highest level of IT services and availability on a day-to-day basis needed by the group’s overall operation, and act as a key contributor to the company’s strategic business decisions. 

Sita joins Emaar from Alaska Airlines, where he was CIO, responsible for overseeing an organisation of 300 IT professionals and investing in the airline’s infrastructure, enterprise systems and technical innovation. He also has strong expertise in the real estate sector having worked as the CIO and CDO for Seattle-based Colliers International, helping transform its information and technology services department. Veresh has additionally worked as Director – Global Business Systems Solutions at Starbucks Coffee Company, leading the largest business process and systems transformation in the company’s history.

Bringing nearly 25 years of experience in information technology to the table, Sita is mandated with developing a new digital strategy that will drive Emaar’s growth. He will also prioritise Emaar’s technology roadmap to assure seamless customer service delivery and strengthen the company’s agility in a fast-changing landscape.  

Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, said: “Emaar is moving into the next era of growth centred on the new digital ecosystem that is shaping customer outlook and preferences. In today’s fast-evolving world, organisations that lead are the ones that can automate at scale, are agile and highly responsive to the needs of customers. 

“With our strong international footprint and diversified business competencies, Emaar’s strategy to create long-term value will be led by innovative, tech-driven business and enterprise systems. Veresh has proven global expertise in reengineering technology platforms that will contribute tremendously to the organisation’s growth.”

Sita said: “It is an honour to lead the technology and digital transformation for Emaar Properties, a developer of architectural icons, and the pioneer in developing integrated master-planned communities. It gives me the opportunity to be part of a global company with a truly global technology mandate. Emaar’s success is led by its relentless focus on customer service excellence that will continue to be the key objective of our new digital strategy. My focus will be on building high performance teams that love working together and deliver digital transformation through customer-oriented digital platforms, automation at scale, product-based developments, and velocity and continuous service delivery.”

Born and raised in South Africa, he has a bachelor’s degree in commerce/business information systems from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. He is involved in mentoring youth and business professionals.