Dubai is a city built on momentum, migration, and ambition. It is a magnet for capital and talent from across the globe. Yet behind this gleaming skyline is a deeper story of people whose expertise, resilience, and leadership have helped shape its growth. Among them is Ashwinder R. Singh, a banker turned developer whose journey from India’s tough financial and real estate markets to Dubai’s dynamic property sector is as inspiring as it is instructive.
Ashwinder is currently Vice Chairman and CEO of BCD Group, overseeing real estate development with a sharp focus on governance and sustainable growth. His career is a remarkable blend of financial discipline, entrepreneurial leadership, and policy advocacy, making him a key figure connecting the India-UAE real estate corridor. In recognition of his contributions to the real estate sector across India and the UAE, Ashwinder R. Singh has been granted the UAE Golden Visa, pursuant to a nomination by the UAE government.
From Finance to Real Estate: An Evolution Fueled by Impact
Before stepping into the complex world of real estate, Ashwinder built a strong foundation in finance. He held senior leadership roles at reputed institutions including Citibank, Deutsche Bank, ICICI Bank, and Bajaj Housing Finance. He was also a co-founder of Fullerton Securities, bringing with him deep experience across assets, liabilities, and wealth management.
Despite his success in banking, Ashwinder realized that finance measures impact, but real estate creates impact. This insight pulled him towards a more hands-on role in building cities and communities. His transition was not a sudden shift; it was a natural evolution.
His first major role in real estate was as country head of sales and development at IndiaHomes.com, India’s first residential sales and institutional broking prop-tech platform. Here, Ashwinder discovered a new passion, combining technology with real estate to create efficient and scalable platforms.
Building India’s Real Estate Advisory Powerhouses
Ashwinder’s expertise quickly earned him the role of CEO at Jones Lang LaSalle’s residential division. Under his leadership, JLL Residential transformed into ANAROCK, a top real estate startup in India. As co-founder and first CEO, Ashwinder built ANAROCK’s value proposition, brand strategy, and technology infrastructure from scratch.
During his tenure at JLL Residential and later at ANAROCK, Ashwinder headed both India and Dubai operations and helped establish the UAE as a key real estate market for both firms. The leadership pipelines he built across IndiaHomes, JLL Residential, and ANAROCK went on to seed a significant share of Indian talent now operating in the UAE real estate ecosystem—many of whom have been directly or indirectly mentored by him.
This success was no accident. His relentless pursuit of excellence and ability to manage complex business goals, even in challenging market conditions, set him apart in an industry often plagued by mediocrity.
His leadership was widely recognized. Under Ashwinder’s guidance, JLL was named Property Consultant of the Year at multiple real estate awards, and he was honored as the Most Enterprising CEO by the CMO Asian Confederation of Business in an event held in Dubai.
Leading Growth at Bajaj Housing Finance and Bhartiya Urban
Continuing his growth trajectory, Ashwinder took on the role of Group Business Head at Bajaj Housing Finance. There, he oversaw five business verticals spanning retail home loans to wholesale lending for developers. His expertise in both residential and capital markets made him a sought-after leader in the industry.
Soon, Ashwinder was appointed CEO Residential at Bhartiya City, one of India’s largest integrated township projects. This role allowed him to combine his financial acumen with long-term township development, managing complex projects that require precision governance over years.
He also chairs the Real Estate Committee of CII and was named Thought Leader of the Year 2023 by International Brand Equity. Construction Week India recognized him as Real Estate Person of the Year in 2022 and 2025, a testament to his industry influence.
The India-UAE Real Estate Corridor: Talent and Trust Driving Growth
One of Ashwinder’s core beliefs is that India is exporting more than capital to the UAE; it is exporting resilience, expertise, and talent.
Dubai, with its capital and fast-paced market, respects execution. But the India-trained real estate professionals bring tested operational muscle, the ability to sell, finance, and deliver through market cycles. Ashwinder calls this exported talent and sees it as a vital force shaping the Gulf’s real estate boom.
He often points out two lessons from India’s journey that resonate with Dubai’s ecosystem. First, trust is the real infrastructure. Markets mature when customers believe the system protects them. Second, distribution is strategy. A great project without professional, repeatable sales and advisory systems is just a brochure.
For Ashwinder, the future India-UAE real estate partnership hinges as much on people and systems as it does on capital flows.
Governance Over Glamour: The True Challenge of Scale
Leading a large township development, Ashwinder knows firsthand that scale is about governance, not just vision.
Building integrated communities means aligning government approvals, product planning, phasing, cash flow management, and delivery systems over many years. This requires deep discipline, patience, and coordination, qualities Dubai is well known for and that Ashwinder helps bring to Indian projects.
His leadership style focuses on blending capital discipline with long-term urban planning, a combination critical for sustainable development.
Policy Advocacy: Clearing the Path for Real Estate Growth
Real estate projects often fail not because of lack of demand but due to policy friction, such as slow approvals, unclear regulations, and inefficient processes.
As Chairman of CII Real Estate (North), Ashwinder is committed to reducing these barriers. He champions policies that speed up approvals, clarify regulations, and promote sustainable development.
He envisions stronger India-UAE cooperation in areas like urban planning, regeneration, sustainability, and public-private partnerships, collaborations that can withstand economic cycles and create lasting value.
Writing, Speaking, and Inspiring the Next Generation
Beyond business, Ashwinder is a prolific author and keynote speaker. His award-winning real estate trilogy—Master Residential Real Estate, Master Commercial Real Estate, and A to Z of Residential Real Estate—is widely regarded as a field guide for professionals and a mentor in print for consumers. The trilogy has earned industry recognition, with one of the books featured on Shark Tank, reflecting his customer-centric approach and commitment to transparency.
On stage, Ashwinder is known for authenticity. He speaks from the heart, sharing not just successes but also failures and lessons learned. His speeches inspire young professionals to pursue excellence with humility and resilience.
A Legacy of Courage and Humility
Ashwinder’s leadership is deeply rooted in values instilled by his late father, a war hero who sacrificed his life on a UN mission. From him, Ashwinder learned the importance of courage without noise, duty without negotiation, and humility without weakness.
These principles shape his calm, empathetic, and grounded leadership style, enabling him to navigate the emotional ups and downs of real estate development with steady resolve.
Advice to Young Professionals: Optimize for Credibility
For those starting their careers in real estate, especially in dynamic markets like Dubai, Ashwinder offers this advice: optimize for credibility.
Money can be fleeting, but credibility built through delivery, ethics, clear communication, and playing the long game is an asset that grows over time and across borders.
The Road Ahead: Smarter Capital, Governance, and Talent Mobility
Looking ahead, Ashwinder sees the India-UAE real estate corridor becoming more structured, institutional, and professional.
He predicts three key trends. First, capital will become smarter, with long-term, patient investment replacing speculative flows. Second, governance will be a true differentiator, moving beyond mere compliance. Third, talent mobility will accelerate, with India-trained professionals powering growth across the Gulf.
In this landscape, the biggest winners will not be the loudest brands but the most trusted systems.
Ashwinder R. Singh’s Personal Mantra
He sums up his approach simply. Head on the shoulder, feet on the ground, numbers in the pocket.
In a sector where emotions run high, staying grounded and honest with data is the key to lasting success.
Ashwinder R. Singh’s journey from banking halls to towering buildings is a testament to resilience, leadership, and vision. His story is not just about business success but about building trust, nurturing talent, and shaping the future of urban life across India and the UAE.
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