Michael Freeman
PROJECT DIRECTOR
Michael is a highly experienced Project Director with over 30 years of expertise in development and project delivery across New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, and the Middle East. His extensive background includes leading high-value retail, residential, infrastructure, and healthcare projects, working with both government authorities and private developers. Michael’s strategic leadership, problem-solving ability, and commercial acumen allow him to drive complex, multi-stakeholder developments from concept through to completion.
His pragmatic approach, strong communication skills, and ability to anticipate risks ensure projects stay on time, within budget, and aligned with client objectives.
At Pragmatix, Michael applies his expertise in programme management, cross-border project coordination, and cost control to deliver large-scale developments. His work on Doha Festival City, Mall of Egypt, numerous Westfield Projects and NIWA Future Property Programme highlights his ability to manage complex stakeholder environments, oversee design and construction, and ensure project governance.
With experience working for global developers like Westfield, AMP Capital, and Al Futtaim Group, he brings a client-focused, results-driven approach to every project. Michael’s ability to lead high-performing teams, resolve challenges proactively, and maintain transparent communication makes him an invaluable leader in delivering world-class developments.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Education – University of Tasmania (1982)
Employment History:
- 2021 to Current Project Director, Pragmatix (NZ)
- 2016 – 2020 Regional Portfolio Manager, Majid Al Futtaim
- 2012 – 2016 Senior Development Manager, Al Futtaim Group Real Estate
- 2005 – 2011 Project Director, Coffey Projects (Australia)
- 2005 – 2011 Middle East Management Director, Coffey Projects (Middle East)
- 2004 – 2005 National Manager, AMP Capital Shopping Centres
- 1998 – 2003 National Manager – Tenancy Coordination & Project Delivery Team, Westfield (NZ)
- 1998 – 2003 Regional Manager – Victoria / Queensland Projects Australia, Westfield (Australia)
Expertise:
- Large-Scale Programme Delivery & Project Lifecycle Management
- Cross-Border, Multidisciplinary Project Coordination
- Value Engineering & Cost Control
- Risk Analysis & Mitigation
- Client-Focused Delivery & Stakeholder Engagement
- Establishing & Leading High-Performing Teams
- Transparent Comms & Governance Oversight
- Driving Projects to Exceed Milestones & Performance Targets
SELECTED PROJECTS:
Project Director, Senior Development Manager, National Manager, Regional Portfolio Manger on various projects
| Project | Value | Brief Description of Project Work |
| Future Property Programme, NIWA | $100m+ | Relocation of new office and laboratory facilities |
| Te Whare Kura O Maniapoto – Te Kuiti School, MoE | – | Addition of three new classrooms and a toilet block |
| Te Whare Kura O Maniapoto – Deanwell & Crawshaw Schools, MoE | – | Weathertightness remediation |
| Doha Festival City, AFGRE | $1.6b | Development of a 249,000m² Gross Leasable Area (GLA) super-regional shopping centre in Qatar |
| Mall of Egypt, Majid Al Futtaim | $1.4b | Development of a 169,000m² GLA super-regional shopping centre in Egypt |
| Almaza City Centre, Majid Al Futtaim | $800m | Development of a 100,000m² GLA regional shopping centre in Egypt |
| Westfield | – | Delivery, expansion, and retail tenancy coordination across multiple Westfield shopping centres in New Zealand and Australia |
| Metlifecare | – | Design development and facility upgrades for a new retirement village |
| Al Yahar & Al Salamat Villas, Federal Government (UAE) | – | A 450‐villa housing development in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, including supporting infrastructure |
| Umm Al Quwain General Hospital, Ministry of Public Works | $400m (USD) | Greenfield hospital development |
| Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Gynecology & Pediatric Hospital, Ministry of Public Works | $200m (USD) | Specialist extension to the existing general hospital |
