THE AUTHOR - Damien Abbott

Damien Abbott has specialized in real estate since 1966, when he graduated from the University of London. His experience has been gained in over twenty countries spread over five continents. He has worked with such prestigious companies as the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), CB Richard Ellis, Ford of Europe, Land Securities, and INVESTCORP International.

He has lived and worked in Abu Dhabi, Brisbane, Brussels, London, Istanbul, New York and San Francisco.

Damien Abbott's extensive experience has involved development, investment, appraisal, management and financing of real estate with a total value in excess of $3.0 billion dollars. His work has taken him from new town development, to international real estate investment and has included such diverse responsibilities as appraisal work in Cairo and Damascus; condominium development in California; acquiring or financing office investments and shopping centers in London, Boston, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Brussels and Paris; industrial development in Dublin and Finland; property sales for Gucci; and collateralized-mortgage financing for Saks Fifth Avenue.

In 1995 he left INVESTCORP International to form his own international real estate consultancy practice; although he now spends most of his time writing and traveling.

Damien Abbott is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, a member of the FIABCI, the Urban Land Institute, an Associate of the Australian Property Institute, and an Affiliate Member of the Appraisal Institute. He also has a Diploma in Accounting and Finance.

More information is available on Damien Abbott's web site