Sterling Ark Appoints Cherian Sankey as Group Managing Director – Strategy & Innovation, With a 25% Stake
Dubai, June 18, 2026: Sterling Ark, an integrated real estate advisory and project delivery firm formerly known as Colliers Project Leaders, has named Cherian Sankey as Group Managing Director – Strategy & Innovation. According to a company press release, the high-profile move also brings him directly into the firm’s ownership structure through the acquisition of a 25% stake. Working alongside Chairman Sankey Prasad, Cherian will oversee a broad remit covering business strategy, technology programs, financial planning, investment evaluation, and operational performance across the organization, placing him at the center of decisions that shape the firm’s commercial direction and technology-driven value creation.
A seasoned entrepreneur, Cherian has spent much of the past decade working with technology-led businesses across multiple geographies. His background in product development and business expansion has given him first-hand insight into the commercial and operational considerations that accompany corporate scaling. Those experiences are directly relevant to Sterling Ark’s work with developers, investors, occupiers, and institutions currently undertaking complex real estate and project delivery assignments.
Speaking about his new role, Cherian said, “Sterling Ark has assembled a strong team and established a clear direction for the business. My focus will be on building on that foundation, bringing a different perspective from my experience in technology and entrepreneurship, and ensuring that innovation delivers tangible value across the organization. I look forward to working closely with Sankey Prasad and the team as we pursue the opportunities ahead.”
The strategic appointment follows Sterling Ark’s recent transition into an independently owned business under Sankey Prasad’s leadership. Across the GCC, projects of greater scale and complexity are increasingly driving the need for closer coordination between initial investment decisions and final project execution. Cherian’s addition to the ownership structure and core management team comes at a critical juncture as the company actively expands its engagement across these demanding real estate mandates.
Welcoming the new leader to the team, Sankey Prasad, Chairman, Sterling Ark, commented on the development, stating, “Cherian combines an entrepreneurial mindset with a strong understanding of technology and business growth, making him a natural fit for where we want to take the firm.”
