David Bowman

The 2025 Healthcare Odyssey

Welcome to the first edition of Law Update for 2025. As we begin this exciting year, we are pleased to turn our attention to one of the most dynamic sectors in the UAE and the broader GCC region – healthcare. Over the past several years, the region has seen unprecedented growth in this sector, driven by legislative advancements, technological innovations, and the increasing focus on sustainability and AI. As such, healthcare is set to be one of the most important sectors in the coming decade.

In this issue, we explore key themes that are significantly shaping the future of healthcare in the UAE, such as recent changes in foreign ownership laws. These reforms present a major opportunity for foreign investors, opening up new avenues for international collaborations and improving the overall healthcare infrastructure. The changes in ownership laws are an important milestone, and we provide an analysis of what this means for the industry and the various players involved.

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Biography

David is a senior lawyer in the Real Estate team with over 15 years’ experience gained in the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. His experience includes property development, property financing, restructuring of projects, real estate investments, property management, project finance, acquisitions and disposals of commercial premises, property investment funds and commercial leasing.

Recent Experience

Advising Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities & Transport (DMT) on the implementation of Abu Dhabi property laws (Law No. 3 of 2015 and accompanying regulations).
Advising Aldar Properties on numerous residential, educational, retail and mixed-use development projects and leasing throughout Abu Dhabi.
Advising Apollo Global Management Inc. on their USD2.7bn acquisition of a 49% stake in Abu Dhabi Property Leasing Holding Company RSC Ltd from Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).
Advising Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) on its developments on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi.
Advising Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) in the restructuring of its real estate portfolio during the readiness phase of its USD2bn initial public offering on the Abu Dhabi stock exchange (ADX).
Advising Tamkeen on leasing and real estate matters at New York University Abu Dhabi.
Advising Ashurst, Barclays Bank, BNP Paribas, Burberry, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways, Etihad Rail, Facebook, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft and SAP on their leases in the UAE.