
John
Santiago
Regional Director, Matthews Europe, the Middle East & Africa
Europe, the Middle East & Africa
EMEA
With over two decades of international experience across the UK, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, John has played a pivotal role in delivering some of the region’s most ambitious real estate and cultural projects—from early vision and feasibility through to design, construction, and completion.
Throughout his career, he has held senior leadership roles including Senior Development Director, Executive Director, and Regional Director, shaping and delivering landmark developments worth more than $1.6 billion in the past five years alone. His portfolio includes renowned destinations such as Dubai’s Museum of The Future, ILMI, and the Misk Art Institute in Riyadh.
John’s expertise spans multiple sectors, with a particular passion for cultural and edutainment projects that create a lasting social and economic impact. Known for his hands-on and collaborative approach, he brings together high-performing teams, aligns complex strategies, and turns visionary ideas into places people connect with and remember. Guided by the belief that great design and sound commercial thinking go hand in hand, John continues to lead the creation of developments that are not only iconic in form but meaningful and valuable to the communities and investors they serve.