A new female-led brokerage has launched in Dubai aiming to capitalise on the surge of UK families relocating to the UAE – and to disrupt a market long dominated by investor-led transactions.
Nuvello Real Estate, founded by Chief Executive Gemma Contrino (main picture), is positioning itself as a specialist adviser to British families navigating the practical and financial realities of moving to Dubai.
The firm argues that traditional brokerages focus too heavily on high-net-worth investors and luxury transactions, leaving relocating families underserved.
The launch comes amid sustained growth in UK migration to Dubai, driven by tax pressures, lifestyle considerations and safety concerns.
GAP IN THE MARKET
Against that backdrop, Nuvello is targeting what it sees as a gap in the market: families seeking transparent guidance on neighbourhoods, schooling, amenities and day-to-day living costs before committing to a purchase or rental.
Unlike conventional agencies centred purely on sales volumes, the brokerage says it is building its model around relocation support, upfront cost transparency and long-term client relationships.
PRACTICAL REALITIES
Contrino says: “When my family moved to Dubai, nobody was upfront about the real costs, the practical realities, or the lifestyle fit of different communities. We were hit with astronomical bills we hadn’t budgeted for, and we’ve moved three times in one year trying to find the right fit.
“That experience showed me there’s a massive gap in the market for honest, comprehensive support, particularly for families making this life-changing move.”
DETAILED INSIGHTS
Nuvello offers traditional brokerage services including sales, lettings and investment advisory, but extends its proposition through partnerships with relocation specialists, schools and community organisations.
Clients are provided with detailed insights into commute times, local amenities and lifestyle factors before making decisions.
Contrino adds: “Being a female CEO in Dubai real estate has its challenges, but being female also gives us a competitive advantage. I understand how hard it is to move with children. I know that finding the right school matters just as much as finding the right property. That empathy and relatability is what sets Nuvello apart.”
INTEGRITY AND TRANSPARENCY
The company has launched with a team of 15, including 10 brokers, and plans to expand into a new office within six weeks capable of housing more than 50 advisers. Growth, the firm says, will be controlled to ensure alignment with its stated values of integrity and transparency.
Contrino says: “It’s not just creating a one-time purchase transaction. It’s creating something that becomes a family rather than just a number. I would personally rather a sale took us six weeks longer to find the right property than getting it signed today and getting somebody into the wrong investment or the wrong community.”
Looking ahead, the brokerage intends to position itself as a bridge between the UK and UAE markets, serving both relocating families and British investors exploring Dubai opportunities.
Contrino says: “In five years, I want Nuvello to be ingrained into people. In the same way you want a coffee and reach for Starbucks, you want a property transaction and you reach for Nuvello. We’re building something that becomes a real part of the Dubai framework and a dependable family of people.”
