My Morning Routine: Karim Malash, chairman and CEO of M squared

Karim Malash, chairman and CEO of M squared: Each week, My Morning Routine looks at how a successful member of the community starts their day — and then throws in a couple of random business questions just for fun. This week, we're speaking with Karim Malash, chairman and CEO of M squared. Edited excerpts from our conversation:

I’m Karim Malash, and I’m the chairman and CEO of M squared. I’ve been leading the company for the past four years. Before that, I spent around 25 years with Schlumberger, which gave me the chance to travel extensively and work across different cultures. I’m an engineer at heart, a problem solver, and I’ve always been passionate about working with people, exploring new environments, and understanding different ways of thinking.

M squared was founded in 2012 as part of Intro Holding. From the beginning, the vision has been to create integrated, human-centric communities. The company started with projects across the North Coast and Cairo, and more recently has been expanding with new developments in East and West Cairo, including Sixth of October. The focus has always been on delivering more than just buildings. It's about creating a complete living experience that continues to evolve.

A big part of my approach is to bring discipline to everything we do, with a focus on enhancing the living and customer experience. I've developed a strong sense of what people expect from the spaces they live in, having lived in around eight countries and visited more than 120. I try to bring that perspective into the way we design and deliver our projects.

At M squared, my role is centered around working with a strong team to reposition the company and evolve its presence in Egypt’s real estate market. This means expanding into new sectors, pushing forward with digital transformation, and rethinking how we engage with communities. We put the customer at the center of everything we do. Real estate isn’t a one-time transaction; it’s a long-term relationship, and that comes with responsibility to both our customers and our shareholders.

The real estate sector today is fast-moving and increasingly complex. There’s a clear shift toward faster delivery cycles and the rapid creation of communities. At the same time, we’re seeing the rise of hospitality-integrated real estate, where the focus isn’t just on construction but on the services that come with it. Partnerships are a key element — working with operators across F&B, sports, healthcare, and entertainment is what ultimately shapes a community. Also, sustainability is becoming a fundamental consideration in both our design and material choices.

I’ve always been an early riser. My day usually starts around 7am with a cup of tea and a quick check of the news. I follow that with a morning workout, mostly high-intensity training and running, which has been a consistent part of my routine for years. After that, I sit down with a coffee, ideally somewhere sunny, and start mapping out the day ahead.

There’s no real typical workday, but my schedule is usually filled with pre-planned meetings, both in person and remote. I also make it a point to stay informed about local and global developments, as they often have a direct impact on the business. I spend time on the ground as well — visiting sites, meeting teams, and staying connected with the people actually building our projects. That hands-on approach is something I value a lot, and I also believe in teamwork and delegation. Giving people clear objectives and directions is key to staying organized and effective.

One constant in my day is learning. Whether it’s from my team, reading, or exploring new areas like technology and AI, I make a conscious effort to keep developing myself.

Looking ahead, my main professional focus is continuing to grow M squared and to deliver on the promises we’ve made to our customers and partners. On a personal level, I’ve developed a strong interest in architecture over the years, and I’d like to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the field.

Work-life balance has always been challenging, especially in leadership roles. It’s important to carve out time for family, friends, and personal well-being. I think of it as making space for “me time” — to recharge, reflect, and take care of both mental and physical health.

One piece of advice that has stayed with me since my early days as an engineer is that failure is not an option. I don’t take no for an answer. I believe in perseverance, constantly pushing the bar higher, and never settling for the norm.