Yannis Petalotis-Dagres is an Associate Director at Gleeds and plays a vital role from the very start of each project, advising on cost strategies and ensuring budgets stay on track. Deeply involved from project inception, Yannis thrives on solving daily challenges and delivering smart, effective solutions.
Beyond his project work, Yannis is also passionate about developing others. He has contributed to shaping the APC process that supports RICS candidates and actively mentors junior colleagues, helping to build a strong, future-ready team.
A typical day for Yannis starts early, with a coffee in hand and a scan of his emails. His mornings are filled with calls, meetings, and resource planning, while afternoons involve internal discussions, urgent follow-ups, and preparing key deliverables for the next day. What motivates Yannis most is the collaborative nature of his work. He enjoys working with diverse teams and watching projects evolve from concepts to completion, knowing he’s played a crucial role in bringing them to life.
Drawn to the UAE for its fast-paced development and ambitious projects, Yannis saw it as the perfect environment to grow his skills in cost consultancy. Gleeds’ global reputation, collaborative culture, and strong focus on professional growth made joining the firm a natural choice.
Yannis is a strong believer in the Gleeds' value of “Professionalism with Personality”. For him, it's about “delivering high standards while being genuine and approachable, creating a workplace that is not only reliable but also human and rewarding”. He values the vibrant culture at Gleeds, alongside the many activities and events that foster both personal and professional development.
Outside of work, Yannis enjoys staying active, travelling, and exploring new restaurants around Dubai with his friends.
If he hadn’t entered the world of cost consultancy, he says he’d probably be deciding between becoming a chef or a bartender in Mykonos, though he jokes he might “be past the late nights by now!”