About – Clarence Group

About Us

Founded in 1990, Clarence Group began as a bold vision an architectural and engineering consultancy led by a Massachusetts University graduate with a passion for timeless design and technical excellence. Over three decades, we grew from a regional practice into an international group, shaping skylines and communities across the Middle East, Europe, and North America.

Now, Clarence Group is entering a new era. The next generation educated at the Architectural Association (AA) in London, the oldest and most prestigious architectural school in the world, famous for producing visionary and creative architects brings a fresh approach to design, technology, and urban thinking.

With a renewed presence in the Middle East, CIS countries and North America, Clarence group blends heritage craftsmanship with modern innovation, combining decades of built expertise with contemporary European creativity.

Our Mission

To transform ideas into timeless spaces and structures by combining architectural vision, engineering precision, and bespoke material mastery.
At Clarence Group, our mission is to design and deliver environments that embody creativity, functionality, and elegance, leaving a lasting impression for generations.

Our Vision

To be recognized as a global leader in design and engineering innovation, shaping the future of how people live, work, and experience spaces. We envision Clarence Group as the home of extraordinary creativity where architecture meets craftsmanship, and where every project tells a unique story of beauty, purpose, and identity.

Our Goals

Creative Excellence – To cultivate one of the most inspired and innovative design teams, pushing boundaries in architecture, interiors, and bespoke stonework.
Bespoke Craftsmanship – To tailor every project to the client’s needs, from stone façades to interior features, ensuring individuality and precision in every detail.
Sustainability & Responsibility – To source and design with respect for the environment, prioritizing materials and processes that are both enduring and ecological.
Client Partnership – To collaborate closely with clients, turning visions into reality through transparent processes, personalized solutions, and first-hand delivery.
Global Reach, Local Sensibility – To integrate the expertise of Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Brazilian stone manufacturing traditions with forward-thinking design, creating projects that are both international in scale and intimate in detail.
Legacy of Design – To leave behind more than buildings or interiors: to create landmarks of culture, lifestyle, and inspiration.

Our history

Heritage of Excellence

The Clarence Group was established in 1990 to meet the increasing demand for specialist consultancy and execution in engineering and architecture. Over the years, we expanded beyond design into urban planning, engineering, environmental consultancy, interior design, and stonework, with 15 specialist entities under our umbrella.

Our story is one of constant evolution:

1990s: Delivering landmark engineering and architectural projects in the Middle East.
2000s: Expanding into large-scale master planning, cultural complexes, and infrastructure.
2010s: Establishing operations in the UAE, Oman, UK, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Spain and later Clarence Group Canada in 2019 to expand into North America.
2020s: Launching Clarence Group in London, now returning to the Middle East with a fusion of heritage and contemporary vision.

We are committed to delivering creative, sustainable, and technically flawless projects that endure through time.

Meet our team

Ali Kiaie

Chairman

MR. Luis F. de Castro

Director of Legal Affairs & Corporate Strategy

Luis F. de Castro has established and shaped the Legal Department of Clarence Group, structuring it as a cornerstone of our international operations.

Under his direction, the department ensures that every stage of our projects, from feasibility analysis and due diligence to seamless transactional execution and international adaptation is legally sound, efficient, and strategically aligned with our corporate vision.

His leadership bridges the legal and strategic dimensions of our group, ensuring clarity, compliance, and confidence in every project we undertake worldwide.

With a distinguished legal career spanning more than 35 years, Luis stands as one of Europe’s most versatile and respected legal authorities.

His dual legal education LL.B. in Belgian Law from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (1984) and LL.B. in Spanish Law from the University of Alicante (1986) reflects his deep academic foundation and international orientation.

He further elevated his expertise with a Master’s Degree in Insolvency Law, Corporate Restructuring, and Second Chance, as well as a Master’s Degree in International Arbitration.

These academic achievements complement his decades of experience advising corporations, financial institutions, and business groups on complex legal matters across multiple jurisdictions.
Luis is a Partner at Lamo de Espinosa (Economists and Insolvency Administrators) in Madrid and a Founding Member and Managing Partner of the ElexLaw Network in Brussels.

His specialisations include corporate restructuring, insolvency administration, mergers and acquisitions, investment law, commercial and tax law, as well as European and comparative law. As an active member of both the Madrid Bar Association (since 1989) and the Dutch-speaking Brussels Bar (since 1986), he brings authoritative cross-border expertise to Clarence Group. Fluent in Spanish, Dutch, French, and English, Luis ensures that our legal framework remains robust, compliant, and strategically aligned with our global vision.

Email:Law@localhost

Simon Far, PhD

Director

Marisa Far Kiaie PhD

Business Development Director

Growing up in her father’s architectural office from the age of eight, Dr. Marisa Kiaie was immersed in the world of design and urban development from the very beginning.

She attended meetings, contributed ideas, and watched her father prepare designs and models for international competitions often trying to help as a child, and always learning. This early exposure shaped her lifelong passion for architecture, innovation, and urban transformation.

Marisa graduated in Architecture from the Architectural Association (AA) School of Architecture in London, the oldest architecture school in the UK and the second oldest in Europe a place renowned for producing and hosting some of the world’s most influential architects. During her time at the AA, she was trained and mentored by leading figures such as Zaha Hadid, Oliver Domeisen, Shumon Basar, Mark Hemel, and Pascal Schöning, whose influence shaped her design philosophy.

She went on to complete a Master’s degree in Project Management, with pioneering research on the application of nanotechnology in the built environment, focusing on innovative, self-cleaning and self-healing construction materials. Later, she earned her PhD under the supervision of Professor Keith Jones, specialising in Facilities Management, where her research explored models for transferring technology and knowledge across countries and adapting them to diverse contexts.

Professionally, Marisa has worked as a design consultant and business development strategist, advising international architecture and engineering firms, as well as law firms expanding into the Middle East. She has been invited as a speaker at international conferences, given interviews for global news outlets, live TV, and radio programs, and has published research papers at internationally recognised conferences.

Today, Marisa combines her creative foundation from the AA School of Architecture with her father’s decades of visionary leadership and experience at RahShahr International Group. Together, they are shaping the future of the Group with a new international outlook one that blends legacy with innovation, tradition with cutting-edge research, and experience with the fresh perspectives of a new generation.

Email:M.kiaie@localhost

Lynsey Smith

Group Chief People & Organisation Officer (CPOO) & Director of Human Capital,Banking & Transformation

Karla Morales

Design Director

Mr. Ali Hassan

We are honoured to welcome Mr. Ali Hassan as our Middle East Director.

A prominent business tycoon in the United Arab Emirates, Mr. Ali is renowned for his strategic investments, visionary leadership, and deep-rooted influence across the Gulf region.

With over two decades of experience, he has established himself as a highly respected and well-connected figure among both public and private sector developers, holding strong relationships with some of the region’s most prominent business and governmental entities.

Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Ali has made remarkable contributions across multiple industries, including Oil & Energy, Construction, Real-estate, Hospitality, Retail, and Import–Export. His diverse portfolio reflects an exceptional ability to identify opportunities, create value, and deliver projects that combine business acumen with design excellence.

In the real estate sector, he has led the development of landmark commercial and residential properties that embody modern design principles, functional layouts, and architectural distinction. His projects are celebrated for their superior quality, attention to detail, and strategic locations that elevate urban living and working environments.

Within hospitality, Mr. Ali working alongside big names, has established luxurious hotels and resorts that set new standards in design and service. His direct involvement in every stage, from conceptual architecture and material selection to interior design and construction oversight, ensures that each project achieves a balance of aesthetic elegance and operational excellence.

His ventures in the retail industry encompass a wide range of high-end outlets and shopping destinations. By combining market foresight with a refined sense of design and space utilisation, he has consistently created environments that enhance customer experience and sustain commercial success.

As Middle East Director and Partner, Mr. Ali brings immense strategic value through his extensive portfolio, influential connections, and in-depth regional knowledge. His leadership strengthens our presence in the Gulf region, fostering new collaborations, expanding our architectural and construction footprint, and ensuring that every project under his direction reflects innovation, craftsmanship, and long-term vision.

Email:Ali.hassan@localhost