Donald Trump selects real estate tycoon Steven Witkoff as Middle East envoy

US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday appointed a successful real estate investor and philanthropist Steven C Witkoff as special envoy to the Middle East, tasking him with bringing stability to the region.

"I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Steven C Witkoff to be Special Envoy to the Middle East," Trump announced.

"Steven is a highly respected leader in business and philanthropy, who has made every project and community he has been involved with stronger and more prosperous," he said.

Trump said, "Steve will be an unrelenting voice for peace, and make us all proud."

Who is Steven C Witkoff ?

As chairman and CEO of Witkoff, which he established in 1997, the new envoy has utilised his property development knowledge to guide the funding, transformation and development of more than 70 properties across major commercial areas domestically and internationally, with premises in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, according to a press statement.

Prior to establishing Witkoff, he co-created Stellar Management Company, where he obtained and transformed numerous residential properties in New York City.

His earlier professional experience includes practising property law at Dreyer & Traub and Rosenman & Colin, representing significant developers and investors.

He has participated in the Executive Committee for the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), served as an Intrepid Foundation trustee, and contributed as a Jeffrey Modell Foundation board member.

Currently, he leads the University of Miami Business School Real Estate Advisory Board as Chairman and serves on the Hofstra University Board of Trustees.

In October 2019, he received a Presidential appointment to the Board of Trustees of the John F Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts. He regularly addresses audiences regarding worldwide property market developments.