In the first of this series where The Kenyan Wall Street’s Fred Obura sits with senior executives at Superior Homes, CEO Shiv Arora speaks about achievements, expansion plans, and his vision for East Africa’s leading master-planned real estate developer.
- •1. What inspired you to venture into real estate, and how has your vision evolved over time?
I was compelled by the need to create communities, not just houses. Real estate to me has never been about just building good homes. It has always been about creating environments in which people can live, grow, and connect.
My vision over the years has changed from just building good homes to merging sustainability, lifestyle, and long-term value in all development that we construct.
2. How do you balance innovation with sustainability in leading the company?
We believe innovation and sustainability complement each other, rather than being conflicting forces. For instance, we use leading-edge construction techniques and smart design as we make our developments sustainable.
From water and energy efficiency to green design, creating livable environments, our strategy is sustainable by design.
3. What are you most proud of since becoming CEO?
I’m pleased with the distance we’ve traveled in introducing distinctive communities to the Kenyan real estate market. From Greenpark Estate, which has set the standard in gated living, to developments like Lukenya Plains and Pazuri at Vipingo, our developments are evidence of our consistency in vision and quality.
Beyond the physical development, I’m proud of the solid company culture and creative team that drives us to success on a daily basis.
4. Where would you like the company to be in five years’ time, and how do you plan to achieve that?
Within the next five years, I envision Superior Homes not only as a market leader in Kenya but also across East Africa. We are already positioning ourselves to do so by expanding our portfolio into new territories, diversifying to serve other customers’ needs, and leveraging technology to drive customer experience.
In addition, we are looking at affordable housing and creating products in real estate for the Capital Markets.
5. What guides your decisions?
My guiding principle is simple: lead with purpose and empower my team. I am convinced about prioritizing people—be it our customers, employees, or partners. My judgments are guided by integrity, collaboration, and thinking over the long term.
Leadership is not about being at the top for me, but about taking others with you and showing them the direction we want to go and leading them there.
