Bassim is the Chief Executive Officer of Benchmark. His vision and direction lead the company to become a key player in the investment, development and management of real estate projects, with a multi-billion dollar portfolio across the MENA region.

Prior to Benchmark, Bassim was the co-head of Hines MENA, a global real estate development firm. Back in 1996, he founded Millennium Development, an international company that provides integrated planning, development and project management consulting services.

Bassim acted as the chairman and CEO until end of 2006. Bassim also served as the Chief Planner for the city of Arriyadh, Senior Consultant to Merrill Lynch and the World Bank, as well as Chief Planner for the City of Boston. He is a member of the Board of Directors of several institutions across the United States and the Middle East:

• Executive member of the Board of Directors – Sloan Management – MIT
• Executive member of the Board of Advisors – Martin Trust Center for Entrepreneurship – MIT
• Executive member of the Board of Advisors – Special Program in Urban & Regional Settlements (SPURS MIT)
• Executive member of the Board of Trustees – Beirut Arab University
• Executive member of the Board of Trustees – Al Birr & Al Ihsan Trust

• Honorary Doctorate of Architecture & Urban Planning – Beirut Arab University (BAU)
• Masters of Business Administration – Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT)
• Masters of Real Estate Development – MIT
• Masters in City Planning – MIT
• Bachelor of Architectural Engineering – BAU