Marcus Butler

Head of New Business – LinkedIn MENA | Founder, ALT Capital | Real-asset investor and operator

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

About

I’ve come to believe most things in business are actually quite simple. People work with people they trust. Trust comes from consistency. And consistency comes from doing what you say you will do, repeatedly, over time. I’ve spent over a decade leading teams across the Middle East within a global corporate environment, while also building businesses and investing outside of it. Living in both worlds has shaped how I approach decisions: structured and disciplined on one side, entrepreneurial and opportunity-led on the other. I’m particularly interested in partnerships, why some last and others never quite start. In my experience, success rarely comes from brilliance; it comes from reliability, clear communication and alignment of incentives. When expectations are understood and execution follows, outcomes tend to take care of themselves. Alongside my corporate role, I founded ALT Capital to pursue opportunities in real assets. The intention was not to create a platform or promote transactions, but to operate properly: source carefully, execute well, and work with a small number of aligned partners over time. I value straightforward conversations, long-term thinking and people who take pride in their work. Always happy to connect with good people, whether it leads to business or not.

Experience

  • Founding Partner at ALT Capital Group
    Jan 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 6 mos

    ALT Capital Group is a Dubai-based real estate sponsor and operator focused on the acquisition and redevelopment of ultra-prime residential assets. Operating from DIFC, we source, structure, and execute short-cycle, asset-backed projects in some of the city’s most established neighbourhoods. We invest alongside our partners and manage the full lifecycle of each project, from acquisition and design through renovation and exit. Our approach is relationship-led and discreet. The majority of opportunities we pursue are off-market and accessed through long-standing local networks rather than public listings or brokerage channels. We are not a brokerage, fund distribution platform, or property marketer. We act as principal sponsor and execution partner, providing capital partners with participation in specific projects rather than passive exposure to a pooled vehicle. ALT Capital was built on a simple premise: strong returns in real estate are created at acquisition and execution. By combining local access, disciplined underwriting, and hands-on delivery, we aim to create aligned, asset-backed investments for a small group of long-term partners.

  • Founding Partner at Altura
    May 2026 - Present · 2 mos

    The most exceptional residential assets in Dubai rarely reach the open market. Altura is built around that fact. We are a Dubai-based real estate sponsor and operator focused on ultra-prime residential assets across the UAE, sourcing, redeveloping, and managing opportunities that most investors never see. Operating from DIFC, we manage the full lifecycle of each project; from acquisition and design through redevelopment and exit, with the precision and conviction of a principal investor. We identify high-quality, asset-backed opportunities in Dubai’s most established communities through long-standing local relationships and off-market networks. We are not brokers. We are not property marketers. We operate as principal sponsor and execution partner, our capital aligned alongside our investors at every stage. Our model is selective by design. We pursue a small number of the right opportunities, structured correctly, executed to the standard this level of the market demands.

  • Founding Partner at Altura Stratum
    May 2026 - Present · 2 mos

    A property owner, a capital partner, and an experienced operator. Altura Stratum structures the relationship between all three. Most prime residential assets are underleveraged, not because of the property, but because ownership, capital, and execution are not correctly aligned around it. Altura Stratum exists to change that. We are a DIFC-based real estate partnership platform specialising in structuring and managing three-way partnerships around existing assets and redevelopment opportunities. We manage the structure, governance, and execution of each partnership, acting as a neutral, professionally governed coordination layer between all parties involved. Our approach is grounded in institutional surveying and governance standards, drawing on principles developed within MRICS and FRICS frameworks: impartiality, evidence-led analysis, clear fiduciary responsibility, and disciplined decision-making at every stage. We do not represent any single party. We represent the integrity of the partnership. Great assets don’t underperform because of what they are. They underperform because of how they’re structured.

  • LinkedIn (11 yrs 2 mos)
    • Head of Acquisition, MENA & MENA Growth Markets
      Jul 2021 - Present · 5 yrs

      Head of New Business SMB & Enterprise - LinkedIn Hiring & Learning Solutions. (U.A.E. Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria & Lebanon). LinkedIn is the world's largest professional network with over a Billion members in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. Our vision is to empower every member of the global workforce to develop the skills they need to realise economic opportunity. Leading the new business sales team for LinkedIn across MENA & MENA Growth Markets covering 14 countries. The team is responsible for identifying and developing new clients across LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Learning & Glint to build and deliver tailored solutions, and manage new customer relationships. - Develop & execute new business sales strategy. - Coach team on sales methodology & best practice. - Manage & develop customer relationships. - Sustain high growth, driving year on year team sales above target.

    • 🌱 Leading Sustainability & ESG Goals for MENA
      Apr 2021 - Jan 2025 · 3 yrs 10 mos

      Committed to protecting a healthy planet. Our team's vision is to achieve green operational excellence through our ambitious sustainability commitments and empower individuals and organizations to transform to green through our platform. Driving Operational Excellence Carbon Negative: Reduce and offset operational and embodied carbon by 2030; remove historic carbon by 2050 Zero Waste: Drive to zero waste on LinkedIn campuses by 2030 Water Positive: Reduce water usage intensity and replenish watersheds by 2030 Engaged Employees: Empower and mobilize employees to take green action in our workplaces and remotely Scaling Impact Support Green & Economic Growth: Support green companies, jobs, skills, insights, partnerships, and advocacy

    • LTS Territory Sales Director
      Jan 2018 - Jul 2021 · 3 yrs 7 mos

      Individual - Responsible for delivering new business subscription product offerings to enterprise accounts across U.A.E. against an annual target. A proven track record of exceeding quota attainment using solution-based sales methodology and managing end to end sales cycles with C-suite. Consistently a top-performing sales executive in EMEA. Team - Reporting to head of MENA Corp. to execute on new business priorities across all new business reps. Developed strategy & vision to build out team & results through sales excellence, best practice, forecasting & reporting. Partnering with support functions including sales operations, sales development, marketing, customer success and customer support. Sustain high growth driving year on year team sales above target. Actively mentoring 5 reps within LinkedIn’s global business.

  • Founder at Vice Auto
    Jan 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 6 mos

    At Vice Auto, we specialize in the art and science of resto-modding classic high-performance sports cars, fusing timeless automotive design with cutting-edge engineering. Our mission is simple: preserve the soul of legendary machines while elevating their performance, reliability, and daily drivability to modern standards. From handcrafted interiors to bespoke drivetrains and precision-tuned suspensions, every project we undertake is a tribute to the golden era of motoring, reengineered for today. What We Do - Resto-Mod Projects: Porsche, Ferrari, Land Rover, Jaguar & other icons - Performance Upgrades: Modern engines, suspensions, and braking systems - Bespoke Interiors: Custom, infotainment integration, heritage detailing - Commission Builds: One-off projects for discerning collectors & enthusiasts - Global Sourcing & Delivery: From barn find to concourse-ready Who We Build For Vice Auto works with private collectors, discerning drivers, and global investors who seek a rare blend of heritage and horsepower. Each car is more than restored, it’s reborn. Driven by Passion. Built for Performance. Designed for the Future.