How Jean Nassif became the Most Recognised Arab Businessman in the world 2022

Flamboyant property developer Jean Nassif is best known in Sydney for being banned from the building game but his wife Nissy has posted on social media about his new international fame.

Flamboyant property developer Jean Nassif might be better known in Sydney for being banned from the building game but his wife Nissy has posted on social media about his new international fame.

“Congratulations for winning Fakher El Arab … for the most recognised Arab Businessman in the world for year 2022 and what a beautiful way to end the year,” Nisserine ‘Nissy’ Nassif has announced.

The accolade out of Dubai will doubtless be warmly welcomed by the mum and dad investors and other apartment owners who know him even better as the boss of Toplace, which built their complexes and left them with dozens of defects including cracking basement slabs.

“Truly well deserved and it is thanks to many years of hard work, dedication and sleepless nights,” the yellow Lamborghini-loving Nissy wrote.

“I am so proud of you and all you have achieved in both the construction and the philanthropy world.”

Sydney developer Jean Nassif's partner Nissy has declared on Instagram he has received a business award in Dubai.

Earlier this month, Fair Trading Minister Victor Dominello announced that Mr Nassif’s supervisor certificate was cancelled and he had been disqualified from being the holder of any authority under the NSW Home Building Act for 10 years.

NSW Fair Trading found that as sole director and secretary of his Toplace development company, Mr Nassif had engaged in improper conduct.

Jean Nassif trumpeted himself on Instagram, gifting his model/actor wife Nissy a bright yellow Lamborghini.

Toplace was struck off for life after Fair Trading found 15 serious defects in two apartment buildings, the Atmosphere complex in the Castle Hill district and Skyview apartments.

Mr Dominello’s message for Mr Nassif at that time was not quite as gushing as that of his wife.

“You've been identified as having a poor track record of delivering buildings for the people of NSW, you've been red carded, you're not welcome back,” he said.

Mr Nassif and his partner have never been shy of spruiking the developer’s wealth and talents.

Toplace’s Facebook page has described him as “The most famous property developer Sydney 2022”, while he has been loyal to the high roller rooms at The Star casino for years, splashing out $75,000 on his 50th birthday party at The Star’s trendy nightclub Marquee.

Jean Nassif with his wife Nissy. Picture: Instagram

Mr Nassif has said he would be challenging the notices issued by NSW Fair Trading.

“Toplace will continue as a developer and construction will continue on Toplace sites without interruption with alternative arrangements in place,” he said in a statement at the time.

The Fakhr Al Arab International Awards were hosted at Dubai’s towering Burj Al Arab and its website describes the nominees as “personalities of Arab nationality or Arab origins who are pioneers in economic excellence and sustainable development; being in the private or public sector worldwide”.