Christopher Nicolas, with over 25 years of experience in construction, has established himself as a key industry leader, frequently participating in regional events and advocating for equality, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I). Under his leadership, TBH has solidified its position as a global market player, expanding its services and achieving a remarkable 150% increase in revenue over the past year. The Middle East now ranks as the second-largest profit centre for TBH. Christopher has also expanded TBH’s client base, particularly in claims and dispute resolution, securing multimillion-dollar settlements on significant projects in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Author: CBNME Writer
Under the visionary leadership of Nima Alborz, the Executive Director and Founding Member, Studio International Engineering Consultants has experienced remarkable growth. The company, which started with a handful of employees, now boasts a workforce of over 400 and has successfully delivered more than 240 projects in the past decade. Some of the noteworthy projects overseen by Nima Alborz include the Bab Samhan Hotel in Riyadh, Maersk Logistic Park in Jeddah, Palm Jebel Ali Villas in Dubai, Ghaf Woods in Dubai, One B Tower in Dubai, and SHA Emirates Island in Abu Dhabi. These projects, which have collectively generated over AED120…
Talal Shair is the Chairman and CEO of Dar Al-Handasah, one of the most renowned engineering and architectural consultancy firms in the Middle East. Under his leadership, Dar Al-Handasah has continued to flourish as a global leader in design and project management. With a deep commitment to innovation and sustainable development, Talal has overseen the execution of landmark projects that have shaped infrastructure across the globe, particularly in the MENA region. His strategic vision and emphasis on quality have solidified Dar Al-Handasah’s reputation as a trusted partner in the industry, driving the company to new heights in its ongoing mission…
Luke Somerville, Co-Founder & Vice President of Compass Project Consulting, has been pivotal in steering the company to become a leader in delivering transformative projects across various sectors since its inception in 2014. He oversees all business operations, refining technical systems and procedures while leading a team of over 250 professionals across six regional offices. Under the strategic leadership of Luke Somerville, Compass has experienced substantial growth. This growth is evident in the notable increase in revenue and workforce expansion. The company has diversified its services, particularly in Construction Management and Supervision. Compass is making significant strides by diversifying its…
Dmitri Jajich, the Global Director of Structures at KPM, brings over 24 years of distinguished experience from SOM, where he played a pivotal role in shaping iconic projects like Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. With a deep foundation in structural engineering, Dmitri is set to lead KPM’s architectural and engineering excellence, particularly in the Middle East. At SOM, Dmitri collaborated closely with famed structural engineer William Baker, mastering the art of tall building design, wind engineering, and long-span structures. His work is marked by a deep commitment to sustainable solutions, meticulously crafted details, and a harmonious blend of structural integrity and aesthetic…
With over 25 years of strategic leadership at Turner & Townsend, Alan Talabani has been a driving force in expanding the firm’s presence in the Middle East. Since assuming the role of Regional Managing Director in 2017, he has been pivotal in growing the workforce from 340 to over 1,000 employees across key markets such as the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Alan’s strategic acumen has led to a 20% increase in turnover and a 30% expansion in team size over the past year alone. His vision has been particularly impactful in Saudi Arabia, where he has driven an 88%…
Sam Graham, Managing Director at Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB), has been instrumental in driving the company’s sustainability and project management growth. Under his leadership, RLB has expanded its Project Management arm and Built Asset Consultancy, and launched regional sustainability services to measure and reduce carbon footprints. Sam’s oversight extends to a colossal project backlog worth $100 billion, covering an impressive 1.2 billion square metres across 15 sectors. In 2023, Sam, with his strategic vision, led RLB to achieve carbon-neutral accreditation in the UAE and Qatar, a significant step towards the company’s ambitious net-zero goal by 2030. His CSR initiatives, including…
John Wyles, Country Market Director – Buildings for Ramboll in the Middle East, combines over three decades of regional experience with international expertise from Denmark and the UK. His leadership drives Ramboll’s sustainability and innovation, keeping the company at the industry’s forefront. Ramboll fosters a collaborative culture, engaging in conferences and workshops to align their innovative solutions with the latest industry insights. In the Middle East, Ramboll provides sustainable design solutions across building services, structural engineering, and specialist services, focusing on high-rise and complex buildings. John and his team are dedicated to creating a more sustainable and resilient built environment…
James Allan, the CEO of JLL Middle East & Africa (MEA), is a seasoned real estate professional with over 20 years of industry experience. His strategic vision and expertise have been instrumental in guiding JLL’s regional operations, which now span nine cities, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Cairo, Casablanca, Johannesburg, and Nairobi, employing over 1,900 professionals. Under his leadership, JLL has seen substantial growth and success, achieving a remarkable 24% increase in revenue in 2023 from the previous year. Under James’s leadership, JLL has achieved significant milestones. The company has consulted on development projects worth over US$560…
Lee French, the Partner and Managing Director for MENA at Cundall, has played a pivotal role in steering the company’s regional operations. His journey, which began as an apprentice in 2001, is a testament to the opportunities for growth and development at Cundall. With over 24 years of experience in the construction industry, Lee’s leadership has led to significant growth, including expanding offices in Riyadh and Bengaluru and a 64% increase in the overall team to meet the rising demand. Cundall, a globally recognized multi-disciplinary consultancy, is renowned for its sustainable engineering and design solutions across various sectors, including entertainment,…