Andrew Glancey is the Regional Head of Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) in the Middle East at AtkinsRéalis. With 26 years of experience and a proven track record across the UAE and UK, Andrew is a driving force behind the region’s most ambitious construction projects. His expertise spans iconic developments such as the Birmingham New Street Redevelopment in the United Kingdom, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates—projects that have redefined urban environments and enhanced the functionality of transformative public spaces.
Returning to AtkinsRéalis in January 2024, Andrew was drawn back by the opportunity to build on the Company’s MEP expertise and align it with the region’s evolving needs. Under his leadership, the MEP team has embraced an integrated, collaborative approach – enhancing project delivery and tapping into international expertise while providing localised, client-specific solutions.
Andrew is a people-first leader who encourages an inclusive culture. His leadership style promotes open dialogue and collective decision-making among the MEP leadership team, allowing diverse voices to shape effective solutions. He is deeply committed to mentorship, regularly sharing best practices and learnings through open feedback while supporting emerging talent to develop their technical and soft skills. In line with regional priorities like Emiratization, one out of every ten AtkinsRéalis’ MEP team members in the UAE is a local engineer—a figure the Company is actively aiming to increase through learning programs and partnerships with schools and universities.
With a commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace culture, AtkinsRéalis mandates ED&I performance targets for all leadership and promotes the formation of Employee Resource Groups, such as Young Professionals, Women and Neurodiversity Networks, to facilitate cross-border knowledge sharing and professional growth. This culture of continuous learning is essential in addressing the industry’s most pressing challenge—attracting and retaining skilled talent.
Andrew emphasises that the future of MEP in the Middle East hinges on innovation and sustainability. With the region accelerating its transition from an oil-based economy, there is growing demand for energy-efficient, environmentally conscious solutions. AtkinsRéalis is uniquely positioned to lead this change, with “Carbon Critical Thinking” in its DNA since the early 2000s. The Company is championing the adoption of cutting-edge digital tools—such as AI and generative design—to optimise efficiency and future-proof the built environment. This year, Andrew focuses on upskilling the entire MEP team to a unified level of digital excellence, ensuring that innovation is a collective responsibility rather than resting with a select few.
AtkinsRéalis has been a cornerstone of the Middle East’s continuous transformation for over 50 years. The Company’s unique value lies in its ability to provide end-to-end solutions across the project lifecycle—from concept and design to engineering, project management and operation. This comprehensive approach ensures that every aspect of a project is meticulously planned and executed, resulting in world-class outcomes.
The MEP discipline is no exception. AtkinsRéalis’ MEP services specialise in delivering complex, large-scale systems essential to modern infrastructure, from high-efficiency Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems to advanced electrical and plumbing networks. These systems enhance the functionality of iconic buildings and align with the region’s sustainability goals through energy-efficient design and the integration of renewable technologies.
As an early adopter of Building Information Modeling (BIM), AtkinsRéalis continues to push the boundaries of digital engineering. By leveraging advanced tools like BIM Track, the MEP team ensures seamless coordination across disciplines, minimising clashes and expediting design resolutions. This digital-first approach has been instrumental in delivering complex projects on schedule while maintaining the highest quality and safety standards.
Automations in the Advanced Analytics Control Center and the Master Planning Processes of AtkinsRéalis’ projects have seen a 10% monthly time savings in project controls and a remarkable 30% reduction in task-specific man-hours. This is evident in the construction of the Al Khobar Entertainment Complex in Saudi Arabia, where there was a 28% reduction in man-hours due to streamlined design workflows.
Sustainability is another core pillar of AtkinsRéalis’ mission. The Company has consistently led the market in implementing climate-resilient solutions, from reducing the carbon footprint of mechanical systems to ensuring compliance with regional green building standards such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Estidama, and Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS). AtkinsRéalis’ expertise in green building practices and sustainable MEP design is crucial for creating resilient, future-ready cities in the Middle East’s rapid urbanisation and environmental challenges.
This expertise was vital in designing and constructing the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) headquarters, Al Shera’a. Al Shera’a is poised to be the world’s tallest, largest, and smartest net zero energy building. It will use a solar PV system and standby generator synchronisation to reduce the use of non-renewable resources and meet the building’s energy targets.
Andrew Glancey’s leadership exemplifies AtkinsRéalis’ commitment to excellence. His strategic vision, technical expertise, and people-centric approach fortify the MEP discipline and support the region’s evolving needs by setting new benchmarks for engineering excellence and sustainable development.
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“The MEP discipline is at the heart of the Middle East’s transformation. From integrating energy-efficient systems to digital-first engineering, we consistently push the boundaries to build a smarter, greener future for the region. AtkinsRéalis is driving this evolution, ensuring that construction not only meets the demands of today, but is resilient for the necessities of tomorrow.” – Andrew Glancey
