Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Executive and Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers with 35 years’ experience delivering and operating mega infrastructure programs and complex development portfolios across MENA and UK. Proven expertise in strategic leadership, governance, stakeholder engagement, and operational excellence, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to top safety and quality standards. Recognized for building high-performing teams, driving multi-billion-dollar portfolios to successful completion, and meeting immovable opening dates. Key Achievements:- Spearheaded the Expo 2020 Dubai delivery program, managing a complex SAR 50BN ($14.5BN) portfolio of 33 major infrastructure and building projects, including the 5M m2 legacy masterplan and 2M m2 event masterplan. Headed the Yas Island Hotels Programme ($3.8BN), for a three-phase delivery of 24 hotels and 8,004 keys, including six hotels opened for the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Established and scaled delivery organizations for Modon Properties (AED 84BN development portfolio) and the complex Expo 2020 Dubai, growing teams from 25 to 800+ professionals. Delivered the turnaround of a complex SAR 21.7BN ($6BN) Diriyah Square District, a flagship ultra-luxury development, including mega infrastructure and tunnels, six 5-star hotels, four ultra luxury branded residences, a super-regional retail mall, five grade A HQ offices and a grand mosque. Led the development and operations of new global luxury island destinations, including a world class golf course and ultra luxury marina, and an Island regenerative tourism hub, as part of NEOM’s giga-program. Achieved 43.5 million safe manhours with zero LTIs across multiple mega projects. Grew Louis Berger’s MENA business to $500M in revenue and 2,400 employees.
My own registered consultancy, providing strategic advisory and consultancy services for mega projects, including a 725m tall tower, a 4,000-key multi-Islands hospitality development, and multiple developments including major infrastructure and highways, grade A offices, hospitals, schools, residential, hotels and resorts. Advised on the delivery, development and operations of very large master-planned communities and large-scale infrastructure projects with up to 50,000 units.
I serve as an independent advisor and Subject Matter Expert through leading expert networks — including AlphaSights, iqNetwork, and Guidepoint — providing targeted insights to investment firms, management consultants, business leaders, and corporations navigating mega-programs across the globe. My perspective is grounded in 35 years of executive delivery, having led multi-billion-dollar complex delivery portfolios. I combine hands-on program leadership with strategic advisory to help clients bridge the gap between ambition and deliverable reality. My advisory contributions span discrete projects, focusing on Mega programs, development and delivery and key specialist complex sectors. Recent completed expert advisory assignments include: o Expo – International participation o Real Estate Development o O&M, FM and sales o Sector Expertise: Governance and role-mapping validation o Deal structuring, development, operations and asset management o Central management of privatization and centralization initiatives o Megaproject planning and delivery o Retail and F&B Strategy for Mega Events o Non-Residential real estate Market o Sector analysis and construction consulting market assessments o Operating agreements for giga-projects o Facility development for luxury hotels o Modular construction strategy on mega complex programs o Urban planning and enhancement of green spaces o Construction and maintenance of high-end assets and properties o Mega program and project management o Project management consulting o Operations and Maintenance o Luxury Community Urban Planning Experts
Led the delivery of the $6BN Diriyah Square District, a luxury development featuring six ultra-luxury hotels, four branded residences, a super-regional retail mall, Five grade A HQ office developments and a Grand Mosque that sit on top of a three level 11,000 space super-basement. Managed a workforce of 9,000+, achieving 43.5 million safe manhours without an LTI. Resolved complex technical, engineering, MEP and contractual issues on the world’s largest basement under construction, including carbon-fibre strengthening and structural replacement technologies, and with over 3.5kms of intricate underground highways with complex MEP systems, integration requirements and complex operations. Completed the Western Ring Road Tunnels, awarded KSA Road Project of the Year 2024. Oversaw an additional $3BN in new contract awards and commenced construction on key assets, including the Grand Mosque and Grade A office developments. Mentored and developed Saudi talent to build future leaders.
Managed a $22BN portfolio of nine mega-programs, including substantial: residential, hospitality, sporting and infrastructure developments, with an overall development area of 200km2. Built and led a team of 800 professionals, delivering 21 projects and awarding 100 contracts, during COVID-19. Established all company governance frameworks, assurance and operational processes, and development and delivery strategies for significant large-scale mega residential community developments. Awarded $9BN in contracts and established 49 framework agreements. Key value engineering and cost control was established across the portfolio that realized. $3BN of CAPEX savings across the primary and secondary infrastructure portfolio of 165km2 of development. This included significant stakeholder engagement with 75 key items presented and accepted by the Abu Dhabi authorities. Hudayriyat Island included the complex dredging of over 33 million m3 of material from a borrow pit 40kms into the sea to establish an engineering feat of two new mountains on the Island. Mina Zayed included the demolition and complex controlled implosion of over 144 floors of four towers, demolished in 10 seconds using over 6000kg of explosives and 18,000 detonators, and complex high level stakeholder management
Led the development, delivery and operations of two luxury Island developments, $2.8BN and $3BN, NEOM’s first operational tourism and luxury hospitality regions and destinations. Secured $0.9BN in development debt financing from Riyadh Bank. Significant high-level stakeholder engagement with HRH, Ministers, and dignitaries. Oversaw the appointment of global operators for luxury hospitality assets and implemented leasing strategies for retail and developed bespoke luxury F&B concepts and unique beach clubs. Delivered detailed masterplans, operational models, and marketing strategies to position as a global super-yachting destination. Business operational models approved (OPCO), operational team built, preparations for business incorporation completed and detailed operational implementation plan finalised, including event planning, land, sea and air mobility execution, digital planning, and implementation. Completed key global marketing, including initial key B2B events at the Monaco Yacht Show, branding and preparation of global launch completed and post launch implementation. Mentored and developed Saudi talent to build future leaders.