Sherif is a Partner and Head of Middle East & Africa working across Actis’ long life infrastructure and energy infrastructure sectors. Born in Cairo, Sherif has spent most of his life in the Middle East region. He started his career at EFG-Hermes Private Equity, investing in Egypt, Jordan and Turkey, and later moving to structured finance at HSBC where he focused on infrastructure project finance.

In 2004, Sherif joined Actis as an Associate focusing on North Africa. Now a Partner leading Actis’ business in the Middle East & Africa, he has played various deal leadership, execution, investment management and exit roles across 13 different transactions spanning multiple sectors including Wind Power, Solar C&I, Telecommunications, Education, Healthcare, and Consumer Sectors. Sherif also played a leadership role in the transaction leading to Actis taking over management rights of the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia funds previously managed by Abraaj Capital in 2019.

Sherif is an Adjunct Professor of Finance at the American University in Cairo, where he has regularly lectured on private equity and has been awarded the “Excellence in Teaching Award.” He is also a member of the Economic Advisory Council of the Arab Republic of Egypt and a member of the Young Presidents Organisation. Sherif has a Ph.D. in Economics and an MSc in Finance and Economic Development (with Distinction), both from the University of London.

After graduating as an architect and urban designer from Toulouse Architecture School in 2006, Pierre developed his career in Toulouse, Paris and London, working on international projects. Together with growing-up in Scotland and Ivory-Coast, the progression of his career gave him an open-mind which he considers essential to design meaningful places. His experience includes cultural, education, health, hospitality, industrial, mixed use, office, residential, retail and urban design projects.

Angelo Carella is a Managing Director with Alvarez & Marsal Strategy and Performance Improvement in Riyadh. With more than 18 years of experience, he specializes in strategy, value creation, pre-deal due diligence and post-deal integration, transformation, turnaround, and interim management.

Mr. Carella has worked across more than 20 countries in Europe, the Americas, and IMEA, with clients in industries such as oil and gas (upstream and midstream), utilities, infrastructure, aviation, manufacturing, services, and media and entertainment.

Before joining A&M, Mr. Carella worked in strategy consulting at Oliver Wyman and Strategy& in Europe and the Middle East. He also held managerial positions in strategy and finance with Eni.

Mr. Carella earned a master’s degree (cum laude) in business administration from the University of Bologna and completed the General Management Program at Harvard Business School. He is a Chartered Accountant in Italy. He is fluent in Italian, English, and Spanish.

Fabien Toscano is the Chief Executive Officer of Alula Development Company, a Public Investment Fund Company, established to support the development of AlUla, Saudi Arabia.

Toscano is a highly accomplished executive with a proven track record of more than two decades in spearheading development projects and overseeing investment transactions, exceeding $20 billion across the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas

Prior to joining Alula Development Company, Toscano held the role of Managing Director of Investment Management Europe at Lendlease (UK). He also served as the Chief Executive Officer and held various C-suite positions at Qatari Diar, a real estate development and investment company, where he overlooked major projects and acquisitions.

He holds a Master's in Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University (USA) and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Towson University (USA).

Dr. Fahad bin Mushayt is the Chief Executive Officer at ASFAR, the Saudi tourism investment company that is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund established to drive the growth of tourism investment in partnership with the private sector to create captivating destinations in Saudi Arabia for visitors from all over the world in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

Dr. Mushayt has recently been honored as one of the Top 100 CEOs in the Middle East by Forbes, a recognition that underscores his exceptional leadership and strategic vision at ASFAR. This accolade highlights his commitment to driving innovation and excellence within the Kingdom’s tourism sector, where he has successfully propelled the organization to new heights.

Boasting more than two decades of experience, Dr. Fahad bin Mushayt's illustrious career spans across multifaceted domains including city management, mega investments in real estate, mergers and acquisitions, strategic business development, and operations management. He has also taken on challenging roles in myriad sectors including information technology and telecommunications, as well as infrastructure development.

Before his tenure at ASFAR, Dr. Mushayt held pivotal positions in both government and semi-government entities. He spent nearly twenty years at the Saudi Telecom Group holding several other key positions including Chief Executive Officer of Mega Strategic Projects, Vice President for Business Development, and Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Performance. He then became the Chief Executive Officer of Saudi Telecom Specialized Company for three years.

In 2021, he became Deputy Governor for Investment and Business Development at the State Property General Authority, after being Chief Executive Officer of the Diplomatic Quarter General Authority (DQGA) in Riyadh for three years. He has also served on the boards of various organizations worldwide including Maxis Communication Berhad Holding Company in Malaysia, Aircel Company in India, and Axis Company in Indonesia, to name a few.

Dr. Fahad bin Mushayt holds a PhD in Economics, Political Economy and Public Policies from the University of Southern California and a master’s degree in economics from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Research from King Saud University, Riyadh. In July 2024, Dr. Mushayt completed the Advanced Management Development Program at Harvard University. His ongoing commitment to professional development reflects his dedication not only to personal growth but also to the advancement of the tourism sector in the Kingdom, ensuring that ASFAR remains at the forefront of innovation and excellence.

Nicolas Mangon is the Vice President of AutoCAD & AEC Industry Strategy. Mangon is a recognized thought leader in the global advancement of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and industry transformation to Cloud. He is also an accomplished structural engineer.

Mangon infuses his industry expertise in the ongoing development of innovative solutions for architects, engineers and contractors to optimize the life-cycle management of their projects.

Mangon joined Autodesk in 2003 as a product manager for Revit Structure, and quickly became a key player in Revit platform development for the BIM industry. By 2009, Mangon took over both business and strategy for the Building Industry segment. In 2012, he assumed responsibility over civil engineering industries and natural resources with the primary objective to enhance business growth and ensure greater customer adoption of the Autodesk product portfolio.
Prior to Autodesk, Mangon worked at Graitec in Paris, where he led a team of product managers, software designers and developers to address the needs of the structural engineering market. He then immigrated to California to oversee the development of analysis software for pre-stressed concrete structures.

Mangon holds a Master of Science in Civil and Structural Engineering from the Ecole Spéciale des Travaux Publics, du Bâtiment et de l'Industrie in Paris, and a Master’s degree in Engineering specializing in Water and Fluid Dynamics from the University of Le Havre.

Iain Thomson is the Program Manager for Jubail and Ras Al Khair Industrial Cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He is the appointed Bechtel senior representative for Royal Commission, leading an EPC project management team of c.500 personnel, supporting the planning, development and delivery of investor and community infrastructure projects, with annual work plans exceeding SAR 2B across c.120 contracts.

Iain joined Bechtel over 25 years ago as a graduate hire. He has since taken on progressive leadership roles on civil and infrastructure mega projects. Prior to his current role, he was the Regional Director for NEOM Spine, developing the contracting and procurement strategy, and ultimately managing the delivery of one of the world's largest drill and blast tunneling projects within the 28km Mountain Region.
Iain held several positions in business development and functional management, leading multidisciplinary teams. Between 2018 and 2020, Iain was the Project Manager for Bechtel’s Delivery Partner Contract with Sydney Metro, managing the SAR 5.4B Tunnels and Stations Excavation Works. Between 2013 and 2017, Iain was Engineering Manager on Bechtel’s Riyadh Metro Project in Saudi Arabia. He established key subcontract design packages and overall technical governance requirements. He also managed the design development and assurance of self-perform tunneling, structural and MEP works.

Iain has extensive knowledge in forming and maintaining stakeholder relationships with various customers. He worked in the UK from 2001 to 2013 on several iconic rail projects, initially as Senior Engineer for High-Speed 1, progressing to Engineering Manager on Bechtel’s Crossrail Project Delivery Partner (PDP) project.

Iain’s experience in the construction industry also includes five years in telecoms. He held key project management positions for the UK analogue to digital switchover program and supported cellular network expansion projects in the UK, Bulgaria and USA.

Iain holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Strathclyde University, Glasgow. He is a Chartered Engineer, Member of the U.K. Institution of Civil Engineers, and Saudi Council of Engineers.
Senior strategic leader with over 25yrs project management experience across four continents

• Customer focused and collaborative.
• Certified Six Sigma Black Belt
• Holds a Bachelor of Engineering Degree from Strathclyde University, Glasgow
• Member of the UK Institution of Civil Engineers
• Member of Saudi Council of Engineers

Michelle is the Project director for the BACS (Bechtel, Almabani, CCC and Siemens) consortium, where Bechtel is the lead partner in delivering the EPC scope for the Blue and Red lines of the Riyadh Metro Project in Saudi Arabia. Her previous role was Managing Director for Bechtel’s UK & Ireland Public Infrastructure business, where she oversaw projects in communications, aviation, rail, and security sectors.

Michelle has been a member of the Bechtel team for over 15 years, joining in 2009, on the greenfield, award-winning Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Qatar. There, she spent 4 years leading the commercial management of the multi-billion-dollar Passenger Terminal Complex.

Following her work at HIA, Michelle served as commercial manager for Bechtel’s global aviation group in London, working with proposal teams and customers to structure winning commercial strategies. In 2017, she was appointed executive assistant to the president of Bechtel Infrastructure. She has held leadership roles supporting several of Bechtel’s major transportation projects and customers in Australia, the Middle East, and the United Kingdom. Michelle has served as a board member of the British Aviation Group since her election in 2019.

James has a unique background in software, technology and the AECO vertical markets spanning 3 decades, all with a focus on growing and advancing our astonishing industry through digital adoption. Currently, as Dir. Global Industry Development, for the Build + Construct division of Nemetschek, James is responsible for ensuring the global alignment and synergy of technology solutions, with the needs and values of the Client and industry. Previously, James was Bluebeam’s UKI+ROW Regional Director, where he drove commercial growth through the positioning and utilization of technology. As a member of the IT Leadership at Civil Engineering firm VHB, James was instrumental in their digitization and workflow strategy. James is an active member and participant with numerous industry affiliations, Standards bodies and strategy advisory boards. Including: AIA LFRT, CIOB, AECiT Leadership, NIBS – National BIM Council, NIBS – Digital Technology Council, ICE – Installing Engineering Excellence CAB. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in 3D Design with Applied Mechanical Engineering from Sheffield Hallam University, UK.

Elmer Moncada is a highly experienced Manager specialized in Electrical Engineering, with over 20 years of expertise in leading multi-disciplinary engineering projects across various countries,
including Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and the UK.

Elmer holds a Master's degree in Building Services Engineering from London South Bank University and a Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Bath, UK.
He is presently engaged in completing his Doctorate in Management.

His extensive project portfolio includes significant contributions as a project manager and lead electrical engineer on high-profile projects, such as the Hamad International Airport expansion,
the Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi, and the London 2012 Stadium. Presently, Mr. Elmer holds the esteemed position of Head of Electrical Engineering, wherein he provides leadership and
direction to teams spanning multiple countries, including Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and India. In this role, he oversees complex electrical engineering operations across
diverse geographical locations, ensuring the seamless integration of international standards and practices

Abdulaziz Omar Almubarak is a seasoned executive in the digital infrastructure and renewable energy sectors, currently serving as Vice President and Head of Business Development for Saudi Arabia at DataVolt, a next-generation data center developer. With nearly 15 years of experience, Abdulaziz has led high-impact initiatives across clean energy, hyperscale infrastructure, and sustainable development.

At DataVolt, Abdulaziz is responsible for spearheading business development activities in Saudi Arabia, including government relations, land acquisition, project origination, and customer engagement. He plays a central role in positioning DataVolt as a leading hyperscale data center platform by aligning infrastructure development with the Kingdom’s sustainability and digital transformation goals.

Previously, Abdulaziz was the Managing Director and Country Manager of Masdar in Saudi Arabia, where he was instrumental in driving the company’s renewable energy investments and strategy in alignment with Vision 2030. Under his leadership, Masdar significantly expanded its footprint in the Kingdom and built strategic alliances with key public and private sector stakeholders.

He has worked across more than seven countries, delivering complex infrastructure projects and integrated utilities. Abdulaziz is recognized for his ability to navigate regulatory landscapes, lead high-level negotiations, and develop long-term partnerships that enable scalable and sustainable growth.

A committed advocate for the clean energy transition and digital innovation, Abdulaziz continues to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a global leader in sustainable digital infrastructure.

Matthew Boot is the Chief Projects Officer at Diriyah Gate Development Authority, leading the delivery of one of Saudi Arabia’s most iconic Vision 2030 giga-projects.

With over 25 years of global experience in infrastructure and real estate, Matthew has delivered major programs across the UK, Australia, Asia and the Middle East.

He is known for his strategic leadership, operational excellence, and passion for building high-performing teams and systems that enable large-scale, sustainable development.

LONG

Chief Projects Officer – Diriyah Company
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Matthew Boot is an accomplished executive leader with over 25 years of international experience delivering high-profile, complex infrastructure and real estate developments.

He currently serves as Chief Projects Officer at the Diriyah Company, where he plays a pivotal role in the delivery of one of Saudi Arabia’s flagship Vision 2030 giga-projects — the transformation of Diriyah, the birthplace of the Kingdom, into a global cultural and lifestyle destination.

Known for his hands-on leadership and strategic insight, Matthew brings a strong track record in managing multibillion-dollar programs across the UK, Australia, Asia and the Middle East.

He is widely respected for his ability to lead large, multidisciplinary teams and to create robust systems and processes that drive performance, mitigate risk, and enable sustainable delivery.

Prior to joining Diriyah, Matthew lead his specialist consulting practice, What's Critical and held senior operational and delivery roles with global developer Lendlease.

His deep experience spans urban regeneration, transport, infrastructure, and master planning, often working at the intersection of private sector investment, integrated developments and complex construction environments.

Matthew is passionate about developing leadership capacity within teams and leveraging technology, including AI, to improve decision-making and operational efficiency.

His calm, values-driven approach to leadership reflects a strong personal commitment to integrity, resilience, and continuous learning — qualities that have underpinned his success in delivering world-class projects.

Sharat is Executive Director – Retail/Commercial Design & Delivery at Diriyah Company, where he plays a key role using his expertise in shaping retail and commercial design, along with delivery systems and standards that enhance product deliverables.

Sharat brings over 20 years of experience in retail design and project management to his current role with Diriyah.

Previously, he served as Director of Retail Design and Delivery Property Management at Meraas Development in Dubai, where he led portfolio management for mixed-use properties, covering base build and tenant design and delivery.

Earlier in his career, Sharat held senior positions in Dubai with Majid Al Futtaim—where he oversaw the design and delivery of more than 1,000 F&B, service, and retail units, including short-term spaces—and with Home Centre.

Sharat is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the School of Planning and Architecture in New Delhi, India.

Ashraf Alameria is Chief Executive Officer I CEO at El Seif Engineering Contracting responsible for the overall vision, strategy and performance of the Company. Prior to his recent appointment as the CEO, Ashraf led as COO the organization's (Operations) business transformation and restructuring through COVID-19 into new sectors, business verticals, international partnerships, the award of signifcant new landmark projects, a major M&A equity partnership with PIF, and a company-wide digital transformation.

Ashraf joined ElSeif in 2019 following a 21 year career with Bechtel Corporation where he held (elected) office as Principal Vice President (PVP) of Bechtel Group, board director and alternate chairman on the Riyadh Metro, Chief Executive of Bechtel’s corporate multi-Global Business KSA Execution Org, and Bechtel's General Manager for the National Projects, O&M Management Organization (NPMO now EXPRO), where he led a nationwide reform of the national project delivery & planning of $240bn in capital projects across KSA to align with international best practices.

Prior to his 5 years leading the consortium team on the $12bn BACS Riyadh Metro Program, Ashraf led Bechtel’s multi billion-dollar flagship Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD) program from 2010 to 2013 to successful completion delivering 51 km2 of industrial cities, roads, bridges, utility networks, power stations and sewage plants projects in the UAE. In 2007, he led the project management & construction for Tube Lines’ $9bn, 30-year public-private partnership (PPP) Capital Projects Program for London Underground in the UK to modernize the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines to improve 250 trains, 100 stations, 190 miles of track, 2400 bridges, and 230 escalators & lifts where he exercised oversight over 91 project managers and senior project managers and 300+ construction management professionals.

Ashraf has worked on some of the world's most significant Infrastructure development projects including the $11.6bn High Speed 1 (HS1) linking the Channel Tunnel to London and the $2.3bn Iraq Infrastructure Reconstruction Program (IIRP) for USAID. He has an exceptionally strong background in a wide range of project structures, including design–build, full EPCM, joint ventures, and public–private partnerships. He has worked across multiple sectors in multiple regions including the US, Europe, GCC and MENA.

Ashraf completed Bechtel's General Management Plan in 2012. He was elected Principal Vice President (PVP) of Bechtel Group in 2018.

Ali Hussain Hadadi is a distinguished senior executive currently serving as the General Manager of Special Projects Planning and National Priority Projects at the Expenditure & Project Efficiency Authority (EXPRO). In this role, he leads strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening project governance, enhancing operational efficiency, and supporting sustainable development in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

He brings extensive expertise in managing major projects, planning and executing priority initiatives, and developing operational frameworks to ensure high-quality delivery and compliance with national standards.

His previous experience in both the public and private sectors, including roles at the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing and the Saudi Electricity Company, has equipped him with a comprehensive vision that bridges operational excellence with strategic project management.

Ali is known for his strong capabilities in strategic planning, stakeholder management, and delivering practical solutions that drive project sustainability and achieve national impact.

Omnia, Co-CEO & Founder at grfn, brings around 20 years of regional experience in high-impact projects for private and governmental clients. Her expertise includes the Design, Energy Efficiency, Sustainability, and Project Execution & Management over various sectors in the built environment.
A recognized thought leader, Omnia actively contributes to the professional community as a frequent speaker, chair, and moderator at industry events as well as being a regular contributor to industry editorials. She shares insights on project management, district cooling, energy efficiency, and sustainable infrastructure.

She hold a bachelor degree in Engineering from the American University of Sharjah in addition to a Masters degree in International Business.

Husam Gawish is HKA’s Partner & Head of Operations for Saudi Arabia. Husam is responsible for driving HKA’s strategic growth in the Kingdom and takes the lead in developing business opportunities and securing new appointments. He is also responsible for ensuring the technical, strategic, and quality standards and targets of all deliverables are consistently met. Husam is a Chartered Engineer and a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers in the UK.

Husam has 26 years of diverse engineering, claims, project management and business development & marketing experience gained through working on a wide range of global and regional projects across several industry sectors, including infrastructure, power generation, buildings and oil and gas. Husam has a strong technical background and extensive commercial and contractual experience.

Dr. Mark Smith leads the Middle East Capital Projects Advisory team at HKA, a globally recognised consultancy in risk mitigation and dispute resolution. Based in Dubai, Mark brings a wealth of experience supporting owners, contractors, and government agencies across the full lifecycle of capital programs. His team at HKA is particularly strong in delivering strategic advisory services on major capital and infrastructure projects, with a unique lens on governance, delivery assurance, and risk.  Mark has been involved with numerous KSA Giga Projects for Vision 2030 and will offer his unique insights.

Mohamed Amer works as the Managing Director for the MENA region with the International Code Council (ICC). He joined ICC to run the Dubai office by providing strategic direction and on-the-ground support to organizations involved in building safety across the MENA region. His work spans government entities, construction companies, manufacturers, design professionals and other key stakeholders. With over 15 years of experience in oil/gas, project management, and TIC industries, Mohamed leads ICC’s operations and business development aspects in the MENA through existing and new partners, to help deploy/lead/facilitate ICC’s service lines for new business offerings across its family of solutions spectrum.

A distinguished speaker at conferences and workshops, Mohamed reinforces ICC's mission in building safety/innovation/sustainability, showcasing his commitment to advancing the industry's best practices and standards. His contributions underscore his dedication to fostering a safer and more resilient built environment in the MENA region. He obtained his Master’s degree in Engineering Systems Management and Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering with Minor in Applied Mathematics and Computational Methods from the American University of Sharjah.

Eli Konvitz is Director for Urban Planning and Development at Jacobs based in Riyadh.

Eli is a strategic leader focused on cities and sustainable urban development, with over 25 years’ global experience on 5 continents leading multidisciplinary teams on high-profile, complex projects in master planning, urban development and infrastructure advisory, sustainability and climate change. He is passionate about creating more livable environments, mentoring talent and championing diversity.

Prior to joining Jacobs, Eli worked at Atkins where he founded and led the urban advisory and planning practice for South East Asia, was Net Zero leader for Asia, regional practice lead for consulting, strategy, and advisory, chaired the global urban planning network, and was global co-head for cities and urban infastructure for Atkins Acuity; consulted on planning, policy, and economics at Arup; and founded a startup in climate change retrofit.

A graduate of the Johns Hopkins University and the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Eli is adjunct associate professor at the University of Hong Kong, Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts, Council Member of the Hong Kong Institute of Urban Design, Vice-Chair of the Urban Land Institute Hong Kong and a member of the ULI Asia-Pacific Executive Committee, and a member of the Pacific Basin Economic Council.

Saurabh Shekhar is a Principal at Kearney, a global management consulting company with ~15 years of experience across multiple sectors such as Manufacturing, Construction, Industrial and Commercial Machinery and Equipment, and Oil and Gas. He has spent 8 years in industry across Energy sector (Oil & Gas) and E-commerce and 6+ years with consulting across Energy and Process Industries, Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, Industrial Services, Telecom, and Aviation across multiple topics (Strategy & Growth, Operating models, Cost Management, Organization Transformation, and Customer experience)

During his tenure, he has served several key Ministries in the region in shaping the national agenda for construction sector. His expertise in construction sector has enabled him to support national strategies for building materials and investment plans, policies, and regulations including supporting entities in setting up JVs, bringing FDI’s >$500mn, setting up large-scale manufacturing/assembly plants among others.

In last few years, he has developed and activated the National Industrial Strategy – Machinery and Equipment Sector and Building Materials and Construction, its prioritized investment opportunities, and investor attraction plan and activated investment attraction across 1500+ investors for potential JVs, partnerships across China, Germany, Czech Republic, France, India etc. He worked on the Building Material and Construction Sector and Services Strategy for a GCC country, its prioritized investment opportunities, and investor attraction plan and activated investment attraction across 200+ investors. He also developed the operating model, transition for a $7bn EPC petrochemical mega-project for a GCC oil and gas company.

Prior to consulting, he has worked with Amazon (E-commerce Operations), Halliburton, and Baker Hughes across US, UK, Argentina, Singapore, Australia, Papua New Guinea, and India in several technical and engineering roles globally.

He holds an MBA from Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA) and engineering graduate from Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee (IITR)

Dale Chadwick is the Chief Development Officer (CDO) of the King Salman Park Foundation (KSPF). Building on his extensive expertise in urban planning and project management, he is responsible for managing the masterplan and overseeing the project design and delivery of one of the largest urban parks in the world, King Salman Park.

Chadwick brings with him 25+ years of experience and an outstanding delivery track record in the construction and consulting industries. His successful career in managing large-scale construction projects across Asia includes some of the most iconic integrated resorts in the region. From conception through procurement to final handover and operation, he has delivered in excess of $17 billion of mixed-use resort and developments throughout his career.

Before joining KSPF, Chadwick was the Executive Project Officer at Macetpm where he successfully led teams in winning, managing, and delivering several high-profile projects in the Philippines. These include the largest and most advanced data center in the country, the PLDT Campus Headquarters Development in Makati, the SM-ASH Cebu arena and convention centre development, and the construction of the largest IKEA store at SM's Mall of Asia property. Chadwick also played a key role in The Estate residential and BDO’s banking headquarters towers, both being unique structures.

Prior to that, Chadwick served as Vice President Asia for Venetian Cotai Limited, managing the design and construction of several major integrated resorts in Macau and Singapore, including the Marina Bay Sands, Venetian Macau, Sands Cotai Central, The Parisian and the Four Seasons developments. Chadwick's expertise was also called upon for the design and construction documentation of two further Cotai Development parcels.

Previously, Chadwick oversaw the construction of two Disney-themed hotels in Hong Kong and was a Senior Project Manager for CMInternational overseeing the development of TVB’s Broadcasting Ltd television studio complex.

Chadwick began his career with Ove Arup and Partners HK, where he worked on major projects such as the KCRC West Rail and the Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminal Limited. Chadwick holds a BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Exeter.

James Clark is a partner in the Riyadh office and head of Construction and Project Delivery at Kirkland & Ellis International Law Firm. He has extensive experience advising developers and lenders on the full suite of documentation required for the procurement, construction, and delivery of major projects, with a particular focus on Gigaprojects, major infrastructure projects, renewable and traditional energy projects, transport, sporting and social infrastructure projects, and relationship-based delivery models. James also advised the developers on the 2020 Asian Infrastructure Renewable Energy Deal of the Year, 2019 Asian Infrastructure Deal of the Year, and 2019 Marine Offshore Project Financed Deal of the Year, and, as a result of his work in the Middle East, James was named a Rising Star Partner in Construction by The Legal 500 in 2023, a Next Generation Partner in Projects and Energy by The Legal 500 in 2023, a Next Generation Partner in Construction by The Legal 500 in 2024, a Next Generation Partner in Projects and Energy by The Legal 500 in 2024, and a Rising Star by Law360 in Construction in 2024.

Susan Amawi is the General Manager of Knight Frank Saudi Arabia, bringing over 20 years of experience in the real estate sector, including 18 years in the Kingdom. She holds an MBA in Corporate Finance (2005) and a BBA in Marketing and International Business (2003) from Wichita State University. In 2021, she completed the Women’s Leadership Program at Yale Executive Education, further enhancing her leadership skills.

Prior to joining Knight Frank, Susan held a number of senior regional roles, including Head of Strategic Consulting at JLL in Saudi Arabia and Head of Real Estate Consulting at KPMG. Throughout her career, Susan has advised on multi-billion Riyal real estate projects across Saudi Arabia, conducting feasibility studies, highest and best-use analyses, and strategic business planning for both public and private sectors.

Major projects under her leadership include Jeddah Central Development, Knowledge Economic City in Madinah, Project Clay, Qiddiya Coast, and various Roshn projects in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Makkah, including Ruaa Al Madinah, Roshn Sedra, and Ruaa Al Haram.

Wesley Thomson is a globally recognized leader in ESG and sustainability, with over 20 years of experience driving transformative strategies across both the public and private sectors. As Partner and Head of ESG at Knight Frank MENA, he spearheads the development of cutting-edge, high-impact ESG initiatives that are reshaping the regional real estate and investment landscape.

Throughout his career, Wesley has held senior leadership positions at top-tier organizations including Accenture, JLL, and ADQ, where he was instrumental in embedding sustainability into the core of business operations. His work has consistently delivered long-term value and measurable impact, making him a trusted advisor to governments, global institutions, and Fortune 500 companies alike.

Known for his strategic foresight and results-driven approach, Wesley is at the forefront of advancing ESG innovation in the MENA region—bridging global standards with local relevance to accelerate the transition toward a more sustainable future.”

Chris Seymour has more than 30 years’ experience in the industry and over 15 years based in the Middle East working in most of the major cities in the region.

Currently heading up the Mace business in ME & Africa, Chris is also the former managing director of the Mott MacDonald Middle East operation. Professionally he is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Governing Council and also an independent advisor on the Investment Committee of ENBD Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).

Having spent many years in PFI and PPP procurement practising in both UK, Europe and Middle East, he also advises many clients on strategy, risk, commercial and technical advice for major programmes & investments.

A familiar face at conferences and industry events, Chris was awarded Construction Executive of the Year in 2020 by Construction Week magazine.

Prior to moving to the Middle East Chris worked for Arcadis and was a member of the strategic advisory board to the Group, advising on mergers and acquisitions, divestments, strategy changes and shareholder presentations.

A well-known and respected thought leader in MENA affairs, Edward James has been with MEED for more than 19 years, working as a researcher, consultant and content director. Until September 2008 he was MEED’s Gulf Bureau Chief, after which he moved over to head up the consulting arm of the business. From 2015-2021 he was responsible for content and research at MEED Projects, the region’s leading projects tracking service.

Today he heads up all content and research produced by the MEED group. His specific areas of expertise are construction, hydrocarbons, power and water, and the petrochemical market, and is considered one of the world’s foremost experts on the MENA projects market.

He is a regular guest commentator on Middle East issues for news channels such as the BBC, CNN and ABC News and is a regular speaker at events in the region. He has an honours degree in Arabic and Middle East Politics.

Colin Foreman is Editor and a Specialist Construction Journalist for news and analysis on MEED.com and the MEED magazine. He has been reporting on the region since 2003, specialising in the construction sector and its impact on the broader economy. He has reported exclusively on a wide range of projects across the region including schemes such as Dubai Metro, the Burj Khalifa, Jeddah Airport, Doha Metro, Hamad International Airport, and Yas Island. Before joining MEED, Colin reported on the construction sector in the Middle East and Hong Kong. He has a bachelor’s degree from Newcastle University and a master’s degree from the University of Reading.

Yasir Iqbal is MEED’s Construction Editor. He has been with MEED for more than 3 years, working as a researcher, writer and construction expert. Before joining MEED, Yasir worked as an analyst at a regional project tracking platform where he led a team of researchers analysing the projects market and providing expert assessments for key project stakeholders across the region.

His specific area of expertise is the Saudi Arabia construction market, with a particular focus on the giga projects program on which he is widely-known for his insights and commentary. He holds an MBA degree from the University of Kashmir.

Jennifer Aguinaldo leads MEED’s power, water and technology sectors coverage. She focuses on policies, projects and capital investments in clean and renewable energy, power generation, water desalination, treatment & reuse, AI, smart cities, digitalisation, energy transition and hydrogen.

She brings with her over 10 years of experience as an information technology journalist and industry analyst in Asia and the Middle East, and five years as senior analyst and associate consultant at MEED Insight covering IT, telecoms, energy, education and transport, among others.

Jennifer regularly takes part in conferences and webinars as an analyst, panelist or facilitator in a career that spans over 20 years across Asia and the Middle East.

Throughout his career, Michael has successfully overseen real estate assets exceeding $5 billion in value, spanning luxury residences, class A office spaces, civic landmarks, hotels, and mixed-use developments. He has held executive roles in companies ranging from startups to major enterprises, leading teams and projects across the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.

Prior to joining Mered Development, Michael served as Head of Development for the Qiddiya Performing Arts Center in Saudi Arabia, a key part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative. In this role, he led a world-class team to deliver an iconic property in Qiddiya City, envisioned as Saudi Arabia’s future entertainment hub.

Michael also held the position of CEO at Wainbridge Capital, where he managed operations across four countries and restructured the company’s board during a major merger.

Michael’s deep understanding of the real estate landscape, coupled with his proven ability to drive innovative, large-scale developments, makes him the perfect choice to lead Mered Development into its next phase of growth. We are confident that his leadership will further strengthen our company’s position as a market leader and accelerate our ambitious development plans.

In his new role, Michael will focus on expanding Mered Development’s portfolio in the United Arab Emirates consisting of Iconic Tower, the tallest building in Dubai Internet City and Abu Dhabi project. Michael has been charged to grow Mered’s team for future growth in the UAE and wider GCC. He will continue to foster strong investor relations, increase Mered’s marketing visibility and driving innovative projects that set new standards in real estate development.

Dr Fahad Alotaibi Ph.D. is an architect and educator. Fahad studied at King Saud University (BSc Architecture and Building Science) and the University of Sheffield (MArch Architectural Studies). He has a PhD in Environmental Design/ Architecture from University of Calgary- Canada. Fahad joined the college of Architecture and Design at Qassim University, and holds a head of architecture department position. He has been a reviewer and juror for many organizations: Reviewer of King Salman urban charter [2021] (Ministry of Culture- Saudi Arabia), 1st design competition for Saudi architects, jury member [2020] (Ministry of Housing), Abdullatif Al Fowzan Award for Mosque Architecture, technical reviewer [2019]. Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, expert peer reviewer [2018], Riyadh Municipality’s Award for Architectural and Urban Creativity, jury member [2023] (Riyadh Municipality) . Fahad’s research and teaching focus on the social and cultural processes that shape the forms and meanings of built environments, particularly in Gulf region. His research is primarily in the areas of: 1-Tall Building Design. 2- Human Behaviour & Environmental Psychology. 3-Cultural heritage & UNESCO conventions and programmes. 4- Culture, Identity and Place Making. 5- Architecture Theory and Criticism

Dr. Waleed Sultan is an Innovative and Forward-Thinking Leader, visionary C-Suite executive, strategic architect, and transformational leader with a proven track record of driving multibillion-dollar projects and achieving exceptional results across portfolio, program, and project management. With over 20 years of expertise, he excels in business transformation, organizational strategy, and governance frameworks, positioning himself as a catalyst for achieving Vision 2030 objectives and beyond. As a thought leader and author, Dr. Waleed combines cutting-edge technologies such as AI, Big Data Analytics, and digital transformation with elite certifications from top global institutions, including Harvard, IBM, and PMI. His mastery in Benefits Realization Management (BRM), Business Continuity Management (BCM), and VRIO frameworks empowers organizations to unlock value, drive innovation, and sustain competitive advantage. Dr. Waleed's strategic foresight, risk management expertise, and stakeholder engagement skills have positioned him as a trusted advisor to government and private-sector leaders. His ability to design and execute governance frameworks, ESG strategies, and smart city solutions underscores his role as a pioneer of transformation and impact.

Yazeed Alsaqaaby leads the Transport Sector project at the National Center for Privatization (NCP), covering roads, airports, ports, logistics centers, and public transport. He oversees the full transaction cycle—structuring, tendering, negotiating, and closing—to ensure projects maximize value for the government. With a background in private equity and asset management, he brings an investment-driven approach to infrastructure delivery.

Khaled Alrubaian joined NCP in January 2024 as an Executive Vice President for Social Advisory, he has more than 15 years of rounded experience in the financial, private, and government sector. Prior to joining NCP, Khaled has been the Assistant Deputy Minister for Logistics Deputyship at the Ministry of Transport and Logistics where he was in charge of delivering change, development, and transformation of the logistics sector in KSA.

Before that, he was a CEO of a family office leading different investments and a Senior Financial Advisor in a government entity. Khaled has also worked as an Investment Director at an Agribusiness firm (ARASCO) on the capacity of advising the CEO and the board on IPOs, M&As, Restructuring, and Divestitures. Early in his career, he joined the banking industry, namely SAMBA and SABB, in Institutional Banking. In addition, Khaled assumed different board and committee positions in the investment, agribusiness, logistics, and manufacturing sectors where he served as a chair and a member.
He has an MBA from Suffolk University in Boston, USA and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Management from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. In addition, he is a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA), a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). Moreover, he completed several executive programs from different leading universities such as London Business School, University of Pennsylvania (Wharton), and IESE.

Dr. Alassafi is an industry leader who specializes in giga projects. He worked in multiple leadership roles in the real estate and construction industries, delivering healthcare, transportation, mass housing, and logistics, and infrastructure types of projects. His expertise covers business management, strategic refinement, and initiative delivery. Plus, he advises on best practices, delivery methods, and new trends in the construction industry. Besides practical experience, Dr. Alassafi has researched and published academic papers on optimizing life cycle cost (LCC).

Ahmed Alahmari is a leading specialist in modern and future methods of construction, with expertise in modular construction and emerging technologies. Also, has successfully led pilot projects yhat demonstrate the scalability and viability of modern and future methods of construction. They have also worked closely with investors, government agencies, and industry stakeholders to secure funding and matchmaking with the eco-system.

Yves Padrines is Chief Executive Officer of the Nemetschek Group since March 2022. Prior to joining Nemetschek Group as CEO, Yves Padrines was Chief Executive Officer of Synamedia, where he successfully established and transformed the world’s largest independent video software provider for Pay-TV, telco, media and OTT players. Before that, Padrines was Cisco’s Vice President of Global Service Provider for EMEA and within that function responsible for the full suite of Cisco products and services. Padrines joined Cisco as part of the sale of NDS where he had served in a range of senior executive and general management roles. His early career was formed at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Vivendi as well as with the launch of a music online platform in the US backed by Creative Labs.

Marc Nezet is a visionary leader at the forefront of digital transformation in the architecture, engineering, construction, and operations (AEC/O) industry. As Chief Strategy Officer of the Nemetschek Group, Marc spearheads the company's strategic initiatives, including mergers and acquisitions, venture investments, and AI innovation. He also leads the Operate & Manage Division as Chief Division Officer, driving the development of cutting-edge software solutions that revolutionize facility operations, reduce costs, and enhance energy efficiency.

With over two decades of experience in the technology sector, Marc brings a wealth of knowledge in software transformation and strategic growth. Prior to joining Nemetschek, he held key positions at Schneider Electric and AVEVA, where he successfully managed major acquisitions and ecosystem partnerships that positioned these companies as industry leaders in energy management and software transformation.

Marc's global perspective is shaped by his diverse international experience, having lived and worked in Finland, Russia, Turkey, Sweden, France, and now in Germany. This multicultural background enables him to bring a unique, worldwide view to the challenges and opportunities in the AEC/O industry.

Marc is a passionate advocate for sustainability and efficiency, he is dedicated to empowering Nemetschek's customers and partners to combine innovations with sustainability across the building lifecycle. His vision for the future of construction technology includes leveraging artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data analytics to create smarter, more sustainable buildings and infrastructure.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcnezet/ 

Raymond has over 35 years of international experience in Construction and Project Management having worked on multiple Mega Development Projects internationally and within GCC.Most recently and prior to joining New Murabba, Raymond worked as the Executive Director responsible for the logistics, early works, and project side wide infrastructure in Red Sea Project from 2018 to 2023
Prior to that, Raymond successfully led large scale teams in executing the logistics, temporary works, and site infrastructure and external works in Zayed International Airport - Midfield Terminal Contract.

Raymond's Experience also includes leading multiple Technical Support teams as Head of Construction Support Department in CCC from 2009 to 2012.

Nesma Renewable Energy (NRE): Chief Investment Officer
Chief Investment Officer PPP Nesma Water and Energy: Responsible for the full project cycle including development, asset management and portfolio expansion.
Executive Director of Water Aljomaih Energy and Water: Responsible for the investment of project cycles from origination, business development, tendering and expansion of the water business and special projects.
Head of Business Development for Middle East Tractebel Engie: Responsible for the full business development cycle of projects covering water, power, hydro, T&D and Urban.
Regional Director for Middle East, CIS and North Africa Grupo Cobra: Responsible for the Business Development, Regional expansion and Project Development of Water, Power, Hydro, Oil&Gas including EPC projects
Board Member for Jubail International Water Company and Yanbu International Water Company representing Nesma

As Executive Director, International Investments and Manufacturing in Oxagon, Howard Wu leads a team responsible for building the capacity needed for NEOM’s Oxagon to become a global hub for advanced and clean industries, and a byword for world-leading green technologies.

Under his remit, Wu and his team are charged with attracting investment across Oxagon’s operations, fostering industrial innovation, and managing the development of its innovation and industrial districts.

Through his work, he plays an integral role in fostering growth Oxagon’s green industrial ecosystem, spanning seven core manufacturing clusters, with both technology and people at its core.

Prior to joining Oxagon, Wu held the position of Vice President, Global Head of Networks and General Manager USA at QCT LLC, an original design manufacturer that provides custom-engineered data center solutions to customers around the world. In the hospitality space, Wu’s experience lies with the Millenium and Copthorne Hotels group as President of North America and Chief Technology and Solutions Officer.

During his tenure with Ericcson, Wu held several leadership roles, including Head of Product Line Cloud Hardware and Infrastructure to Vice President of Head of Software Defined Infrastructure. Additionally, he spent time working at Joyent, a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung, as General Manager of Canada and then President of Greater China.

Wu’s academic credentials include a BA in Political Science and Asian Studies from Furman University and an EMBA in Business Administration in British Columbia, Canada. He is the recipient of several global awards, including Canada’s Most Innovative Cloud Startup in 2010, Ericsson Product Team of the Year 2015, and Red DOT Design Award 2016.

Professional Overview

Richard de la Mare is a Vice President based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He joined Parsons in 2020 to oversee the Program Management Office for the development of King Salman Park, a $19 billion mixed-use project in central Riyadh. Spanning 17 million square meters, it includes cultural assets, residential and commercial developments, and the world’s largest manmade urban park.
Richard brings extensive experience from a decade at Halliburton, where he held various leadership roles in the real estate department, culminating as Global Director of Design and Construction. He was instrumental in developing and delivering Halliburton’s global facility portfolio.
With a background in architecture, Richard spent a decade at Gensler and is a member of the Architects Registration Board and the Royal Institute of British Architects. Throughout his career, he has successfully led project teams in delivering large and complex hospitality, residential, and commercial projects worldwide.

Education

Richard holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Kingston University, London, UK. He is also certified by Texas A&M University in the President’s Leadership Executive Program (PLEP) and Leadership Development Programs I and III.

Additional Information

Richard is a Registered Architect by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) since 2001.

About Parsons

Parsons (NYSE:PSN) is a leading disruptive technology provider in the national security and global infrastructure markets, with capabilities across cyber and intelligence, space and missile defense, transportation, environmental remediation, urban development, and critical infrastructure protection. Please visit parsons.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook to learn how we’re making an impact.

Fatemeh is a Senior Architect at Populous with a passion for designing world-class sports environments that inspire both athletes and communities. With over a decade of international experience, she has contributed to the design and delivery of iconic sports venues across the UK, the Middle East and Latin America.

Her portfolio includes high-profile projects such as Everton FC’s new waterfront stadium, the Education City Stadium for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and the FINA-standard Aquatics Centre for the Lima 2019 Pan American Games. She is currently the in-country design manager for King Salman Stadium in Riyadh – the proposed venue for the 2034 FIFA World Cup Final.

With over 20 years of experience in construction digital transformation, Edward has supported contractors and owners worldwide, focusing not only on technology but also on the human aspects of transformation. He brings a deep understanding of change management and sustainable behavioural change, ensuring that digital solutions deliver lasting impact. Currently, Edward is dedicated to supporting the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative by helping the construction supply chain unlock capacity to take on higher volumes of work. His holistic approach to transformation has made him a key contributor to advancing the industry’s capabilities across the Middle East and beyond.

Mr. Khalid Al-Mana holds the position of Vice President for Enterprise Development
and Executive Director of Qatar Exports. Qatar Exports works to enhance the capacity of the private sector and enable Qatari exports to reach global markets with the aim of building a strong and diversified economy in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. Mr. Al-Mana previously held leadership positions at Royal Dutch Shell and Qatar Foundation. He held international posts in Washington DC and The Hague. Mr. Al-Mana holds a BSc in Finance from King Fahad University of Petroleum and Minerals, and an MBA from HEC Paris. He also received specialized diplomas from London Business School and the Brookings Institute. He is currently a Board Member of ELAN, the International Trade Centre, and the Middle East Leadership Academy (MELA).

Lucien Zeigler is a venture capitalist, strategic advisor, podcast host, and public speaker with over 15 years of experience working with and living in Saudi Arabia. Lucien is Managing Director at RedSalt Advisory Company, a boutique business development and strategic advisory firm with clients in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East, principal and director for the MENA region at Pilatus Capital, a deeptech venture capital fund based in Silicon Valley, California, and Vice President of the non-profit Saudi-US Trade Group based in Washington, D.C.

Lucien is founder and co-host of The TWENTY30 Podcast, the number one bi-weekly podcast show and Youtube channel in English covering Saudi Arabia featuring interviews with changemakers leading Saudi Arabia’s transformation, topical deep dives into the news driving the day, and more.

Previously, Lucien was co-founder and CEO of the media startup Outlit, the venture-backed social publishing network and micropayments platform.

He is a frequent public speaker and event moderator. Among Lucien’s recent Saudi Arabia public speaking engagements include the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) Private Sector Forum in 2023 and 2024, the Human Capability Initiative launched by the Saudi Ministry of Education, events at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, and others.

Lucien splits his time between Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Washington, D.C., USA.

Ben Edwards is the Group Head of Cost, Commercial and Procurement of Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind The Red Sea and Amaala, two ambitious tourism projects set along the northwestern coast of Saudi Arabia. These destinations will play key roles in the realization of Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s blueprint for economic diversification and sustainable development.

Ben was appointed in August 2022, with over 25 years of experience gained with major contractors in the UK, Europe, Caribbean, Middle East and Far East. He has a proven record of delivering complex building and civil engineering projects across the globe prior to joining RSG.

Previously he was a Main Board Director of Tilbury Douglas in London, UK. He was responsible for the development and implementation of the business’ commercial strategy to undertake a greater proportion of lower risk projects blending the strengths of a strong regional business with public sector building and infrastructure frameworks, fit out and a selective presence in the commercial development market.

Ben has a bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying from the University of Northumbria at Newcastle, UK.

Terrence has been with Parsons for 24 years, working in various roles across the U.S., Canada and Middle East. He is currently the Project Director for the Riyadh Metro Transit Consultants Project Management/Construction Management Joint Venture overseeing Riyadh Metro Lines 1, 2, 3.

He has over 25 years’ experience in major transport infrastructure projects and has held a series of leadership roles at a global and regional level, leading multi-disciplinary teams to drive growth, innovation and new business. Prior to his work in Riyadh, he served as the Program Director for the New Jersey Transit Positive Train Control (PTC) Design/Build Program, which received Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Certification in 2020.

Terrence holds multiple degrees, including a Graduate Diploma from Boston University in Project Management and two undergraduate degrees from City University of New York and Eastern Kentucky University.

As the Group Chief Operating Officer for Roshn, Charles Biele is a key member of the Group’s Executive Leadership Team. He is instrumental in achieving the company’s vision to become the most trusted real estate developer in Saudi Arabia and a key enabler of the Vision 2030 goal of 70% home ownership in the country. Charles leads a diverse, cross-functional team with P&L responsibility for the company’s core functions including Development, Project Delivery, Marketing & Communications and Sales.

A recognized global expert and veteran of the real estate industry, Charles has nearly four decades of experience in all facets of large-scale real estate development and operations, including 20 years living and working throughout the MENA region. He has been based in Saudi Arabia since 2012.

Prior to joining Roshn Group, Charles held significant P&L leadership roles with companies such as PIF, Emaar, and Qatari Diar, as well as several of the largest and most respected mixed-use real estate developers in the United States.

Kabbani joined ROSHN, the Kingdom’s premier integrated community developer, as Group Chief Development Officer in 2022, helping to shape at unprecedented speed the Group’s developments across the nation as it is the most trusted leading mixed-use developer. Kabbani is a driving force behind the implementation of ROSHN’s vision for a new way of life in Saudi Arabia, integrating world-class homes and amenities with open and green spaces, all the while emphasizing walkability, sociability, and sustainability.

Oussama Kabbani is a seasoned leader with 33 years of development management experience in large-scale master planning and mixeduse/ residential development projects across the GCC and beyond. Throughout his career, he has led and shaped significant urban design, master planning, and downtown development projects from inception to completion.

Over the course of his career, Kabbani has played a role in shaping cities, including Beirut, Boston, Amman, Muscat, Dubai, Jeddah, and Riyadh, as well as projects in Kazakhstan and Malaysia.

After completing a Bachelor’s in Architecture at the Beirut Arab University, Kabbani went on to complete his master's degree in architecture in urban design (MAUD), and then Kabbani complemented it with an
Extended Professional Course in Real Estate Finance at Harvard University.

Iain McBride is the head of commercial at ROSHN Group, Saudi Arabia's leading multi-asset developer and a PIF company. Iain oversees a dynamic team dedicated to various pivotal functions within ROSHN Group.

Iain's team manages ROSHN's supply chain, ensuring the efficient sourcing and allocation of essential resources while building robust relationships with key suppliers to align with the company's strategic and financial objectives.

Iain holds a triple chartered status as MRICS, MCIOB and MCIArb. He also holds distinction awards in both his BSc in Quantity Surveying from the Glasgow Caledonian University and his LLM in Law from the University of Salford.

Robbie McBratney is Executive Director of Engineering at ROSHN Real Estate, the leading real estate developer in Saudi Arabia. Robbie leads the delivery of vertical, infrastructure and mobility strategies for ROSHN's visionary communities across Saudi Arabia. Robbie's primary focus is on developing legacy initiatives and strategic infrastructure to serve not just today's communities but also for the next generation beyond 2030.

Before joining ROSHN Real Estate, Robbie played a pivotal role in the delivery of the world-renowned Maraya Concert Hall at Al Ula, showcasing his expertise in delivering complex and time-sensitive projects throughout the GCC. His journey is rooted in a practical background, holding a BSc in Process Engineering, and working his way up through the Potable Water and Wastewater industry, which has seamlessly evolved into supporting real estate development projects across the region.

With an unwavering commitment to quality and excellence, Robbie McBratney stands at the forefront of realising Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

Yaser has over 30 years of extensive experience in project management related to real estate, infrastructure, industrial and utilities projects. He has worked in some of the major organizations in the Kingdom, such as the Saudi Strategic Storage Program, King Abdullah Economic City, Marafiq and Tasnee.

Yaser has also held advisory roles for governmental bodies such as the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites and the Jeddah Development Authority. As part of his remit, Yaser worked on urban master planning and strategy, with a focus on infrastructure development through aligning and coordinating policies, regulations, and prioritizing mega project programs with the relevant authorities.

At ROSHN Group Yaser is the Senior Director for the Project Management department, tasked with overseeing major infrastructure developments for the Group in Jeddah.

3 years with Schlumberger wire-line and testing
Started as field logging engineer in Oil and gas drilling rigs with Schlumberger to acquire data vs. depth trained in Egypt then worked in Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar.
15 years with Saudi ARAMCO
9 years in engineering design services with Saudi ARAMCO executing Industrial design projects both in-house and through General Engineering Services Contractors.
4 years in project management in KAUST/Town center project completed conceptual design, detail engineering, procurement, construction, handover and closeout.
2 years in project management in King Abdullah Sports City /Main stadium completed conceptual design, detail engineering, procurement and started construction.
12 years with Saudi Binladen Group (SBG)
4 years Chief Procurement Officer in Public building and Airports Division
4 years Commercial Director for Haramain Division.
4 years chief supply chain offices for SBG Contracting
(all projects Haramain and non-Haramain)
Total of 30 years Total experience in the fields of engineering design, supply chain and project management .

Talal AlTayar is a distinguished leader in the energy and desalination sectors, currently serving as the Executive Director at the Saudi Water partnership Company (SWPC). With over 14 years of extensive experience in the industry, he has demonstrated a profound commitment to advancing sustainable water and energy solutions. His career reflects a strategic blend of technical and commercial expertise, visionary leadership, and an unwavering dedication to environmental stewardship.

Dr. Baha’ Alshalalfah is SETS' VP for Transport and PMCM. He is a highly experienced transport and mobility specialist with over two decades of experience in transport planning, transport and traffic modeling, public transport planning, and transport systems operations. Dr. Alshalalfah has a proven track record of leading and managing complex transport and mobility projects across North America and the Middle East. He has been deeply involved in urban mobility, traffic management, and transport design projects in Riyadh and across Saudi Arabia, leading advisory work with a multitude of clients, including NEOM, RCRC, SDA, the Eastern Region Municipality, King Salman Park, the Riyadh Metro, and many more. Dr. Alshalafah holds a Ph.D. in Transportation Planning and Engineering from the University of Toronto.

Duncan is widely regarded as a leading regional, and global expert in the field of financial and government strategic, structuring and procurement advisory. He draws on nearly 40 years experience including 22 years in the Middle East Region. Clients have included the Governments of KSA, UAE, Qatar and Kuwait, PIF, Saudi Aramco, SPPC, SWPC, EWEC (formerly ADWEA). DEWA, Kahramaa, KEPCO, Masdar, TAQA. He is a frequent conference speaker and panelist

Muhammad A. Alqahtani is known for his remarkable achievements in project management, arbitration, and driving transformative change. With a solid academic foundation — a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from KFUPM, a master's in Engineering Management from IAU, and an MBA from Liverpool John Moores University — Muhammad has supplemented his education with a Project Management qualification from George Washington University. He is recognized as a registered Professional Civil Engineer and Technical Expert, holding certifications as an Arbitrator, TapRoot Analyst, and Six Sigma Green Belt, alongside a certificate of management excellence from Harvard Business School.

Currently serving as Executive Vice President at Sports Boulevards Foundation (SBF), Muhammad spearheads the development and execution of projects exceeding SAR 5 billion, critical to realizing KSA's Vision 2030. With extensive experience at Qiddiya Investment Company and Saudi Aramco, he has further enriched his expertise through the Executive Education Program at Harvard Business School, specializing in Managing Turbulence.

A Civil Engineer by academic background with a versatile projects management, contracts, and procurement experience. Currently leading development procurement efforts at Soudah Development (wholly owned by PIF). Experienced working on complex projects and operational environments involving large and diverse teams

Abdullah Alsalem is the IT director at Soudah Development company, with experience in various facets of business development, business process analysis, and providing need-based solutions. Has done projects in developing and implementing robust processes, road maps, and plans to optimize working efficiency and business performance. Instrumental in streamlining processes, achieving desired results, and uncovering areas for improvements. Previous experience in Albilad Bank, Alinma Bank, Modon, MOH. Previously worked in supporting urban planning projects with technology as well as smart city strategies and use cases.

Mohammed S. Al Surf, holder of PhD. in Sustainable and Green Construction. Founder & President of the Sustainability Professionals in Saudi Arabia Network (SPSA) reaching 5000 members. First Saudi to become a USGBC® Faculty, an ISSP® Sustainability Associate and a TRUE® Advisor. LEED® Accredited Professional in BD+C, ENV SP credential and a Green Classroom Professional. Author of the books titled “Sustainable Housing in Saudi Arabia: Opportunities & Challenges” and “10 Steps to Become a Sustainability Professional”. Member of several local and international professional entities such as the U.S. Green Building Council, the Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE), the Pacific Rim Real-Estate Society (PRRES), Asian Real-Estate Society (AsRES) and Project Management Institute (PMI). Dedicated to applying a systematic approach to Green Construction and Sustainable methods applied on projects in Saudi Arabia to induce quality of life while preserving the depleting supply of natural resources.

Belal Deiranieh is a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of experience in the engineering and construction industry, including 18 years in the Middle East.

His career roles and responsibilities include overseeing operations, profit and loss, business strategy and restructuring, top-line growth, project delivery, client relations, and personnel resourcing. Belal has successfully expanded and delivered EPC and EPCM projects, as well as integrated professional planning, architectural design, full engineering, and program and project management services across diverse sectors, including mobility and railways.

His global project accomplishments cover major infrastructure programs across the Middle East, Europe and North America. During Belal’s tenure in the KSA region, he has provided oversight across delivery of services and across all programs, including the PIF portfolio (NEOM, Qiddiya), as well as Riyadh Metro.

Philip is a chartered surveyor by profession with more than three decades of mixed-use real estate development and regeneration experience.  A well-regarded property executive, Philip has managed some of the largest urban regeneration development projects in Europe.

Before joining Trojena, the mountains of NEOM, Philip was Managing Director of Development at Canary Wharf Group Plc, with responsibility for the group’s entire development pipeline / portfolio.

Previously Philip spent nine years at Battersea Power Station as the Chief Operating Officer, leading the team to secure London’s largest ever planning consent for one of the most ambitious placemaking projects ever undertaken in London. Under his leadership, more than 8.25m sqft of living, working, public space and infrastructure was developed to create a thriving new town center.

Highly experienced across office, residential, hospitality, infrastructure and with global experience, Philip brings a proven track record in successful project delivery across a diverse development portfolio, with significant experience in major, multi-phase, mixed use masterplan development projects.

Charles Phillips is an independent consultant specialising in sustainable development in Saudi Arabia. He advises the UN Global Compact in Saudi Arabia and ModeScore, a sustainable transport certification expanding across the region. He is also an Associate at Aeon Collective, a Saudi NGO dedicated to sustainable development. His work focuses on climate change and sustainability policy, the Kingdom’s giga projects, and its growing tourism and heritage sectors. Charles has travelled and worked extensively across the Middle East and holds an MPhil in Modern Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Oxford.

Charles Trad is a highly accomplished executive operations professional with over 35 years of distinguished experience in corporate leadership and the execution of industrial, commercial, complex infrastructure EPC/EPCM, nuclear, and PPP projects. His career underscores his strategic vision and operational expertise across international markets.

Charles is a licensed Professional Engineer in Ontario and British Columbia and holds a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from The Florida Institute of Technology. He has advanced certifications in project and executive management from esteemed organizations.

In his extensive career in the power, engineering and construction sectors, Charles has held leadership roles in various international firms. Since 2021, he has been the Chief Executive Officer of Omrania by Egis, focusing on strategic guidance, corporate expansion, and transformation. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President of Operations for Canada at Acciona Infrastructures, managing multi-billion-dollar projects nationwide. He also held the position of Director of Operations for Middle East Operations at Ferrovial Agroman S.A., overseeing significant infrastructure projects. His earlier experience includes roles such as Executive Director at Tadmur Contracting, Senior Projects Leader at SNC-Lavalin Nuclear, and Projects Leader at Ontario Power Generation & the Atomic Energy of Canada (AECL), managing high-profile critical nuclear and commercial projects.

Charles Trad's distinguished career is a testament to his leadership qualities and commitment to excellence in engineering and project management, significantly contributing to the successful execution of numerous projects worldwide.

A visionary leader and seasoned expert in the construction and contracting sector, the Chief Executive Officer of Urbacon Saudi Company. He is responsible for the overall management to bring over two decades of experience in successfully delivering EPC growth, strategy, and performance of UCC in Saudi Arabia mega projects across the Middle East. He has a proven track record in project management, construction management, project control, procurement, and contracts.

Renowned for driving innovation and operational excellence, he leads with a results-oriented mindset, developing UCC KSA Contracting projects through strategic planning, digital integration to achieve sustainable growth.

Distinguished by my extensive expertise in Industrialized Construction and a trailblazer in innovative MEP solutions, I am a seasoned professional dedicated to advancing the field of construction. With a specialization in modular construction, my wealth of experience lies at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and streamlined project delivery.

Across my career, I have been a forefront advocate for Industrialized Construction, utilizing advanced methodologies to drive efficiency, cost reduction, and improved project timelines. My proficiency extends beyond MEP concerns to include innovative design and implementation of Industrialized Solutions, offering a standardized yet flexible approach for consistency and reliability in construction processes.

I have successfully orchestrated projects from conception to completion, leveraging Industrialized Construction principles across various construction sectors. My contributions consistently meet or exceed industry standards, ensuring the successful delivery of cutting-edge projects.

What distinguishes me is an unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation in construction. In the rapidly evolving construction landscape, I have been instrumental in introducing groundbreaking solutions that enhance sustainability, operational efficiency, and overall project success across diverse construction projects.

As I transition to the next phase of my career, my dedication to Industrialized Construction and pioneering solutions remains steadfast. I am ready to contribute my expertise to projects demanding a forward-thinking approach, particularly in the realm of modular construction where precision, innovation, and efficiency converge to redefine industry standards.

Johnson has been with Walaa Insurance since 2007. He joined the Company as its first CFO, closely supporting the CEO of the Company in its initial phases including setting up accounting function, introducing necessary internal control and reporting procedures to facilitate compliance with all regulatory requirements necessary for obtaining operating licenses and approvals.

After a period of 5-years, appointed as CEO of Walaa towards the end of 2012 and since then, led the company through all its phases of growth, diversification, challenges and expansion. Led the team from front for doubling of the Paid-up Capital from SR 200m to SR 400m, with a premium. Instrumental in ‘turning-around’ the operations of the Company and establishing a surplus in shareholders’ equity as well as taking the company from the 24th position in 2010, with a GWP of 210m to the 5th largest Insurer is Saudi Arabia with a GWP of over SAR 3.5 billion. He led the growth momentum of the Company and has successfully completed the first merger in the KSA Insurance sector with speed and efficiency.

He is a member of the Insurance Executive Committee of Insurers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and has been the Chairman of the Finance Sub-Committee for two consecutive terms.

He holds a Bachelor degree in Commerce, a qualified chartered accountant and is a Fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. He has over 30 years’ experience in manufacturing, hospitality, Trading and Financial sectors.

www.walaa.com

Described as a pragmatic futurist, Dale is driven to transform project delivery through innovative use of digital technologies and offsite manufacturing, collaborating with clients and contractors to harness the advantages of new manufacturing methods through kit-of-parts approaches. By integrating artificial intelligence into interdisciplinary workflows, he aims to revolutionise the approach to design complexity and future challenges including net zero. His global team is actively engaged in delivering cutting-edge projects. Dale is involved in many forums, helping stimulate and drive change in the built environment industry and he regularly talks at round table events, gives keynote addresses and publishes industry guidance.

Olivier Crasson is President of Al Bawani Construction Company and a senior executive in large-scale infrastructure and Public-Private Partnerships. With over 20 years of experience across the Gulf countries, he has overseen complex projects and corporate transformations.

During his tenure with BESIX Group, the company was involved in major stadium developments including King Abdullah Sports City, Al Janoub Stadium, and Khalifa International Stadium.

He now leads Al Bawani’s role in delivering the Dammam Stadium, combining international expertise with local execution capabilities.

Josep Forroll is the Chief Development Strategy Officer and acting Chief of Development for Diriyah Phase 3 at Diriyah Company. In his current role, Josep is responsible for defining and overseeing strategies across the Diriyah Development Company. With over 20 years of global experience, Josep brings expertise to the forefront of Diriyah's transformation.

Before his role at Diriyah Company, Josep contributed to defining the vision, concept, organizational setup, and overall strategy for several Real Estate gig and mega projects in Saudi Arabia. His portfolio includes projects such as Red Sea, NEOM, Al Ula, and Jeddah Central, where he worked with senior country leadership to shape the future of these developments.

Josep has extensive experience defining and driving company strategies, transformations, governance, organization models. He has experience across various industries and geographies. Before joining Diriyah Company, his career includes senior positions at strategy consulting firms such as Boston Consulting Group and Oliver Wyman.

His educational journey includes a Master of Science in Telecommunications Engineering, a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, and an MBA from INSEAD. Presently, he serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the INSEAD alumni association in Saudi Arabia.

Ashraf Alameria is Chief Executive Officer I CEO at El Seif Engineering Contracting responsible for the overall vision, strategy and performance of the Company. Prior to his recent appointment as the CEO, Ashraf led as COO the organization's (Operations) business transformation and restructuring through COVID-19 into new sectors, business verticals, international partnerships, the award of signifcant new landmark projects, a major M&A equity partnership with PIF, and a company-wide digital transformation.

Ashraf joined ElSeif in 2019 following a 21 year career with Bechtel Corporation where he held (elected) office as Principal Vice President (PVP) of Bechtel Group, board director and alternate chairman on the Riyadh Metro, Chief Executive of Bechtel’s corporate multi-Global Business KSA Execution Org, and Bechtel's General Manager for the National Projects, O&M Management Organization (NPMO now EXPRO), where he led a nationwide reform of the national project delivery & planning of $240bn in capital projects across KSA to align with international best practices.

Prior to his 5 years leading the consortium team on the $12bn BACS Riyadh Metro Program, Ashraf led Bechtel’s multi billion-dollar flagship Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD) program from 2010 to 2013 to successful completion delivering 51 km2 of industrial cities, roads, bridges, utility networks, power stations and sewage plants projects in the UAE. In 2007, he led the project management & construction for Tube Lines’ $9bn, 30-year public-private partnership (PPP) Capital Projects Program for London Underground in the UK to modernize the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines to improve 250 trains, 100 stations, 190 miles of track, 2400 bridges, and 230 escalators & lifts where he exercised oversight over 91 project managers and senior project managers and 300+ construction management professionals.

Ashraf has worked on some of the world's most significant Infrastructure development projects including the $11.6bn High Speed 1 (HS1) linking the Channel Tunnel to London and the $2.3bn Iraq Infrastructure Reconstruction Program (IIRP) for USAID. He has an exceptionally strong background in a wide range of project structures, including design–build, full EPCM, joint ventures, and public–private partnerships. He has worked across multiple sectors in multiple regions including the US, Europe, GCC and MENA.

Ashraf completed Bechtel's General Management Plan in 2012. He was elected Principal Vice President (PVP) of Bechtel Group in 2018.

Mohamed Amer works as the Managing Director for the MENA region with the International Code Council (ICC). He joined ICC to run the Dubai office by providing strategic direction and on-the-ground support to organizations involved in building safety across the MENA region. His work spans government entities, construction companies, manufacturers, design professionals and other key stakeholders. With over 15 years of experience in oil/gas, project management, and TIC industries, Mohamed leads ICC’s operations and business development aspects in the MENA through existing and new partners, to help deploy/lead/facilitate ICC’s service lines for new business offerings across its family of solutions spectrum.

A distinguished speaker at conferences and workshops, Mohamed reinforces ICC's mission in building safety/innovation/sustainability, showcasing his commitment to advancing the industry's best practices and standards. His contributions underscore his dedication to fostering a safer and more resilient built environment in the MENA region. He obtained his Master’s degree in Engineering Systems Management and Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering with Minor in Applied Mathematics and Computational Methods from the American University of Sharjah.

Engineer Sultan Batterjee is a visionary leader and serial entrepreneur in the sectors of Construction, mixed-used real estate and Sustainability Sectors and serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IHCC, President and Founder of Lifestyle Developers and Greener by IHCC, as well as the chairman of Sultan Batterjee Holding, and a board member of Saudi German Hospitals Group, Batterjee Medical Colleges, and the Batterjee Foundation. With a profound commitment to revolutionizing Healthcare Infrastructure and has achieved remarkable milestones throughout his career. He is a graduate of Harvard Business School of Design and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he completed degrees in Real Estate Development and Entrepreneurship.

Through his leadership over the past 20 years, IHCC was established as a world-renowned design and construction (turnkey solution provider) company specialized in Healthcare, Education and mixed-use development projects in the Middle East and North Africa. IHCC has been the recipient of many international awards and accolades that reflect the strength of Sultan’s guidance and successful management of the company.

Under his adept leadership, IHCC has spearheaded groundbreaking projects, pioneering state-of-the-art hospital facilities across the MENA region such as the Center of Excellence Batterjee in Medical City in Dubai and the Makkah Saudi German Hospital . Batterjee's strategic vision has propelled IHCC to the forefront of healthcare construction, earning global recognition for excellence and innovation and listed as top 5 Construction companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Batterjee's relentless pursuit of excellence has led to the successful completion of numerous prestigious healthcare projects in MENA region, transforming landscapes and enriching communities. His infinite dedication to quality, sustainability, and patient-centric design sets IHCC's projects apart, creating enduring legacies of healing and care.

Driven by a passion for enhancing healthcare accessibility and delivery, Sultan Batterjee remains a beacon of inspiration, empowering IHCC to continue its transformative journey, shaping the future of healthcare for generations to come.

Sultan’s work fundamentally focuses on driving purpose and delivering sustainable growth, while positively impacting communities and quality of life. He is an integral part of the Batterjee family who are a well-known corporate dynasty in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with business roots going back over a 100 years ago.

Sultan achievements in the engineering, construction and real estate development sectors have gained him the recognition of being among the new faces of young Saudi corporate leaders. He was named as one of Forbes 100 Most Inspiring Leaders in Saudi Arabia in 2015, and was listed as top 100 Middle East CEO's in 2023 and 2024 the by Forbes .

Abdulelah bin Abdulaziz Alsheikh
Country Director – Jacobs
m: +966.50.545 5912
e: abdulelah.alsheikh@jacobs.com

Executive Summary

Visionary leader and urban strategist with an extensive background spanning over 25 years in the Real Estate Development sectors. My experience was largely acquired in progressive, growth focused leadership roles with government, private sector, and international organizations, including the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Jacobs, and lately BoD member of Kanoo Holding Group.

My value proposition is centered around setting a clear vision and high impact strategies for organizations that enable successful business roll outs, superior financial returns and ultimately, greater value generation for these businesses.

Areas of Expertise

My specialism and expertise include urban economics, real estate development and management, funding, finance and governance organizational models.

Core skills

• Visionary
• Strategist
• Investments
• Real Estate Development
• Entrepreneurship
• Governance and Policy
• Mentoring
• Transformations

Career History
2022 to date Board Member of KANOO Holding Group, Independent Director
2020 to date Country Director, Saudi Arabia, Jacobs.
2018 - 2019 Acting Chief Executive Officer, Public Investment Fund (PIF), reporting a board chaired by HRH the crown Prince.
2015 – 2017 Senior Policy Advisor to the Minster of Municipal and Rural Affairs (MoMRA),
2014 – 2017 UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Program), Gulf States Regional Policy Advisor, Advisor to the Saudi Cities Future Program
2008 – 2014 Vice President of Business Development, Maskan Arabia

Board Service, Honors, Special Skills and Education

2018 – 2021 Board Member Bidaya Home Finance, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2008 – 2017 Maskan Arabia, Founding Board Member,
2008 – 2013 Member of Board of Directors International Urban Strategies
2020 to date Chairperson, Nowarni Charity Org
2018 to date Co-Founder Urban Research Lab

Education

2000 University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia Master’s Degree, Urban Management
1994 King Saud University, Saudi Arabia, Business Administration Degree

Professional development

1997 HIS, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands ICHD Post-Graduate Diploma with Distinction, Housing Finance
1996 Institute of Public Administration, Economic Analysis Cours

Bandar is the General Manager (GM) and a Researcher at the Advanced Manufacturing Technologies Institute (AMTI) at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST). KACST is both the Saudi Arabian national science agency and its national laboratories. Before being named GM in December 2022, Bandar was the director and a researcher at the National Center for Advanced Materials Technologies (NCAMT) and at the National Center for Building and Construction Technology (NCBCT), contributing leadership skills in the scientific and technical elements of major projects.

Bandar earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Building Technology from King Saud University (KSU) in Riyadh and a Master of Architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) in Los Angeles. His master’s thesis project “New Flexibility and the Architecture of Time” researched the possibility of designing adaptable buildings that evolve over time in response to their users’ needs and requirements. Bandar received his Ph.D. from Virginia Tech in which his research focus and interest is in the area of Automation in Construction.

Wesley Thomson is a globally recognized leader in ESG and sustainability, with over 20 years of experience driving transformative strategies across both the public and private sectors. As Partner and Head of ESG at Knight Frank MENA, he spearheads the development of cutting-edge, high-impact ESG initiatives that are reshaping the regional real estate and investment landscape.

Throughout his career, Wesley has held senior leadership positions at top-tier organizations including Accenture, JLL, and ADQ, where he was instrumental in embedding sustainability into the core of business operations. His work has consistently delivered long-term value and measurable impact, making him a trusted advisor to governments, global institutions, and Fortune 500 companies alike.

Known for his strategic foresight and results-driven approach, Wesley is at the forefront of advancing ESG innovation in the MENA region—bridging global standards with local relevance to accelerate the transition toward a more sustainable future.”

Chris Seymour has more than 30 years’ experience in the industry and over 15 years based in the Middle East working in most of the major cities in the region.

Currently heading up the Mace business in ME & Africa, Chris is also the former managing director of the Mott MacDonald Middle East operation. Professionally he is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Governing Council and also an independent advisor on the Investment Committee of ENBD Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).

Having spent many years in PFI and PPP procurement practising in both UK, Europe and Middle East, he also advises many clients on strategy, risk, commercial and technical advice for major programmes & investments.

A familiar face at conferences and industry events, Chris was awarded Construction Executive of the Year in 2020 by Construction Week magazine.

Prior to moving to the Middle East Chris worked for Arcadis and was a member of the strategic advisory board to the Group, advising on mergers and acquisitions, divestments, strategy changes and shareholder presentations.

A well-known and respected thought leader in MENA affairs, Edward James has been with MEED for more than 19 years, working as a researcher, consultant and content director. Until September 2008 he was MEED’s Gulf Bureau Chief, after which he moved over to head up the consulting arm of the business. From 2015-2021 he was responsible for content and research at MEED Projects, the region’s leading projects tracking service.

Today he heads up all content and research produced by the MEED group. His specific areas of expertise are construction, hydrocarbons, power and water, and the petrochemical market, and is considered one of the world’s foremost experts on the MENA projects market.

He is a regular guest commentator on Middle East issues for news channels such as the BBC, CNN and ABC News and is a regular speaker at events in the region. He has an honours degree in Arabic and Middle East Politics.

Colin Foreman is Editor and a Specialist Construction Journalist for news and analysis on MEED.com and the MEED magazine. He has been reporting on the region since 2003, specialising in the construction sector and its impact on the broader economy. He has reported exclusively on a wide range of projects across the region including schemes such as Dubai Metro, the Burj Khalifa, Jeddah Airport, Doha Metro, Hamad International Airport, and Yas Island. Before joining MEED, Colin reported on the construction sector in the Middle East and Hong Kong. He has a bachelor’s degree from Newcastle University and a master’s degree from the University of Reading.

Jennie Bishop is MEED’s Head of Production (Events). Jennie has been with MEED for more than 3 years. Before joining MEED, Jennie worked in senior conference production roles at several large-scale event companies within the UAE and has lived in the Middle East for 20+ years.

Previously before living in the Middle East, Jennie worked in London for 8 years in the Public Relations & Comms industry.

Jennie additionally holds educational qualifications in Business Administration from the UK and is currently studying part time for a BSc in Psychology.

Throughout his career, Michael has successfully overseen real estate assets exceeding $5 billion in value, spanning luxury residences, class A office spaces, civic landmarks, hotels, and mixed-use developments. He has held executive roles in companies ranging from startups to major enterprises, leading teams and projects across the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.

Prior to joining Mered Development, Michael served as Head of Development for the Qiddiya Performing Arts Center in Saudi Arabia, a key part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative. In this role, he led a world-class team to deliver an iconic property in Qiddiya City, envisioned as Saudi Arabia’s future entertainment hub.

Michael also held the position of CEO at Wainbridge Capital, where he managed operations across four countries and restructured the company’s board during a major merger.

Michael’s deep understanding of the real estate landscape, coupled with his proven ability to drive innovative, large-scale developments, makes him the perfect choice to lead Mered Development into its next phase of growth. We are confident that his leadership will further strengthen our company’s position as a market leader and accelerate our ambitious development plans.

In his new role, Michael will focus on expanding Mered Development’s portfolio in the United Arab Emirates consisting of Iconic Tower, the tallest building in Dubai Internet City and Abu Dhabi project. Michael has been charged to grow Mered’s team for future growth in the UAE and wider GCC. He will continue to foster strong investor relations, increase Mered’s marketing visibility and driving innovative projects that set new standards in real estate development.

Dr Fahad Alotaibi Ph.D. is an architect and educator. Fahad studied at King Saud University (BSc Architecture and Building Science) and the University of Sheffield (MArch Architectural Studies). He has a PhD in Environmental Design/ Architecture from University of Calgary- Canada. Fahad joined the college of Architecture and Design at Qassim University, and holds a head of architecture department position. He has been a reviewer and juror for many organizations: Reviewer of King Salman urban charter [2021] (Ministry of Culture- Saudi Arabia), 1st design competition for Saudi architects, jury member [2020] (Ministry of Housing), Abdullatif Al Fowzan Award for Mosque Architecture, technical reviewer [2019]. Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, expert peer reviewer [2018], Riyadh Municipality’s Award for Architectural and Urban Creativity, jury member [2023] (Riyadh Municipality) . Fahad’s research and teaching focus on the social and cultural processes that shape the forms and meanings of built environments, particularly in Gulf region. His research is primarily in the areas of: 1-Tall Building Design. 2- Human Behaviour & Environmental Psychology. 3-Cultural heritage & UNESCO conventions and programmes. 4- Culture, Identity and Place Making. 5- Architecture Theory and Criticism

Nasser is Construction Director at the Ministry of Investment He provides the support to in the fields of construction, Building material, ICO Contracting services that enables global contractors to enter the Saudi market seamlessly, building
strategic partnerships that drive growth and contribute to a more advanced and sustainable future He
holds two m aster’s degrees in Engineering from University of Technology Sydney

Dr. Waleed Sultan is an Innovative and Forward-Thinking Leader, visionary C-Suite executive, strategic architect, and transformational leader with a proven track record of driving multibillion-dollar projects and achieving exceptional results across portfolio, program, and project management. With over 20 years of expertise, he excels in business transformation, organizational strategy, and governance frameworks, positioning himself as a catalyst for achieving Vision 2030 objectives and beyond. As a thought leader and author, Dr. Waleed combines cutting-edge technologies such as AI, Big Data Analytics, and digital transformation with elite certifications from top global institutions, including Harvard, IBM, and PMI. His mastery in Benefits Realization Management (BRM), Business Continuity Management (BCM), and VRIO frameworks empowers organizations to unlock value, drive innovation, and sustain competitive advantage. Dr. Waleed's strategic foresight, risk management expertise, and stakeholder engagement skills have positioned him as a trusted advisor to government and private-sector leaders. His ability to design and execute governance frameworks, ESG strategies, and smart city solutions underscores his role as a pioneer of transformation and impact.

Dr. Alassafi is an industry leader who specializes in giga projects. He worked in multiple leadership roles in the real estate and construction industries, delivering healthcare, transportation, mass housing, and logistics, and infrastructure types of projects. His expertise covers business management, strategic refinement, and initiative delivery. Plus, he advises on best practices, delivery methods, and new trends in the construction industry. Besides practical experience, Dr. Alassafi has researched and published academic papers on optimizing life cycle cost (LCC).

Richard Kupisz is an Executive Advisor at the National Center for Privatization & PPP (NCP), where his responsibilities encompass development of the policy framework for Private Sector Participation, capacity building across the public sector, economic analysis and research. He has more than 30 years’ experience as an advisor to governments and private sector clients on infrastructure strategy, planning and transactions in a wide range of sectors, including energy, water, transport, tourism and telecoms. Richard has been based in the MENA region since 2004.

David is a Builder, Civil Engineer, Project Management and Development professional who has worked in real estate for more than 30 years. In his career, he has been fortunate to work in a variety of organisations across a range of global locations.

He has been working in KSA since 2019 where he has worked on a number of Giga projects including Red Sea Global’s Amaala project and as well as Diriyah as the Chief Project Delivery Officer leading large teams of construction professionals to execute theses complex projects in line with Vision 2030. David is currently the Chief Projects Development Officer at Osool Real Estate Company a semi government organization managing the real estate development pipeline for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s pension fund, the General Office of Social Insurance (GOSI).

Prior to joining Amaala in 2019, David was the Chief Development officer at VinaCapital, managing the development of their portfolio of hotels and resorts, residential communities and commercial developments throughout Vietnam.

David is also a McKinsey & Company Alumni, where he was the Infrastructure Vice President for Asia Pacific which included working in client teams on a number of projects across the GCC.

He joined Mckinsey from Mace Group where he spent more than 10 years in a variety of roles including Project Director on a number of large casino projects in Macau SAR, China as well as the Regional Director of Mace’s Asia Pacific business.

From 1997 to 2005, David worked for Multiplex Constructions completing several iconic projects in Australia, South East Asia and the UK, including as the Construction Director on the iconic Wembley Stadium.

Evgeny Boldyrev is the Chief Executive Officer and Board Member at RAFA Contracting, a dynamic construction company based in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. With over 20 years of leadership experience across the energy and industrial sectors, he now spearheads the strategic transformation and operational excellence of RAFA Contracting as it positions itself as a key contributor to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

In his current role, he is responsible for setting and executing the company’s long-term strategy, overseeing all operational and business processes, and building a high-performing leadership team capable of delivering complex infrastructure and construction projects. His work focuses on driving innovation, efficiency, and sustainable growth, aligning the company’s goals with national priorities in urban development, housing, logistics, and industrial diversification.

Under his leadership, Rafa Contracting is expanding its footprint in the Kingdom’s rapidly evolving construction sector — participating in projects that support Vision 2030’s core pillars: economic diversification, private sector empowerment, and sustainable infrastructure development.

Before transitioning into construction, Evgeny Boldyrev held senior executive roles in the oil and gas industry, including Deputy CEO for Strategic Development at Gazprom Shelfproject and Executive Vice President at NewTech Services, where he led global sales, manufacturing operations, and strategic planning. He began his career at Schlumberger, progressing through engineering, operations, and business development roles across Russia, the UAE, and other global locations.

He holds a Master’s degree in Petrophysics from Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas.

Lucien Zeigler is a venture capitalist, strategic advisor, podcast host, and public speaker with over 15 years of experience working with and living in Saudi Arabia. Lucien is Managing Director at RedSalt Advisory Company, a boutique business development and strategic advisory firm with clients in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East, principal and director for the MENA region at Pilatus Capital, a deeptech venture capital fund based in Silicon Valley, California, and Vice President of the non-profit Saudi-US Trade Group based in Washington, D.C.

Lucien is founder and co-host of The TWENTY30 Podcast, the number one bi-weekly podcast show and Youtube channel in English covering Saudi Arabia featuring interviews with changemakers leading Saudi Arabia’s transformation, topical deep dives into the news driving the day, and more.

Previously, Lucien was co-founder and CEO of the media startup Outlit, the venture-backed social publishing network and micropayments platform.

He is a frequent public speaker and event moderator. Among Lucien’s recent Saudi Arabia public speaking engagements include the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) Private Sector Forum in 2023 and 2024, the Human Capability Initiative launched by the Saudi Ministry of Education, events at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, and others.

Lucien splits his time between Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Washington, D.C., USA.

Ben Edwards is the Group Head of Cost, Commercial and Procurement of Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind The Red Sea and Amaala, two ambitious tourism projects set along the northwestern coast of Saudi Arabia. These destinations will play key roles in the realization of Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s blueprint for economic diversification and sustainable development.

Ben was appointed in August 2022, with over 25 years of experience gained with major contractors in the UK, Europe, Caribbean, Middle East and Far East. He has a proven record of delivering complex building and civil engineering projects across the globe prior to joining RSG.

Previously he was a Main Board Director of Tilbury Douglas in London, UK. He was responsible for the development and implementation of the business’ commercial strategy to undertake a greater proportion of lower risk projects blending the strengths of a strong regional business with public sector building and infrastructure frameworks, fit out and a selective presence in the commercial development market.

Ben has a bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying from the University of Northumbria at Newcastle, UK.

Described as a pragmatic futurist, Dale is driven to transform project delivery through innovative use of digital technologies and offsite manufacturing, collaborating with clients and contractors to harness the advantages of new manufacturing methods through kit-of-parts approaches. By integrating artificial intelligence into interdisciplinary workflows, he aims to revolutionise the approach to design complexity and future challenges including net zero. His global team is actively engaged in delivering cutting-edge projects. Dale is involved in many forums, helping stimulate and drive change in the built environment industry and he regularly talks at round table events, gives keynote addresses and publishes industry guidance.

Abdul-Rahman Al Ghabban is a dynamic, highly engaging Senior Strategy and Business Development Professional with proven executive-level experience in developing and driving strategic planning, project development, team development, and business growth within the energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing markets, nationally and internationally.

Abdul-Rahman has worked for several government agencies, including the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority, among other private-sector companies.

In 2013, he joined Bechtel as the business development manager for Bechtel’s Power Global Business Unit. After two years, he was appointed deputy country manager for Saudi Arabia in 2015. In recognition of Abdul-Rahman’s strong in-country experience and effective leadership, Abdul-Rahman was promoted to Country Manager Saudi Arabian Bechtel Company in 2017 where he spearheaded the company’s growth and expansion in the region.

He moved to Houston, USA in January 2019 to support Bechtel’s Oil, Gas and Chemicals’ downstream and chemical business development. In early 2020, he moved on to be the Deputy Manager of Corporate Business Development. Abdul-Rahman became the Marketing and Business Development Manager for Bechtel’s Manufacturing & Technology in 2022.

Abdul-Rahman returned to the Kingdom in mid-2013 as Vice President of Bechtel’s KSA Infrastructure. In this role, he led the company’s regional business strategy, stakeholder and customer engagement, talent management, and project operations for the company’s Public Infrastructure business line.

Most recently, Abdul-Rahman was appointed president of Saudi Arabian Bechtel Company and regional manager for the Middle East Region. In this role, he will support the Bechtel’s business development and project execution in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.

Abdul-Rahman is a registered professional engineer, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Executive Education Emerging Leaders from London Business School, and an Executive Masters in Energy Management from BI Norwegian School of Business Management.

Muhammad A. Alqahtani is known for his remarkable achievements in project management, arbitration, and driving transformative change. With a solid academic foundation — a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from KFUPM, a master's in Engineering Management from IAU, and an MBA from Liverpool John Moores University — Muhammad has supplemented his education with a Project Management qualification from George Washington University. He is recognized as a registered Professional Civil Engineer and Technical Expert, holding certifications as an Arbitrator, TapRoot Analyst, and Six Sigma Green Belt, alongside a certificate of management excellence from Harvard Business School.

Currently serving as Executive Vice President at Sports Boulevards Foundation (SBF), Muhammad spearheads the development and execution of projects exceeding SAR 5 billion, critical to realizing KSA's Vision 2030. With extensive experience at Qiddiya Investment Company and Saudi Aramco, he has further enriched his expertise through the Executive Education Program at Harvard Business School, specializing in Managing Turbulence.

Sulaiman Rafat S. Turki is the Chief Strategy & Development Officer at Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC), bringing over a decade of extensive leadership experience across multiple sectors. He specializes in strategic planning, risk management, and corporate governance. Sulaiman began his career in real estate development and mining before joining Saudi Aramco, where he held various roles in finance and project management. His responsibilities include implementing corporate strategies, developing strategic and operational KPIs, and driving new business initiatives. He has played a key role in shaping SWPC’s strategic direction. He is also committed to mentoring young professionals and fostering industry innovation. He holds an MBA and a bachelor’s in business administration specializing in corporate finance.

Fadi Aristo Hatoum is a highly accomplished business executive and visionary leader, currently serving as the CEO and partner of UNIMAC, a company specializing in heavy civil contracting, of infrastructure and road. Born on May 4, 1977, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Fadi grew up in the Kingdom and gained a strong academic foundation. He successfully completed a bachelor's degree in business administration from the American University of Beirut in Lebanon, followed by a master's degree in finance from London. He further pursued an MS in Information Systems and an MBA from Boston University.

Fadi has built an impressive career through his unwavering dedication and expertise in the industry for over 25 years. Armed with extensive knowledge and a passion for innovation, he embarked on a path of professional growth that would ultimately lead him to the helm of a greatly successful company in Saudi Arabia.

Under Fadi's leadership, UNIMAC has experienced exceptional growth and expanded its activities into new sectors and scopes, solidifying its position as an industry front-runner. His strategic thinking, combined with a relentless pursuit of growth and excellence, has fostered a culture of innovation within the organization, resulting in tailor-made solutions that consistently exceed client expectations.

With his noteworthy forward-thinking approach, and unwavering commitment to excellence, Fadi Aristo Hatoum continues to inspire and shape the future of UNIMAC, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.

Professional Experience
Dr Mark Smith has provided construction and programme advisory services for over thirty years, serving in key management consulting positions around the globe Mark has led capital project consulting practices across the Americas, Asia Pacific and Africa He currently leads Deloitte Middle East’s Infrastructure Capital Projects team and is based in Dubai, UAE.

Mark is recognised as one of the leading experts in building capabilities and designing organisations to deliver mega projects and large scale programmes Mark has served clients across the entire project ecosystem, including global engineering construction companies, emerging market governments, infrastructure fund investors and large multinational conglomerates H e brings his pioneering vision and approach to the delivery of some of the largest infrastructure projects in the world.

World Class Examples
With his strong foundation in Civil Engineering, Construction and Project Management, Mark has applied his distinguished leadership to large scale projects with a combined value of over one hundred billion dollars Some of his notable career highlights include the development of innovative construction management approaches on one of the first giga projects ever, a twenty year dam and power station construction programme for the China Ministry of Water Resources, which included the Three Gorges Dam The novel approaches he developed were applied to successfully deliver control and management of the many projects Mark also led the initial rollout of the World Bank’s City Resilience Programme Using digital design technology to map financial decision making, over ninety emerging market cities were empowered to design and build infrastructure for greater resilience to climate change Currently, Mark is leading Deloitte’s efforts at NEOM in Saudi Arabia, arguably the largest infrastructure program in the world, for several proponents including The LINE’s governance and PMO setup and as the senior lead executive on the Gulf of Aqaba proponent EPMO.

Education Qualifications

• Doctor of Philosophy in Construction Engineering and Project Management - The University of Texas at Austin
• Master of Science in Civil Engineering - Oklahoma State University
• Licensed Professional Engineer(PE) - State of Texas, USA
• Certified Public Accountant(CPA) - State of California, USA
• Certified Project Management Professional(PMP)