Archives: Speakers

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.