Archives: Speakers

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.