< PreviousPower 50: Top Designers commercialinteriordesign.com December 2021 30 Mihir Sanganee Creative director, Designsmith Interiors Surprisingly, 2020 turned out to be a blessing in disguise for architect Mihir Sanganee, the creative director of Designsmith, an award-winning, multi- disciplinary studio established in 1988. "We took the time to focus on stability, strategically growing our team from nine members to 22," he says. "We also expanded into new markets in Saudi Arabia and Africa." In 2021, Mihir's exemplary foresight and fl air for building relationships garnered multiple illustrious projects for Designsmith, including multiple sites at the Expo, Khaleej Times HQ and Emirates Co-Op HQ. "Another project I’m personally proud of is our work with The Bureau, the fi rst female co-working space in the UAE, which opens doors this February," he adds. "I've always believed that strategic planning and the right people will be the key to our studio's growth," he elaborates. "Come 2022, we're transforming our Al Quoz studio into a one-of-a-kind experiential outlet spread across 9,000 sq ft, showcasing cutting- edge, innovative designs and state-of-the- art living spaces." The right people are key to our growth... 2031 December 2021commercialinteriordesign.com FIT OUT 1 Michael Melnick Managing director, BW Interiors For the last four years, Michael has headed up the company that fi tted-out award-winning projects including The Arts Club Dubai, which BW has described as a "gamechanger." Other notable recent projects include new headquarters for VISA, consisting of 8,200 sq m of commercial offi ce space in record time whilst the base structure was being built and Arboretum restaurant in the luxurious Al Qasr Hotel Madinat Jumeira. Ongoing projects include a clutch of offi ces and a restaurant in ICD Brookfi eld Place, DIFC's super-luxury offi ce tower and retail development, plus the Royal Residence and Penthouse at the new Address Beach Resort, JBR, Dubai. After a very successful yet challenging 2021, Michael's personal intention for the coming year is to ensure the wellbeing of his staff by continuing ethical and best practice equal opportunity initiatives for all colleagues to develop, grow within the organisation and be happy. He has also vowed to "keep lifting the bar for quality execution for these niche projects for which BW Interiors has become the fi t-out company of choice for many designers and clients."Power 50: Top Fit Out commercialinteriordesign.com December 2021 32 Syed Kashif Akhtar Group MD, Havelock One Kashif is a corporate leader with more than 25 years of experience in managing businesses throughout the Gulf region. In his role as the Group GM of Havelock One, he provides strategic leadership and guidance to the senior team, helping the organisation to thrive while delivering a superior service experience to the customers. Kashif strongly believes in developing the company, its people and value proposition by continuously evolving structures, systems and processes. Furthermore, he is a great proponent of empowering people, nurturing a progressive culture and strengthening corporate governance. For Havelock One, 2021 has been the year of Starbucks, fi tting 150 projects in the GCC alone. Looking ahead, the fi rm is in the process of opening a new offi ce in Riyadh. A new factory in Bahrain will also play a major role in the future successes. Ian Milford CEO, Al Tayer Stocks Ian became CEO of Al Tayer Stocks (ATS) six months prior to the global pandemic, after serving for a decade in managerial roles. In spite of the obvious challenges the world and the business faced, he successfully navigated operations whilst maintaining and exceeding the company business plan. Modest in his thoughts and a strong believer in a team effort, Ian wanted to ensure that his team did not suffer during the pandemic and therefore there were zero reductions in salaries. So far 2021, has proven successful across the business under Ian's command, with ATS having delivered multiple projects across various sectors. These include new Dubai landmark the Museum of the Future, which is due to complete this month, when we'll see ATS' work as fi t-out contractor. Ian been heavily involved, from tender to site, regularly attending client meetings with VIP clients. 2 3Power 50: Top Fit Out 33 December 2021commercialinteriordesign.com Laurent Farge General manager, ALEC FITOUT With in excess of 24 years' experience of delivering luxury interior fi t-out projects in Europe and the GCC, Laurent is the driving force behind the successful expansion of ALEC FITOUT across the region. He develops and directs the implementation of business plans, aligning employees and creating strong relationships with key stakeholders.Laurent also generates new business and secures profi table work, ensuring the business unit is profi table and commercially successful, whilst providing a value-for-money service to clients. Laurent also ensures that ALEC FITOUT is aligned with the ALEC values and culture of the business. Committed to the consistent delivery of excellence, continual improvement of business practice, ongoing collaboration with clientele and specialist partners whilst ensuring profi table returns, Laurent has played a crucial role in the growth and development of ALEC FITOUT regionally. Since 2008, ALEC FITOUT has successfully completed 1,100,000 sq m of fi t-out projects, with a combined value in excess of AED 4 billion across the UAE, Ethiopia, Qatar, Oman, KSA and others. Under the guidance and management of Laurent, ALEC FITOUT has grown from a team of fi ve with turnover of AED 30 million in 2009 and to date currently employs 200-plus staff and more than 1,500 labourers with regular annual turnover in excess of AED 600m. Throughout the last 12 months, the team at ALEC FITOUT has been busy delivering an array of projects and was involved in over 12 pavilions at Expo 2020 Dubai, as well as luxury interior fi t-out projects for hotels, resort spas, retail, cinema, leisure, visitor experience, cultural project and exhibition spaces. Laurent’s plan for 2022 is to continue expanding ALEC FITOUT geographically within the region as well as expanding its scope to deliver a vast range of projects. 4Power 50: Top Fit Out commercialinteriordesign.com December 2021 34 Ross Trivett General manager, Khansaheb Interiors Within his role as GM of Khansaheb Interiors and Joinery, Ross leads a team of 230 staff and a 1000 highly skilled operatives providing a bespoke specialist interiors fi t-out service carrying out work within all key sectors, with an enviable reputation for the extensive portfolio of high-end turnkey fi t-out projects. With Ross at the helm, Khansaheb's interiors and joinery divisions have been led through an extremely successful 2021, in what has continued to be a diffi cult year for the industry. During 2021, Covid-19 preventative measures were still being implemented across all of its business activities and facilities, the company continued to successfully deliver several key projects, on time. Having already secured over 60 per cent of the required turnover for 2022, Khansaheb Interiors' focus will be on continuing to deliver exceptional quality projects, safely. Marcos Bish MD, Summertown Interiors Marcos co-founded Summertown Interiors in 1997. It is his passion and vision that has seen Summertown develop into one of the leading commercial interior fi t out contractors in the UAE. He genuinely believes in the company's mission to consistently deliver high end sustainable interior projects on time and on budget which help clients achieve their environmental goals, reduce operational costs, and most importantly create inspiring workplaces. During 2021, Summertown delivered an exciting variety of fi t out and design and build projects that have enhanced the region's commercial interior design industry by encouraging more businesses to incorporate sustainable solutions into their workplace. Among these are food court refurbishment , the Times Square Center Picnic Square, and translating Roar's award-winning vibrant designs for Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority. 5 6Power 50: Top Fit Out 35 December 2021 commercialinteriordesign.com 7 Steve Ramsden MD Southeast Asia & Middle East, ISG ISG's work has been instrumental to the delivery of Expo 2020 Dubai. The fi rm has also completed several construction and fi t-out service packages at ICD Brookfi eld Place in DIFC. Other projects of note completed in the last 12 months include; Miral HQ and Roxy Cinemas. Steve sees 2022 as a year of recovery for the region and the world. He will continue to lead the growing team and focus on offering the best customer experience in the industry and driving positive change. Michel Khouri MD, Emkay Interiors Michel has worked very hard since he established Emkay Interiors in 2004 to achieve excellence in the fi t out fi eld. His attention to detail, follow ups and professionalism in work, as well as 30 years of experience have helped put Emkay Interiors where it stands today. In 2021, Emkay Interiors completed many projects in the healthcare sector, with clinics for Medcare, American Hospital and Aster successfully delivered in fi ve locations. The fi rm also reprised its ongoing partnership with the CID Awards. Tareq Khalafawi CEO & co-founder, A&T Group Interiors Following an early career in construction, Tareq co-founded A&T Group Interiors in 2009 and now holds an industry-leading reputation. His true entrepreneurial mindset, background in architecture, and passion to create value by looking to solve problems for others, sees him well- positioned as A&T Group Interiors CEO. No matter the challenges, Tareq always believes in his and his team's ability to succeed. If current traction is anything to go by, the fi rm predicts its best year yet in 2022, with strategic expansion into KSA. 8 9Power 50: Top Fit Out commercialinteriordesign.com December 2021 36 Ahmed A. Sultan Managing partner, Finasi Group As managing partner Ahmed is responsible for all the business units of the Group, which comprise of design, furniture, fi t- out, joinery and landscaping. Finasi Group employs 300 people from all over the world and has offi ces in Africa, UAE and Italy. In Dubai, the Company owns a hi-tech joinery in Dubai Investment Park, plus metal and glass workshops. Finasi is also the exclusive partner of high-end European furniture brands: ArmaniCasa, FIAM, FLOU, Zanotta, ColombiniCasa, Gufram, GandiaBlasco, UnoPiu’ and LiuJo. In 2021, Finasi completed numerous landmark projects. These include Netherland’s and Finland's Expo 2020 Dubai Pavilion, which features a breathtaking 30-metre wood cladded gorge made with more than 100,000 wooden strips. Finasi also furnished the trendy new Accor TH8 hotel on the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. Ahmed's plans for 2022 include expanding Finasi's joinery and metal workshop, opening an offi ce in Uganda, a branch in KSA, growing the Design & Build team and the Milano offi ce. Plans for 2022 include growing the business... 1037 December 2021 commercialinteriordesign.com TOP SUPPLIERS Mriganka Travasso Creative director, partner & design director, Total Offi ce Mriganka is a creative director and partner at The Total Offi ce though her role infl uences virtually every department in the organization as it encompasses enhancing client touchpoints, process, design and product development. She's also the founder of Plumsheep, which focuses on bespoke product development in soft furnishing and acoustics for the workspace and hospitality industry. Mriganka also volunteers as the Design Director at Surge for Water, a non-profi t that provides safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene solutions to help end the cycle of poverty in Uganda, the Philippines, Haiti and India. In total she's been in the design industry for 22 years as respectively she's spent 18, 11 and seven years in these three roles. During this time, she seen through crisis after crisis across two decades. Samer Moukalled Vice president, Scientechnic Heading the lighting division of Scientechnic for three years and with 14 experience in the industry overall, under Samer's leadership, the company has grown from strength to strength. The key buzzword for the company this year has been ‘diversity', and Samer has taken the lead in driving a complete internal restructuring exercise within the team. As well as improving response times, this allowed the company to work on a more diversifi ed portfolio, from landmark projects such as the public realm lighting for Expo 2020 Dubai, to lucrative medium to smaller sized accounts. In 2022, Samer wants to take more calculated risks to enhance the company's overall profi tability. He is also a big advocate of gender equality in the workplace and hopes to see more women actively taking part in his management round tables. Another cause close to his heart is going green in the offi ce. 1 2Power 50: Top Suppliers commercialinteriordesign.com December 2021 38 Sam Saliba Partner & creative director, Art Painting Lab Sam is the creative director of Art Painting Lab (APL), which specialises in art consulting for hospitality sectors, F&B and entire public developments. Her work includes but is not limited to concept creation and art production. Sam and APL have built a platform where artists can work as professionals in the design industry and where young creatives fi nd monitorship. Looking back on 2021, the whole team has enjoyed a busy year. APL was the dedicated art consultant and art maker for the award-winning Roar project Early Years, which was named offi ce of the year at the Commercial Interior Design Awards 2021. APL is also the creative team behind the art for Koyo at the Intercontinental Dubai Marina hotel and is currently working on an amazing Chinese restaurant Tan Cha at JW Marriott Marquis in Business Bay. Team members have created art for an upcoming Starbucks at Bluewaters Island, leisure attraction Topgolf and designed the bar artworks for the recent Downtown Design Week. Now they're working on several high end design projects in Saudi Arabia as part of the APL expansion. Artists can experiment and be mentored... 3Power 50: Top Suppliers 39 December 2021 commercialinteriordesign.com Eddy Abou Khalil Regional director, Cosentino What's coming up for the surfaces supplier Cosentino in 2022? Under Eddy's leadership, Cosentino Middle East will kick start its business plans in KSA and India and grow the retail business in the UAE. There will be a massive focus on the façade business and targeted initiatives to fortify relationships and educate its partners and distributors on the company's products and services. This is all building on the success of 2021 when, Cosentino launched two new market-leading products: Silestone Sunlit Days – the fi rst carbon neutral series and Ethereal by Silestone – a hyper-realistic marble inspired collection. This collection is also available in large format slabs and come with technologically advanced qualities including scratch and stain resistance, making it ideal for architecture and design projects. 4 5 David Hammond & Alex Dunn Managing director & managing partner, Drawdeck Dave and Alex run B2C and B2B-driven company Drawdeck. The creative studio based in Dubai, UAE, comprises of designers, artists and art consultants that supply consumers and companies with curated, affordable art solutions. Its B2C ecommerce store is a platform for independent artists around the world to sell to consumers in the UAE, while a B2B team works with clients in F&B, hospitality and commercial sectors.Next >