< Previous30 CONSTRUCTION WEEK JUNE 2021 POWER 100 WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM H E Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Shaibani, who chairs the seven-member board at Dubai-based master developer Nakheel, has climbed two places from the last year’s edition of our Power 100 list. Under HE Al-Shaibani’s stewardship, the master developer has announced some signi cant launches within just the rst ve months of 2021. These include the most recent 418-villa Murooj Al Furjan residential community; Nakheel Malls’ 1.9km Souk Al Marfa in partnership with DP World at Deira Islands; The Circle Mall in Dubai’s Jumeirah Village Circle; and The View at The Palm. In 2020, Nakheel recorded a number of achievements. Among these was the launch of Riu Dubai Hotel and Resort and Splash Park at Deira Islands. In addition, the Palm Fountain at The Pointe, Dubai’s premier lifestyle and dining destination by Nakheel, secured the Guinness World Record for the World’s Largest Fountain after a launch that was streamed live across the world. Nakheel has displayed strong corporate social responsibility and environmental awareness during the past and current year. Responding to the ongoing crisis last year, Nakheel pledged $62.6m (AED230m) in nancial support for customers. Moreover, Nakheel carried out a vaccination drive for its staff and family members in February 2021. Nakheel Community Management carried out environmental awareness campaigns across Discovery Gardens and Jumeirah Village Circle in March 2021. Nakheel is a world-leading master developer whose innovative, landmark projects form an iconic portfolio of master communities and residential, retail, hospitality and leisure developments that are pivotal to realising Dubai’s vision. Nakheel’s master developments span 15,000 hectares, accommodate nearly 300,000 people and provide a growing range of destinations, attractions and facilities for Dubai’s citizens, residents and tourists. HE MOHAMMED IBRAHIM AL-SHAIBANI 24POWER 100 JUNE 2021 CONSTRUCTION WEEK 31WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM Under the directives of the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Meraas joined Dubai Holding last year in an effort to sustain and advance growth through a unified and integrated vision that builds on gains, spurs efforts, and boosts Dubai’s global competitiveness. Dubai Holding lists Jumeirah Group, Dubai Properties, and TECOM Group among its portfolio. TECOM Group alone owns and operates 10 sector-focused business clusters, with Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City being the flagships. In a landmark move in March 2021, Dubai Holding partnered with a consortium of companies comprising Dubal Holding, ITOCHU Corporation, Hitachi Zosen Inova, BESIX Group, and Tech Group to develop one of the world’s largest energy-from-waste (EfW) facility, which will be built and operated under a 35-year concession period with Dubai Municipality. A $1.1bn (AED4bn) project, the facility is part of a public-private partnership (PPP) that, according to Dubai Holding, represents one of the most significant renewable energy investments in the UAE. In May 2021, the Ministry of Community Development (MOCD) and Dubai Holding completed a major residential renovation with a total amount of $2.7m (AED10m) that has been implemented across a number of areas in Dubai, under the Masaai Al Khair initiative. Dubai Holding has played an instrumental role in diversifying Dubai’s economy. Collectively, our companies represent our involvement across 10 sectors, continually driving support and growth of a sustainable, innovation-led economy in line with the UAE government’s vision. Dubai Holding actively seeks to grow a sustainable future through its companies’ initiatives, platforms and projects, positioning Dubai at the forefront of innovative thinking. HH SHEIKH AHMED BIN SAEED AL MAKTOUM 2532 CONSTRUCTION WEEK JUNE 2021 POWER 100 WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM Sironval has been recently appointed as Deputy Chief Executive Of cer of BESIX Group, replacing Rik Vandenberghe, who retains speci c responsibilities as advisor. Prior to his current role, Sironval was Head of BESIX Group in the Middle East, then Chief Operating Of cer for all the group’s activities worldwide. BESIX occupies a milestone JV along with Orascom Construction for an ongoing contract of the Grand Egyptian Museum, where construction recently hit 98%. Other major projects the rm is working on include two yover bridges, a one-lane ramp, and a two-lane tunnel in the Shindagha district near Port Rashid, awarded by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The construction heavyweight has undertaken signi cant industrial projects in the past. These include Dubai Municipality’s build-and-operate land ll gas- to-energy facility for a period of 16.5 years at Al Qusais; a $101m (AED 371m) design- and-build contract alongside Luxembourg-headquartered Jan De Nul Group for the expansion of Port of Fujairah (PoF); and a consortium-led $1.1bn (AED 4bn) energy-from-waste (EfW) facility, which is expected to be one of the world’s largest EfW projects. In 2020, the joint venture of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and Besix Group, Qatra Water Solutions revealed plans to expand the capacity of its wastewater treatment assets in Sharjah by 2022, to support the growing population of the Emirate. As Chief Executive Officer of Aldar Properties, Talal Al Dhiyebi headed up the Abu Dhabi developer’s business operations to navigate through a difficult period last year. The real estate developer closed the third quarter of 2020, recording an 8% jump in net profit to reach $113.3m (AED 416m), as revenues spiked 30% year-on-year to $571.7m (AED 2.1bn). Aldar brought in the first quarter of 2021 reporting net profits of $148m (AED 544m) and revenues of $544m (AED 2bn). Aldar, in conjunction with Modon Properties, has been engaged in Phase 2 of the Mina Zayed redevelopment project, which will entail transformation of the 3 million m2 destination into a commercial and residential destination. The real estate developer recently unveiled the $255.9m (AED 940m) masterplanned residential community, Noya, on the iconic Yas Island, located within an investment zone, which is set to complete in Q2 2023. Early this year, Aldar Properties announced that it will take over the management of $8.2bn (AED 30bn) worth of capital projects in the Emirate, including Riyadh City, Baniyas North, and developments in the Al Ain and Al Dhafra regions, as part of Abu Dhabi Executive Council’s approved framework between the government and Aldar Properties. As the developer charts a roadmap towards sustainability, it plans to develop a Carbon Neutral Action Plan by the end of 2021. 27 PIERRE SIRONVAL TALAL AL DHIYEBI 26POWER 100 JUNE 2021 CONSTRUCTION WEEK 33WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM Entering Construction Week’s Power 100 list is Mohamed Youssef, Senior Vice President, MENA, Infrastructure at SNC-Lavalin Group. SNC-Lavalin Group’s Engineering Services business consistently delivered solid results in 2020, marking strong performance across its three segments including Engineering, Design, and Project Management (EDPM), Nuclear and Infrastructure Services. In the past twelve months, the company has completed three district cooling plants in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar; provided facilities management services and expertise to major infrastructure projects in education, transport, and real estate sectors in KSA and Qatar; and achieved 8 million man- hours without any LTI on a number of projects in Qatar including the Qatar Petroleum District, Al Waab City, Aberdeen University, Doha Academy, The Pearl Qatar, among others. The company also secured new contract wins in project management consultancy services, district cooling, and facilities management services. As part of its Net Zero global initiative, the company is working closely with its clients across the region to help them manage climate risk and build climate resilience. SNC-Lavalin Group aims to continue its strategic focus on providing engineering services and project management solutions aligned to clients’ needs in various markets for the coming year. 28 MOHAMED YOUSSEF Santoni stepped into the role of President MEA at Parsons in January 2020 and under his leadership, Parsons’ regional team were speedy to react in taking necessary COVID-19 measures for the safety and well-being of employees whilst attending to the needs of the business to keep things moving smoothly, through the past year. The company has worked on several key projects in the last twelve months. In Dubai, Parsons has been engaged in multiple projects under Expo 2020 Dubai, the Route 2020 Metro Line extension, and the Emirate’s Intelligent Traffic Management Systems (ITS 2020). In Abu Dhabi, the company has worked on the Mina Tunnel, the longstanding Transportation and Road Improvement Program (TRIP), and several Emirati housing projects for Modon Properties. In Saudi Arabia, Parsons continues to support the Qiddiya gigaproject and the Yanbu Industrial City in a project management and program management role. During 2020, the company was awarded massive contracts in the Middle East such as the King Salman Park, Riyadh Sports Boulevard, and the Diriyah Gate Infrastructure. In Qatar, Parsons has actively worked on the Lusail City Development Phase 2, the Local Roads and Drainage and Expressway Programs, various FIFA readiness projects, and the Center of Doha Beauti cation. 29 PIERRE SANTONI34 CONSTRUCTION WEEK JUNE 2021 POWER 100 WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM David Welch is President, International and Government Affairs Senior Vice President of US- based engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) and project management rm, Bechtel. Welch was elected Senior Vice President in 2010. He has climbed up six spots from his past position in Construction Week’s Power 100 series and is at number 30. The company has worked on some of the most high-pro le construction projects in the GCC and Middle East regions. In August 2020, the company was awarded a contract by Saudi Arabia gigaproject NEOM to provide design, construction and project management services across the development. The contractor will also oversee and create utilities and a transport system to connect NEOM’s cognitive cities. Bechtel has extensive experience of working in Saudi Arabia after overseeing major projects including the Riyadh Metro and Jubail Industrial City. Moreover, Bechtel’s past projects include engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) management for Aluminium Bahrain’s (Alba) Line 6 expansion project – one of the biggest brown eld developments in the Kingdom of Bahrain – which was inaugurated by Bahrain’s King HM Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa in November 2019. Furthermore, Welch is a distinguished board member of the US Saudi Business Council (USSABC), the US UAE Business Council, and the US Egypt Business Council. 30 DAVID WELCH L ed by Senan Al Naboodah, Al Naboodah Construction Group (ANCG), under Al Naboodah Group Enterprises, places health and safety at the fore. Through the past year, ANCG considered health and safety from a collaborative approach, involving all clients to develop a COVID-19 precautionary plan. Simultaneously, ANCG places equal focus on “individual accountability” when it comes to HSE, said Al Naboodah to Construction Week in a past interview. The company - on various occasions - has actualised its motto ‘See it, Sort it! Safety is Everybody’s Business’. The industry is witnessing signi cant change in the processes followed to ensure safety for construction workers, and ANCG is at the helm of it. For its four-building mixed- use Mankhool project, ANCG developed HSE programs under 10 areas, identi ed under activities involving high risk. These include working at height, working with live energy, driving and traf c management, breaking ground and excavations, working in con ned spaces, carrying out lifting operations, working at the plant and with equipment, hot works and re prevention, temporary works, and working in the heat. In view of the ongoing pandemic, ANCG implemented a management plan across its of ces, showrooms, yards, worksites, accommodation, and facilities, at the outset. 31 SENAN AL NABOODAHPOWER 100 JUNE 2021 CONSTRUCTION WEEK 35WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM The Hussain Sajwani-led Dubai-listed developer has its eyes xated on health, safety and continual construction progress. Towards the end of 2020, DAMAC logged more than 53 million safe man-hours across its ongoing projects in Dubai. The developer has been actively engaged across several projects through the past twelve months. These include the 3.9km2 DAMAC Hills community, as well as at its separate projects such as Aykon Heights on Sheikh Zayed Road and the 26-storey Zada project in Business Bay. DAMAC also recently opened the 2,294.7m2 man-made Malibu Bay beach pool, which is the only one of its kind in a residential community in the UAE, and the largest of its kind in the GCC region. In December 2020, DAMAC Properties achieved 40% total ownership of its Nine Elms project in London, following the board’s decision of an acquisition to increase its stake. Nine Elms is DAMAC’s premier development in the UK and Europe’s rst collaboration between Versace Home and a new residential property in London’s Prime Zone 1 location. Located on London’s South Bank, in the Nine Elms area, the ultra-modern tower features a unique and balanced architectural composition. DAMAC marked a major digital transformation towards the end of 2019. The developer moved systems online; started implementing new CRM systems and new ERPs; and accelerated its digital plans due to COVID-19. 32 HUSSAIN SAJWANI Azizi Developments has had a refreshing 2020 and 2021 despite the pandemic. Despite a turbulent market, the developer, led by its Founder and Chairman, Mirwais Azizi, awarded a multitude of contracts for its projects in the past and current year. These have been awarded to RAK Ceramics, SS Lootah, Daikin, Salama Structural Engineers, MARIO Associates, BRC Arabia, ASGC-subsidiary Hard Block Factory, KLUDI RAK, Light Concept, and Witteveen+Bos, among others. Azizi’s projects including Riviera, Mina on the Palm, Star, Creek Views, Park Avenue, Berton, Aura, and Shaista, recorded major milestones in the last twelve months. Phase 1 of Azizi’s four- phased $3.2bn Riviera project has touched 85% completion. Phase 2 stands at more than 70%, and Phase 3 is now over 40% built. Construction recently commenced on the $1.1bn Phase 4 of the project. Azizi Developments’ Creek Views I has crossed 58% completion. Creek Views II has crossed the halfway construction mark. Riding high on project completions, Azizi closed 2020 with the inauguration of Aura, its 479-unit complex in Downtown Jebel Ali. In March 2021, Azizi marked the handover of its mixed-use development Shaista in Al Furjan. It also completed the handover of Mina, its luxurious development on the Palm Jumeirah. 33 MIRWAIS AZIZI36 CONSTRUCTION WEEK JUNE 2021 POWER 100 WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM Francis Alfred, Chief Executive Of cer and Managing Director at Sobha Realty, which is the developer of the $4.4bn Sobha Hartland project, has been pivotal in ensuring the developer’s commitment to project delivery through 2020 and during the current year. Two of Sobha Realty’s major launches recently include the unveiling of 35-storey Waves within its newly-launched Waterfront District; and Phase 3 of Tranquility, also within its Hartland project. Sobha Hartland is 30% complete in terms of construction. The developer remains distinct in its approach to working and constructing its projects, owing to its backward integration methodology. In July 2020, Sobha Realty launched its Experience Studio, to take visitors on “a behind-the- scenes journey” of the various aspects that make up its design and construction process. The Experience Studio highlights the quality, materials and efforts that go into delivering luxury living spaces to Dubai’s residents and its attention to detail in every aspect of the execution, workmanship and service. Following the launch of the studio, the developer noted increased investor interest towards its projects. “The studio enables a ‘touch-and-feel’ experience. And, it’s a bold statement to be opening your entire technical information to your customers,” said Alfred. Alfred recently revealed Sobha’s plans to adopt modular construction as a “serious business” to ensure faster delivery and better quality control. 34 FRANCIS ALFRED S audi Arabia-based contractor Almabani, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Joseph Daher, is abiding by its core values to deliver customer satisfaction and ensure timely completion of projects, positioning itself as a leading stakeholder in the KSA market. Almabani boasts an extensive portfolio and has worked across major sectors including aviation, housing, infrastructure. Among the contractor’s recent line of activities is a contract win for the construction of airside infrastructure works at The Red Sea Development Company’s (TRSDC) international airport project as part of a joint venture with Nesma & Partners. The contract entails the construction of airside infrastructure works, including the design and building of a Code F runway 3,700m, Code B seaplane runway, parallel and link taxiways and pavement works, aeronautical navigational aids, aerodrome ground lighting, airside utilities, helipads, roads, and associated buildings. Other notable achievements include the completion of the railway tunnel leading to King Abdulaziz International Airport Station in Jeddah. Almabani was efficient in its response towards the COVID-19 pandemic, by spreading awareness and establishing new working protocols to prevent further spread of the virus. The contractor also ranked high on our Top KSA firms list. 35 JOSEPH DAHERPOWER 100 JUNE 2021 CONSTRUCTION WEEK 37WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM Arada, a joint venture between KBW Investments and Basma Group, is ramping up its efforts on providing an uplift to the Emirate’s real estate landscape. The developer started the year on a high note, marking the launch of its third project, a 1.76 million square metre mega community Masaar. Arada, which is headed by Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, and is developing the 2.2km2 and $6.5bn (AED24bn) Aljada megaproject in the Emirate, has awarded several contracts in the past twelve months. Recently, the developer awarded a $49m (AED 180m) contract to Al Ashram Contracting to build The Boulevard within Aljada. In August 2020, the $115.1m (AED 423m) contract to build East Village, within Phase 2 of Aljada, was awarded to Best Building Contracting Company. The developer awarded the works for Phase 1 of the SABIS International School within Aljada to Al Zamalek General Contracting. It also awarded a $27.8m Phase 2 infra works contract for Aljada to Al Marwan General Contracting Company. In February 2021, Arada awarded a three-year facilities management contract to Emrill and a $100m contract to build Nest within Aljada to Intermass Engineering and Contracting Company. On the HSE front, Arada recorded 12 million safe man-hours without LTI, as of March 2021. After contributing to Sharjah’s real estate, Arada is eyeing the rest of UAE in terms of growth and business. 36 AHMED ALKHOSHAIBI Ithra Dubai’s portfolio of ongoing projects, being carried out under the leadership of Raad Jarrah, its Chief Development Of cer, are shaping the Emirate’s construction landscape. The developer is spearheading two landmark projects including the Deira Enrichment Programme and One Za’abeel, which hosts the world’s longest cantilevered structure, and is being constructed by contracting giant ALEC as the main contractor. One Za’abeel has crossed the 50% construction mark and in April 2021, Ithra Dubai revealed that Tower A of its agship development was completed. However, Jarrah insisted that the biggest achievement to date on the project was the completion of the nal lift of the 900-tonne second section of ‘The Link’, thereby qualifying One Za’abeel to attempt to break the Guinness World Records™ title for the “Longest Cantilevered Building” in the world. Ithra Dubai is also known for its remarkable progress and engineering excellence on the Deira Enrichment Project. ‘Ithra’, in fact, is Arabic for ‘Enrichment’. Between now and the end of the year, Ithra Dubai aims to handover eight or nine plots in its entirety for Deira Enrichment Project, Jarrah revealed in an interview with Construction Week. “Our plan has always been to deliver the project in stages. It’s a project of substantial size and each plot has a plethora of buildings that deliver a jigsaw puzzle,” he said about the upcoming project. 37 RAAD JARRAH38 CONSTRUCTION WEEK JUNE 2021 POWER 100 WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM Coming into the Power list at number 38 is ICD Brook eld CEO Rob Devereux. ICD Brook eld is a joint venture between Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) and Brook eld Properties. The LEED Platinum ICD Brook eld Place has seen an increasing demand for space and expects this to continue throughout the year as more businesses return to the workplace and seek healthier buildings for their employees. ICD Brook eld is “set out to deliver the best of ce in the region,” with ICD Brook eld Place, said Devereux. ICD Brook eld Place was recently recognised at the Construction Week Awards 2020, which were held in December 2020, as the Commercial Project of the Year. ICD Brook eld Place recently announced the signing of eleven new leases totalling 6,689m2. The tenants include blue-chip companies; UBS, the world’s largest wealth manager with focused investment bank and asset management divisions, and Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), one of the world’s largest aircraft leasing companies and a regional MRO provider. The lettings are the most recent in a series of commitments from a range of tenants at ICD Brook eld Place. These include Nomura, Elie Khoury Art Foundation, Binghatti Holding Limited, The Arts Club corporate of ce, Montfort Investments Limited, Houlihan Lokey, Tilad Investment Company, R.J. O’Brien (MENA) Capital Limited and V. Group Managing Serv. Ltd. 38 ROB DEVEREUX Since joining her role as Partner at Pinsent Masons in 2019, Workman focused on a more “human style of leadership,” especially indulging in internal and external engagement within the company, breaking down hierarchical barriers. Workman placed trust and transparency at the fore despite a dubious environment in the past year. Moreover, in her capacity, Workman continues to champion all forms of diversity and inclusion. “It is my responsibility to ensure that the path is smoother for those who follow me in our business and others,” she said. Externally, Workman has made a difference by taking on speaking slots at conferences as well as joining interest groups such as the British Business Group and the Saudi British Joint Business Council, all focused on enhancing Pinsent Masons’ brand recognition. Among Pinsent Masons’ major successes in the past twelve months are its revenue growth, which is 10% ahead of the past year; internal promotions spearheaded by Workman; launch of the Mindful Business Charter in the Middle East; and the introduction of personality testing tools. Pinsent Masons budgeted for further year-on-year growth of 16% on the expected outturn for this year. The firm has big growth ambitions and part of this includes building up a plan for growth in the Saudi market. 39 CATHERINE WORKMANPOWER 100 JUNE 2021 CONSTRUCTION WEEK 39WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM Saudi Binladin Group (SBG), a subsidiary of the Binladin International Holding Group (BIHG) appointed Grigoris Christo des as its Chief Transformation Of cer (CTO) in February 2021. Working with the Chief Executive Of cer of SBG Contracting, Christo des leads the business’ repositioning efforts to achieve a sustainable balance sheet across the organisation’s global, nancial and operational divisions. Saudi Binladin Group (SBG), which was incorporated in 1967, is a subsidiary of Binladin International Holding Group (BIHG), established in collaboration with Istidama Holding Company, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Finance. Considered as an in uential name within the GCC’s construction sector, despite going through a nancially dif cult time for many years, SBG, known for its work on the Grand Mosque in Makkah, has been undergoing a group-wide transformation programme designed to see BIHG absorb, rebuild, and reinvent the rm under the mandate of its board of directors. Regarded as KSA’s largest construction rm, its projects include the King Abdul Aziz International Airport; the King Saud University; the King Abdullah Economic City; the Al-Jamarat Bridge; the new Alhada Highway; the Jabal Omar project; and the new Hajj Terminals project. In the UAE, its projects include the Sharjah International Airport; the Fujairah Airport; and the Al Barsha Traf c Management Centre in Dubai. The history of Binladin begins in 1931 during the Kingdom’s early years, under the reign of King Abdul Aziz Al Saud. Mohammed Binladin founded the Mohammad Binladin Organisation as a general contracting company. Binladin’s history and growth intertwined with that of the kingdom’s ever since. As Saudi Arabia prospered, developed and became active on the international front, Binladin evolved simultaneously. GRIGORIS CHRISTOFIDES 40Next >