The Middle East is home to some of the world’s biggest malls (http://APO.af/Mq5N33), tallest towers (wwwBurjKhalifa.ae/en/), most luxurious hotels (http://APO.af/43CBcD) and fastest growing ports. This is underpinned by steady investment to set the foundation for future growth. The Dubai Plan 2021 (http://APO.af/L9yoG1), Qatar National Vision 2030 (http://APO.af/2jIqvt) and Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 (http://APO.af/Eu24ya) are just some of the comprehensive government-led expansion programmes being implemented. All of these include significant property and infrastructure development and, being the Middle East, the scale and speed of the work will soon reach unprecedented levels.

Having already made two key management appointments to support this, Aurecon (www.AureconGroup.com) is committed to helping clients bring their big dreams to life in this exciting region. In order to further energize the local market and help drive this growth, the company has announced several other key appointments.

Ermis Marques, Aurecon’s Regional Director for the Middle East, says the latest appointments reflect the company’s drive to continuously add value to their clients’ businesses.

“We are under no illusions as to the scale of the work our clients are seeking from us and we are committed to exceeding their expectations. These appointments signify significant commitment and support our vision for the Middle East,” he said.

Bart Leclercq to boost strategic client alliances

Based in Dubai, one of the most experienced and dynamic professionals in the Middle East’s construction and engineering sectors,Bart Leclercq has joined the company as Client Director, Global Partners. Leclercq will form strategic alliances with key global partners, harnessing synergies between organisations to deliver exciting projects around the world. A major part of his time will be dedicated to the Middle East, home of many spectacular, one-of-a-kind projects.

Leclercq will also use his experience and knowledge of the Middle East to provide strategic, design and technical leadership to Aurecon’s teams working on major projects around the region. His dedication to developing others will be channelled into educating, inspiring and motivating junior colleagues to achieve high standards of design quality, client service and project delivery.

“Leclercq will be instrumental in helping us bring our clients’ big dreams to life here in the Middle East,” said Ermis Marques. “The Middle East is where achieving superlatives – the tallest, highest, fastest – is the norm. Our clients believe in challenging the status quo and constantly pushing boundaries. In this regard, Leclercq is a perfect fit for Aurecon. Not only does he have a stellar track record in the Middle East, but he shares our desire to help our clients build even bolder dreams.”

Leclercq joins Aurecon from WSP, where he served as Senior Technical Director leading business development work in the Middle East. In this role he was involved in a number of landmark projects including One&Only The Palm, Dubai Trade Centre District, and City of Arabia.

“I’m pleased to join the Aurecon team at this exciting time of growth for the company in the region,” said Leclercq. “I look forward to working with the team on developing a portfolio of world-class projects and creating memorable client experiences.”

New roles, new future

In the United Arab Emirates, Mina Al Jubori will lead Aurecon’s office in Abu Dhabi. Al Jubori has more than 15 years of experience delivering design and construction (http://APO.af/gIJMW8) support in the Middle East for large multi-disciplinary civil infrastructure projects, ranging from heavy industrial zones to container terminals (http://APO.af/8sfUD4), ports (http://APO.af/8sfUD4) and rail infrastructure (http://APO.af/5TXHFM).

Over in Qatar, Roy Fullard will continue his role of Country Manager. Fullard has over 20 years’ experience project development and delivery with a track record of delivering projects safely to time, cost and quality. Most recently, he was Aurecon’s project director on the Doha Metro – Red Line South (http://APO.af/xmQwnh) project.

Responsible for the growth of Aurecon’s business in Qatar, Fullard will be supported by Operations Director, Ahmed El-Essnawi - a veteran transport (http://APO.af/Aix7ED) engineer with more than 20 years of experience and the current Highways (http://APO.af/zhRJZS) and Infrastructure leader for the Middle East.

“Fullard and El-Essnawi will work closely with our local and global teams to ensure we bring the highest levels of expertise and service to our major projects in Qatar,” said Marques.

Boosting bench-strength to deliver major projects

Taking over Fullard’s previous role as the manager of the professional services unit, Colum O'Donovan will focus on expanding Aurecon’s operations in project and program management (http://APO.af/OCThjI), mixed-use masterplanning and land infrastructure, industrial and resources (http://APO.af/S1iAY9), and water (http://APO.af/zkaazo) and energy operations. O’Donovan is also Aurecon’s project director on major projects such as the new Department of Transport Headquarters in Abu Dhabi, and the Al Taweelah Aluminium Refinery in Abu Dhabi.

On the complementary competencies of this senior team, Marques added, “Together the five of them have more than 100 years of project development, design, delivery and management experience, underpinned by a keen understanding of what it takes to bring mega projects to life in the Middle East. I look forward to the synergies that they bring for our clients and projects.”