Osama Al-Hussain on CSQ’s expanding presence in Saudi Arabia’s construction market
As CSQ celebrates a huge recognition in Saudi Arabia’s construction sector, we spoke with KSA Country Lead Osama Al-Hussain about the firm’s growth and approach in the Kingdom. He discusses its growing presence, evolving client expectations, the role of consultants in Vision 2030, and how CSQ is helping clients navigate increasingly complex projects.
Congrats with the ‘Consultancy of the Year’ recognition at the Construction Innovation Awards for KSA. In your view, what has been the key driver behind the company’s success?
Our success in Saudi Arabia has been driven first and foremost by our people. We have built an exceptionally talented team that combines deep technical expertise with a genuine understanding of the Kingdom’s ambitions and market dynamics. Their commitment to quality, innovation and collaboration has enabled us to consistently deliver value for our clients.
Equally important has been the trust and support of our clients. We see every project as a long-term partnership, taking the time to understand our clients’ objectives and working alongside them to deliver practical, sustainable outcomes. Their confidence in our capabilities has allowed us to grow with them and contribute to some of the Kingdom’s most exciting developments.
Finally, our success reflects the strength of the wider ecosystem we operate in. Saudi Arabia has a highly collaborative market, and we have been fortunate to work with outstanding consultants, contractors, developers and government stakeholders who share a common goal of delivering excellence. These strong partnerships have enabled us to combine expertise, solve complex challenges and achieve better outcomes together.
Being recognised as ‘Consultancy of the Year’ is therefore a reflection of a collective effort. It celebrates the dedication of our team, the trust of our clients and the collaborative spirit of our industry partners, all of whom have played an essential role in CSQ’s journey in Saudi Arabia.
Many consultancies talk about growth in Saudi Arabia. What has been CSQ’s approach to building a sustainable and meaningful presence in the Kingdom?
Our approach has never been about simply expanding our footprint – it has been about building the right team and fostering the right partnerships.
From the outset, we have invested in attracting and developing talented people who not only bring exceptional technical expertise but also share our values of collaboration, integrity and excellence. Their commitment to understanding the local market, embracing new challenges and consistently delivering for our clients has been the foundation of our growth in the Kingdom.
Equally, we have focused on building long-term relationships with trusted partners who share our vision and commitment to quality. The dedication and professionalism of the consultants, contractors, suppliers and industry partners we work alongside have been integral to our success. By working collaboratively, sharing knowledge and combining our strengths, we have been able to deliver better outcomes and create lasting value for our clients.
For us, a meaningful presence in Saudi Arabia is measured not by the number of projects we undertake, but by the quality of the relationships we build, the trust we earn and the positive impact we create together. It is the collective efforts of our talented team and our dedicated partners that continue to drive our sustainable growth in the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia’s development pipeline continues to evolve at remarkable pace. How have client expectations changed over the last few years and how is CSQ helping clients navigate those changes?
As Saudi Arabia’s development pipeline has evolved, so too have our clients’ expectations. The conversation has moved beyond delivering projects on time and on budget to creating long-term value through innovation, sustainability, digital integration and robust governance. Clients are looking for advisors who can navigate increasingly complex projects while understanding the unique opportunities and challenges of the Kingdom’s rapidly evolving market.
This is where our team has made the difference. We have built a highly talented team that combines international best practice with deep local knowledge and experience. Our people understand global standards and emerging industry trends, but they also appreciate the cultural, regulatory and commercial nuances that are unique to Saudi Arabia. That combination allows us to provide advice that is both technically robust and practically relevant.
By bringing together diverse expertise, maintaining close relationships across the local market and continually adapting to our clients’ changing priorities, our team is able to anticipate challenges, respond with agility and deliver solutions that support our clients’ long-term ambitions. As the market continues to mature, that balance of global capability and local insight will remain one of our greatest strengths.
As projects become increasingly ambitious and complex, where do you see the greatest opportunities for consultants to add value beyond traditional service delivery?
As projects become increasingly ambitious and complex, the role of a consultant extends far beyond traditional service delivery. Clients are looking for trusted partners who can provide strategic advice, challenge thinking where appropriate and support informed decision-making throughout the entire project lifecycle.
At CSQ, our focus has always been on building long-term relationships rather than delivering one-off commissions. We work alongside our clients as trusted advisors, taking the time to understand their objectives, priorities and the broader context of their projects. This enables us to provide advice that is not only technically robust but also aligned with our clients’ long-term ambitions.
Our commitment is to deliver the highest quality expertise, drawing on international best practice while adapting our approach to the specific requirements of the Saudi market. By combining global experience with local insight, we help clients navigate complexity, manage risk and identify opportunities to create lasting value.
Ultimately, we believe the greatest contribution a consultant can make is to give clients confidence, confidence that they have the right advice, the right expertise and a partner who is invested in their success for the long term. That philosophy has been central to CSQ’s approach and will continue to define how we support our clients as the Kingdom’s development journey continues.
CSQ describes itself as a partner-led consultancy. How does that translate into a different experience for clients in the Saudi market?
Being a partner-led consultancy gives our clients confidence that their projects are being overseen by the most experienced members of CSQ. Our senior leadership team brings a unique combination of international expertise and deep regional understanding, with all of our partners having spent significant time working across the Middle East and developing a strong understanding of the market, its challenges and its opportunities.
This level of experience means our clients have direct access to decision-makers who understand the complexities of delivering major projects in the region. Our partners remain closely involved throughout the project lifecycle, providing strategic guidance, ensuring quality is maintained and using their experience to help clients navigate challenges effectively.
A key advantage of our partner-led model is the ability to make decisions quickly and efficiently. With senior expertise directly engaged in our projects, we can respond rapidly to changing requirements, address issues as they arise and provide solutions that are focused on achieving the best outcomes for our clients.
Ultimately, our approach is built around trust and confidence. Our clients know they have a dedicated team of senior professionals who are personally invested in their success, bringing the highest levels of international best practice while applying valuable local knowledge to every project we support.
How is CSQ supporting Vision 2030?
CSQ’s commitment goes beyond delivering projects in Saudi Arabia; it is about being an active partner in supporting the Kingdom’s ambitions and contributing to the transformation taking place through Vision 2030.
We recognise the scale and importance of the opportunities ahead and the role that high-quality consultancy services play in helping turn ambitious visions into successful outcomes. Our focus is on bringing the right expertise, international best practice and a deep understanding of the local market to support our clients in delivering projects that create lasting value for the Kingdom.
Our talented team, combining international experience with regional knowledge, allows us to provide the insight and guidance needed to navigate increasingly complex developments. By maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, quality and collaboration, we support our clients in achieving their objectives while contributing to the broader goals of economic diversification, innovation and sustainable growth.
We are also committed to building long-term relationships within the Kingdom – working closely with our clients, partners and the wider industry to share knowledge, develop capability and contribute positively to the market. For CSQ, supporting Vision 2030 is not simply about being present in Saudi Arabia; it is about being a trusted partner that is invested in the Kingdom’s continued success and future.
Any final thoughts?
Our journey in Saudi Arabia has always been built on relationships – our talented people, the trust of our clients and the dedication of the partners we work alongside. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Kingdom’s ambitions and remain committed to delivering the highest standards of expertise, quality and service.
As the market continues to evolve, our focus remains the same: to be a trusted long-term partner for our clients, bringing together international best practice, regional experience and a genuine commitment to contributing to Saudi Arabia’s continued success. We see the opportunities ahead as a shared journey, and we look forward to continuing to grow, collaborate and create lasting value within the Kingdom.
