James Duncan to lead KBR’s Infrastructure practice in the Global South
KBR, a global professional and technology services company, has appointed James Duncan as the new leader of its Infrastructure practice in the Global South. He operates out of Dubai.
Headquartered in the United States, KBR provides science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and private sector companies. The company offers business advisory services, technology consulting services covering areas such as artificial intelligence, cyber and digital twins, software engineering, as well as mission-critical solutions to the defence and aerospace industry.
In his new role, Duncan will lead the firm’s full portfolio of services to clients in the infrastructure sector, including rail, aviation, urban development and the built environment.
His remit spans the Global South – covering Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, South Asia, and parts of East Asia and Oceania. From Dubai, Duncan will initially focus on growing the business across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The company is targeting a larger role in major transport and urban development programmes as governments invest in infrastructure to support economic growth and diversification.
“My immediate priority is to build the regional team and apply KBR’s capability more widely across rail, aviation and major urban development. We will start in the MENA before expanding further across the Global South,” said Duncan. “The scale of infrastructure development in this region is enormous. Governments and developers are planning major rail links, aviation projects and new urban communities.”
To put Duncan’s remarks into perspective, MEED Projects reported in April that $943 billion of work was under execution across the region, with a further $321 billion at the bidding stage. Despite the geopolitical situation, the Gulf continues to deliver projects at scale.
Yesterday, the ruler of Dubai approved the implementation of Dubai’s new Fourth Corridor project, an 80 kilometre, 12-lane highway linking Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, with direct connectivity to Al Maktoum International Airport and Etihad Rail.
“Governments and developers need experienced delivery partners who can turn ambitions into effective infrastructure,” noted Duncan. “KBR is well placed to do that and has a strong infrastructure legacy in the region, from Yas Island to the Doha Expressway. We already have excellent programme and project delivery capability in mega projects and can work alongside clients from early planning through procurement and construction.”
Duncan brings more than 30 years of experience in infrastructure, project and development management, having held senior client and consultancy roles across the Middle East and internationally. He joins KBR from Hill International, where he was First Vice President. Previously, he was Chief Project Officer at Al Farwaniya Property Developments, leading the delivery of Reem Mall in Abu Dhabi, and Chief Development Officer at Emaar.
