Australian consultancy Newstead Connect enters Middle East

08 April 2024 Consultancy-me.com

A new consultancy has entered the Middle East’s project management scene, with Australian player Newstead Connect landing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Founded in 2020, Brisbane-headquartered Newstead Connect is a project management consultancy specialised in advisory, projects controls and cost management, project management and portfolio offices, claims & disputes, and business intelligence for project reporting.

Since its inception, the consulting firm has down under built a track record of successful projects in a number of sectors, including infrastructure, mining, defence, information technology, and telecommunications.

Australian consultancy Newstead Connect enters Middle East

In its inaugural international move, Newstead Connect has now setup shop in the Middle East.

“This expansion marks a significant milestone in the development of Newstead Connect and demonstrates our commitment to delivering solutions to our Middle East clientele,” said Hasan Riaz, who co-founded the company with Pieter Rautenbach. “Our aim is to become a trusted partner in the region’s project management landscape.”

Operating out of Riyadh, Riaz oversees the growth ambition in the region. “We are dedicated to understanding and addressing the distinct needs of our Middle Eastern clients and playing a pivotal role in their transformative journey.”

Rautenbach, who leads the Australia practice, added: “Our expansion into Saudi Arabia is a strategic initiative aimed at embedding cutting-edge project management methodologies and fostering a culture of innovation in the Middle East. We are excited to merge our Australian ingenuity with local insights, setting new benchmarks in project excellence and contributing to the region's dynamic development.”

To hit the ground running in Riyadh, Newstead Connect has joined forces with the local player Supreme Hospitality.

“At Newstead Connect, we are commitment to contributing to the realization of Vision 2030 in Saudi Arabia, and our decision to open for business in Riyadh is a testament to that goal,” said Riaz. “We look forward to build long-lasting partnerships in the Kingdom, fostering a future of mutual growth and success.”

As part of the joint venture with Supreme Hospitality, its founder Jana Bader – a Saudi national and a well-known figure in the country’s hospitality sector – has been appointed a board member at Newstead Connect.

Australian consultancy Newstead Connect enters Middle East

“Our collaboration with Newstead Connect is a testament to our shared vision of excellence and commitment to the Middle East market. Together, we are poised to introduce a new era of project management services tailored to the evolving needs of our clients,” Bader said.

According to research from Knight Frank, the portfolio of Vision 2030-related construction projects in Saudi Arabia has eclipsed the $1 trillion mark, providing construction groups and expert advisors such as Newstead Connect ample opportunities for growth. However, a relatively large number of projects, particularly mega and giga projects, face issues in the delivery phase.