BrazilGHD expands offerings in Middle East following office launch in Dubai
Following on from its recent office launch in Dubai, Australian technical professional services firm GHD has expanded its advisory lines in the Middle East.
The global arm of privately-owned Australian consultancy GHD, which provides engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services in the water, energy, environment, transportation and building sectors, has expanded its offerings in the Middle East with the introduction of its Infrastructure, Investment & Economics lines.
Also being rolled out across the UK and Europe, the new provisions follow the firm’s launch of a fresh office in Dubai last month, an occasion marking the company’s 90th birthday. Founded in 1928, GHD now operates from over 200 offices in 14 countries across five continents with a global headcount of 9,000 employees and revenues last year of $1.3 billion. In addition to Dubai, the firm has bases in Abu Dhabi and Qatar, and has been active in the UAE for nearly twenty years following the acquisition of Minehart Middle East.
UAE Country Manager Malcolm Dixon said of the launch; “We have a long term commitment to the UAE. As the government works towards its vision for a diversified economy, our people are proud to help clients build sustainable communities and contribute to the growth of new industries.” Ian Caution, GHD’s Dubai Office Manager, added; “We’ve helped deliver some fantastic projects for our clients in Dubai over the past few years, and built some strong relationships along the way. Getting closer to our clients in Dubai means we can be even more responsive to their needs.”
Included among the local projects have been engagements for the land-use and infrastructure master plans for the iconic Palm Islands in Dubai – a series of palm-shaped artificial islands dubbed ‘the eighth wonder of the world’ – including concept designs, environmental and coastal analysis, transport planning, and Geographical Information Systems implementation, as well as providing concrete technology design and construction on what is currently the world’s tallest building – the 160-storey Burj Dubai Tower (soon to be eclipsed by the Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia).
With its rich heritage in the UAE and further afield in the Middle East, GHD Advisory has now announced it will expand its local service line to include the firm’s Infrastructure, Investment & Economics (IIE) offering, which supports clients with strategic advice on balancing financial risk, with business case development, economic analysis, asset performance and management, and logistics and infrastructure policy guidance among services.
“Capitalising on our technical expertise and commercial acumen, the IIE team will offer a range of services spanning across all infrastructure sectors,” said GHD Executive Advisor (Transactions, Strategy & Commercial) Tim Mawhood, who will lead the segment’s growth from the UK. “We see significant opportunities to help our clients manage risks, develop value, optimise their investment decision-making and engage in complex infrastructure transactions while improving returns from the assets they already own.”
According to a press release, the firm’s IIE team has to date advised on over $100 billion worth of infrastructure transactions, with GHD Advisory said to be Australasia’s leading transaction technical due diligence practice. The unveiling of a new office and service line in the Middle East follows last year’s appointment of John Hensman as GHD’s market development director for Europe and the Middle East – tasked with marketing, business growth, customer relationships, and strategic business planning in the region.
