Imran Ali appointed as CEO of Livspace-ASG JV in the Middle East
Livspace, India and South East Asia’s largest home interior and renovation platform and Alsulaiman Group (ASG) have announced the appointment of Imran Ali as the CEO for the JV-led company in the Middle East. Imran will assume responsibility of the regional organisation and build a leadership team to start the operations in the region while enabling the partner ecosystem consisting of design studios, contractors, vendors, and brands for greater success in the region.
With industry-first technology, Livspace brings homeowners, design professionals, vendors and brands together on a single platform. Livspace has partnered with ASG to deliver world-class design solutions in the Middle East. The JV further plans on strengthening the team by investing in top talent across levels while also aiming to reach 500 design and execution partners in the region by 2022.
Commenting on his appointment, Imran said: “Saudi Arabia is a highly attractive market with the home interior and renovation sector worth USD 8 billion. With Livspace’s technology platform and playbooks for operating models and private labels, and ASG’s market knowledge and access, and expertise in retail, logistics, and warehousing, we are well positioned to achieve our vision of delivering hassle free interior and renovation requirements to homeowners. I am excited to build a high-performance team that joins us in our vision to serve thousands of homeowners across Saudi and the Middle East very soon.”
Speaking on Imran’s appointment, Saud Alsulaiman, CEO Alsulaiman Group said, “We are very excited to have Imran lead this newly created JV with Livspace. Imran will provide great leadership and focus on the operations in the region with an integrated ecosystem to enhance customers’ lives, as he played a leading role in establishing Livspace as the market leader in India. Imran brings with him over a decade of experience in Tech startups, strategy and consulting. Given the exponential growth of opportunities in the Saudi housing market and significant increase of homeownership among the Saudi population, fuelled by Saudi Arabis’ Vision 2030 initiatives and projects, we are very confident that Imran, through the newly established JV, will play an instrumental role in capitalising on these opportunities and provide an excellent service to the many customers”
Further, Imran will focus on delivering an integrated offering to meet the interior and renovation requirements of homeowners whilst offering ease of discovery, transparency, quality, and predictability.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiatives are sparking growth in home ownership and a wider array of residential formats villas to high-rise apartment living – which underlines the need for quality home interior design and execution. Livspace plans to invest $50 million to fuel regional growth and further strengthen the team by investing in top talent – aiming to reach 500 design partners by 2022.
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Expo 2020 Dubai will be a Vision of the Connected Cities of the Future: Helmut Von Struve, CEO Siemens Middle East
Expo 2020 Dubai will be a vision of the connected cities of the future, with the global mega-event the ideal platform to bring together the very best smart city concepts under one roof. That was the message delivered by Helmut Von Struve, CEO Siemens Middle East.
Speaking during the latest installment of ‘En Route to the Expo’ video, an initiative of Dubai Chamber, the chief executive outlined how the forthcoming expo’s status as one of the first mega events to take place following the coronavirus outbreak puts it in a uniquely significant position, as it gives the world a post-pandemic starting point to usher in a new era.
“Expo 2020, Dubai will be the biggest major global event to take place physically after the pandemic. We have 192 participating nations and we expect to see the world come together again and to look into the future, to exchange ideas and to showcase innovations, technology and a connected vision for the future going forward,” said Von Struve.
Discussing how Expo 2020 Dubai will offer the opportunity to explore how some connectivity concepts are already becoming a practical reality in Dubai and across the UAE, Von Struve cited The Sustainable City, the Al Maktoum Solar Park and Masdar City as prime examples of how interconnected ecosystems, smart buildings and industries work together, and where the power of the Internet of Things allows for more informed decision making.
“Siemens, the premier partner for infrastructure digitalisation, is creating nothing less than a blueprint for smart cities – cities where buildings, houses, electrical networks, security systems and power sources all talk to each other via the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence,” he said.
“The idea behind smart cities is to enhance people’s comfort and convenience, safety and security, and to do so in a more environmentally sustainable way that reduces pollution and shrinks our carbon footprint. Expo 2020 will be a rare opportunity for both Siemens and Dubai to demonstrate what we and the world are capable of achieving,” he added.
At a time when the need for a collective response to essential global challenges is needed more than ever, Expo 2020 will leverage the convening power of World Expos and the UAE’s unique position as a global nexus to bring together 192 countries and millions of visitors, to inspire meaningful change and create a brighter future for us all.
Dubai Chamber is the Official Business Integration Partner for Expo 2020 Dubai and is commencing its programme of activities on the sidelines of the event.
Dubai Chamber’s videos released as part of its ‘En Route to the Expo’ and Business Connect series, can be viewed here, or on the websites and social media channels of Dubai Chamber and Entrepreneur Middle East.
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Powerlist Creative 30 Jesper Godsk Founder & Ceo Lw
Jesper Godsk co-founded LW in 1999, with the aim of creating bespoke designs from a firm that would represent the abstract of design prowess. Now, 21 years and a plethora of awardwinning projects later, his vision for the industry and his brand remains the same.
Some of the successful projects he has led include Zabeel House to Grosvenor House, Hyatt Regency to JW Marriott Marquis, and Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa to the exquisite Dusit Hotel, and Edition Hotel. Godsk expanded LW from a tiny, local company to a major, multinational one; he established the brand as an expression of his creative leadership and now has offices in Dubai, Hong Kong, Sao Paulo, and Aarhus.
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Buro Happold appoints James Bruce as new CEO
James Bruce has been announced as Buro Happold new Chief Executive Officer, with a strong message that the business will strengthen its global presence and, in doing so, create a better, more sustainable world.
Buro Happold is one of the world’s leading engineering consultancies and has helped create many of the most recognised and innovative places across the globe including, London’s Olympic Park and Stadium, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the World Towers in Mumbai, New York’s High Line and Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore, home to the tallest indoor waterfall on the planet.
Bruce has announced plans to grow the business, which is active in 26 locations worldwide, doubling from 2,000 to 4,000 employees in six years, creating a better balance and resilience across regions, making Buro Happold a truly global organisation.
“It is a really exciting time for Buro Happold. By expanding our international markets where we believe there is the best potential for us to grow, it will create a significant opportunity for our fantastic people and our clients”, said Bruce.
Prior to joining Buro Happold as COO/CFO in 2018, Bruce’s background is in building businesses outside of building engineering and consultancy. He has previously been CFO for a number of Omnicom and WPP subsidiaries, including Interbrand and Landor, and believes his track record in delivering growth in design focussed businesses will add a fresh dynamic to Buro Happold’s expansion plans.
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Buro Happold appoints James Bruce as new CEO
James Bruce has been announced as Buro Happold new Chief Executive Officer, with a strong message that the business will strengthen its global presence and, in doing so, create a better, more sustainable world.
Buro Happold is one of the world’s leading engineering consultancies and has helped create many of the most recognised and innovative places across the globe including, London’s Olympic Park and Stadium, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the World Towers in Mumbai, New York’s High Line and Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore, home to the tallest indoor waterfall on the planet.
Bruce has announced plans to grow the business, which is active in 26 locations worldwide, doubling from 2,000 to 4,000 employees in six years, creating a better balance and resilience across regions, making Buro Happold a truly global organisation.
“It is a really exciting time for Buro Happold. By expanding our international markets where we believe there is the best potential for us to grow, it will create a significant opportunity for our fantastic people and our clients”, said Bruce.
Prior to joining Buro Happold as COO/CFO in 2018, Bruce’s background is in building businesses outside of building engineering and consultancy. He has previously been CFO for a number of Omnicom and WPP subsidiaries, including Interbrand and Landor, and believes his track record in delivering growth in design focussed businesses will add a fresh dynamic to Buro Happold’s expansion plans.
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Former Preciosa Gulf managing director Martin Fryzelka joins NextSpace as new CEO
NextSpace has appointed Martin Fryzelka to the position of CEO. In his new role, Fryzelka will advance the brand’s position across its regional portfolio, while also engaging cross-functionally throughout the organisation to enhance NextSpace’s forward thinking portfolio at every touchpoint and help navigate new and existing brands into the future. Frzyelka, (former managing director of Preciosa Gulf) brings over a decade of executive experience within the hospitality and residential business. Building further on his global experience, his intentional disruption of existing distribution models allows his network of established and new brands to grow, develop and be at the forefront of the design industry across the Middle East and Africa.
NextSpace represents a curated collection of luxury design brands which have a truly authentic story to tell. This new platform provides specialist FF&E solutions across the GCC and supports world-class and forward-thinking design partners. Equipped with an intricate knowledge of the local market; their indelible network of design professionals, operators, developers, contractors, distributors and clients are at the nucleus of the extensive design community. Through this exciting platform new and innovative brands can effectively engage with the regional design community. Laurence Dehlen, the co-founder of NextSpace, discusses his thoughts on the expansion strategy: “NextSpace has grown over the past year and it was time to take on a partner who will help us drive the key projects and propel us forward in terms of sales and strategic direction. I am pleased that Martin Fryzelka has joined our team as CEO and am confident that he will add immense value to our company.”
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Shaun Killa lifts the CEO of the Year trophy at Architecture Leaders Awards 2021
Organised by BNC Publishing and Design Middle East, the inaugural Architecture Leaders Awards 2021 acknowledged and rewarded the exceptional architects, projects, and firms in the region. The gala award ceremony took place on March 31 at Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk. There were 19 award categories that were given solely on merit and were awarded to commend those most deserving for their ingenuity and hard work, distinguishing them from their competitors and proving them worthy of recognition.
Shaun Killa, design partner at Killa Design, said: “It’s a great honour to win this award. Our practice is only six years old and it’s a wonderful achievement by our staff and the entire team to amazingly capture the market in the Middle East.”
Driven by design excellence, Killa is an award-winning architect with international experience spanning over 26 years. Throughout his career, Killa has focussed his design philosophy on buildings and master plans that are sustainable, innovative, contextually inspired and have a holistic approach to the natural and economic environment which has led to numerous highly recognisable iconic projects.
He has worked on signature projects, including the award-winning designs for the Museum of the future, the newly opened The Address Beach Resort, a W Hotel in Mumbai, Vida Hotel in the Dubai Marina, Aykon Twin Towers in Dubai, and the Office of the Future, the first occupied printed building in the world. Recently the firm has won a zero energy ultra-luxury resort in the Red Sea.
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OFIS appoints Adrian Shaw as the new CEO
OFIS, a leading office furniture and solutions supplier, welcomes Adrian Shaw as the new Chief Executive Officer. As part of the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, OFIS has been operational in the UAE for 34-years and Adrian plans to drive the brand forward starting with opening a new showroom which will be located on Al Ittihad Road.
Shaw has been with the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group for nine years, and currently manages the award-winning home-grown furniture store Chattels & More and quirky German interiors brand, KARE. He brings over 20 years of international experience in developing new and existing businesses, driving sales and profitability.
In the early years, Shaw oversaw IDdesign operations throughout the UAE, including eight stores and over 200 staff, moving on to become the General Manager of Chattels & More and KARE. He is now embarking on a new journey with OFIS, adding this well regarded brand to his purview.
“OFIS is a respected amongst the designer community, As part of my new responsibilities I plan to continue to grow the brand, expand our network and create inspirational spaces alongside our designers and loyal customers,” says Adrian Shaw.
He continues, “The OFIS brand lineage is interwoven with the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group story and I intend to continue to build on this while staying true to its heritage from the last 34-years in the UAE. The new showroom will mark an exciting new chapter for OFIS and the team.”
Shaw plans to continue to transform customers’ vision into reality using innovation and believes that at OFIS, there is an opportunity to build spaces that inspire, engage, offer solutions, and motivate anyone who enters.
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Dimitri Papakonstantinou wins CEO of the Year at Design Middle East Awards 2020
Dimitri Papakonstantinou joined ASI a subsidiary of ASGC construction in September 2018, headquartered in the UAE, ASI delivers turnkey fit-out solutions across the UAE and has a manufacturing facility as well as a complete in-house project. Papakonstantinou started his career with Murray and Roberts Construction in South Africa four years later 2004, shifted his base in UAE. Amongst his previous roles, he was a founding member of Plafond Fit Out LLC in 2008, where he served as managing director since 2013. He has been involved in numerous successful projects and has a proven track record of increasing corporate revenues and profitability while managing teams of more than 1,700 employees. He has a BSc. Civil Engineering and MBA and is an active member of the YPO Dubai Downtown Chapter.
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