SERCO’S 2023 BUSINESS OUTLOOK FOR SAUDI ARABIA

ERCO, A BRITISH TRANSPORT, DEFENSE, AND PUBLIC SERVICES PROVIDER, HAS ANNOUNCED ITS 2023 BUSINESS OUTLOOK FOR SAUDI ARABIA, WHICH PREDICTS DEVELOPMENT IN THE OUTSOURCING INDUSTRY, THE SPACE SECTOR, FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES, AND THE EMERGENCE OF A ONE-CONSULTANCY APPROACH.

According to Serco Institute, the company's research arm, 76% of respondents in the Kingdom believed that the government should collaborate with overseas enterprises to improve service quality and cut costs, stating: “The need for delivering improved customer experiences across all fronts, at the same time as increasing flexibility and ensuring cost efficiencies, outsourcing will become paramount for the public and private sectors alike.”

It suggested that the space sector will receive increased attention in the Middle East throughout 2023, notably in the Kingdom. Space exploration has been shown to be an effective catalyst for technological advancement in a number of countries throughout the world. As a result, it will be equally important in this region, as technology transfer and the development of local science and engineering capabilities play an important role in countries' national goals.

Serco also anticipates a favorable shift toward privatizing fire and rescue services in the Kingdom, driven by generating world-class living conditions through the development of exciting new urban centers of excellence.

Many organizations have the difficulty of not specializing in fire and rescue services; however, it is a fundamental safety requirement that must be met, so considering outsourcing is becoming a practical imperative for decision-makers. This will gather momentum in 2023, with Serco’s dynamic approach to training allowing it to provide an accredited and certified fire and rescue workforce either through the use of its own training facilities, at its International Fire Training Center in the UK, in the Middle East, or at client facilities.

Greenwashing

The study was also upbeat about growing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) developments in the region. With the recent hosting of the UN Climate Change Conference in Egypt and the upcoming one in the UAE, ESG strategies will become a strategic priority and a business imperative for many enterprises and organizations.

Despite the ubiquity of greenwashing in corporate reporting, there will be a concerted shift toward incorporating ESG indicators as a fundamental component of yearly reporting procedures. This will be driven by two major elements.

To begin with, many employees, particularly the younger generation entering the employment market, choose firms with a clear mission. As a result, individuals need to feel empowered by an attachment to strong business values, and ESG will become a vital element of this fabric in the region moving forward.

In the case of Saudi Arabia, this means not just setting the highest possible standards, but also creating possibilities for young job seekers. Consequently, strong nationalization rules are critical to ESG in the Kingdom and elsewhere.

Second, the study indicated that there will be a greater emphasis in the region on advisory services to assist various entities and companies in embracing and implementing relevant ESG practices into their organizations, not as a ‘nice to have’, but as a fundamental strategic imperative, as legislation and operating standards will demand a stricter adherence to critical ESG measures.

If these forecasts come true, the Kingdom can expect to make significant progress toward achieving the Vision 2030 blueprint and reinforcing its position as a regional industrial hub and economic powerhouse.

Hka Appoints Husam Gawish As Head Of Ksa Operations

HKA, a leading global consultancy in risk mitigation, dispute resolution, expert witness, and litigation support services, has announced the appointment of Husam Gawish as Head of KSA Operations.

To support HKA’s strategic growth area in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and following the successful launch of the HKA Riyadh office last year and with its existing Jeddah office, the firm is delighted to announce that it is strengthening its local business organization.

“We are pleased to announce Husam Gawish, Partner, will be relocating to head the HKA Operations in Saudi Arabia. Husam’s valued experience will further enhance the regional growth strategy, leveraging our in-Kingdom decade-long track record and working closely alongside John McKevitt, Partner, and Tim Whealy, Partner, forming a strong three- partner leadership team,” explains Haroon Niazi, Partner, and Head of Middle East.

“HKA has an exciting growth strategy in the Kingdom and working alongside an experienced and strong team, I look forward to helping strengthen HKA’s operations to achieve the best possible outcomes, whilst always delivering exceptional services to our clients at all times,” said Husam Gawish.

Jad Chouman, Partner & Head of Middle East, said: “We are confident that with this new structure, HKA will be best placed to service our valued clients, who are contributing to the significant growth of the construction industry within the Kingdom.”

Mott MacDonald Appoints New MD for Saudi Arabia

Rick Hopper has been named as Mott MacDonald's new managing director for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Rick will collaborate with important public and private sector clients and partners to drive sustainable development in the kingdom, expanding on the firm's track record of success in the infrastructure, energy, transportation, and building markets.

Rick has a thorough understanding of KSA’s ambition for growth and development, having spent the previous six years in Riyadh in operational leadership and strategic business development roles for consultancies AECOM and Atkins.

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building, Rick has over 25 years of experience leading design and construction supervision teams, with 15 of those years spent in the Middle East and the rest in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Rick will oversee Mott MacDonald's Saudi operation as it enters a critical new phase of development as a newly formed separate entity headquartered in Riyadh.

He will position the company to deliver strategic guidance and early-stage engineering consultancy to major Saudi clients, drawing on Mott MacDonald's leadership of prestigious infrastructure and development projects across the world and deep industry expertise.

Rick Has Over 25 Years Of Experience Leading Design And Construction Supervision Teams