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Back to SearchGHD, one of the world’s leading professional services companies, is pleased to announce that it has appointed Roché van der Merwe as Market Leader, Defence & Industrial, and Panos Bafis as Business Group Leader, Future Energy & Hydrogen. Based in Abu Dhabi, these key hires will bolster GHD’s growing business as it looks to diversify its offering in the region and grow into new and developing markets.
GHD has had a presence in the UAE for 20 years, with offices in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and provides integrated multi-disciplinary services to the Property & Building, Transportation, Water, Energy & Resources, and Environment markets in the region. With demand in the industrials sector growing and the rapid energy transition currently underway in the region, GHD is looking to respond quickly to these market needs and support clients in achieving their own growth ambitions.
Roché van der Merwe
As GHD’s new Market Leader, Defence & Industrial for the Middle East, Roché is responsible for growing the company’s regional footprint in these sectors and establishing GHD as the provider of choice for defence and industrial clients.
He has 30 years’ experience across a diverse range of market sectors, from leisure to metal refineries and mines. He has been working in the UAE for nine years, firstly leading a project delivery team in the mining and metals refining sector, and latterly advising the UAE government on the development of strategic assets for the UAE Armed Forces.
Panos Bafis
A chartered professional with almost 20 years’ experience in international energy projects, Panos will be responsible for growing GHD’s regional Future Energy team by expanding its consultancy services across the Middle East in line with the ongoing drive towards energy transition.
Panos has worked all over the world and was most recently providing technical advice to clients including international lenders, large Middle East utility companies and independent power producers.
David Kinniburgh, Regional General Manager – UAE, said: “The pace of change in our markets has ramped up significantly of late, and we are responding through the ongoing diversification of our business in the Middle East. With Panos and Roché joining the team, we’ll be even better placed to achieve our vision of making water, energy and urbanisation sustainable for generations to come. Their experience and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to develop world-leading and innovative solutions for our diverse range of clients.”
Roché van der Merwe, Market Leader, Defence & Industrial, said: “There’s a growing focus on self-reliance and pivoting towards an improved national defence capability across the region and GHD is well positioned to assist clients during this transition. Another key focus will be supporting clients in the mining and metal-refining sectors to improve their aging plants, sweat existing assets and develop new ones.”
Panos Bafis, GHD’s new Business Group Leader, Future Energy & Hydrogen, said: “I’m very pleased to have joined GHD’s market-leading Future Energy team as the company continues to extend its reach in the sector. Hydrogen will play a central role in building net zero economies and I look forward to supporting GHD’s clients as they work towards a decarbonised future.”
For further information contact:
TB Cardew (PR Advisors)
Alycia MacAskill / Charlotte Anderson
M: +44 7876 222703 / +44 7827 023678
E: ghd@tbcardew.com ;
W: www.ghd.com
About GHD:
GHD is a leading professional services company operating in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation. Committed to a vision to make water, energy and urbanisation sustainable for generations to come, GHD delivers advisory, digital, engineering, architecture, environmental and construction solutions to public and private sector clients. Established in 1928 and privately owned by its people, GHD’s network of 10,000+ specialists are connected across 200 offices located in five continents. www.ghd.com