Chairman

Michael Boufarhat

Michael has 34 years of experience in design and construction management of building services projects covering air conditioning, electrical, fire protection, hydraulics, and industrial installations.

Previously, Michael was the CEO of Hastie Middle East from 2005 till 2007, he established and led Hastie’s operation in the UAE to become in a short time a major player within the UAE industry.

Prior to that, Michael was the Managing Director for Waterman Int’l. Asia, a major International Consulting Group. Michael’s role was managing Australia and establishing the Middle East and Asia.

Director

Allen Williams

As the head of James L. Williams, Allen puts his heart and soul into making the business the best it can be.

With over 40 years of experience on the Board of Directors, he has successfully diversified the business and is now working globally with an office in the Middle East and a manufacturing partner in China.

Allen inspires environmentally insightful engineering and encourages the industry to achieve ground-breaking results. He strives to provide the best opportunities for the company and is excited by the future prospects for the company and what the vibrant youthful generation will bring.

Chief Executive Officer

Ramy Boufarhat

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for James L Williams Middle East (JLW), one of the largest electro-mechanical services (MEP) construction companies in the GCC headquartered in the UAE.

JLW specializes in the design, procurement, installation, testing, commissioning, and post-handover operations of critical infrastructures serving the technology (largest scale data centers), energy (electrical substations), utilities (chilled water, energy transfer stations) and renewables (solar, gas and wind).

A master’s qualified engineer with experience in the Australian building services industry as both a design consultant and a contractor. Joined JLWs Middle East operation in 2009 as a senior engineer and thereafter the engineering manager – playing a vital role in establishing one of JLWs core strategic competencies, it’s engineering and EPC strength.

In late 2012, he took the post of COO overseeing all ongoing business operations. From 2013 to 2016 JLW grew substantially and by 2019 JLW was regarded by its industry as the elite MEP contractor in the Middle East. Leading the strategy from 2019 to focus heavily on data-centers, utilities, and infrastructure – JLW now serves a number of the leading international players and the region’s largest local entities across the Middle East for data centres and digital infrastructure. In 2022, was promoted to CEO.

https://ae.linkedin.com/in/ramy-boufarhat-1a055a8

Chief Operating Officer

Fadi Boufarhat

Fadi has over a decade of experience in the delivery and management of projects for JLW. Fadi began his career with JLW as a design engineer, before transitioning to project management and has quickly grown within the organization becoming a Director.

Fadi is primarily responsible for developing and executing the company’s business strategies, and overseeing the company’s financial performance, investments and other business ventures.

Fadi’s strengths lie within his communication and interpersonal skills which allow him to maintain trusting relationships with our clients, business partners and authorities.

Fadi’s ultimate goal is to ensure the company is constantly moving towards fulfilling its short-term and long-term objectives.

Director of Projects

Shadi Aboufakher

Shadi has 19 years of experience in the design and construction of building services covering air conditioning, electrical, fire protection, hydraulics, and industrial installations in UAE.

Prior to joining JLW in 2011, Shadi worked as an Operations Manager with Omega engineering, a major engineering and contracting company, operating in UAE.

Technical Director

Bryan Heffernan

Bryan started his career in 2000 working for Ireland’s largest building services engineering consultant Varmings. Since then Bryan has worked for a number of international consultancies such as Jacobs Engineering and Waterman International. In his early career Bryan was exposed to a wide range of experience in various building services industries such as hospitality, pharmaceutical, industrial, research and healthcare.

Bryan relocated from Ireland to the UAE (Dubai) in 2008 and has been with James L Williams (JLW) Middle East since 2011. Bryan initially joined JLW as Senior Mechanical Engineer and has grown with the business to become the Technical Director in charge of engineering.

Bryan’s primary role as Technical Director within JLW is the management of the engineering and BIM department. He currently manages a design team of 100+ design engineers, BIM/Revit managers, coordinators and modelers/technicians.

Bryan’s particular area of expertise is the execution of design and build contracts for large scale MEP projects. This role entails taking a project, or number of projects, from the preliminary concept stage through to estimation, detailed design, development of shop/fabrication drawings, through to installation, commissioning and final handover.

In 2014 Bryan pioneered the development of JLW’s modular prefabrication design team who have to date delivered over 20,000 multi service MEP prefab modules across all of JLW’s recently delivered and current projects.

Together with leading the engineering department Bryan also plays an important role in providing technical support for JLW’s project teams, estimation, procurement, and commissioning departments.

Project Director

Bassel Al Arbid

Bassel started his career in 1998 working for Ministry of Industries. Since then Bassel has worked for a number of iconic projects based in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. He has extensive experience in overseeing various contracting sectors including but not limited to hospitality, retail, commercial and residential.

Bassel moved to UAE in 2004 and has been with James L Williams (JLW) since 2015. As a Project Director, he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of complete project development including; evaluating and establishing the scope of work, conceptual estimating, establishment of budgets, contract negotiations, permit application and approval, processing of contractor invoices, draw request analysis, change orders, develop and manage construction schedules.

Bassel’s strengths lie in simplifying and streamlining process and procedures to cut down costs, improve efficiency and increase bottom line profitability.

MEP Project Director

Paul Ebbs

A highly competent Senior Project Manager with 31years’ successful record overseeing MEP phases of multimillion-dollar construction, infrastructure, superfund and environmental projects for the government and within the private sector.

Backed by strong credentials and a proven history of completing projects on time, on budget and to a high quality, with the ability to manage stakeholder’s expectations and take full responsibility for meeting project objectives.

He has been exposed to large scale projects (two to three digits USD Millions) on heterogeneous developments (Airports, Rail, High Rise, Commercial, Residential, Hospitality, world class Stadium), delivered on time and within budget, proactively managing Quality as well as HSE.

Human Resources Manager

Linda Moawad

Linda is responsible for providing a complete HR & Admin support service for James L Williams based in UAE. This will involve ensuring the development and implementation of all HR systems.

Responsible for all aspects of human resources management including talent acquisition, organizational design, learning and development, diversity and equal employment opportunity, workforce planning, compensation and benefits, employee and labor relations.

Linda has 10 years of work experience in Human resources and welfare Management and has been with James L Williams since 2011.

Corporate Planning Manager

Shaiju Thomas

Shaiju has 15 years of working experience; he is a demonstrated planner with diverse experience and knowledge in airport project, monorail system project, gas and oil projects and general MEP projects.

Strong Engineering and Management background combined with certification in project management courses. Adept at learning new concepts quickly, works well under pressure, and communicates ideas clearly and effectively.

Contracts Manager

John Peter Murray

John is responsible for overseeing the day to day operations of the contracts department and is tasked with ensuring the company’s level of risk exposure is reduced wherever possible, upholding the contractual rights of the business on each project, whilst meeting the aspirations of our clients.

With over 15 years of experience in the construction industry in various countries and sectors such as civil, rail, residential, commercial, hotels, health and education, John has a broad understanding on the various commercial and contractual elements which comprise a successful project.

John originally started out his career in the Construction Industry as an Assistant Site Engineer and then an Assistant Quantity Surveyor with a local residential developer whilst in secondary school during his summer breaks. Upon graduating from a University programme dedicated to Quantity Surveying, full time employment commenced with Bellway Homes Plc, with quick promotions to both Senior Q.S and then a Commercial Manager position with his next company Balfour Beatty Plc. In order to expand his skillset further, John decided to accept a Commercial Manager’s position within Johnson Controls in Qatar before relocating to U.A.E. to expand his career further.

John’s strengths lie within his close attention to detail and negotiation skills, allowing Client’s requirements to be fully understood whilst having the Companies best interests at heart, reducing any adverse risks in the process.

Commercial Manager

Ehsan Ali Sheik Al Otaibah

Ehsan is responsible for all commercial and contractual matters related to the MEP Contract scope of works with the main contractor and is ensuring with the commercial team at site to adhere with the Contractual obligations which is not limited to the submission of the payment application, variation and claims.

Ehsan is familiar with different forms of standard contracts (FIDIC 99 & 2017, JCT 2016 and NEC 3&4) as well as bespoke contracts and types of contracts (Lump Sum, Design and Build and Turnkey Contracts).

Ehsan has spent over 8 years working in the Middle East (UAE and Qatar) working as Sr. Quantity Surveyor on a variety of projects and almost over 1 year as Project Commercial Manager.

Ehsan strength’s lie within her communication, interpersonal skill and wide knowledge of contracts which facilitate the resolution of all commercial conflicts that may arise during the project construction period.

Commercial Manager

Liam Hughes

UK trained and qualified Commercial Manager / Construction Claims Specialist with 17 years’ experience in the construction industry, 6 of those being in the Middle East.

Liam has worked on many specialist projects including Data Centers, Hospitals, Airports, High Rise and Infrastructure works. After graduating with a master’s degree in Construction Law & Dispute Resolution He has been working in Construction Claims, covering all aspects including the production and substantiation of quantum and disruption claims, plus the overview of delay analysis production.

Senior Design Manager

Mathew Lambourn

Mat started his career in 2006 working for the UK consultancy Capita Symonds. Since then he has worked for a number of international consultancies such as Ramboll Engineering and WS Atkins. In his early career Mat was exposed to a wide range of experience in various building services industries such as hospitality, education, industrial, retail, commercial and healthcare.

Mat moved to the Middle East in 2014 and has been with JLW since 2015. Mat joined JLW as Senior Mechanical Engineer and has with his main roles and responsibilities being as follows providing technical support for our estimation, procurement, site installation teams and commissioning departments.

Mat’s particular strengths within JLW is his knowledge and experience in EPC/D&B projects from the initial tender stage, through to the design, procurement, construction and commissioning stage of the project. Since joining JLW Mat has completed a number of very successful, accredited and award winning, EPC/D&B projects particularly in the areas of environmental and sustainability.

Estimation Manager

Mohammed Baidas

Mohammed is an experienced MEP engineer with over 23 years of progressively senior roles working with clients, designers, consultants, project managers, contractors, suppliers and manufacturers worldwide.

Having started his career for several years in the manufacturing industries in Canada, Mohammed entered the construction industry in the UAE in 2002 and worked in multiple positions including managing MEP packages as a Main Contractor, as well as various roles of design and execution as an MEP contractor, including on some of the largest projects in the region. His management and people skills have contributed to his working alongside architects, structural and MEP engineers to develop efficient and cost-effective solutions to execute projects on time and on budget.

Since 2016 Mohammed has continued the well-rounder construction industry experience by working as an Estimation Manager on projects with MEP values up to USD 250 Million with responsibilities in all aspects of estimating and preconstruction, across the region

BIM Manager

Jenson Vincent

Jenson has over 13 years’ experience in Drafting, Preparation of design and shop drawing of Hydraulics (Plumbing, Drainage, Fire Fighting, Irrigation, Gas, Vacuum Sewer, and Soak away) and MEP Coordination drawings. He has experience in different types of projects including residential, commercial, retails and Hotels.

He has a strong communication skills and leadership abilities which drive the day to day operations of Cad team and make sure his team meets the drawings delivery requirement with high quality.

Prior to joining JLW Jenson has worked in Hastie international and NORR Group international as Lead Hydraulics Draughtsman.

Planning Manager

Shabumon Kochumon

Shabu is responsible for overseeing the day to day operations of planning function and is tasked with ensuring that his team meets and exceeds the client requirement to meet the Project Timeline, Milestones in a cost-effective and efficient manner. Shabu has experience in many sectors of construction including District Cooling, Commercial, Residential, Infrastructure, Hotels, Hospitals and Villas.

Shabu has spent over 15 years working in project planning on a variety of project covering all aspects of planning including Project Planning, Business & Strategic Planning and Claims. His strength lie within his Communication & Interpersonal skills, which allow him to interpret clients requirements thereby providing a workable project programme. Also clients are updated with early warning system and associated alternate action plans to meet the Project Programmes efficiently.

Cost Control Manager

Lilian Burdianov

Lilian is responsible for setting up and monitoring project cost control points at various work breakdown structure levels in order to prevent/manage any potential budget overrun.

Lilian has experience in diverse industries including contracting (residential, commercial, hotels, health and education), trading and manufacturing. In addition to Lilian’s sector experience, he also has experience within other countries including Qatar and Eastern Europe.

Lilian has over 16 years working in the Middle East in various project controls.

Procurement Manager

Amit Loiwal

Amit is a Mechanical Engineer with functional expertise in M.E.P. Procurement for a wide range of projects. He has thirty-two years of experience in the building services industry, combining strong Procurement Skills with his technical abilities to arrive at the best products from the combined perspective of quality, time and cost, thereby contributing positively to the project’s requirements and to the organization’s bottom line.

Prior to joining JLW, Amit has worked as Vice President for U.S. based Ghafari Associates (India office- 2011 to 2013), Procurement In-Charge for Hastie International (2006-2011), Procurement In-Charge for Drake & Scull International (2001 to 2006) and Engineering Manager for Blue Star Ltd, India (1988 to 2001)

HSE Manager

Kevin Baker

Over 20 years experience in HSE Management, working in both the Oil and Gas and Construction sectors. In addition to Kevin’s sector experience, he also has experience working on major projects within many countries including, United Kingdom, Angola, Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain and Australia. Kevin has spent over 13 years working in the UAE as a Senior HSE Manager, managing the full life cycle, design, delivery and HSE performance assessment of best practice HSE programs across Infrastructure, utilities, high rise buildings, healthcare, banking, education, retail and power generation projects.

Kevin’s strengths lie within his communication & interpersonal skills which allow him to lead, coach and inspire all levels of personnel to integrate HSE solutions in evolving high risk environments. Kevin is passionate about building positive, safe work cultures via a consultative, knowledge-sharing leadership style – totally focused on ensuring the work environments remain incident free.

Project Manager

Adel Daher

Adel has extensive “hands on” construction experience in over 10 landmark Dubai & Abu Dhabi Projects with over 14 years in building services and contracting fields within Lebanon and Middle East. Adel joined JLW in 2016 and he possess good managerial and communication skill set and capability to handle a leading role in the Building Services delivery team.

Development and delivery management of high end commercial projects from design, through pre construction and build phases, commissioning and handover stage. Managing relationships between a matrix of clients, Consultants, Main & Sub-contractors, suppliers and vendors; operating within and managing contractual obligations and responsibilities.

Ensuring accurate progress reporting, attending Client, design and Main contractor meeting. Protecting the commercial and operational interest of the company.

Compliance Manager

Ranju Jojo

Ranju leads our Internal Audit & Process Compliance department. She has the expertise in establishing, implementing, monitoring, and continually improving the quality management system and information security management system in line with ISO 9001: 2015 and ISO 27001: 2013 standards.

With 16 years of experience in the UAE in various segments like construction, manufacturing, and talent acquisition, her subject proficiency and intellectual resource management skills influence the success of the continual improvement measures being adopted by JLW from time to time.

With her collaborative working style combined with empowerment, coaching, and mentoring, the scope of internal audit and process compliance spearheads initiatives related to setting objectives, establishing measures related to developing organizational knowledge, process improvements in coordination with process owners.

This contributes to the JLW deliverables for the projects undertaken to exceed our stakeholders’ expectations.

In close coordination with the Project Director and associated functions, this department ensures that all procedure-related commitments with our client / main contractor are complied with as per the approved project quality plan.

MEP Commissioning Manager

Alexey Kalashnikov

Alexey is an experienced commissioning manager overseeing HVAC testing and commissioning activities in many projects within the company.

Alexey has vast experience in carrying design commission ability review, Pre‐commissioning, Commissioning, and handing over of HVAC systems, making sure all components, sub‐systems and systems are fully tested inline with the design intent and meeting the client’s requirements.

Alexey has been involved in many world‐class projects in the GCC including malls, hotels and office towers. He also has experience in many countries in Central Asia, Caucuses and CIS region.

Besides his commissioning background, Alexey has also strong technical and problem-solving skills with a proven record of successfully handing over various projects in the region.

QA/QC Manager

Saravanan K.

Saravanan has more than 18 years of experience in building and data centre Electro-Mechanical services. He is dedicated, proactive and well-organized QA/QCManager with well rounded, hands-on experience in QA/QC validation field. He has strong background in every areas of quality control and quality assurance profession and manages the quality of the site installations are consistent with the company’s policy requirements together with the local, international standards and the clients specifications.

Saravanan has joined JLW in 2011 and completed various prestigious projects within UAE for eminent clients that includes hotels, residential apartments, malls and data centre. He also has experience in many countries including India, Kuwait and Oman.

Prior joining JLW Saravanan has worked as a Senior QA/QC Engineer for major MEP contracting firms such as Hastie International Pty Ltd and Emirates Trading Agency.

Electrical Commissioning Manager

Huthaifa Lafi

Huthaifa is an MEP testing and commissioning manager with 15+ years of progressive experience in the construction sector delivering world class mega projects including medical care, hospitality, residential, educational facilities and datacentres.

Beginning his career in 2007 as a field engineer and progressing to commissioning management, he gained considerable knowledge and experience in the various project’s execution stages, from initial design review to commissioning and handing over,

With his electrical engineering background, Huthaifa has vast experience in carrying out electrical and ELV systems design reviews from a commissioning perspective, pre-commissioning, Commissioning, and integrated testing of the same, ensuring that all are handed over in accordance with the design intent and client’s requirements.