The construction industry is a vital pillar of the global economy, with its movements affecting various sectors and communities.
In recent years, the Middle East’s construction market has experienced rapid growth, driven by an influx of mega and gigaprojects led by both governments and private stakeholders.
To highlight this dynamic industry, Construction Week Middle East presents a ranked list of the most influential figures and companies at the forefront of change. Celebrating its 15th edition, this year we expand our annual ‘Power 100’ list to a comprehensive ‘Power 150’. This expanded list is divided into six sub-categories: Top 35 Contractors, Top 45 Developers, Top 20 Consultants, Top 20 Sub-contractors, Top 20 Designers & Architects, and Top 10 Lawyers. The competition is fiercer than ever, with newer companies steadily climbing the ranks.
LAWYERS/LEGAL CONSULTANTS
| Jad Chouman | Catherine Workman | Claire Miller | Magda Kofluk | Rohit Singhal |
| Sachin Kerur | Mark Larkin | Peter Banathy | Dean Ryburn | Nicholas Kramer |
1. Jad Chouman
Partner and Head of Middle East, HKA
In a significant move, HKA Partner Jad Chouman became the sole Head of the Middle East in 2023. Chouman previously co-led the region with Haroon Niazi, who now heads the global risk mitigation consultancy’s construction claims and expert services in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Chouman’s leadership has been more crucial than ever in strengthening the firm’s foundation in the region. With ambitious growth and diversification at the heart of HKA’s strategy, Chouman has played a pivotal, hands-on role in securing several high-profile projects with key clients, increasing the firm’s revenue and encouraging more cross-regional collaboration across the EMEA region.
Under Chouman’s leadership, HKA consolidated its leading position in the sector, and long-term presence in Saudi Arabia earlier this year by gaining its Regional Headquarters license from the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA). HKA is considered one of the first major international consultancy firms in the construction claims and expert sector to gain regional HQ status under the programme.
Over the last 12 months, HKA has been appointed to work on several exciting projects and cases, perhaps most notably on one of the biggest rail projects across the GCC. The firm has also been engaged in numerous mega and giga-infrastructure projects across Saudi Arabia, as well as railway, airport, and plant projects across the GCC and North Africa regions.
In 2023, the Middle East practice was engaged in more than 410 projects with an average CaPex of $1.61 billion across 12 countries, which has allowed HKA to maintain its position as the region’s leading dispute resolution firm.
Since last year, the firm has seen more expansion across its other service line offerings. With a demand in the public sector for investigative services to assist in endeavours to fight corruption and fraud, HKA has further grown its Forensic Accounting and Commercial Damages service line and recently welcomed a new Partner to its Dubai team.
Furthermore, HKA’s involvement in major projects in Saudi Arabia allowed the firm to expand its advisory services in the kingdom and the wider region. The Advisory team has been engaged in a number of matters, providing incisive and timely support at critical stages during asset development or investment lifecycle and advising clients on portfolios, programmes, and complex projects.
HKA supports various causes through donations and volunteer work, contributing 3,000 hours from 2021 to 2023 for corporate social responsibility.
2. Sachin Kerur
Managing Partner – Middle East, Reed Smith
Once again making an appearance on our list is Sachin Kerur, the Managing Partner in the Middle East for London-based Reed Smith.
Under his leadership, the firm has achieved exceptional revenue and client expansion across diverse sectors such as construction, infrastructure, logistics, commodities, technology, and hospitality.
With its distinctive approach to transactional and dispute advisory, the firm has secured the sustained growth and success of its UAE business. It has further enhanced its capabilities by incorporating environmental and ESR advisory services for infrastructure clients, effectively meeting the evolving demands of the region’s transforming industries.
Additionally, Reed Smith continues to support clients through large-scale legislative changes, supply chain developments, ESR regulations, and economic uncertainties, combining traditional legal services with expertise in corporate, technology, acquisition finance, employment, and regulatory matters. This has led to recognition as a leading practice in the region by independent legal directories and awards.
3. Catherine Workman
Partner & Head of Middle East, Pinsent Masons
C oming in at number three is Catherine Workman, Partner and Head of Pinsent Masons’ Middle East operations. With over 25 years of experience, Workman is a preeminent authority in Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). She has provided expert advice to a diverse range of stakeholders on numerous large-scale projects, establishing herself as a leading figure in the field.
Workman’s extensive experience working with governments, sponsors, and lenders has equipped her with deep insights into structuring balanced projects that attract both equity and debt investments. Her ability to navigate complex financial landscapes has been instrumental in the successful execution of these projects.
Over the last 12 months, Workman has played a pivotal role in leading a strategic review of Pinsent Masons’ Middle East operations, working closely with colleagues and partners to outline ambitious regional expansion plans that will shape the firm’s future.
Beyond her PPP expertise, Workman is a distinguished projects lawyer. Recently, she advised the lenders on the first PPP project to achieve financial close in Abu Dhabi.
4. Mark Larkin
Partner/Senior Principal, EY Capital Projects
Mark Larkin is an Assurance Partner with the Capital Projects team at EY MENA, based in Riyadh. Larkin specialises in conflict avoidance, claims, and dispute resolution including the commercial management of distressed projects in the construction, infrastructure, and energy sectors.
With 16 years of extensive experience in the MENA region, Larkin regularly advises all levels of the supply chain, including leading international contractors, engineering consultancies, special-purpose investment vehicles, and various government departments. His deep understanding of the regional market dynamics and his strategic approach to problem-solving have been instrumental in driving successful outcomes for his clients.
In addition to numerous appointments supporting legal counsel in both technical and shadow expert roles, he has worked with both the public and private sectors as an independent adjudicator, mediator, technical due diligence expert, and neutral third-party expert determiner. His diverse skill set allows him to effectively navigate complex disputes and provide balanced, expert opinions.
5. Claire Miller
Managing Partner, Beale & Co.
Claire Miller, Managing Partner of Beale & Co. in the Middle East, makes her second appearance on the prestigious Power 150 list. With over two decades of expertise, Miller has distinguished herself as a specialist in resolving construction disputes across a wide range of regions, including the Middle East, Central Asia, Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Asia-Pacific.
Miller’s proficiency extends to overseeing large-scale, intricate cross-border international arbitrations, Dispute Adjudication Board (DAB) proceedings, and mediations. Her role is multifaceted, as she also serves as an arbitrator, bringing her understanding of legal nuances to the fore. Her arbitration experience is extensive, covering major institutions such as the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the Dubai International Financial Centre-London Court of International Arbitration (DIFC-LCIA), the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), and various ad hoc proceedings.
In the past year, Beale & Co. has achieved numerous significant cases in the Middle East including the successful defence against claims in an ICC Arbitration involving a landmark development project in Saudi Arabia.
6. Peter Banathy
Regional Director, Driver Trett
Next on the list is Peter Banathy, Regional Director at Driver Trett. With over 40 years of experience, Banathy originally established and directed the firm’s Qatar office in 2010 before assuming his current role overseeing the Middle East office.
He possesses extensive expertise in managing commercial teams in post-contract environments, providing contractual advice under various standard and bespoke forms of contracts, and excelling in dispute resolution.
Banathy’s sector experience is diverse, encompassing high-rise buildings, residential complexes, mixed-use developments, recreational and commercial properties, as well as infrastructure projects. This broad spectrum of experience underlines his capability to handle a wide array of projects with varying complexities and requirements.
In the past year, Banathy has spearheaded Driver Trett’s strategic expansion into Saudi Arabia, further cementing the firm’s presence and influence in the Middle East. His contributions continue to drive the firm’s success and reputation as a leading consultancy in construction in the region.
7. Magda Kofluk
Managing Associate, Stephenson Harwoods
Magda Kofluk, a member of Stephenson Harwood’s dispute resolution and international arbitration team, specialises in construction law with over 13 years of experience, including ten in the Middle East. Her practice includes disputes related to major international projects, such as high-rise towers, infrastructure, power plants and rail. Her clients include developers, contractors, sub-contractors, government bodies, consultants and investors.
Stephenson Harwood’s construction team, led by multiple global partners, offers specialist advice on major Middle Eastern projects and resolves complex, cross-border disputes. Their diverse clientele includes government bodies, employers, contractors, public authorities, private developers, funders, and other stakeholders involved in high-value construction and engineering disputes.
Over the years, Magda has gained significant experience working in several jurisdictions, and therefore is able to coordinate multi-jurisdictional proceedings on a client’s behalf.
8. Dean Ryburn
Partner, Dentons
Next on the list is Dean Ryburn, who leads Dentons’ Middle East construction and dispute resolution team. Over the past year, Ryburn has significantly contributed to the professional development of the sector by conducting specialised training sessions on construction law for senior legal counsel within the oil and gas and construction industries.
He has also delivered a comprehensive workshop on the 2017 FIDIC Contracts, which was attended by over 150 employees.
Clients hold Ryburn in high regard, praising him as a ‘hands-on’ partner who possesses the ability to quickly grasp complex technical and legal details. He is known for his talent in formulating clear, actionable strategies and working collaboratively with client representatives, experts, and legal counsel to implement these strategies efficiently and cost-effectively.
Under Ryburn’s leadership, Dentons provides advisory services on both contentious and non-contentious issues. The firm is adept at handling substantial disputes across the region, including in key markets such as the UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
9. Rohit Singhal
CEO, Masin
Rohit Singhal, a leading arbitration specialist, has once again secured a spot on our list this year. As the CEO of Masin, Singhal has driven the firm’s global expansion to eight countries, working on projects in 30 countries and managing over $100 billion in construction claims.
With over 26 years of experience, Singhal’s expertise encompasses infrastructure contracts, dispute resolution, expert testimony in arbitration, and litigation support. Prior to Masin, he was the CEO of an international EPC contracting firm, specialising in large-scale oil, gas, and infrastructure projects, and played key roles at SHELL and Engineers India Limited.
Singhal has served as the lead expert in nearly 60 arbitrations, covering delays, technical matters, valuation, and various dispute types. He has been pivotal in high-profile arbitrations involving mega projects like NEOM, Riyadh Metro, Etihad Rail, and India Bullet Train.
Under Singhal’s leadership, Masin actively participates in CSR initiatives, focusing on supporting underprivileged cancer patients in India.
10. Nicholas Kramer
Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright
Nicholas Kramer, Partner at Norton Rose Fulbright, has had an outstanding year marked by significant achievements. Leading the award-winning deals Project Wave and Al Wakrah, he has successfully earned a hefty number of globally-recognised awards.
Additionally, Kramer’s team has secured panel appointments with two prominent Abu Dhabi state-owned entities, resulting in substantial new instructions.
2023 has been a particularly successful year for his team, with Kramer spearheading major infrastructure projects across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan, and notably advising on the $2.2 billion Project Wave and co-leading Qatar’s $720 million Al Wakrah and Al Wukair STP PPP project.
Moreover, Norton Rose’s global revenue for 2023 was approximately $2.26 billion, with promising projections for 2024. As a member of the Middle East CSR committee, Kramer contributes to initiatives like setting science-based net-zero targets with SBTi, participating in the DIFC Court’s Pro Bono Programme, and supporting Save the Children’s “One child, one story” campaign.