Big Urban Client program to help Jeddah become more competitive
Arcadis, an Arcadis company and built asset consultancy firm, today announced that Hisham Malaika has been appointed as City Executive to lead the Big Urban Client (BUC) program in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. In his new role, Malaika will work closely with the Middle East leadership team to strengthen the business’ positioning across the market and help service urban clients in utilising the firm’s services and capabilities.
Malaika brings with him over 23 years of leadership experience in both local and international markets. Before joining Arcadis, he led two of Saudi Arabia’s leading A&E firms and is also a licensed Saudi architect having also worked as a consultant for Saudi Aramco and Snohetta. Malaika’s career spans roles in technical and operations management as well as business development and project management for multiple sectors.
“Through smart master planning and balancing business and social infrastructure, BUC’s purposes are to deliver high-quality assets without impacting the environment, increase quality of life with sustainable solutions and share market knowledge across the local landscape,” said Hisham Malaika, Jeddah City Executive, Partner and Head of Property and Social Infrastructure at Arcadis in Saudi Arabia. “I am proud to be part of a significant program that focuses on Jeddah’s future growth and development, a subject of key importance for our clients, the people of Jeddah and wider community.”
The BUC program supports the rapid global pace of urbanisation and seeks to help large urban clients become more competitive when attracting investors and developers. The comprehensive program is designed to accelerate growth in target markets such as Jeddah, help establish and strengthen networks and partnerships and develop expertise across sustainability issues. It is focused on providing sustainable urban solutions across transportation, environment, water supply, urban planning and building design.
Arcadis selected 12 cities as Big Urban Clients to start the strategic initiative, which among others include Sao Paulo – Brazil, New York City – US, Chicago – Illinois, London – UK, Doha – Qatar, Shanghai – China, Singapore – Singapore, Amsterdam/Rotterdam – Netherlands and more.
"I am pleased that we are able to attract such a seasoned urban professional to help us push this important strategic initiative. Hisham Malaika has built a reputation for relentlessly marketing the strengths of the city of Jeddah, while at the same time building and improving its urban fabric. His local and international experience and in-depth knowledge of Jeddah make him extremely suitable for this position, and I look forward to working with him and the rest of the city executives in making these cities more liveable." said John Batten, Global Director of the Big Urban Clients at Arcadis.
