Siemens has appointed Alexander Biron von Curland as the senior executive vice president of the company’s mobility division in the Middle East to spearhead the digital transport infrastructure in the region.

Based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, he takes over from Joerg Scheifler and will be responsible for developing intelligent, digitalized mobility infrastructure across the Middle East, including trains, trams, locomotives, smart parking and traffic management.

The GCC currently has some $240 billion worth of rail projects in the pipeline, and with one of the fastest-growing population rates in the world it requires modern, efficient and reliable transport infrastructure.

Developments such as Dubai’s Al Maktoum Airport, Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Industrial Zone and Qatar’s Logistics Areas project also demonstrate the region’s ambition to build globally competitive logistics centers, in pursuit of economic diversification, said the statement from Siemens.

Biron von Curland began his career at Siemens in 2009 in Siemens Management Consulting, working on projects across the company’s healthcare, energy and infrastructure businesses.

In 2011 he moved to the Siemens Infrastructure and Cities sector as head of market and competitor intelligence and business development, and in 2013 took on the role of head of sector strategy, responsible for portfolio development, regional and technology strategies and business development.

Biron von Curland subsequently held senior positions within the Mobility Division’s global customer services business unit, responsible for commuter, regional, intercity and high-speed trains and locomotives.

Welcoming the appointment, Dietmar Siersdorfer, CEO, Siemens Middle East and UAE, said: "Biron von Curland strengthens our leadership team in the Middle East, bringing extensive cross-sector and global experience to the regional Mobility division."

“Digitalization is driving disruptive change in transport technology and business models, and Biron von Curland’s experience in strategy - combined with his sector knowledge - will be invaluable as we build smarter, more efficient and increasingly digitalized mobility infrastructure in the region,” he added.

Prior to joining Siemens, Biron von Curland worked for six years with McKinsey & Company in strategy consulting, with international experience in Brazil, US, UK, Poland, Slovakia, Malaysia and Germany.

He holds a PhD and a Masters Degree in physics from Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany.

On his appointment, Biron von Curland said: "The Middle East’s mobility landscape is undergoing an exciting transition, with growing populations requiring smarter cities and a fresh, more environmentally-friendly approach to transport."

"We will combine digital technologies with our infrastructure experience to revolutionize regional mobility, and I look forward to working with our local partners to bring innovative, intelligent and increasingly personalized transport to the Middle East," he added.-TradeArabia News Service