EC Harris, an Arcadis company and built asset consultancy firm, has appointed Hisham Malaika as the new 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, said the company in a statement.

He brings with him over 23 years of leadership experience in both local and international markets. Before joining EC Harris, 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, it stated.

“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 EC Harris 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,” he noted.

John Batten, the global director of the Big Urban Clients at Arcadis, said: "I am pleased that we are able to attract such a seasoned urban professional to help us push this important strategic initiative. 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," he added.-TradeArabia News Service