Leading international consultancy and construction company Mace said its joint venture with technical professional services firm Jacobs has been appointed as the British government’s delivery partner for the UK Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.

As per the deal, Mace and Jacobs will act as the Department for International Trade’s delivery partner, managing the design, procurement and construction of the pavilion in the run up to the opening of the gala show.

The event kicks off on October 20, 2020 and will run for the next six months attracting 25 million visitors, Of this, 70 per cent will be coming from outside the UAE, an unprecedented proportion in the 166 year history of World Expos.

More than 200 participants, including countries, multilateral organisations, corporations and educational institutions are expected to take part.

Secretary of State for International Trade Dr Liam Fox announced in October 2017 that the theme for the UK’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai would be “Global Britain – Innovating for a Shared Future’.

Mace previously provided project management services for the iconic ‘Seed Cathedral’, designed by Thomas Heatherwick as the UK’s Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010.

The Mace/Jacobs joint venture is currently also delivering design, construction and operations management for the wider Expo 2020 Dubai host site.

Mace was appointed to Expo 2020 in 2014 and now has more than 80 staff working on the programme from its regional hub office in Dubai, said th statement from the company.  

Laura Faulkner OBE, UK Commissioner General, Department for International Trade, said: "We’re very excited to be working with Mace to deliver the UK Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. The legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games continues to perpetuate with top UK companies such as Mace building on their world class project delivery reputation to support the delivery of a priority UK project, UK at Expo 2020 Dubai."

"The UK presence in Dubai promises to be award-winning and world class and we’re pleased to be working with Mace on this incredible project," stated Faulkner.

Jason Millett, the chief operating officer for Consultancy at Mace, said: "We’re honoured that the Department for International Trade has put its faith in us to deliver this hugely symbolic project on behalf of the UK."

"Mace’s involvement in 2010’s ‘Seed Cathedral’ in Shanghai was a landmark moment for the company, so it’s tremendously gratifying to be given the chance to deliver a second iconic Pavilion for the UK. The Department is doing vital work strengthening our economic relationships across the world and preparing for Britain’s future outside of the EU, and we’re very proud to be supporting that effort," he added.-TradeArabia News Service