FTI Consulting, a leading global expert firm for organisations facing crisis and transformation, has announced the appointment of Adrian Predoi as managing director in the firm’s construction, projects and assets practice within the Forensic and Litigation Consulting segment in Saudi Arabia.

 

Predoi’s appointment marks the continued expansion of the firm’s construction advisory and transformation offering across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). 

 

In his role at FTI Consulting, Predoi will lead the Advisory and Transformation practice in the Middle East, providing strategic advice to asset-intensive organisations. 

 

He will also support clients in successfully delivering capital project portfolios that align with their strategic, operational and business goals.

 

"Adrian’s arrival to our market-leading construction team in the Middle East is another important milestone in our continued expansion in the region," said Alastair Farr, the Head of the EMEA Construction Projects and Assets practice at FTI Consulting. 

 

"His appointment will see him work with clients on high-stakes projects and programmes. With significant technical expertise spanning programme management, project controls and digital transformations, Adrian will add huge value to our diverse Middle Eastern client base," he added.

 

Predoi, who is based in Riyadh, has more than 17 years of industry and consulting experience, having worked across multiple sectors, including aviation, nuclear, rail, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, and mixed-use developments in the real estate industry. 

 

Prior to joining FTI Consulting he was the Head of Programme Advisory at a leading construction management consultancy in Saudi Arabia.

 

On his appointment, Predoi said: "In Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East, we are seeing unprecedented levels of investments across all sectors. This challenges the construction industry to reinvent itself and come up with innovative solutions to respond to the ultra-complex, large-scale projects and programmes."

 

"I am excited to be part of the FTI Consulting team and bring our deep expertise in the construction industry to enable clients to successfully set up, transform and deliver their capital projects, at the right pace, always taking people on the journey," he stated.

 

Predoi is the most recent senior hire in the firm’s Construction Projects & Assets practice in the Middle East, following the arrival of Managing Directors Alex Burton and Stuart McIvor in Dubai.--TradeArabia News Service

In a strategic collaboration aimed at nurturing the next generation of hospitality leaders, Vatel Hotel & Tourism Business School has forged a partnership with Hawar Resort by Mantis, a pioneering eco-luxury establishment located on the Unesco World Heritage site of Hawar Island. 

 

This collaboration underscores the Vatel Bahrain’s commitment to fostering industry-academia synergies and equipping its students with unparalleled practical training experiences.  

 

"Facilitating our students' training at this esteemed resort, a trailblazer in sustainable luxury tourism within the Gulf and the broader Middle Eastern region, represents an astute investment in the development of their capabilities and proficiencies," said Sheikh Khaled bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, General Director of Vatel Bahrain.

 

"This invaluable opportunity empowers our aspiring hospitality professionals to refine their skills in state-of-the-art facilities that parallel the industry's highest benchmarks," stated Sheikh Khaled. 

 

"This effort aligns with Vatel Bahrain’s dedication to offering its students internship opportunities across various hotels under the Accor Group umbrella, one of the largest hotel groups in the Middle East and globally," he added.

 

In a statement on the sidelines of signing the MoU with Hawar Resort by Mantis, Sheikh Khaled emphasized the distinctive nature of the resort, being among the first luxury eco-resorts in the Gulf and the broader Middle Eastern region. 

 

This prestigious establishment will provide Vatel Bahrain students with high-level training in the sector of luxury tourism, as well as various facets of hospitality, tourism, and hotel operations, thereby enhancing their potential to attain remarkable success and distinction in the dynamic labour market.

 

The strategic location of Hawar Resort by Mantis on the pristine Hawar Island, a Unesco-designated World Heritage Site, presents an unmatched learning environment for Vatel students. 

 

This immersive experience will enable them to acquire comprehensive insights into the intricate operations and best practices of luxury facilities that cater to discerning international and domestic travellers, he stated. 

 

Furthermore, it will equip them with the essential competencies requisite for securing coveted positions within the hospitality sector upon the conclusion of their academic journey, he added.

 

Sheikh Khaled said one of Vatel Bahrain’s recent graduates, Abdullah Traif, was part of the pre-opening team at Hawar Resort by Mantis and now holds the position of Housekeeping Supervisor at the resort. 

 

"Abdullah’s success is a living example of the quality education and training provided by Vatel Bahrain, which empowers our graduates to become key contributors in the hospitality sector," he stated.

 

Mohammad Ali Kunhi, Hotel Manager of Hawar Resort by Mantis, said: "We are delighted to forge this partnership with Vatel Bahrain, which will establish our resort as a premier training partner for the esteemed institution."

 

"This alliance will provide invaluable opportunities for Bahraini talents to engage in hands-on training within the dynamic work environment of Hawar Resort by Mantis, a sought-after destination renowned for delivering an integrated experience of relaxation amidst the captivating natural splendor of Hawar Island. We are confident that this collaboration will offer rich and diverse experiences to the college's students, furthering their professional development," he added.-TradeArabia News Service

Mered, the award-winning international real estate developer, is supporting the inaugural Pininfarina Academy, an educational initiative by Pininfarina, a global icon of Italian design. 

 

The academy is dedicated to fostering excellence in architectural design among emerging industry professionals, providing them with the opportunity to learn from world-renowned experts and explore cutting-edge design concepts at the company’s headquarters in Turin, Italy. 

 

As part of this initiative, Mered will sponsor four students to attend the Pininfarina Architecture Summer School.

 

The exclusive 3 X 3 X 3 Summer School launches this July with a course integrating advanced design techniques and Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) in contemporary architecture. 

The program is tailored to equip young architects with the skills and expertise to redefine modern architecture and urban development, said Mered in a statement. 

 

Participants will engage in hands-on workshops, keynote lectures by industry leaders, and practical applications of state-of-the-art technology, including AI-driven design, parametric modelling, and immersive VR/AR tools, it stated.

 

By sponsoring four students, Mered reinforces its mission to redefine premium developments through visionary design and strategic partnerships by nurturing next-generation talent. 

 

With a portfolio that includes the ultra-luxury 290-m-tall Iconic Residences in Dubai Design by Pininfarina, an upcoming waterfront project in Abu Dhabi and having entered the Saudi Arabian market, Mered is shaping the future of high-end real estate, said the developer. 

 

The Pininfarina Architecture Summer School will be held from July 14 to 25, 2025, and instruction will be conducted in English. 

 

Applications are open to a select 12 aspiring architects, offering them a unique learning experience, the chance to connect with like-minded peers, and the opportunity to collaborate with industry leaders, it added.