Karem Akawi
CEO at Al Jaber & Partners
Phone:
+974-44411880
Email:
karem.akawi@gmailcom
Address:
500 Perl Street
Doha, Qatar
Date of Birth:
April 2nd, 1957
Hello! I'm Karem Akawi
“Well-seasoned passionate management professional with over three decades of experience in the construction industry; who brings in his experience with a vision to lead and excel. A dependable manager to drive the financial and strategic development of the company. A person with advanced understanding of managing construction companies, processes, planning, budgeting and staffing. A professional who starts from initial design through to execution managing of both in-house team, external consultants, and contractors for multiple projects”
EXPERIENCE
Jan 2019 – till date
CEO
Al Jaber & Partners for Construction & Energy Projects – Qatar
December 2015 – Dec 2018
GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR
Al Sarh Holding Group – Qatar
Companies:
• Insha Contracting & Trading (Buildings Construction)
• Alsarh Trading & Contracting (Building and infrastructure)
• Mohammed Hayil Trading & Contracting (MEP)
• Genco Qatar(Buildings)
• Alpha Gulf for GRC
• Watec for Water Air Technology (WT)
• ‘POWERMECH Engineering (MEP)
• LG (HVAC Equipment partner)
• Qua-Vac (Vacuum Sewer System) exclusive Partner
Responsibilities :
• Overall responsibility of the business outcome
• Oversees the implementation of the QHSE Management System
• Responsible for business growth, profitability and future image of the company
• Create and execute Business Strategy to achieve the objectives, vision and mission of the company annually and long term
• Reviews and approves QHSE objectives, targets and programs/ plans
• Appoints first level staff responsibilities and authorities
• Appoints General Manages/Department Managers and reviews their commercial and operational functions in managing the business
• Responsible for the effectiveness and profitability of the business
• Provides required leadership and coordinates with ASHG management to conduct negotiations with potential clients to secure new contracts, to deliver commitments, to ensure profitability, to achieve business plan and targets set by the board year on year
• Insure all projects are on time and within budget.
Projects Managed :
• Luxury residential (palaces), high rises (towers), mixed use (devolvement projects), hospitality and retail (Malls, hotels, etc.).
February 2015 – Dec 2015
Managing Director-Construction
Salam International Qatar
Companies:
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International Trading & Contracting (ITC)
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Stream Industrial & Engineering (MEP)
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Q-Gardens
Responsibilities
• Overall responsibility for the execution of the Business Strategy to achieve the objectives, vision and mission of the company annually and long term
• Responsible for business growth, profitability and future image of the company
• Appoints General Manages/Department Managers and reviews their commercial and operational functions in managing the business
October 2011 – February 2015
Area General Manager
Drake & Scull International-Qatar
Responsibilities :
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Identify new business opportunities, enlarge present scope of works, and diversify into new areas, viz, Infrastructure Projects, Rail Projects besides exploiting fully emerging business potential.
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Driving the company to achieve accelerated growth within a short span of time.
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Maintaining and improve customer/clientele satisfaction
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Overall monitoring of the progress of the various ongoing and upcoming projects.
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Ensuring cost effectiveness of all project related activities and to meet cost target
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Providing Technical & Commercial advice regarding material / manpower / valuation / subcontract’s payment
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Develop operations plan and direct overall activities to assist in achieving total construction objectives. Responsible for budgeting, production planning, staffing, and inventory levels.
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Direct (through subordinate managers) activities of departments to obtain optimum use of equipment, facilities, and personnel.
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Reviews and analyzes expenditure, financial, and operations reports to determine requirements for increasing profits, for assigned facilities.
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Coordinate activity with operational personnel to insure total project(s) budgets are met.
Achievements :
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Catapulted turnover of Qatar operations by 913% from 25.85M in 2011 to 262.03M in 2013
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Drove a 750% increase in profits since taking over the helm at the company
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Backlog ramped up to almost a Billion QAR
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Promoted new businesses for Rail and Infrastructure projects
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Created a substantial increase in customer base
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Exceeded all company financial budget requirements
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Had the Qatar office running at a profit within 8 months of joining
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Created a 2500+ strong work force team
Projects Managed :
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Al Wajba Clubhouse & Guest Facilities (QAR 157,500,000)
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Multipurpose Administration Complex, Ras Laffan (QAR 125,500,000)
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Qatar Entertainment City (QAR 52,500,000)
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Rabban Suites Hotel Apartments (QAR 55,000,000)
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Musheireb Downtown Doha – Phase 1C – Substructure and Superstructure Works (QAR 304,000,000)
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New Rayyan Palace Project (QAR 175,000,000)
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Mall of Qatar (QAR 355,000,000)
April 2006 – October 2011
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Alko A/C & Mechanical Works, Dubai, UAE
Responsibilities :
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Managed a variety of contracts and sub-contractors in accordance with company policies and procedures, applicable laws and customer requirements.
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Provided on-site advice to all business units and project teams on contract management and policy compliance matters
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Interviewed, hired, trained and dismissed personnel, performed evaluations and decided salary increments and promotions
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Economized construction budget through innovative, studied and proven ideas.
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Perpetrated claims, adjudicated claims before the arbitrators and pursue legal cases related with contracts before court of law or arbitrator committees
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Streamlined process and procedures so that all service levels were met with regard to internal and external customer expectations
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Acted as escalation point to all teams to resolve critical project issues
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Provided objective advices resulted in creating value, maximizing growth and improving business performance.
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Carried out research and data collection; conducted analysis prepared business proposals/presentations; formulated and implemented business solutions
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Built a motivated team through establishing team spirited atmosphere
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Developed good rapport with consultants, specifications and execution activities for the company projects
Projects Managed
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Dubai Silicon Oasis Head Quarter Phase 1 (3 towers B+G+9+Roof)
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Dubai Silicon Oasis Head Quarter Phase 3 (4 towers B+G+9+Roof)
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Discovery Gardens – Contemporary 2 – Dubai (30 Building G +5)
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Dubai Healthcare City (7 Building G+9)
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International City Package 5, Dubai (30 Buildings G+3)
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International City Package 12, Dubai (34 Buildings G+3)
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International City Package 14, Dubai (30 Buildings G+3)
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International City Package 15, Dubai (26 Buildings G+3)
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Jebel Ali Airport Agent Building A1 (3 Warehouses with Offices)
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DSO Staff Accommodation, Dubai (G+2)
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Arab Bank ACSS Building, Dubai (Office Building B+G+7)
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Al Yaqoob Tower (Marriott G+71+Roof)
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Al Barsha Mall (8000 sqft Mall)
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Abu Dhabi Shooting Club (Tappanyaki & Terrrance Restaurant)
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Abu Dhabi Schools (Marwa & Ajban) Refurbishment of 2 schools.
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Rotana Damascus, Syria (5 star hotel)
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Capital Tower Abu Dhabi (6B+G+M+22+Roof)
May 2001 – April 2006
ENGINEERING MANAGER
BBI Enterprise Ic., Ontario,Canada
Responsibilities :
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Managed multiple turnkey projects.
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Implemented engineering programs, developed schedules of deliverables and completed projects of time within budget.
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Managed all aspects of Engineering activities including design, detail, verify, approve, build, install, test and commission
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Oversaw the project to design, supply, construct, install test and commissioned BBI plant in Sidney, Ohio
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Implemented risk assessment measures and risk reduction procedures
December 1997 – May 2001
PROJECTS MANAGER
Jamesway Incubator Co., Cambridge,Ontario,Canada
Responsibilities :
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Managed the project to design, build, install and commission a test hatchery in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.
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Studied, selected, approved, purchased and supervised the installation of systems for several hatcheries.
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Design, built, installed and commissioned several hatcheries in Canada and the USA.
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Invented, studied, detailed and supervised the building of automated stacking machine.
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Designed and supervised the manufacturing of several material handling systems including cranes, belt conveyors and bucket elevators.
1993 – 1995
Production Manager
Milihious Establishment, Syria
1991-1993
General Manager
Engineering Consultation Office
Damscus,Syria
1985 – 1988
Head of Mechanical Dept.
Baraka Construction & Investment Co., Yemen
1982 – 1985
Project Engineer
Milihious Establishment, Syria
EDUCATION
1982
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, Damascus University, Syria
1996
Engineering and Contracting Law and Engineering Ethics & Principles, Waterloo University, Canada
2003
Understanding & Implementing Workplace Safety, Ontario, Canada
2004
Multiple Projects Management & Techniques, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
2004
2004
Engineering the Safety City, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Project Risk Management Planning, Risk Analysis & Reduction, Ontario, Canada
CLIENTS
SKILLS
Engineering
Construction Management
Contract Management
Project Management
Operations Management
Cost Management
New Business Development
Feasibility Studies
EXPERTISE
Engineering
Confer with management, production, and marketing staff to discuss project specifications and procedures.Coordinate and direct projects, making detailed plans to accomplish goals and directing the integration of technical activities.Analyze technology, resource needs, and market demand, to plan and assess the feasibility of projects.Direct, review, and approve product design and changes.
Managment
Formulating and successfully implementing company policy.Directing strategy towards the profitable growth and operation of the company.Developing strategic operating plans that reflect the longer-term objectives and priorities established by the board.Maintaining an ongoing dialogue with the Chair of the board.Putting in place adequate operational planning and financial control systems
Business Development
Developing a business development strategy focused on financial gain.Arranging business development meetings with prospective clients.Develop a growth strategy focused both on financial gain and customer satisfaction.Promote the company’s products/services addressing or predicting clients’ objectives.Arrange business meetings with prospective clients