ADNEC buys ExCeL

The development of the business partnership between Britain and Abu Dhabi took an important step forward at the beginning of May with the acquisition by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company, ADNEC, of ExCeL, a major organiser of conferences and exhibitions in Britain. ExCeL is also heavily involved in planning for the 2012 Olympic Games in Britain.

According to announcements by ADNEC and ExCeL, the deal was worth more than 2.3 billion dirhams (321 million pounds sterling). In a statement issued after the purchase, ADNEC said it had bought control of ExCeL through a British subsidiary, as part of a strategy to diversify Abu Dhabi’s economy away from dependence on oil and gas.

“This very important acquisition is designed to directly support the Abu Dhabi government’s economic diversification strategy,” Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, the chairman of Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions, said in a statement. “Ensuring Abu Dhabi’s role as a major global business tourism centre is an integral element of the strategy.”

ExCeL London, a private company linked to Malaysian tycoon Ananda Krishnan, has hosted more than 2,000 events since it started in 2000, including the British International Motor Show and the London Boat Show, according to the statement.

“This acquisition will allow us to attract fresh investment, events and talent to the UAE capital and demonstrates our serious commitment to London, the UK and the international events industry,” Sheikh Sultan said.

ExCeL’s existing exhibition commitments, including its role in staging combat sports, table tennis, and weightlifting events at the 2012 Olympic Games, will not be affected by the acquisition, ADNEC said.

“The benefits to Abu Dhabi include increased international awareness of the city and the emirate, international training opportunities for UAE nationals and an opportunity to support international events,” according to ADNEC Chief Executive Officer Simon Horgan.

“ExCeL London has a strong track record in attracting a wide range of leading events and has become one of Europe’s most prestigious exhibition venues. ADNEC’s strategy is to become the world’s leading provider of venues to the exhibitions industry. By developing a network of world-class venues, including venues with the stature of ExCeL London, we will be able to serve the needs of an industry that is increasingly global in its outlook. ExCeL London will play a vital role in delivering ADNEC’s strategy and in doing so has a very bright future,” he said.

Berns Brett Masaood enterinsurance market

British insurance firm Berns Brett and the Masaood family have established a joint venture, Berns Brett Masaood Insurance, to service the growing Abu Dhabi market. According to the company’s Managing
Director, Mohammed Rayees, the new firm will act as an Internal Insurance and Risk Management Department for clients for whom it is uneconomic to employ their own insurance and risk control professionals.

With offices in both Abu Dhabi and London, he notes, the company is able to provide a differentiated risk management service with a local presence.

“Berns Brett Masaood will add to the risk control process for corporations and individuals,” says Rayees. “The Berns Brett Masaood service extends beyond pure risk transfer and transactional insurance broking. We want to be viewed as a business partner, reducing costs and adding expertise and value to our client’s risk management procedures. Our long term future is in the UAE and surrounding region.”

The Berns Brett Group in Britain has been established as an independent insurance broker, financial adviser and risk manager for over 40 years, covering all areas of corporate and personal insurance, financial services, health and safety, human resources, training and business continuity. It has offices in London and Horsham, West Sussex, and its clients range from multi-billion corporations, SME’s, charities and not for profit sector, and private individuals. It aims to meet all the insurance, financial services and risk management requirements of its’ clients.

Crisis Management talks

Crisis and emergency management strategists and planners from Britain and the UAE met recently to share experiences and insights and explored prospects of greater joint cooperation in regard to prompt response to crises.

Top British officials and experts from a number of emergency and crisis management agencies including the British Emergency Planning College, the Cabinet, Metropolitan Police and Ministry of Defence, joined their UAE counterparts in an interactive workshop organised by the National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA).

The event carried the theme “Prerequisites of Public Security and Peace for Disaster and Emergency Management’ and held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser and Chairman of NCEMA.

Mohammed Khalfan Al Romaithy, General Manager of NCEMA, said the exercise was conducted within the framework of bilateral cooperation with friendly countries with the aim of exchanging experiences, expertise and information on disaster and emergency management.

“The UAE-UK teams have discussed organisational and executive measures which are instrumental in executing national preparedness plans for disasters,” he added. He said the workshop provided an ideal platform for UAE and UK delegates to examine proposals for bolstering future cooperation in this
important field.

New Halcrows office forAbu Dhabi

Halcrows have opened a new office in the Al Bateen district of Abu Dhabi, signalling the company’s commitment to the government’s recently published development plan for the year 2030.

The office was inaugurated by the British Ambassador, Edward Oakden, who commented that: “There is no doubt about Abu Dhabi’s determination and vision to become a world class city and Halcrow’s commitment and experience sets them apart to become a valued partner in delivering innovative and sustainable development solutions for the area. Also, British expertise and know-how have played a vital role in the spectacular growth of Abu Dhabi. Present in the Middle East for over 50 years, and with operations in Abu Dhabi dating back to 1963, Halcrow’s name is synonymous with the British contribution to the region’s development.”

The office opening was hosted by Peter Gammie, Halcrow’s chief executive; David Yaw, regional managing director; and Sami Al Qazzaz, Abu Dhabi regional director. Speaking at the office inauguration on behalf of Halcrow, David Yaw said, “We want to signal our commitment to assisting the government realise its urban planning vision for the year 2030 with integration, master planning and of course, sustainable development. We have permanent offices in Sydney, Hong Kong, London, New York and other world business hubs so it is entirely logical for us to have a major delivery capability in Abu Dhabi to provide a local and integrated service to our key clients here.”

The new office accommodates some 200 planners, designers and other technical specialists, to support the 250 Halcrow people working on construction supervision at local sites. Across the Middle East, Halcrow employs 1,500 employees in 11 countries – 1,200 based in the UAE.

Halcrow provides a wide range of design, planning, engineering and management services to public
and private sector clients in urban development, transportation, water and power, marine and waterfront development, and buildings.

HSBC get brokerage licence

HSBC’s UAE brokerage arm, HSBC Middle East Securities (HMES), has received its final licence from the Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority (ESCA) to operate as a broker on the UAE’s stock exchanges, and has begun trading for institutional investors.

The company, set up to trade on the Abu Dhabi Securities Market (ADSM) and the Dubai Financial Market (DFM), will offer brokerage services to retail investors later this year.

With this licence, and the imminent final approvals of the UAE’s two domestic markets, HSBC will become the first global bank to trade on the UAE’s exchanges directly.

“The Middle East’s capital markets are becoming increasingly important to institutional investors around the world, especially at such challenging times in other international markets,” said Neil Foster, Head of HSBC Global Markets for the Middle East and Chairman of HMES. “As the largest and longest established bank in the region, HSBC is delighted to break new ground by being the first international bank to be granted a licence to trade on the UAE’s stock exchanges.”

HSBC is already a broker-member and sub-custodian of the Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX). It also offers sub-custody services on the ADSM and DFM, as well as nine other regional bourses,and this service will continue to be provided by the bank’s specialist subcustody operation. HSBC also has the largest multi asset class research capabilities on the ground covering key sectors and companies in the UAE and the wider region.

Paul Cooper, Head of Equities for Central Europe, Middle East and Africa at HSBC and a Director of HMES, added: “HSBC has developed a leading brokerage business in the UAE servicing local and international institutional clients. The establishment of HMES means that a major player in the UAE’s markets is now a licenced broker in its own right. We believe this to be crucial in providing first class brokerage capabilities to our clients. This development will be highly positive in raising the profile of the region, and is a further demonstration of our commitment to the UAE and the development of the region’s markets.”

Hamptons open Abu Dhabi office

Hamptons International, a premier British one-stop property services company, has opened its first Abu Dhabi office at the First Gulf Bank building on the Corniche.

The new office will showcase a diverse portfolio of properties – from the UAE, the region and international markets – and also provides additional services such as mortgage services, valuations and research, and letting services.

The opening of the Abu Dhabi office coincided with Cityscape Abu Dhabi, the property exhibition held from May 13 to 15, and is in-line with the regional expansion plans of Hamptons. The property services company already has two offices in Dubai.

Nasser Abdul Rahman Rafi, Managing Director, Hamptons International Dubai, said: “Hamptons has consolidated its market presence in the UAE through our diverse portfolio of property-related services. Abu Dhabi is one of the fastest growing property markets in the UAE, and our office in the capital city will further enable our outreach to customers and expand our product portfolio.”

Rida Abdul Rahim, Branch Manager, Hamptons Abu Dhabi, added:

“The opening of the Hamptons office in Abu Dhabi will greatly enhance the convenience of customers in the city by offering them the option of making property purchase from a range of markets. Hamptons is a full-service real estate company and the Abu Dhabi office too will be a one-stop shop for property needs and services.”

The company plans two further offices in Dubai as well as others elsewhere in the GCC region.

With over 135 years experience in the UK market and 85 offices worldwide, inclding a regional headquarters in Dubai, Hamptons is one of the premier international residential agencies. Its property portfolio includes leading projects in the UAE as well as from international markets. Its network of offices world-wide allows both regional and international customers access to a diverse property portfolio that ranges from across the region as well as overseas

ADMA-OPCO at EIConnect

Representatives of the Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company, ADMAOPCO, were among participants at EIConnect, the International Supply Chain Event 2008, held in London on 24th – 27th February and organised by the Energy Industries Council.

Over three days, more than 650 delegates took advantage of the opportunity to meet over 30 leading international operators and contractors in the oil industry. Representatives from companies were able to have one-toone meetings with leading suppliers, visit exhibitors and network with industry colleagues.

Besides ADMA-OPCO, other presenters to attract a lot of attention came from Kuwait’s KNPC and KOC and Oman’s PDO. News of the event was broadcast on CNBC Arabia.

Philippa Wiffen, EIConnect Project Manager, said: “The event was a huge success. EIConnect proved itself yet again to be the leading forum for UK companies wishing to explore their global opportunities in the energy industries worldwide. The Middle East region remains a region of the greatest importance to UK exporters in the energy sector”.

The Energy Industries Council (EIC) is the leading Trade Association for UK based companies involved in the supply of capital goods and services to the energy industries worldwide. Its members range in size from major international contractors and manufacturers through to the more specialised product and service companies.

The purpose of the EIC is to present business opportunities to members, help them to maximise those opportunities and alert them to industrial trends. The EIC’s headquarters are in London with offices in the North East of England, Scotland, the USA, Singapore, Brazil and Dubai, supporting members locally, nationally and internationally and gathering intelligence on worldwide projects.

An EIC trade delegation also visited Abu Dhabi during April.

Eversheds makes AbuDhabi debut

Legal firm Eversheds has been granted a licence to launch a new office in Abu Dhabi. The office will be run by commercial specialist Chris Jobson, who becomes managing partner for the Middle East, having previously headed up the Qatar office. The office will be staffed by two additional partners - City real estate chief John Kemkers and corporate partner Kuljit Ghata- Aura, both of whom are relocating from London - plus two associates and one further solicitor.

The firm pointed to Abu Dhabi’sstatus as a gateway for investment to India as a major factor in the launch. Eversheds counts HSBC, Boeing and the National Bank of Abu Dhabi among its major clients in the region.

Commenting on the move, Eversheds chairman Alan Jenkins said: “Abu Dhabi’s burgeoning economy has a strong focus on financial services, real estate and telecoms and in particular the emirate aims to be a global leader in sustainable development and the renewable energy market. These are all sectors where Eversheds has a very strong track record and a wealth of insight to bring to the diversification programme.”

He added: “Abu Dhabi is an emirate that is looking to diversify and grow rapidly and both our Middle East and India business practices will benefit greatly from this.”

The news marks the latest addition to the Eversheds International network, which in recent months has added full members in the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, while a tie-up with Johannesburg firm Routledge Modise secured the network’s debut in Africa.

Top-tier Clyde and Co

A guide to the leading commercial law firms in the Middle East has presented Clyde & Co as top ranking among law firms in the UAE.

For the fourth consecutive year, Clyde & Co has secured the most top tier rankings in practice areas for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the Legal 500 law firm directory (Europe Middle East & Africa (EMEA) edition).

Legal 500 (EMEA) is produced annually by UK-headquartered publisher Legalease and is based on independent research among lawyers and their clients.

The just released 2008 edition awards Clyde & Co top ranking in five of the nine practice areas it features, including dispute resolution, TMT (technology, media & communications), insurance, real estate & construction and shipping. The firm is also recognised for its expertise in corporate and M&A, banking & finance, projects & energy and intellectual property. This is a level of recognition not achieved by any other law firm in the region. The firm’s work in Qatar and India is also recognised by the directory.

Niall O’Toole, a corporate partner who heads up Clyde & Co’s Abu Dhabi office, says “Clyde & Co has a huge presence throughout the Middle East and has put, and is continuing to put, considerable investment into its people and operations here. While results like this are pleasing, it is safe to say that we are absolutely focused on improving even further in terms of our reach, resource and quality expectations in the upcoming year.”

Al Masaood Bergum recognised

The global ISO accreditation company, Bureau Veritas, has singled out Al Masaood Bergum (AMB), the leading supplier of prefabricated steel and timber frame buildings in the Middle East, by holding a presentation ceremony in recognition of AMB’s dedicated and continued commitment to quality, health and safety and environmental issues.

The recertification of AMB to ISO 9001:2000, 14001:2004, OHSAS 18001:1999 standards come after an in-depth and formal external surveillance process by Bureau Veritas. Certification included on-site audits, standardized testing and inspections, as well as surveillance audits during the certification period to ensure AMB’s management processes throughout the UAE and Qatar are once again in-line with the International Standards.

This certification brings further solid recognition for AMB’s clients and stakeholders and provides a continuous improvement process for the company. All department managers worked together, driven by senior management, to enforce the Integrated Management System which encompasses the requirements of the International Standards for quality, environment, health and safety aspects of all employees, subcontractors and visitors linked with AMB within the UAE and Qatar.

“AMB is privileged to be re-certified for the 3 International Standards; on Quality, H&S and Environment by Bureau Veritas, particularly as the company is increasingly expanding into the oil and gas industry, where this level of recognition is highly regarded,” commented Mike Walker, QHSE manager, AMB. “We will endeavour to work with Bureau Veritas through recurring surveillance audits, ensuring that as a company we continue to maintain and indeed improve our already high standard of services.”

AMB has been operating throughout the region since 1978. The company has built up a successful record for providing effective, quality building solutions and has been carving itself a niche in prefabricated construction with turnover increasing ten-fold from 1999 to 2007, driven by AMB group general manager Steve McConnachie, who is originally from Swansea.

New Registration system for UK Nationals

The British Embassy in Abu Dhabi has announced the launching of a new world-wide registration service, LOCATE, for British citizens travelling or living abroad. The new system permits those registered to add details of their overseas travel, and will keep a log of where people are. However, travel details will be removed after the date for the end of the travel.

The transfer to the new system means, according to an Embassy note, that all British citizens resident in the UAE should re-register, for themselves and for their family members, even if they have done so before, since not all of the required data will be transferred to LOCATE.

The Embassy hopes that the new system will enable it to assess more accurately the size of the resident British community in the Emirates, as well as visitors.

Registration can be done through the Embassy website: www.britishembassy.gov.uk/ae

Louvre contract for Buro Happold

British engineering consultancy Buro Happold have been awarded the engineering services contract for The Louvre Abu Dhabi, one of the five major cultural institutions planned for Sa’adiyat island. Under the terms of the contract, awarded by the Tourism Development & Investment Company, TDIC, Buro Happold will work with the museum’s designer, Jean Nouvel, on concept validation of the initial design and on the schematic design of the museum, which is due to open in 2012.

Buro Happold’s scope of work covers a range of engineering disciplines including structural, civil, site traffic, marine and environmental. “Buro Happold was selected because of its holistic approach to engineering, its track record as an environmentally responsible and responsive organisation and its appreciation of the project’s standing within the social, architectural and aesthetics fields,” according to Lee Tabler, CEO, TDIC. “With engineering design now under way, we are on course to break ground on this truly iconic structure in the first quarter of next year.”

Sa’adiyat’s Cultural District will comprise the world’s largest single concentration of premier cultural institutions including the Sheikh Zayed National Museum, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum, a performing arts centre and a maritime museum. Planning for The Louvre Abu Dhabi follows a 30-year cultural accord sealed last year between the governments of Abu Dhabi and France. Concept designs for all the Cultural District assets, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, are on show in a public exhibition which is open daily at the Emirates Palace Hotel.