WSP Anticipate Podcast

In this episode of the WSP Anticipate Podcast, David Leversha, Decarbonisation Lead for WSP, discusses driving value for clients through sustainability with Catriona Brady from the World Green Building Council and Daniel Socha from WSP's Global Sustainability and ESG Services. They explore the growing prominence of sustainability, the influence of ESG on financial markets, and what clients value in sustainability advice. They also discuss the need for policy and regulation and the role of col...

The UN-Habitat program estimates that by 2030, 3 billion, about 40% of the world’s population, will need access to adequate housing. This translates to 96000 accessible housing units every day. Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) holds the promise of helping builders and developers meet the rising demand for housing. However, it represents a profound transformation for the building industry. In this new episode of the WSP Anticipate Podcast, Nizar Jegham, Advisory Director – Digital at ...

Imagine a skyline dotted with high-rises, each a testament to architectural ambition and economic growth. What happens when these towering structures, built around the same time, begin to show their age? In this episode of the WSP Anticipate Podcast, Susanna Noureddine, Head of Facades interviews Andy Dean, Senior Technical Director - Asset Transformation at WSP in the Middle East to explore how facades age, and the potential risks of neglect. More importantly, the discussion highlights the s...

In a world where climate disasters are not just warnings but daily realities, the urgency for effective climate action is more pronounced than ever, and the need for carbon literacy is becoming increasingly important.In this episode of the WSP Anticipate Podcast, The episode discusses the barriers and enablers of Carbon Literacy and it offers guidance to organisations on how to incorporate carbon literacy into their strategies.Unable to listen to the full episode? Fast-forward to the key disc...

In this episode of the WSP Anticipate Podcast, Karisha Trotman-Welch, Principal Engineer - Enhancement & Lean Manager is joined by Dean Speer, Head of Technology and Digital at WSP in the Middle East to discuss the challenges and opportunities that arise from weaving technology into the fabric of traditional construction practices. They also envision and navigate the industry’s transformation journey towards digital construction, highlighting how Lean methodologies could be a key enabler ...

As the Arabian Peninsula experiences shifts in weather patterns and faces more intense and frequent rainfall events, the demand for effective flood mitigation strategies has never been more critical. In this episode of the WSP Anticipate Podcast, Daymion Jenkins, Advisory Director - Environment & Sustainability is joined by Nariba Gittens, Associate Director – Water and Dr Farhad Jafari, Project Director at WSP in the Middle East to explore the role of design in flood management. The...

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is more than just a rapidly evolving futuristic technology. It is already an integral part of our daily lives, from the recommendations on your favourite streaming service to the algorithms that power critical business decisions. But what is AI exactly, and how does it work? How can we use it to create smarter, safer, and more sustainable solutions for our industry and the built environment? In this episode, James Mcallister, Smart Design Lead at WSP ...

Atlantis The Royal Resort and Residences is the new Dubai landmark on The Palm and one of WSP’s most exciting recent projects in the region. But what makes Atlantis The Royal so special, and what does it take to create a project of such scale? In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, Liam O’Connell, Associate Director of Building Services, is joined by Andy Veall, Senior Technical Director at WSP in the Middle East, and John Shamon, Chief Technical Officer at Atlantis The Royal, ...

In today's modern world, people spend most of their time indoors where air quality is found to be two to five times worse than outdoor air. But this is only one aspect of our indoor life and there are many more additional aspects that require our immediate attention.In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, Dalia Abdalla, Service Lead of Sustainable Development and Healthy Living at WSP Middle East, is joined by Tekha Selim, Vice President, Global Market Development & Head of MENA Region...

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has set ambitious targets to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, making it the first Middle Eastern and North African nation to do so. In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, Eman Husain, Senior Consultant ESG Advisory and Muhammad Qureshi, Manager - Energy Advisory, are joined by Dr. Hassan Javed, Energy Service Leader at WSP Middle East to explore the strategic dimensions driving the UAE towards a sustainable future in the energy sector.The talk breaks ...

How can we protect and restore nature while also creating value for businesses and society? This is the question that many leaders and organisations are grappling with, especially after the ambitious Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted at COP 15 in 2022. The framework aims to safeguard at least 30% of the world's land and ocean ecosystems by 2030, among other goals.To explore this topic, we have invited four of our WSP experts to share their insights and experiences. These are Daymion J...

Prioritising mental health in the workplace isn't just compassionate; it's a fundamental investment that can foster productivity, resilience, innovation, and a culture where everyone can thrive both personally and professionally.The public surveys conducted in the MENA region in 2021 indicate a significant prevalence of stress among respondents, with approximately 40% reporting ongoing periods of stress in their lives. Within the GCC, recent surveys reveal that a substantial portion—no less t...

In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, Tariq Shehabaddin meets with a diverse panel of experts, Saudi engineers, and graduates to uncover the inspiring journeys of Saudi professionals within WSP’s dynamic Accelerated Graduate Programme (which has recently evolved and been rebranded into ‘Al Masar’). The episode also explores how national talents are driving change and fostering innovation in the Kingdom and the role of the private sector in propelling their careers forward. Want to h...

In this enlightening podcast episode, we delve into the depths of WSP's groundbreaking Future Ready programme. Hosted by Sophia Key, Head of Future Ready for WSP in the Middle East, and featuring the insights of David Symons, Climate Change and Sustainability Director at WSP in the UK, this episode demystifies the evolution, implementation, and impact of Future Ready® across the organisation.From its humble origins to its current global reach, David shares how the program was inspired by the ...

With COP28 around the corner, the question that looms large is whether the world's leaders will rise to the occasion and take bold, decisive actions to address the pressing challenges of climate change.In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, Dana Darwish, ESG Advisory Consultant, and Maitha Alremeithi, Graduate Consultant - Sustainable Development and Healthy Living at WSP in the Middle East, are joined by a distinguished guest, Raidan AlSaqqaf, Economist and Technical Lead for COP28 prepa...

Over the past five years, the mobility sector has witnessed an unparalleled surge in the adoption of Artificial Intelligence. However, alongside this remarkable progress, we must recognise that significant technological advancements bring not only opportunities but also challenges. In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, Terry Smith, Intelligent Mobility Lead at WSP Middle East, is joined by Dr Raj Kamalanathsharma, Intelligent Mobility Advisor, to unravel the intricate web of AI-powe...

From ports and harbours to marinas and offshore wind farms, marine structures facilities play a crucial role in protecting our coastlines. But as we confront the challenges of climate change and rising sea levels, it's more important than ever to ensure that these structures are sustainable, resilient, and environmentally friendly.In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, Vishal Krishnan, Maritime Structures Service Lead –and Benjamin Hall, Maritime Planning Service Lead, at WSP Middle East,...

With the adoption of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), many countries have begun to invest in health and safety transformation programs. In Saudi Arabia, Vision 2030 highlights the importance of health and safety as key factors in achieving sustainable development. The common factor between the UN SDGs and Saudi Vision 2030 is thus their emphasis on adopting a holistic approach to health and safety, addressing H&S issues at individual and organisational levels.In th...

While urbanisation continues its momentum in our region, our cities are under pressure to maintain a high level of livability and productivity. A smart city is where traditional networks and services are made more efficient with the use of digital solutions for the benefit of its inhabitants and the city as a whole. Smart cities go beyond the use of just digital technologies, as they aim to create a better experience, stronger resilience, and enhanced sustainability. In this episode...

Saudi Arabia has been pushing the boundaries of innovation with its futuristic developments and cities while still keeping a firm focus on its culture, identity, and natural environment. From the Kingdom's Capital, Riyadh, to its new mega-city Neom in the Tabuk province and the newly announced Mukaab, Saudi Arabia is on a mission to create a diverse range of hubs that can attract investment and talent. Saudi engineers are driving these exciting new projects and are also contributing to k...

In recent years, the Saudi government has undertaken a number of reforms aimed at modernizing the Saudi economy and improving the country’s social welfare. These reforms have included increasing access to education and healthcare, promoting women’s rights, and diversifying the economy away from oil.Saudi engineers are at the forefront of this massive economic and social transformation. From developing new infrastructure to designing innovative and future-ready assets, they are helping to shap...

The 2015 Paris Agreement committed nearly 200 nations to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, the pledges countries made in Glasgow’s COP26 put the world on track for a temperature increase of 2.4 degrees Celsius by the end of the century!Was COP27 successful in reviving the 1.5 degrees goal and in turning climate pledges into action? In this episode of the Anticipate podcast, our Marketing & Communications Manager for Advisory Services, Bushra Nassar, is joined by May Fa...

Efficient transport, mobility, and infrastructure are key factors in the successful hosting of major international events. This is mainly because of the significant role that these elements play in creating positive and memorable experiences for guests.But the challenge is being able to strike a balance between providing these essential elements for major events while still providing a smooth guest experience with infrastructure that will continue to create benefits for the destination well i...

In November 2022, as world leaders and industry experts gather at the 27th annual session of the UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP27, WSP experts will be on-site to work alongside delegates as they seek to accelerate climate action.This follows from COP26 and the Paris Agreement of 2015, which aligned signatories to curb temperature rise to 1.5°C, although that increase will result in more than 4 billion people being impacted by frequent climate shocks. So, what progress has been mad...

In today's fast-paced, high-stress work environment, it's more important than ever for organisations and individuals to priotise mental health. However, for many of us, this is easier said than done. We often put the needs of our jobs ahead of our own well-being, leading to burnout, anxiety, and depression. Organisations find it difficult to address mental health issues because of the stigma around them.The public surveys implemented in 2020 in the MENA region suggest that nearly 30 percent o...

While environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) is still in its relative infancy, it has been growing rapidly in recent years. As more healthcare organizations adopt an ESG-minded stance, it is important to consider the motivations behind this shift, the limitations to its growth, and how to accelerate the rate of its adoption.In this episode of the WSP Anticipate Podcast, Sophia Kee, our Head of Future Ready – Property & Buildings, is joined by Remy Levastre, our Advisory Dir...

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are playing an increasingly important role in the development of social infrastructure in the Middle East. As governments seek to address the region's growing infrastructure needs, PPPs offer a flexible and innovative way to finance, design, build, operate, and maintain vital infrastructure assets. From hospitals and schools to water and sewerage systems, PPPs are being used to deliver social infrastructure projects across the region.In this episode of the A...

Global warming, climate change, ecosystem damage, and pollution are all linked to our current take-make-waste production model. In line with the ethos of the 2020 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP26, many organisations and governments started to integrate circular economy and sustainability targets into their agendas. However, a lot has to be done to move from pledges and planning to actual implementation.In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, May Faraj, Senior Advisory Direct...

The world is undergoing widespread transformation in response to the climate emergency, with decision makers in almost every sector reimagining how to innovate, mitigate, and adapt to a changing world.In the retail sector, industry leaders such as Majid Al Futtaim are working to address challenges specific to retail in energy transition, adaptation, and resilience, alongside an overarching ambition towards achieving a net-zero breakthrough in the industry.In this WSP Anticipate episode, our h...

The concept of digital twins is not new, but the ability to create accurate digital replicas has been limited by the availability of data and computing power. With the advent of the Internet of Things, big data, and cloud computing, it is now possible to create digital twins that are virtually identical to their physical counterparts. In this episode of the Anticipate podcast, Sherif Bialy, our Director of Infrastructure Supervision caught up with Dana Kawas. Dana is the Chief Executive Offic...

Water is the basis of life on Earth. However, this precious resource is drying out as climate change impacts the availability of vital freshwater resources.As temperatures rise and weather patterns become more extreme, the amount of water available for consumption is decreasing. This is particularly true in areas that are already water-stressed, such as the Middle East.In this episode, Omar Saif, Manager – Sustainability & Climate Change at WSP Middle East, is joined by Alexander Euler, M...

The need for better industry approaches to physical, mental, and behavioural health in the contemporary context has irked a response across many sectors to nurture better working environments for people. In this episode, Matthew Jackson, Head of HSE at WSP in the Middle East is joined by Jimmy Quinn, President Institution of Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH) to discuss the future of health and wellbeing as the world recovers from the current pandemic and anticipates future challenges on...

Until recently sustainable investing inevitably meant sacrificing returns. But the evidence is mounting that proves this is no longer the case…Hosted by WSP’s Katherine Bruce, this episode explores Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) risks and engages industry insights from First Abu Dhabi Bank’s Head of Corporate Sustainability, Belinda Scott, and MLW Consultancy’s Michele Wong.Want to hear more insights from leading industry experts? Subscribe to our podcast via Spotify, Apple Podca...

The ability to create and maintain high performance teams is critical for any organisation or project in today’s complex and competitive business environment. The question “What makes a great team great?” has been a hot topic in business and academia for many years. In this episode of the WSP Anticipate podcast, Paul Ebbs, Lean Specialist with WSP Middle East is joined by Dave Umstot, Lean Coach, Author, Adjunct Professor at San Diego State University and President of Umstot Project and Facil...

Digital innovations are set to revolutionise the world’s industries, society, and make citizens’ lives more seamless, efficient, safer, and economical. Adding to this, real-world applications of emergent technologies such as artificial intelligence are beginning to illustrate just how effective the convergence of physical and digital worlds can be.In this Anticipate Podcast episode, Dr. Mohamed Nazier, Managing Director – Transport & Infrastructure at WSP in the Middle East is joined by G...

Given the speed and immediacy of the digital world in which we operate, the way we design and engineer urban spaces is changing at a rapid pace. While digital tools are facilitating a new era of capabilities and efficiencies how can we can ensure that we do not lose the skill of freehand sketching and the benefits it can bring to any project? Andy Veall, Technical Director for WSP Middle East asks Raj Patel, Architecture Design Director, Principal for Gensler for his thoughts in this episode ...

As population density increases within the world’s urban centres, a macro transport problem is arising due to shortages of space and a lack of sustainable, equitable, and feasible transit solutions. However, with global e-scooter usage booming, micro-mobility modes are providing people with more choices and options to move than ever before.Hosted by John Gillespie, Transport & Mobility Engineer and leader of WSP Middle East’s Future Ready Initiative, this episode features industry insight...

From Berlin to Bogota, and everywhere in between, cycling has flourished in the wake of recent global events and the renaissance for alternative modes of transport is showing no sign of hitting the brakes.In Dubai, and many other Middle Eastern cities, recent shifts in thinking are also changing up a gear to promote cycling as a mode of eco-friendly transit.In this episode, we discuss emerging micro mobility trends, regional perspectives and attitudes towards cycling, as well as the role that...

The shift towards a net zero world is gathering pace as we accelerate efforts to counter the adverse impacts of human-influenced climate change.As momentum grows towards driving net zero commitments, it’s clear that a move to designing, building, investing, and thinking greener is crucial if we’re to avoid a climate catastrophe and to mitigate irreversible changes before they happen.In this episode, we discuss the recent momentum surrounding net zero commitments and we explore what a low carb...

The topic of wellness is nothing new, however the way in which we approach it is continuously evolving.As we celebrate the tenth annual Global Wellness Day, this WSP Anticipate podcast episode aims to question and critique the role organisations need to play in empowering people to thrive both physically and mentally.This special Global Wellness Day episode is hosted by Caroline Parsons, HR Director and Director – Shared Services at WSP in the Middle East. Caroline is joined by Victoria Sharp...

The engineering and construction industry has witnessed a slower rate of innovation compared to other industries such as aerospace and automotive. In this episode of the WSP Anticipate Podcast, David Kimmerly, Operations Director at WSP Middle East, and Don Ward, CEO of the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction discuss how trust can help de-risk innovations and create a better environment for their diffusion and growth.Want to hear more insights ...

Concrete has been the building block of the world’s civilisation. But the production process of cement, the main ingredient of concrete, leads to considerable carbon dioxide emissions which makes a strong case for finding and using more sustainable alternatives. In this episode of the WSP Anticipate Podcast, Laith Haboubi, Associate Director at WSP, is joined by Dr. James Aldred, Adjunct professor at Australia’s New South Wales University, to explore several aspects with regards to the differ...

With COP26 – one of the most important climate change conferences take place in years – coming to a close, questions remain about whether countries can maintain their pledges and beef up commitments towards mitigating climate change.Despite bringing parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, a lot of climate diplomacy needs to be done over the next 12 months – especially in the build up to COP27 in Egypt an...

As fundamental transformations in the education sector emerge, digital breakthroughs and blue-sky thinking are helping us reimagine learning ecosystems in an evolving world.This is evident in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where world-class education projects aren’t just changing the way knowledge is taught; they’re changing the paradigm altogether and giving new meaning to the interplay between students and their learning environments.In this episode, we discuss how digital-first thinking, hol...

Following numerous schools and universities around the world pivoting to online classes in the wake of the global pandemic, there’s now equally as much attention being placed on the return to in-person lessons.With this latest shift in the continuously evolving education landscape, the education sector must now look to adapt their current spaces to new requirements and factor in new challenges – particularly the way students hear, see, and experience learning in a post-pandemic setting.In thi...

The growing interest in smart cities has been coupled with questions on how to use technology in an efficient, ethical and inclusive way to achieve the public and government’s best interests and to ensure that the needs of local communities are met. In this episode of the Anticipate podcast, Iftikhar Zubair, Head of Building Technology at WSP in the Middle East is joined by Yousef Khalili, General Manager of ZainTech in UAE (Previously know as NXN) to uncover the factors that are critical for...

The energy transition is well underway, with renewables gradually becoming more cost-effective and prevalent. The role of green hydrogen in this transition is still being explored, but there are many potential benefits that could make it a key part of the future energy mix. In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, Richard Lappin, Power Generation Technical Director at WSP in the Middle East is joined by Mike Theobald, Energy Transition Director at WSP UK to discuss the implications of the c...

Delivering large-scale programmes is no easy feat. It requires careful planning, a well-coordinated team, and an understanding of the various factors that can influence success. In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, Akram Ashour, Head of Supervision at WSP in the Middle East, is joined by Eng. Mooza Al-Sowaidi, Head of Doha City Section at Qatar’s Public Works Authority, to examine some of the driving factors for success in large-scale programme delivery.Want to hear more insights from l...

As technology advances, so does the way we approach infrastructure design and management. One of the most promising new technologies in this domain is digital twin; a technology that provides an unprecedented level of detail in predictive modelling. In this episode of the Anticipate podcast, Dr Mohamed Nazier, Managing Director of Transport & Infrastructure at WSP in the Middle East, is joined by Dr Ali Maher, Director and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rutgers Univer...

Despite female engineers having a presence in the industry for well over 100 years, encouraging female participation into STEM-related careers and achieving gender equality in the workplace continues to be an ongoing challenge.To mark International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) 2021 – an international awareness campaign to raise the profile of women in engineering and focus attention on the amazing career opportunities available to aspiring engineers in this exciting industry – WSP and AMA...

With 500 days until the 2022 FIFA World Cup™, Qatar is setting the global standard for how to build sustainably and blazing a trail for the delivery of green solutions in the sporting realm. This pinnacle tournament is also set to change the way future World Cup competitions and other sporting mega-events are planned, organised, hosted, and delivered.Hosted by WSP Middle East’s Sustainability Associate, Shashi Narayanan, and featuring guest speaker Engineer Bodour Al-Meer, Sustainability Dire...

Unconscious bias training: Is it enough? Caroline Parsons takes a closer look at unconscious bias training with Sheree Atcheson – Global Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Peakon, Maria Manzoor, Head of HR Ramboll MEAP and Nicolina Kamenou-Aigbekaen – Professor of Human Resource Management and Diversity at Zayed University.Want to hear more insights from leading industry experts? Subscribe to our podcast via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and SoundCloud to stay up to date.

It is widely agreed that diverse workforces offer measurable benefits to any organisation but what do we really mean when we use the word diversity and how can we unlock the potential of inclusive workplace cultures?In this episode WSP’s CEO, Dean McGrail is joined by Salma Aboul-ela previously from Emaar to explore the ideals of diversity, how they can translate into our workplaces and what we can do to champion progress.Want to hear more insights from leading industry experts? Subscribe to ...

‘Diversity wins but gaps persist: How can we close the inclusion divide?’ hosted by Gurminder Sagoo, explores diversity in a broader sense and discusses ways in which we can tackle the inclusion divide with Ashwaq Albabtain, Project Manager at The Red Sea Development Company and Gurmeet Kaur, Partner at Pinsent Masons Middle East.Want to hear more insights from leading industry experts? Subscribe to our podcast via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and SoundCloud to stay up to date.