We are pleased to announce a newly appointed Chair of the Middle East and Africa World Regional Board (MEA WRB) and Member of the Membership Services Committee (MSC), Haroon Niazi FRICS. 

Haroon Niazi FRICS

Haroon is a chartered quantity surveyor with more than 18 years of experience in the construction industry. as part of his current role at HKA he leads the Construction Claims and Expert Service Line across the Europe, Middle East and Africa region comprising a team of over 200 consultants. He is dual qualified as a Chartered Quantity Surveyor (FRICS) and as a barrister; therefore, well placed to provide advice and opinion in relation to the most complex of construction disputes. He has been appointed as a quantum expert and provided expert testimony in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Haroon has experience in all forms of dispute resolution and excellent knowledge of the JCT, NEC, FIDIC and MPW contracts in Kuwait; the Saudi Public Works Contract; and the Saudi Aramco standard form contracts, as well as various ad hoc contracts. Haroon specialises in the quantification of construction cost claims and he supports clients across various market sectors, from power, oil and gas to major buildings and infrastructure projects. Haroon holds a masters in both law and quantity surveying. He is a fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and a member of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple. Haroon was awarded HKA’s 2014 Worldwide Consultant of the year award for his achievements and has been named one of the top 100 most influential construction leaders in the Middle East by Construction Week. Haroon is the Chair for the World Regional Board, Middle East and Africa of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

The main purpose of the World Regional Board is to deliver the agreed RICS strategy at world regional level by overseeing plans and allocating resources to the nations within that region. Read more about RICS Boards.

We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the previous MEA WRB Chair, Chris Seymour FRICS, for the valuable contribution that he has made during his period of appointment. Chris has now taken his seat, on Governing Council, representing the Middle East & Africa.

Alongside Chris, the appointment panel was led by Nick Maclean FRICS, who was then Interim Chair of MSC at the time of the recruitment and is now Senior Vice President. The third member of the panel was Betty Kanyagia, an Independent Recruitment Panellist. With special thanks to Nick, Chris and Betty for their time and commitment, in this recruitment campaign.

With the new MEA WRB Chair now identified, the process to recruit new members of the MEA WRB will recommence. RICS will be launching the application process for new members of Regional Advisory Boards in both the UAE and Africa’s in 2024. Further Board Opportunities can be found here and for any questions, please contact Laura Waind.

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