黑洞社区

Why are you going to the Cityscape conference?
I am hoping to come away in a positive frame of mind because Abu Dhabi is one of the few places in the world where people say things are still happening. Still, I have heard even there it is still quite difficult and we still have some way to go before we鈥檙e doing projects there. Our plan is to cover as much of the world as possible and find places where there is still work. That鈥檚 why we鈥檙e in China, for example. Nowhere is immune from the credit crisis but there are opportunities here and there.

What鈥檚 in your diary?
I鈥檒l be having meetings with an existing client and a couple of potentials, and I鈥檒l be catching up with the two guys we鈥檝e got working out there. I鈥檓 not sure how many people are going out there but I鈥檝e been invited by various contractors and consultants to a few dinners, so that鈥檚 a positive sign.

What will be your message to clients?
We have built a lot of buildings now and we are quite established. I鈥檒l be highlighting our projects such as 55 Baker Street and the work we鈥檝e done for Nottingham University. I鈥檒l also say we鈥檙e looking at how buildings perform in terms of energy efficiency, which is increasingly important to clients in the Gulf. Overall, I鈥檒l say we deliver a fantastic service and we think outside the box.

Are you expecting to discuss potential work Dubai?
I don鈥檛 think there鈥檚 anything happening there at all - nothing new anyway.

What will you be looking out for?
I can鈥檛 wait to see some the schemes at the exhibition, I鈥檒l be looking for the really far out stuff! Otherwise, I鈥檝e not seen Abu Dhabi before so it will be good to just have a look around the city.