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Turner & Townsend appoints new Head of Infrastructure in KSA. Posted on September 10, 2026 Leila Taghavi will drive growth across key sectors such as rail, roads, ports, water, aviation and defence during a period of high demand Leila Taghavi has been appointed as Turner & Townsend's new Head of Infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. The consultancy said the move is in response to a rise in major programmes across the Middle East driven by national plans for transformation. Leading the Infrastructure business at Turner & Townsend across KSA, Taghavi will drive growth across key sectors such as rail, roads, ports, water, aviation and defence during a period of high demand - playing a part in the market's Vision 2030 strategy for significant infrastructure, said a statement from the firm. "Infrastructure represents a significant growth opportunity for Turner & Townsend across the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia. Leila's decades of experience leading complex capital programmes, proven track record across services our clients value most, and extensive expertise will position her well as we embark on this next phase of growth. We pride ourselves on investing in world-class leadership at Turner & Townsend, as we move further and faster to expand our presence across the region," explained Graeme Baxter, Regional Head of Infrastructure, Middle East at Turner & Townsend. Taghavi is said to have more than 20-years of experience delivering large-scale infrastructure programmes across Asia, Australia and the Middle East. Her career spans both consultancy and client-side roles, including at Transport for New South Wales, where she played a leading role in the delivery, governance, and assurance of large-scale programmes. She also brings extensive expertise in programme management, controls, performance, and risk management, it added. "Saudi Arabia is undertaking one of the most ambitious infrastructure transformations in the world, driving the creation of nationally significant schemes that will have a lasting impact on Turner & Townsend connectivity, economic growth and future generations. Turner & Townsend's reputation for delivering major programmes and excellent client outcomes provides a strong platform for continued expansion. I look forward to working with our clients to help bring to life transformational infrastructure projects across the Kingdom," Taghavi commented. Since relocating to the Middle East, Taghavi has played a key role in delivering some of Turner & Townsend's most significant transport, aviation, urban development and destination programmes in Saudi Arabia, supporting investments in infrastructure transformation that are enhancing connectivity, driving economic growth and advancing the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030, the firm explained.

Turner & Townsend promotes Leila Taghavi to Head of Infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. 09 September 2026 Consultancy-me.com Global project management consultancy Turner & Townsend has appointed Leila Taghavi as its new Head of Infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. Leading the Infrastructure business, Taghavi will oversee the firm's offerings in sectors such as rail, roads, ports, water, aviation and defence - industries that play a large part in the nation's Vision 2030 strategy for significant infrastructure. "Saudi Arabia is undertaking one of the most ambitious infrastructure transformations in the world, driving the creation of nationally significant schemes that will have a lasting impact on connectivity, economic growth and future generations," said Taghavi. Taghavi takes on her new role with more than 20 years of experience delivering large-scale infrastructure programmes across Asia, Australia and the Middle East. Her career spans both consultancy and client-side roles, most recently serving Transport for New South Wales in Australia, where she was a director focused on the delivery of transport projects. Earlier, she worked for Aquenta Consulting and Italian group Salini Impregilo on a major metro project in Sydney. Throughout her career, she gained extensive experience in the delivery, governance, and assurance of large-scale programmes. She also has expertise in project controls, performance, and risk management. Since relocating to the Middle East early 2024, Taghavi has played a key role in delivering some of Turner & Townsend's most significant transport, aviation, urban development and destination programmes in Saudi Arabia, supporting investments in infrastructure transformation that are enhancing connectivity, driving economic growth and advancing the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030. "The reputation of Turner & Townsend for delivering major programmes and excellent client outcomes provides a strong platform for continued expansion. I look forward to working with our clients to help bring to life transformational infrastructure projects across the Kingdom," she said. Graeme Baxter, Head of Infrastructure for the Middle East, stated: "Infrastructure represents a significant growth opportunity for Turner & Townsend across the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia. Leila's decades of experience leading complex capital programmes, proven track record across services our clients value most, and extensive expertise will position her well as we embark on this next phase of growth."

Nima Nicolas Aase appointed as new T&T regional managing director. September 3, 2026 Aase will be the new Turner & Townsend (T&T) director for Europe, after having served as managing director for the Nordics. Nima Nicolas Aase has been with the company for more than a decade, and was instrumental in growing Turner & Townsend's operations in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland. Aase's appointment follows Patricia Moore's appointment as managing director for EMEA earlier this year. Strengthening European operations. As part of T&T's ambition to become the world's leading programme manager, Aase will now work with teams across the continent to improve client relationships and fuel growth. Patricia Moore, managing director for EMEA at Turner & Townsend, said: "Nima has been instrumental in driving its growth across the Nordics, consistently demonstrating the kind of strategic vision and delivery expertise that sets exceptional leaders apart. His experience building and scaling its business across that region gives him a strong combination of regional depth and pan-European perspective that its clients need as their own ambitions evolve. "Nima's leadership, commitment to our business and people, and understanding of what our clients want to achieve will be central to how we accelerate our European growth agenda." Nima Nicolas Aase, regional managing director, Europe, at Turner & Townsend, said: "Europe presents some of the most exciting opportunities in our industry, and we have the talent, relationships and platform to capture them. My focus will be on bringing our teams closer together, deepening our partnerships with clients and continuing to grow our reputation as a trusted partner across Europe." Tackling large projects. In March, Turner & Townsend was appointed as one of the Portfolio Management Office consultants on the long-awaited Heathrow airport infrastructure expansion. The framework was initially set for five years with an option to extend for another five years, supporting Heathrow's infrastructure expansion as well as the third runway, backed by the government after long discussions over whether it would be developed by Heathrow Airport Limited or the Arora Group's Heathrow West Limited. In partnership with AtkinsRéalis, T&T are now giving their full programme and project management services to support the £33bn expansion. James Corrigan, managing director of Infrastructure, UK at Turner & Townsend, said: "We are proud to continue our long-standing partnership of over 30 years with Heathrow and to bring together the combined strengths of Turner & Townsend and AtkinsRéalis. This appointment is a testament to our commitment to delivering world-class infrastructure that supports Heathrow's growth and benefits the wider UK economy."