WW+P to explore UAE and Saudi Arabia markets with global expansion strategies
WW+P Architects, a London-based architecture firm that comprises over 200 architects and planners across nine studios globally, is poised to expand its presence with a significant emphasis on the UAE and Saudi Arabian markets. With 40 years of global infrastructure experience, WW+P is uniquely positioned to support national development goals through a strong global project portfolio and upcoming initiatives designed for urban transformation.
The company primarily focuses on transport and infrastructure, transit-oriented development, masterplanning, and urban regeneration projects that closely align with the strategic objectives for sustainable development in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Its major global projects include Paddington Elizabeth Line Station, the multi award-winning station transforming the passenger experience at Paddington in London, UK; and the Metro Tunnel Project in Melbourne Australia, a project that transforms Melbourne's rail network by delivering twin 9km tunnels under Melbourne's CBD and five new stations (a world-class collaboration with practices with Hassell and RSHP) – due to open in late 2025.
WW+P is part of 10N Collective, a leading collective of global urbanism, architecture and related design experts brought together by Egis Group – including WW+P, 10 Design, SvN, Fenwick Iribarren Architects, U+A, and Omrania. Each practice within 10N has achieved recognition for high profile and award-winning projects, from urban policy, transport and mixed use, to commercial, hospitality, stadia and housing.
Formerly known as Weston Williamson + Partners, WW+P is actively involved in planned industry visits and media features in the UAE and KSA, as well as exploring potential regional strategic partnerships. Furthermore, the company is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025 with international events and announcements, emphasizing WW+P's long history of transforming urban development.
Within the region, WW+P is delivering design services for transport hubs, taking the design from concept through to schematic and detailed including preparation of tender documentation and issue for construction; as well as working on concept design proposals for high speed rail – developing proposals for iconic, high-capacity sub-surface stations that reflect local character and provide solutions for flexible urban integration with emerging masterplans.
Neil Baker, Managing Director for the Middle East, commented, 'As we expand our foothold in the Middle East, we find ourselves motivated by the region's ambitious goals for urban infrastructure and sustainability. At WW+P, our business principles emphasize innovation and collaboration, and we are excited to use our global expertise to support transformative projects in the UAE and Saudi Arabia – working on some of the world's most ambitious projects. The decision is especially significant given that we are celebrating our 40th anniversary this year, laying the groundwork for our path to excellence in these vital markets.'
With its upcoming projects in the region, WW+P is positioned to continue redefining urban development through its global expertise and teams. By expanding its presence in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the company aims to advance its broader development objectives while also supporting the strategic infrastructure goals of both countries.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
22 minutes ago
- Zawya
Central banks eye gold, euro, yuan as dollar dominance wanes
LONDON - The custodians of trillions of dollars of global central bank reserves are eyeing a move away from the greenback into gold, the euro and China's yuan as the splintering of world trade and geopolitical upheaval spark a rethink of financial flows. According to a report by the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum (OMFIF) due to be published later on Tuesday, one in three of 75 central banks managing a combined $5 trillion plan to increase exposure to gold over the next one-to-two years after stripping out those planning to decrease, the highest in at least five years. The survey -- carried out between March and May -- gives a first snapshot of the repercussions of U.S. President Donald Trump's April 2 Liberation Day tariffs that sparked market turmoil and a slide in the safe-haven dollar and U.S. Treasuries. Gold, which central banks have already been adding at a record pace, was seen benefiting even further longer term, with a net 40% of central banks planning to increase gold holdings over the next decade. "After years of record-high central bank gold purchases, reserve managers are doubling down on the precious metal," OMFIF said. The dollar, the most popular currency in last year's survey, fell to seventh place this year, OMFIF said, with 70% of those surveyed saying the U.S. political environment was discouraging them from investing in the dollar -- more than twice the share a year ago. In currencies, the euro and yuan stand to benefit the most from a diversification away from the dollar. A net 16% of central banks surveyed by OMFIF said they plan to increase euro holdings over the next 12 to 24 months, making it the most in-demand currency, up from 7% a year ago, followed by the yuan. But over the next decade, the yuan is more favoured, with a net 30% of central banks expecting to increase holdings and its share of global reserves seen tripling to 6%. Separately, three sources who deal directly with reserve managers, told Reuters they saw the euro as now having the potential to recapture the share of currency reserves lost following the 2011 euro debt crisis by the end of this decade. They cited more positive sentiment among reserve managers towards the euro following Liberation Day. That would mean a recovery to a roughly 25% share of currency reserves, from around 20% currently, representing a key moment in the bloc's recovery from the debt crisis that threatened the euro's existence. Max Castelli, head of global sovereign markets strategy and advice at UBS Asset Management, told Reuters that reserve managers made many calls after Liberation Day to ask if the dollar's safe-haven status was at risk. "As far as I remember, this question has never been asked before, not even after the great financial crisis in 2008." The average expectation for the dollar's share of global FX reserves in 2035 was 52%, the OMFIF survey showed, remaining the No.1 reserve currency but seen down from the current 58%. EURO'S MOMENT? OMFIF survey respondents expected the euro to reach about a 22% share of global reserves in 10 years' time. "The euro's share of global reserves will almost surely rise over the next few years, not so much because Europe is viewed so much more favorably, but because the dollar's status is diminished," said Kenneth Rogoff, Harvard professor and former IMF chief economist, told Reuters by e-mail ahead of OMFIF's publication. But Europe could attract a higher share of reserves sooner if the bloc is able to boost its pile of bonds that are currently dwarfed by the $29 trillion U.S. Treasury market, while integrating its capital markets, the sources that speak directly to reserve managers, told Reuters. ECB President Christine Lagarde has also urged action to bolster the euro as a viable dollar alternative. The euro is the "only real alternative currency for the moment to make a significant change in the level of reserves," said Bernard Altschuler, global head of central bank coverage at HSBC, adding he saw it as "realistic" for the euro to reach a 25% share of global reserves in 2-3 years if those issues are addressed. The European Union is the world's largest trading bloc. Its economy is far bigger than the dollar's other rivals. Capital controls limit the appeal of the yuan. Momentum for change has gathered pace, with Europe signalling willingness to curb its dependence on the U.S. by boosting defence spending, including through more joint EU borrowing. Germany is ramping up spending, while the EU is trying to revive efforts to integrate its capital markets. Public pension and sovereign wealth funds, also surveyed by OMFIF, saw Germany as the most attractive developed market. UBS Asset Management's Castelli said he was receiving many more questions about the euro, estimating the euro could recover to a 25% share of reserves by the end of the 2020s. At the most bullish end, Francesco Papadia, who managed the ECB's market operations during the debt crisis, estimated the euro could recover to 25% in as soon as two years. Reserve managers he holds discussions with were more willing to look at the euro than before, Papadia, senior fellow at think-tank Bruegel, said. Zhou Xiaochuan, China's central bank chief from 2002 to 2018, agreed the euro's role as a reserve currency could grow. However, there's "homework to do," he told Reuters on the sidelines of a recent conference. (Reporting by Yoruk Bahceli and Dhara Ranasinghe in London, additional reporting by Jiaxing Li in Hong Kong, Leika Kihara in Tokyo and Emily Green in Mexico City; Editing by Elisa Martinuzzi and Anna Driver)
Al Etihad
22 minutes ago
- Al Etihad
Aldar's MSCI ESG Rating upgraded to ‘A'
24 June 2025 12:05 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Aldar has entered the top quartile of global real estate companies ranked by MSCI ESG Ratings, following an upgrade in its score from 'BBB' to 'A'. The move highlights the Abu Dhabi-based developer's sustained commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards and marks a significant milestone in its pursuit of sustainable business ESG Ratings are a benchmark used by global investors to assess a company's exposure to ESG risks and its ability to manage them relative to peers. Aldar's improved rating signals that its ESG strategy is having a measurable impact across operations and that it is successfully managing long-term sustainability risks.'This upgrade reflects the significant strides we've made in embedding ESG as a core principle of how we do business across the group,' said Faisal Falaknaz, Group Chief Financial and Sustainability Officer at Aldar. 'As we continue delivering on our strategic growth roadmap, we remain committed to responsible value creation and transparency, ensuring we contribute positively to our stakeholders, the local economy, and the environment.'The most notable area of improvement was governance. Aldar's corporate behaviour score — which assesses business ethics and transparency — increased by 2.1 points to reach 8.3 out of 10, placing it at the high end for the real estate sector in emerging EMEA markets. Gains in governance, coupled with enhancements in environmental performance, were instrumental in lifting the company's overall MSCI MSCI recognition complements Aldar's existing accolades. In 2024, Aldar secured the number one position in the S&P Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the regional real estate sector. It also received a 'low risk' ESG Risk Score of 15.75 from Sustainalytics, exceeding peer operational sustainability is underscored by its performance in green building initiatives. Last year, 80% of its new developments received a 3 Pearl Estidama rating or higher — a rating system overseen by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council. Furthermore, 23% of its retrofitted assets achieved either LEED Gold or Platinum status, the highest classifications awarded by the US Green Building Council. The developer's commitment to net zero by 2050 is already delivering measurable results. In 2024, Aldar reported a 34% reduction in average energy use intensity in its low-carbon design projects. Additionally, it achieved a 24% reduction in Scope 1 emissions and a 19% reduction in Scope 2 emissions. These reductions underscore the company's proactive approach to decarbonisation. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
UK grocery inflation hits highest level since March 2024, says Kantar
LONDON: British grocery price inflation rose to 4.7% for the four weeks to June 15, its highest level since March last year, dealing another blow for low-income households, data from market researcher Kantar showed on Tuesday. The figure compared to grocery inflation of 4.1% in last month's report. (Reporting by James Davey; editing by Sarah Young)
