10 minute read
INTERVIEW
PROVIDING A HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE
IN CONVERSATION WITH AHMED AL SUWAIDI, MANAGING DIRECTOR – RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES, DUBAI HOLDING ASSET MANAGEMENT
Tell us about the goals and objectives of DAM’s residential segment in 2022. In the last couple of years and with the growing instances of work from home, we see that residents are increasingly seeking houses that provide a higher quality of life – whether that’s in terms of space, neighbourhood ambiance or greener areas. People are also placing more emphasis on their local community where they can feel a sense of belonging and enjoy convenient, walkable access to everyday amenities, such as community centres with supermarkets, nurseries and even casual F&B options. To cater
to these changing needs and retain our diverse residents, we will carry on with our efforts to enhance our neighbourhoods, their facilities and organising engaging events to maintain world-class living experiences for our more than 100,000 residents across all communities.
We are a long-trusted partner in providing secure and reliable accommodations and aim to uphold that reputation. Our residents are at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to ensuring that every upgrade, new development or project we take on is inspired by their comfort and experience.
Dubai Asset Management employs a data-driven approach to developing diversified communities, from luxury, high- or mid- communities to staff and labour accommodations in strategic locations across Dubai. We keep a finger on the pulse of our customer segments and their evolving behaviours and remain committed to providing an accommodating environment for an enriching living experience, anticipating the needs of our individual and corporate tenants alike.
Tell us about DAM’s continuous investment in improving its facilities in its communities? Dubai has earned its global reputation for delivering unrivalled living experiences, and the determination to keep residential offerings in step with changing trends is an integral value. As part of our commitment to provide the best possible services to all our residents, we regularly carry out a wide range of community improvement projects.
2022 has been off to a great start with the launch of a brand-new community centre in Ghoroob Square, which houses lively retail and dining experiences, as well as an award-winning nursery, with plenty more in the pipeline. At some of our destinations, we’ll be updating common areas and landscaping to keep up with contemporary tastes, as well as kids play areas and outdoor gyms with the newest equipment.
One of our key priorities this year is to support the UAE’s sustainability agenda across our community. As such, we are installing electric car charging stations at select communities as well as introducing solar panelling at car parks to generate renewable energy. What makes most of these communities in DAM’s residential portfolio unique? Our communities are inclusive and a true reflection of the city’s diversity and leading global standing which contribute to making Dubai one of the world’s best cities in which to live, work and visit. Providing reliable housing is key to the UAE’s future plans, and each of our residential properties offer an unmatched quality of life by implementing best practices for design, urban planning as well as human-centric spaces. From family-friendly communities at Layan, Ghoroob, Shorooq to upscale living at Bluewaters Residences and Dubai Wharf, we deliver amenities specific to our resident’s needs.
What role does DAM’s residential segment play in improving the quality of life and sustainability within these communities? We understand the importance of providing future-proof and resilient communities designed around the needs of residents. We are strategically aligned with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan goals that focus on creating sustainable urban communities to raise the happiness bar, promote wellbeing >>>
and provide quality living for residents. Enhancements, ongoing maintenance and upgrades have a considerable role to play in minimising our environmental footprint, leveraging new technologies and delivering high-calibre residences.
Several communities, such as Remraam, Layan and Ghoroob also offer vibrant landscaped areas, playgroups, sports courts and more. The Dubai AM Life app increases convenience for our residents, so they can pay rent, complete lease renewals and report service requests anywhere, anytime online, while supporting Dubai’s ambition to become a paperless city.
How is DAM boosting the real estate and tourism industry in UAE? Dubai’s multi-pronged strategy to stay open, safe and accessible lays the groundwork for an accelerated recovery that received a major boost with the opening of Expo 2020 Dubai and the UAE Golden Jubilee celebrations. Paired with the most prominent changes to UAE law in history aimed at cementing the country’s position as an attractive destination for investment and talent, this has spurred an influx of remote workers, tourists and new businesses to the city – some of whom are investing in properties in Dubai because of the high quality of life available here.
Dubai Asset Management’s leasing portfolio addresses every aspect of the emirate’s accommodation landscape with the aim of providing ideal solutions for individuals, families and corporate workers alike, making us an ideal choice for newcomers. We cater to a wealth of different lifestyles where people can enjoy enriched living experiences no matter their budget and access to key amenities and retail offerings within our communities while our strategic locations provide residents seamless access to popular urban centres and leading retail destinations.
Moving forward, what are the future projects in the pipeline? Retaining our tenants is the key to our reputation and success, and we are currently focusing our efforts on enhancing existing offerings within our portfolio. More than just a unit to rent, we create a lifestyle, and regular community enrichments play a role in ensuring the satisfaction and comfort of our residents. This includes updating our digital solutions with tenant feedback and new developments in technology. We have a highly skilled team of software developers and UX designers who make continuous improvements to the app and add new features to provide a best-in-class digital experience for everyone.
ACCELERATING FM GROWTH
EFS Facilities Services Group crosses AED 1.2bn in new projects therefore strengthening its leadership position within the industry and reinforcing the Group’s ethical business practices
Integrated facilities management provider EFS Facilities Services Group (EFS) has started 2022 on a high note by announcing its financial results for the first financial quarter of 2022. The peoplefirst organization amassed strategic contract wins worth AED 1.2 billion in the first quarter, strengthening its leadership position within the industry and reinforcing the Group’s ethical business practices. The recent contract awards include a mega soft services contract for Jeddah Airport and multiple iconic projects in UAE, Saudi, and others in the Group’s GCC operations. Tariq Chauhan, Group CEO of the FM conglomerate, said that EFS has crossed five billion in contracts backlog with these recent wins and remains a preferred FM partner of choice for major players across the regions where EFS is present. EFS has maintained over 97% contract retention and compounded annual growth of 20% for more than a decade since 2010. The Group’s strategic growth has accelerated the FM market share in the region, bringing key clients into the portfolio across its Global operations.
Several projects, such as a Technology Major, landmark aviation projects and many more, became part of the strategic market acquisition for EFS to deliver extraordinary services. Earlier in the year, EFS also announced new appointments across the Group, which saw internal and external promotions and additions to the team to contribute to its growth and expansion.
Supporting the Group’s growth on a path to becoming a billion-dollar conglomerate, EFS Facilities Services Group continues to practice a ‘peoplefirst’ agenda starting from its own organization and is expected to achieve a lot more before 2022 comes to a close. >>>
“INVESTING IN PEOPLE IS KEY TO GROWTH”
People-First Company Policy
Adding to the continuation of excellence recognition, EFS has also received the prestigious Taqdeer Award for its contribution to Expo 2020 Dubai’s Worker Welfare and Health & Safety standards, implementing the best labor practices and exceptional service towards Expo 2020 while maintaining highly engaged and motivated staff. The Taqdeer Awards is an initiative of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council, honoring laborers and construction industry-related companies for excellence. The Taqdeer Awards and Expo 2020 Dubai honor is particularly special because it recognizes EFS’s role in raising standards in worker welfare and enhancing the relationship between the two stakeholders.
Group CEO of EFS, Tariq Chauhan said: “The concept of ‘People First’ evolved with my journey at EFS, where business is centered around people. They directly render more than two-thirds of services, and most of the cost of running the company is also related to them. I realized that for employee happiness is integral to company wellbeing. I adopted ‘People First’ as my crucial strategy to build an organization where employee happiness and self-actualization actually mattered. In our outreach to build a true People First Organization, we realized that the company’s Human Resources focus must rest with the
engagement of its blue-collar workforce. Their inclusivity in the organizational mainstream mattered, so we worked to build a unique bond by focusing on their core issues. We created a dedicated strategy based on six pillars of worker welfare: mental health & wellbeing, family, quality living, recreation, financial safety, and learning & development.”
EFS on a path to become a billion-dollar company by 2025
Tariq Chauhan states, “EFS’s accelerated growth will set the company on the course of achieving to a billion-dollar revenues with these new wins and business in the pipeline by 2025, the Group is ready for its next quantum jump”. >>>
EFS prides itself with an iconic client portfolio in integrated facilities management that includes more than 200 large multinational groups, Fortune 500 companies and more.
Tariq Chauhan further adds, “Although the FM industry faces multiple business continuity challenges, EFS Group realized early on the triggers and adapted to the realities of a market coming out of a pandemic that paralyzed and accelerated the business ecosystem at the same time. Tariq Chauhan voiced his opinion “Technology preparedness is one factor to reckon with, as technology has its scalability limitations, and the company can come to a standstill if the choice of technology is not implemented correctly.
The various new systems and applications are quickly changing the FM executive’s routines with more productive outcomes. For instance, the new age CAFM systems and mobile apps are helping executives and field teams to monitor live operations through dashboards and webcams. These provide critical information to manage off-site supervision and surveillance through live dashboards during the COVID crisis. Its compliances have pushed the industry to think beyond and align FM in express technology mode.
COVID gave us abundant opportunities to transform, and our technology preparedness was one such opportunity.
Despite the market downturn and being 10% over the budget, EFS was able to retain 100% employees with zero deductions and also create more job opportunities, offer sustainable service delivery, as well as develop technology integration along with proactive client and staff engagement.”
The Company has also been very proactive in supporting endeavors and initiatives in the use of technology and innovation through remote working, automation, CAFM operations, decontamination, real-time monitoring, and financial safety and security.
The impressive Q1 performance by the Group can be attributed to many reasons, such as having a dedicated team that ensures they deliver quality and above standard projects at all times, forward-thinking leadership, and adoption of best and sustainable industry practices, in addition to its customer-centric approach in all its dealings. The multi-award-winning Group has also seen an expansion in several aspects of its operation, and this is evident in the resulting performance in its latest contract wins.
