Derrick leads Real Estate Operations at PwC Real Estate taking a ‘business not buildings’ approach to advising companies and public sector organisations on their real estate operations, facilities management, hybrid workplaces and related digital technology.

With over 20 years’ experience Derrick advises clients on the financial, commercial and strategic considerations of real estate in a rapidly changing world. The interaction of people, place and technology, sustainability and cost optimisation are all critical issues for organisations as we emerge from the pandemic.

Derrick has a Master’s degree in Facilities Management.  He is a fellow of RICS (FRICS) and a certified member of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (CIWFM) and is the author of the RICS Global Code of Practice for Procurement of Facility Management.

Over 30 years of experience in the Project Management (PM), Facilities Management (FM), Building Technologies, and Information Technologies (IT) industries. Effective, experienced Manager, with strategic thinking, positive attitude and a proven Project Management track record since 1998.

A self-motivated, flexible professional manager and a dynamic problem solver supported by excellent team building motivational skills. Managing the delivery of complex projects as an experienced leader of multi-disciplinary teams. The span of experience ranges from major constructions, infrastructure, IT systems implementation related to PM & FM Field, engineering documents management systems, setting standards, operating procedures, maintaining critical operation sites, Quality Management Systems implementation, and customer satisfaction monitoring.

Ali Al Suwaidi is one of the leaders of the facilities management and asset management industry in the Middle East, who has been in the industry since the nascent stages of professional FM.

Ali has over 22 years of experience in FM industry. He has held a range of operations leadership roles with leading FM corporations and prestigious appointments, including the responsibility for setting up the operations strategy and leading the rollout of the FM program for Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower.

He is also a leading industry resource who actively trains young talent on sound FM management across the UAE, along with being one of the FM subject matter experts worldwide and a visionary speaker participating in facility management conferences and conclaves across the world.

Abdulla Al Wahedi is a leading facilities management expert in the region. He has over two decades of experience in facilities management and has held a number of high-profile roles including his last role as chief executive officer of a leading facilities management company where he was responsible for managing all aspects of Facility Management operations and expanding the business.

Prior to his role as CEO of Irtikaz Group, Abdulla was a senior director at Emaar Facilities Management where he oversaw the FM operations of iconic projects such as Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall and Emaar District Cooling.

Abdulla holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Seattle University in the USA, and an MBA from the American University of Sharjah. He is a graduate of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Leadership Development (MBRCLD) and has won the Rashid Award for Academic Achievement.