Past event summary

Speakers

Robert Davies, BSc (Hons) MSc CEng MIFireE CFPS
Robert has over 17 years' experience in the field of fire safety engineering, 12 of which have been in the Middle East. Since graduating from the Fire Safety Degree course at the University of Central Lancashire he has undertaken a variety of roles within the Fire Safety Industry. He started his career with AkerKvaener, Portsmouth carrying out fire protection system designs for Petro-Chemical and Pharmaceutical facilities before moving to International Fire Consultants Limited (IFC), High Wycombe. Whilst working for IFC he gained extensive experience in managing and witnessing Fire Resistance Tests, undertaking Fire Risk Assessments and preparing Fire Safety Strategies and Fire Engineering Solutions for a variety of building types. During this period in his career, he completed the Master’s Degree course in Fire Safety Engineering at the University of Ulster.

In 2007 Robert joined Buro Happold, Dubai to establish their Fire Engineering team in the Middle East. During his time with Buro Happold, he worked on multiple, large mixed-use / high rise developments. In 2009 he was awarded Chartered Engineer status with the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) and qualified as a Certified Fire Protection Specialists (CFPS) through the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

At the end of 2009, Robert moved to Riyadh and joined the Arriyadh Development Authority as their fire safety advisor. Robert was responsible for developing fire safety management policies and procedures for their historic building stock.

In 2010 Robert returned to the UAE and joined WSP. In his current role, as well as undertaking design work and leading projects as a Project Director, Robert has been instrumental in growing and developing the Specialist Services team and creating a Global network. Robert also undertakes the day to day management of the Specialist Services teams, financial reporting and business development.

Key Achievements

• Expertise in Fire Engineering Solutions, Fire Safety Strategies, Liaison with Local Authorities, Fire Risk Assessments, Fire Safety Management, Fire Testing
• Extensive experience working as a fire consultant on large mixed-use / high rise developments and industrial projects
• 12+ years of experience of living & working in various countries within the Middle East region and liaising with local authorities
• Chartered Fire Engineer with the Engineering Council UK
• Certified Fire Protection Specialist by NFPA

Professional Memberships

• Certified Fire Protection Specialist – National Fire Protection Association
• Chartered Engineer – Engineering Council UK
• Member of the Institution of Fire Engineers

Rebecca L. Kelly
Representing both the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and international entities regionally and internationally, Rebecca L. Kelly counsels clients on arbitration, litigation, corporate and regulatory compliance, regulatory investigations, occupational safety and health, and white collar crime issues. Her clients include companies involved in the construction, infrastructure, finance, industrial, technology, transport, general trading, education, healthcare, and pharmaceutical sectors.

Based in the UAE since 2005, Rebecca advises clients on Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) obligations and legal challenges in the UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). She has one of the only dedicated OSH practices in the Middle East and was appointed to the UAE’s Federal Ministry of Labour Technical Committee responsible for the development of the UAE building and construction sector’s OSH legislation. 

She counsels clients involved in regional and international criminal and quasi-criminal investigations and prosecutions. She also conducts fraud investigations and files international criminal and civil proceedings to recover misappropriated assets worldwide. Rebecca advises companies on how to address and comply with anti-money laundering, anti-corruption, and bribery legislation. These include the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the UK Bribery Act 2010. She also advises clients on corporate governance, confidentiality, document retention, and employee and employer obligations. Federal and local governments often seek Rebecca’s advice when drafting legislation across a range of legal issues.

She routinely develops UAE regulatory compliance manuals for corporate clients that cover a range of jurisdiction-specific legal obligations. She also conducts internal training for the international boards of entities with a Middle East presence.

Rebecca manages complex cross-border arbitration, representing parties involved in arbitrations through the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC); the DIFC LCIA Arbitration Centre, the Abu Dhabi Commercial Conciliation and Arbitration Centre (ADCCAC); and the International Court of Arbitration – International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Rebecca also advises public and private corporations on corporate governance and regulatory compliance.

Matt Jackson, IOSH UAE Branch Chair
He is the current IOSH UAE Branch Chair, a role he has been in for the past two years, prior to this role he was the Events Coordinator.

A Chartered member of IOSH and a graduate of the University of Greenwich, London, with a BSc in Occupational Health, Safety and Environment, Matt has over ten years’ experience in managing health and safety in a number of sectors including waste management, education, construction and consultancy.

In his full-time role, Matt is the Head of HSEQ for WSP in the Middle East who is one of the world's leading engineering professional services firms, with 42,000 people, based in more than 550 offices, across 40 countries. Matt’s role is to support the regional offices and projects in the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman on all matters related to Health, Safety, Environment and Quality.