Rekha Patel

Project Director | Turner & Townsend

Iam a Civil Engineer by study, Contract and Commercial Management professional by trade and passionate about Infrastructure projects. Since childhood, I have aspired to follow in my father’s footsteps and work in the Construction industry. Working on Infrastructure projects gives me the feeling of making a small contribution to the improvement of communities. I was a part of the team that launched the first high-speed railway in Saudi Arabia between the capital city of Riyadh and the country’s northern borders, and I saw the joy it brought to the passengers, especially the women travelling to university alone by train. I have more than 15 years of leadership experience in the industry, accrued over the course of a 27-year career. As a Civil Engineering graduate, I began my career in Asia, I then worked for 15 years in the United Kingdom, and then relocated to the Middle East. In addition to my primary academic degree, I am a Chartered Quantity Surveyor and Mediator with a Master’s in Construction Law.

In my current position, I am responsible for the Commercial management of a portfolio of multi-billion dirham Infrastructure projects in Abu Dhabi, including road networks, tunnels and bridges, and urban development with a mix of uses. The projects are essential to the Abu Dhabi government’s vision of transforming the Emirate, as outlined in the Urban Structure Framework plan. I am responsible for the bringing the distressed projects in line with Client’s expectation and mitigating the commercial risks.

Over the course of my career, I have been part of mega projects like the Construction of Riyadh Metro in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Cross Rail in the United Kingdom. My role was focused on contract management and commercial assurance on these complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and interfaces. Over the years I’ve been consistently amazed to witness the value that construction projects add to their surrounding communities and economies.

Challenges and opportunities for women in construction

With so much of the work in the construction industry still requiring physical exertion, the rate of change in attracting women to the construction industry is slower than in other industries. After all these years, the industry is still dominated by men.

Being in the minority comes with challenges, be it the lack of female mentors or role models or the perception of women not being tough enough for the on-site roles. Being a consultant also inadvertently puts one in a constantly changing environment or being responsible to bring change. In my career, I have worked on projects that completely lacked basic welfare and women-centric facilities on-site; they were not thought of as a requirement during project planning as women were not expected to work in such remote environments. As women, we are also subject to the perception that we struggle to maintain a work-life balance and juggle professional and personal obligations. The cultural sensitivities sometimes lead men to struggle with women making decisions or taking action. Having worked in the region for the past seven years, I have encountered situations in which people struggled to interact with me directly in meetings because they had not previously interacted with women in similar positions.

Over time, however, my constant courtesy and professionalism in the face of their reluctance made them comfortable and receptive to my presence and work. They realized that, despite being a woman, I was just another colleague working towards the same objective.

However, the profession allows women in construction to work across challenging, multi-faceted and impactful projects in different geographies working with people in international multi-cultural environments. It takes a little longer, but I have witnessed my fellow women in the industry proving their metal by resilience and perseverance. Also, companies have started to recognize that more diverse teams help the industry thrive. I also feel that sometimes by focusing on challenges we miss out on the opportunities the industry offers to women. In terms of technology and innovation, the construction industry is evolving, and women have the chance to gain the skills essential for a successful construction profession.

The importance of women joining the construction industry

When I was in university, I was told that a Civil Engineer is a specialist whose work will endure for centuries. The construction industry affords us the opportunity to leave our mark on history and the social landscape. With increased awareness and efforts to include women in the construction industry, the time has come for both young and experienced women to enter the construction industry. I would encourage women to explore diverse roles within the industry, as construction encompasses so much more than simply building structures.

In the Middle East, nation building efforts are creating entire new cities and industries, which will shape the region’s economy for future generations. Now is the time for ambitious, enthusiastic women to enter the Construction industry, forge their own path, and become a part of history.

Whilst I always knew that I wanted to pursue a career that would have a positive impact on people’s lives, I didn’t know which industry I wanted to work within when I was starting out. After completing my Bachelor’s Degree in Management Science and qualifying in practice, I worked in the telecommunications industry. Though telecommunications is an essential part of our everyday life, I longed to be part of an industry that further shaped the environment which we live in and one where I could bring positive change. I think that is what first attracted me to the facilities management sector, as there is an opportunity to provide services that impact the entire built environment landscape. Whether it be the building you live in, your neighbourhood common areas, your office tower, or even the shopping centre you visit on the weekends, facilities management companies are entrusted with creating and maintaining the environments we live, work, and visit.

Living in Dubai, which is regarded as one of the best places to live and work, there are vast opportunities and places to visit and enjoy. I wanted to be part of an industry that contributed to the UAE’s ambitious vision to become a global hub not just for its residents and tourists, but also for business and critical sectors. Facilities management does just that, so when I had the opportunity to take a role within the sector in Dubai, I jumped at the chance. I also knew that I would have the chance to challenge the status-quo, working in an industry that has historically been male-dominated and hopefully challenge people’s perceptions of women working in the built environment. I was incredibly excited to be a part of the change I wanted to see within the facilities management sector and hoped I would be able to inspire more women to follow suit.

In 2014, I joined Emrill as the finance director. Emrill is regarded as one of the top tier facilities management service providers in our region, and I was enthused to be a part of the team. It was evident from the beginning of my time at Emrill that this was a company that invested in leading the change in the facilities management landscape. The company places great importance on team development and understands that people are any organisation’s greatest asset, which fully aligns with my own principles. My passion for positively impacting people and their surrounding environments was further fueled by the diverse and collaborative work environment that Emrill has created for its team. The same significance is placed on client relationships and Emrill continues to excel at creating and maintaining long-term, mutually beneficial, value partnerships.

After almost four and a half years as the finance director, I became Emrill’s chief financial officer. Responsible for leading the business and managing the finance and IT functions, I am in the position I have always aspired to, one where I can make change, have a greater impact, and empower others to take responsibility and lead. As part of Emrill’s executive leadership team, I am inspired to act as a role model and help the team develop and grow in their careers. Emrill believes in inclusivity and diversity and 50 per cent of our leadership team are women. Women bring unique skills and perspectives to facilities management, as do men. Our strong organisation skills, keen eye for detail, and communication skills aid in the overall success of the business.

To see other team members excel and succeed is one of the most rewarding aspects of my role and I involve myself deeply in the development and implementation of Emrill’s numerous skill-building and knowledge sharing initiatives.

Women in facilities management may face certain challenges, which is not unique to this sector. Gender bias, lack of representation in leadership roles and a healthy work-life balance are often concerns. At Emrill, we understand these potential challenges and provide solutions to overcome them. Every person, regardless of gender, is given the same opportunities and focus on their career growth. All of our team is encouraged to reach and exceed their full potential with access to career development and knowledge sharing programmes. As a serviceoriented company, Emrill understands the importance of employee wellbeing and offers initiatives to provide a healthy body and mind, with access to qualified mental health professionals and sports-led activities for our 8,500+ team.

My advice to women entering the world of facilities management would be take advantage of all opportunities to showcase your skills and talents. Use your strengths and embrace collaboration and teamwork, as companies are not just built on one individual’s actions. Engage, share best practices and knowledge, and understand the power of listening to others. Focus on continuous improvement, learn from successes, and do not be afraid to speak up, share your ideas, and be the change you want to see.