International architecture and planning group, RMJM, has merged its European operations into its successful Middle East business to form an enlarged multi-regional company.
RMJM International, as the combined business will be known, will be headquartered in Dubai, UAE and will manage offices in London and Glasgow in the UK, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. RMJM International will be led by Harry Downie as CEO and Boran Agoston as Design Principal.
“I am particularly proud to announce this merger,” commented Peter Morrison, RMJM Group CEO. “Our Middle East business has been a beacon of light within the RMJM Group throughout a dark and difficult global recession. Harry, Boran and their team are a shining example of what can be achieved with resilience, loyalty and above all else, raw determination. The strength of the RMJM brand in the Middle East is testament to the extraordinary strength of character encapsulated within our regional team and serves as a constant reminder of why we have been able to maintain a constant presence and sustain a successful business here for more than 40 years. I am confident that under the stewardship of our Dubai management team we will quickly realise the growth of our business across Europe and the Middle East.”
Harry Downie, newly appointed CEO of RMJM International, stated “RMJM has a proud history in the UAE, and in the wider Middle East, and this restructuring clearly displays our commitment to the region. Our dedicated and ambitious design teams are responsible for creating some of the most important, recognisable and award winning buildings in the region. Despite the very difficult times experienced and in contrast to what others chose to do as a result, we have maintained a strong and continuous presence here. I am excited about the prospect of bringing on board our talented European team and creating a business capable of sustained growth and with the undoubted talent and ability to design many more exciting projects across the Middle East and Europe in the coming years.”
Commenting specifically on the design capabilities of RMJM’s European team, Boran Agoston, Design Principal of RMJM International said: “RMJM’s European team is very experienced and has an exciting range of skills and talents which will complement what we have in the Middle East. This merger significantly expands the range of design capabilities RMJM can offer to its long standing Middle East clients and will also open up new market sectors for us. At the same time our Middle East Design team will be able to offer a new and fresh design approach to our European clients.”
Peter Morrison, concluded, “The Middle East team are abuzz with ideas on how they can integrate and develop RMJM’s European business and I am confident that the boundaries of great design and intuitive, entrepreneurial business strategy will be pushed to the limits in the coming months and that excites me a great deal!”