About Us

Why choose Havelock One?

Established in 1998, we have since grown into one of the largest fit out and manufacturing players in the GCC. With a highly experienced workforce and a reputation for the delivering only the highest standards, we’ve built a culture that makes Havelock One a great place to work. 

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Havelock One Paco Rabanne Pop Up Doha Airport
Sustainable practices

In-house manufacturing capabilities

Local touch, global reach

Sustainable practices

Our 520,000 sq. ft. custom manufacturing facility in Askar, Bahrain, lies at the centre of our operation. Here, our skilled teams carefully craft bespoke interiors, furniture and fixtures using the latest technology. Our in-house capabilities allow us to provide detailed cost breakdowns upfront and suggest value-engineered solutions to maintain quality while optimising costs.
We are a leading fit out contractor and custom manufacturer in the GCC. Our dynamic teams operate out of seven offices across Bahrain, KSA, Kuwait, UAE and Qatar, making us a regional powerhouse. Our reach extends beyond the GCC as we also partner with global retail brands, manufacturing and shipping bespoke solutions worldwide. 

We've embraced green innovations and sustainable practices, adapting every step of our processes to minimise environmental impact. Our efforts to build a more sustainable future are published each year in our Annual Sustainability Report

Our Values

We embody precision, realism, and a detail driven approach.

Our foresight empowers proactive problem-solving.

We are self-driven, collaborative and committed.

Our History

  • 1998
  • 2002
  • 2003–2010
  • 2016
  • 2017
  • 2018
  • 2020
  • 2024
The Directors back in 1998

The founding year

We started our journey as Havelock AHI, born from a joint venture with American Home Industries. This partnership laid the foundation for what would become one of the region’s leading fit-out and manufacturing companies, combining international expertise with local knowledge right from the start.

  • Factory area in 1998

    Factory area

    161,459 sq. ft.

  • employees in 1980s

    Employees

    82

Turnkey fit out team on site havelock one

Began offering full-service fit-out

In 2002, we took a bold step forward by expanding our capabilities beyond manufacturing to offer comprehensive fit-out solutions. This move allowed us to combine our expertise in production with on-site execution, delivering end-to-end solutions that cater to each unique project.

  • Projects

    Projects

    200+

  • employees in 2002

    Employees

    262

Map1

Expanded across the Middle East

We embarked on a significant expansion across the Middle East. During these seven years, we established a strong presence in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. This strategic growth allowed us to bring our expertise to new markets, broadening our reach and solidifying our reputation as a trusted partner in the region.

  • Employees count in 2000s

    Employees

    450

  • Turnover

    Turnover

    US$ 58 million

Map2

Expanded into Qatar

We took another major step forward by establishing a branch in Qatar. This move was part of our ongoing commitment to serving the dynamic needs of the Gulf region. With our new presence in Qatar, we expanded our capabilities and strengthened our connections, positioning ourselves to better support clients with high-quality fit-out and manufacturing services.

  • Employees count in 2016

    Employees

    737

  • Projects

    Projects

    383+

Havelock One North Factory Bahrain Interior

Second manufacturing facility

We began construction on our second manufacturing facility in Bahrain. This new facility was a direct response to growing demand and need to scale up our operations. Designed to enhance our production capacity and streamline our processes, the new facility represents a major investment in the future of our business. 

  • Factory area increase in 2017

    Factory area

    520,000 sq. ft.

  • Regional presence

    Presence

    5 regions, 7 offices

Havelock One History timeline 2018

Havelock AHI becomes Havelock One

We rebranded from Havelock AHI to Havelock One. This change marked the beginning of a new chapter in our journey. The rebrand reflects our evolution from a joint venture into a unified, independent entity with a clear vision for the future. 

  • Havelock One's Promise

    Promise

    Evolving partnerships effortlessly

  • Havelock One Value

    Values

    Precision, Foresight

Great Place to Work

A Great Place to Work® 

In 2020 we became the first fit-out company in the Middle East to be awarded the 'Great Place to Work®' certification in the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait, excelling in all five dimensions of the Great Place to Work® Model – Credibility, Respect, Fairness, Pride and Camaraderie.

  • First Fit Out Company to win Great Place To Work in the Region

    Title

    First Fit-out Company

  • Ranked as best place to work

    Ranked

    # 37

UAE year end Gathering 2023

Reached 2,000 employees

Today we have around 2,000 employees across all our offices and site locations. With a skilled and experienced workforce we've increased our ability to deliver high quality solutions on a larger scale. 

  • Projects completed

    Projects

    9,000+

  • Total experience as Turnkey fit out contractor

    Experience

    25 years

Havelock One_Pattern_Concrete Pattern_Concrete Pattern Pantone 4190c 1 (6)

Our Team

Syed Kashif Akhtar

Group Managing Director

Syed Kashif Akhtar

Group Managing Director

Based in Dubai, Kashif is a qualified chartered accountant and seasoned corporate leader with over 25 years of experience developing and managing corporate businesses in different markets. Kashif provides strategic leadership and direction to Havelock One's senior management team, evolving the organisation to deliver an unmatched service and experience to its customers.

Firas Al Ayed

Group Operations Director

Firas Al Ayed

Group Operations Director

A manufacturing systems engineer by background, Firas is an accomplished leader in the regional fit-out industry. He has been part of Havelock One's core management team since 2000. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Group, working in close coordination with different division directors and the head of production. Although Firas' desk is in Bahrain, he travels across the region frequently and gets proactively involved whenever his seasoned perspective is required.

Mark Waters

Division Director, Retail Manufacturing

Mark Waters

Division Director, Retail Manufacturing

With a proven track record of servicing international retail brands and more than 25 years' experience managing bespoke shopfitting manufacturing, Mark ensures top-quality service to Havelock One's retail clients. He manages a team of dedicated estimation and setting-out specialists based at our Askar office in Bahrain.

Jihad Raad

Division Director, Hospitality Manufacturing

Jihad Raad

Division Director, Hospitality Manufacturing

With his strong technical knowledge, drive, and customer focus, Jihad has played a valuable role in Havelock One's regional growth in the GCC and the Middle East. He currently heads three of the Company's divisions in Bahrain and Qatar, viz. hospitality manufacturing and turnkey interior fit-outs.

Imtiaz Mahadiwala

Division Director - Kuwait

Imtiaz Mahadiwala

Division Director - Kuwait

For more than two decades, Imtiaz has been serving Havelock One and our clients with dedication and zeal. He has been a part of and helped establish our Kuwait operation since its early days. With his market understanding, technical knowledge, drive, and customer focus, Imtiaz has led the Company's Kuwait subsidiary to significant growth. 

Adrian Sellar

Division Director - UAE

Adrian Sellar

Division Director - UAE

Based on a wealth of experience managing construction and fit-out businesses in the UK, Adrian joined the Company in 2011 to lead its turnkey fit-out operations in the Emirates. He has been playing an important role in establishing Havelock One as a leading player in the interior contracting industry of the UAE.

Nigel Wilson

Division Director - KSA

Nigel Wilson

Division Director - KSA

After successfully leading blue-chip fit-out and refurbishment companies in London for over 30 years, Nigel relocated to the Middle East in 2010. With a passionate approach to servicing clients, he has been leading Havelock One's growing turnkey fit-out business for clients from our offices in Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, since 2014. Nigel focuses on the Entertainment, Hotels, F&B, Education, Healthcare, Residential, and Wellness sectors.

Amit Shahasane

Finance Director

Amit Shahasane

Finance Director

Amit has 20 years' extensive experience in business advisory, risk management and driving financial initiatives with leading companies in diverse industry sectors and geographies. He is a chartered accountant with a bachelor of commerce. He has been leading the Finance Function for Havelock One since 2022 and is based in Bahrain.

Charlotte Bellamy

Head of Marketing

Charlotte Bellamy

Head of Marketing

Charlotte boasts over nine years of valuable experience in marketing strategy and brand development. She has a strong track record of breathing new life into brands across diverse industries, leading and inspiring cross-functional teams, and strategically generating leads through innovative marketing tactics. 

Valerie Atlan

Europe Sales Director

Valerie Atlan

Europe Sales Director

Valerie brings a wealth of experience driving business growth and fostering strong client relationships. With a proven track record in the industry, Valerie is poised to lead our European sales team to new heights, delivering exceptional service and innovative solutions to our valued clients across the region.

Gavin Dawbney

Senior Manager, Business Development - Fit Out UAE

Gavin Dawbney

Senior Manager, Business Development - Fit Out UAE

With over 15 years' experience in business development and sales, Gavin has developed a key skill of customer service excellence. He offers deep knowledge of the construction industry's standards, regulations and legislation. Paired with a strong understanding of brand awareness and project developments in the UAE, he continues to establish great business relationships with many international companies and helps them deliver new interior spaces.

Ferial Sabbouh

Business Development Manager, Fit Out Qatar

Ferial Sabbouh

Business Development Manager, Fit Out Qatar

Ferial is a versatile professional with a unique expertise in business development and a keen eye for customer relationship management. She brings strong analytical and strategic skills that build lasting client relationships that contribute to the growth of projects and businesses.

Abdelkader Khemir

Interior Architect

Abdelkader Khemir

Interior Architect

Abdelkader is a versatile professional with a unique blend of expertise in interior architecture and business development and a keen eye for detail. He brings strong analytical and strategic skills, allowing him to identify opportunities, build lasting client relationships, and contribute to the growth of projects and businesses.

Mohammad Abboudeh

Business Development Manager - Special Projects, Fit Out - KSA 

Mohammad Abboudeh

Business Development Manager - Special Projects, Fit Out - KSA 
 

Abboudeh focuses on identifying new business opportunities and building relationships to support our company's growth in the western region of Saudi Arabia. With a degree in Architectural Engineering, he combines his project management experience and technical expertise in applying innovative construction methodologies to numerous high-profile projects.

Ismail Issa

Business Development Manager, Fit Out - Kuwait 

Ismail Issa

Business Development Manager, Fit Out - Kuwait 
 

With over 12 years of experience in the fit-out contracting industry, Ismail drives business growth by identifying new opportunities, building strategic partnerships, and fostering long-term client relationships. His profound industry knowledge facilitates to ensure successful project acquisitions. Ismail's expertise includes market analysis, contract negotiations, and collaborating with internal teams to develop tailored solutions that meet client needs and project objectives.

Life at Havelock One

We thrive on innovation and problem-solving, always pushing to deliver exceptional results. We celebrate our wins, support one another and enjoy the journey along the way. If you’re looking for a place where your contributions matter and you can grow with a fantastic team, come join us and be part of something special.

Havelock One Team

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