W. Hiles Partnership, a PMKConsult company, delivered project and commercial management services for the client, including supporting on obtaining local opening licenses, ensuring designs are locally compliant, and delivering the project under budget and on time.

Huge Congratulations to the WHP team!

If you’d like to get in touch with us to learn about how we support F&B brands as they enter new markets, please click here. 

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• Introduce yourself briefly – including, name, designation, and company name.

I’m Jesyka White, Director of Operations for PMKConsult, an award-winning project and commercial management consultancy, started in the UAE and now operating across multiple geographies.

• Can you share your journey and the challenges you faced in reaching your current position in the industry?

My love of maths led to me to study civil engineering in the US, but my passion for people and different cultures directed me towards international project management.  Since starting my career, I’ve lived in 9 different countries, and worked on projects in many others.  I’ve had to enter each new market respectfully and with curiosity, adapting in order to develop the strong relationships necessary to successfully deliver projects.  I really delight in the fact I am able to amalgamate skills and approaches from multiple cultures and I’ve developed a unique hybrid approach to my work, both technically and managerially.  However, being a nomad has had its challenges.  Each new market you enter, you have to re-prove your worth, rebuild your industry support network, and navigate a whole host of new local nuances.  Some markets proved more challenging than others – I’ve faced ageism, racism, sexism, and harassment.  Less serious, but arguably more impeding, was a common occurrence working in a male dominated field – I was often being judged and corrected because my performance wasn’t “masculine” enough.  Surprisingly, this sentiment not only came from my male superiors and peers, but even women, who had achieved their seniority by “acting like men” and advised me to do the same.  It took a lot of trial and error, perseverance, a deep commitment to integrity, and a love of learning to forge my own path.  I made a conscious decision to steer my career towards a position in which I could develop and protect a balanced culture that elevated and supported each individual regardless of background/race/gender. I’ve shifted from project delivery to operations and am thoroughly enjoying the focus on enhancing processes and procedures to allow our employees to function at the highest levels.  Having been in their shoes, I’m able to customize our operations with their needs in mind, and I consider myself extremely lucky to have found a company who supports my approach and fully empowers me to drive us forward, keeping both the interest of our employees and our Clients in mind.

• What are some contributions you have made to the construction industry?

Beyond the physical spaces built for public enjoyment and the developers’ strong balance sheet, I like to think my most meaningful contribution has been the support given to various team members over the years. Construction projects are never a solo effort; it takes an army to design and build great spaces. The stronger the talent pool, the more successful the project.  It’s about helping teammates grow and develop so they can go forward and achieve great things, and hopefully pass on their knowledge to the next person.

• Who has been your biggest inspiration or role model in your professional life, and why?

I’ve been very lucky to have been exposed to and work alongside some incredible project managers over the years.  As with work cultures, I try to identify and take the best attributes from everyone I work with and incorporate them into my day-to-day approach.  But working with my executive leadership coach, Poncho Cottier, has really inspired a transformational journey in my management style.

• What do you think can be done to encourage more women to pursue careers in construction?

Accessibility and educational avenues are already there. I think what turns women away from our industry is the fact is very time-intensive, with long hours, aggressive deadlines, and requirements for night and weekend shifts.  Until there is a significant shift in gender roles in the home, women need time-flexibility in order to navigate their “default” family responsibilities.  But this needs to be an industry-wide shift.  For example, PMKConsult offers incredible flexibility to our men and women, but our site-based staff are beholden to the time-keeping rules of our Clients, so there’s only so much consultancies can do to support staff in these instances.  More women in the industry would naturally instigate a shift to more flexible working hours, which will attract more women, but it will take time for the cycle to work.

• What is your number one advice for young women professionals entering the industry?

Embrace the way you uniquely approach things, not just in the traditional ‘masculine’ way; lean into more feminine traits of empathy and vulnerability.  There are many ways to deliver a project, no one has all the answers, so a well-integrated and balanced approach will always serve you well.

• Where do you see the future of women in the construction industry, and what changes do you hope to see in the next decade?

It’s a numbers game. The reason we don’t see women as often at the top, is because the talent pool at the bottom is mostly men.  As more women enter this industry, it’s only a matter of time before they rise in the ranks to leadership positions, which will encourage and inspire more women to enter.  I see construction evolving into less of a ‘boys club’ over time, a shift from masculine / aggressive management to a more balanced approach, with more focus on upfront planning and strategy, mental health awareness, and a shift to constructive, not combative, stakeholder relationships.

The post Jesyka White, Director of Operations, recognized in the Top 20 Most Influential Women in the Construction Industry by Construction Week first appeared on PMKConsult.

• Homegrown private sector UAE brand – PMKConsult – buys 80+ year old heritage UK specialist project and commercial management consultancy, W. Hiles Partnership (WHP)
• Sector experts in Commercial/ Cultural & Heritage/ Leisure & Entertainment and F&B, W. Hiles Partnership is acquired by leading project and commercial management consultancy, PMKConsult.
• PMKConsult expands business in the UK market with key leadership appointment and new business acquisition.

23 January 2024; United Arab Emirates: Multinational project and commercial management consultancy, PMKConsult announces its landmark acquisition of a well-established, generational UK consultancy, W. Hiles Partnership (WHP). WHP is the premier delivery specialists in F&B having delivered 49 restaurants in the UK, France & Germany this year, with over 170 Five Guys franchise restaurants in the UK alone since the brand arrived into the UK, along with numerous other multinational brands.

“Both Keenan [COO] and I are incredibly excited about this acquisition for various reasons. Our business has been experiencing steady growth in the UK, and given our concentrated focus on the market, it not only makes sense to establish our presence with John Vint in the lead, but also to acquire a business that holds a leading position in sectors we aim to expand into, synergizing with PMKConsult’s broad sector coverage and technical specialism.  Our collective client base will gain significantly from our robust presence in the Middle East, and vice versa. From a service delivery perspective, our GCC Client base can greatly benefit from the sector expertise introduced by the WHP brand,” said Kevin Woolley, CEO of PMKConsult.

Since their inception in 1937, WHP has grown into a renowned leader in core sectors, notably Hospitality, Entertainment, and Commercial industries, actively championing project and commercial management. Their extensive portfolio spans diverse arenas, from cinemas, bowling centers, leisure parks, specialist restaurants, visitors centres though to culture & heritage venues. WHP also have experience in nurturing international brands entering the UK market including Wendy’s, Popeyes, Sticks n’ Sushi, Five Guys, Paris Baguette and the like, which often expands across Europe as the success of the partnership flourishes.

WHP’s delivery footprint extends to France, Germany, and Spain, and they are eager to continue with an active expansion across Europe and the Middle East under PMKConsult. WHP are also key players in facilitating the increasing drive-thru demand in the UK, delivering up to fifteen projects in the last 2 years for well-established brands. Their expertise extends throughout F&B, showcasing successful collaborations with iconic high street names. Additionally, their consultancy prowess shines through standout projects like the historic Phoenix Picturehouse in Oxford and the meticulously restored cinemas in Brighton & London.

Commenting on the acquisition, Malcolm Hiles, Managing Director, W. Hiles Partnership commented: “WHP is ready for its next phase of growth and now as a PMKConsult company, we will continue to offer our recognized service delivery excellence and maintain our client base with our usual professionalism. We will now be able to offer support to our existing clients that are looking to expand into other markets. With a service delivery footprint throughout Europe, and now the Middle East, we have many new avenues to grow our relationship with our client base. I am also looking forward to PMKConsult benefiting greatly from our legacy and wealth of expertise in the UK market.”

PMKConsult recently appointed John Vint as the Managing Director for the UK market. Working closely with Malcolm at WHP, his core focus will be integrating service offerings and fostering business development. While WHP will retain its brandmark and senior team, it will benefit from back-office support, critical mass, and access to the broader international team for project execution across the UK, mainland Europe. PMKConsult plans to involve UK team members in bids requiring specialized expertise within sectors where WHP excels, such as F&B, cultural and heritage, commercial, leisure and entertainment, leveraging local market knowledge to advance fast-track projects in the rapidly growing regional economy in the GCC region.

“I am honoured and thrilled to lead PMKConsult’s UK office in this significant acquisition. The strengths that W. Hiles Partnership bring will align seamlessly with our portfolio expansion and our commitment to exceptional service execution in commercial consultancy and project management services. This strategic move not only enhances our presence in the UK market but also opens up new avenues for collaboration and growth. I am excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to contributing to the continued success of our expanding brand,” said John Vint, newly appointed Managing Director of PMKConsult’s UK Office.

The post PMKConsult Buys Established UK Brand – W. Hiles Partnership – in Landmark Acquisition first appeared on PMKConsult.

In collaboration with Gulf for Good, PMKConsult is participating for the second time in Boxing for Good, a White-Collar Charity Boxing event in support of the ‘Kilimanjaro Initiative’.

Leading project and commercial management consultancy, PMKConsult, announces they are back in the ring at Spartans White Collar 5 on Saturday 9th December, in collaboration with Gulf for Good and Spartans Boxing Club, to raise funds to support Gulf for Good’s charity project – the Kilimanjaro Initiative.

At PMKConsult, our charitable responsibility has always been at the forefront of our culture. Alongside this commitment, we extend our support to our people, valuing their interests and advocacies both within and outside the office.

We understand the importance of fostering a supportive environment where our team feels empowered to pursue initiatives close to their hearts.

Whether it’s supporting volunteer programs, encouraging personal development opportunities, or championing causes that resonate with our employees, we stand dedicated to nurturing a culture where their passions and contributions are valued and supported.

The Kilimanjaro initiative supports education, encourages mentorship, and develops leadership skills through comprehensive sports programs, in addition to an inclusive early childhood development centre which is available to the youth that live in the surrounding areas of Nairobi Kibera.

PMKConsult will proudly be sponsoring our Senior Project Manager, David Prowting, who will be volunteering to raise funds for this worthwhile cause.

David is a results-oriented Senior Project Manager with over 16 years of experience in the construction industry. He has worked across well-known international and regional entities, delivering numerous developments from concept to completion with project values ranging from AED 3 million to 1 billion. He is currently leading a cross-functional team to deliver a large retail project in Al Ain, UAE.

Kevin Woolley, Chief Executive Officer, PMKConsult: “Following Clayton’s success in his round last June, we are very excited to support another one of our own step into the ring in an effort to raise funds for the Kilimanjaro Initiative. Gulf for Good frequently organise impactful fundraisers, and our participation amplifies our shared commitment in making a positive impact on the lives of others. We can’t wait to see David in the ring and show him our unwavering support.”

Gulf for Good, is a not-for-profit charity, whose purpose is to change the lives of underprivileged children around the world. To learn more about Gulf for Good, click HERE.

This challenge is approved by IACAD permit no. 1556769.

To support PMKConsult and Gulf for Good in ‘Boxing for Good’, please click the link HERE.

The post PMKConsult Supports Gulf for Good’s ‘Kilimanjaro Initiative’ at Charity Event, Boxing for Good! first appeared on PMKConsult.