Ammar Alassam is the Chief Executive Officer of Dewan Architects + Engineers, which is celebrating its 40th year in business this year. Since joining Dewan in 2001, he has implemented and developed the company’s strategic growth plans. He led Ithmar Capital’s investment in Dewan, allowing the firm to diversify and become a regional multidisciplinary, multi-market leading firm of architects and engineers with a more institutionalised approach.

Serving as Chief Executive Officer and member of the board of directors, Alassam continues to be actively involved in developing new business opportunities, harnessing strategic relationships and partnerships, and breaking into new vertical and geographical markets. He was responsible for the firm’s diversification and entry into Southeast Asia and Vietnam.

In recent years, he has expanded their market share into Egypt and established a design excellence hub in Cairo. Alassam has grown to be one of the top 40 firms in the world and one of the top five in the region, with big plans for the future. The firm recently announced the acquisition of iconic projects in Saudi Arabia, including Qiddiya and The Red Sea Development Company.

Alassam understands the growing importance of environmental consciousness and the need for expertise in designing green, sustainable, and environmentally friendly buildings. He’s helped lead the development of the firm’s corporate culture that focuses on designing sustainable buildings, leading to many receiving LEED and ESTIDAMA certifications.

Dewan is the lead design consultant on the futuristic Qiddiya Water Theme Park. The water park will be at the heart of the attractions at Qiddiya, which is close to Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh.

With the leadership team’s support, Alassam has diversified and ventured Dewan into the Metaverse and a design research lab Metaverse Architecture Department (MAD). MAD aims to create and improve experiences by building Metaverse spaces as close to reality to discover real-life immersive applications. They unite a dedicated team of digital experts, architects and industry professionals from within Dewan and external experts to focus on this entirely new domain. Dewan has already purchased land within the Decentraland Metaverse, and has established its “digital office” within this exciting sphere. Alassam continues to develop Dewan as a leader in design excellence and a partner of choice for blue-chip developers across the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia.

Under Alassam’s leadership Dewan leverages its corporate social responsibility initiatives founded to empower young architects worldwide and provide them with crucial guidance to excel in the industry. The Dewan Award was established by Mohammed Al Assam, the founder and chairman at Dewan. He was involved with the Tamayouz Excellence Award for many years.