The Workspace Summit Advisory Board met on February 27th in Dubai Design District, setting the stage for the upcoming Workspace Summit in May
Members of the Advisory Board who attended the in-person meeting
Members of the Advisory Board who attended the in-person meeting

The annual meeting of the Workspace Summit Advisory Board took place on Thursday, February 27th, in Dubai Design District, setting the stage for the much-anticipated Workspace Summit, scheduled from May 27 to 29 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The meeting, hosted by dmg events and global furniture manufacturer Haworth, brought together leading professionals from corporate real estate, interior design, and fit-out to discuss what’s currently shaping the workplace environment across the region. The Advisory Board, comprised of experts, included: Iain Hird from Emirates NBD, Savas Cizmeci from Microsoft, Marcela Munoz from M Moser, Marina Mrdjen of Intelier as the chairperson of the Summit, Anton Mendez from CBRE, Chris Barnes of Broadway Interiors, Pallavi Dean of Roar, Darren Taylor from INC Solutions, Farah Addada from JLL, Joyce Jarjoura from Gensler, Adil Amin from Bluehaus, Nicola Trivett from Summertown and Sarah Allix from Motif Interiors. The group provided strategic insights into workplace trends, ensuring that the summit remains a leading platform for innovation, collaboration, and practical solutions for the future of work.

The advisory board’s dialogue centred around emerging trends shaping this year’s discussions. The meeting addressed evolving workplace technologies, the further integration of AI in design, sustainability beyond certifications, and fostering an inclusive work culture. With an emphasis on engaging new generations of designers and tackling challenges such as mental well-being and workplace strategy, this year’s summit aims to bridge the gap between design vision and practical execution.

“The Workspace Summit serves as a crucial platform for industry professionals to exchange ideas and address emerging challenges. This year, the board offered valuable insights, highlighting the need for more interactive and educational content, as well as a deeper exploration of technology’s role in shaping workplace environments,” said Tatiana Preeker, Conference Manager at dmg events

Building on the momentum from previous summits, the 2025 edition will introduce enhanced exhibitor engagement, dedicated forums on AI and sustainability, and interactive sessions designed to provide actionable takeaways for attendees. The exhibition will integrate more technology-focused experiences, reinforcing the role of innovation in enhancing workplace well-being.

“Last year, the summit featured 11 panel discussions with 53 speakers, alongside seven individual lectures and presentations. This year, we aim to introduce more short-format sessions to foster dynamic engagement and reach a broader community, ensuring the conversation around workplace evolution remains accessible and impactful,” said Marina Mrdjen, Founder of Intelier and Chairperson of the Workspace Summit.

Members of the WS Advisory Board
Members of the WS Advisory Board

Iain Hird, ENBD
A globally experienced manager, Iain has worked in Corporate Real Estate and Workplace for almost two decades. Much of this time has been spent working in the Financial Services sector, working with Lehman Brothers, Nomura, HSBC and now Emirates NBD. He has held roles on both client and consultant side, delivering complex large-scale programmes, leading change, and working with senior leadership to develop real estate strategy. In his current role, Iain is responsible for the Workspace Reimagined programme for Emirates NBD, focused on the retrofit and redevelopment of the Emirates NBD office portfolio.

“One of the key takeaways for me as a client in today’s discussion is the importance of thinking
end-to-end. It’s not just about designing, constructing, and delivering a project—it’s about understanding why the change is happening and what impact it needs to have. Beyond the build phase, it’s crucial to consider how spaces will be used sustainably over time,” said Ian.

Chris Barnes, Broadway Interiors
In the dynamic realm of the Middle East’s interior design, Chris Barnes stands out as a formidable figure. As the founder of Broadway Interiors, he marks a significant milestone next year – celebrating 25 years of shaping spaces in Dubai. The creative force behind Broadway’s success, Chris won Index, Interior Design Leader of the Year 2022. His latest designs have opened to high acclaim and demonstrate his passion and initiative for what is required to create innovative commercial spaces and highly successful dining and entertainment concepts.
“I would love to support and expand more on the topic of women in the workplace. It’s something I feel strongly about, and I believe greater support is needed,” said Chris.

Marcela Munoz, M Moser Associates
With a background encompassing interior and exhibition design and visual merchandising, Munoz brings a multi-faceted approach to her work, allowing her to deliver creative, award-winning design solutions successfully. With more than ten years of experience in hospitality, commercial and residential projects, and exhibition design, Marcela currently holds an Associate Director, Design position at M Moser Associates. “I would like to see how the implementation of AI doesn’t just go into the design process, but also into the application of workplaces. People are asking more for tech-driven workspaces—how can they measure the use of spaces, not only for occupancy but also for services like air quality, lighting, and software integration,” said Marcela.

Marina Mrdjen, Intelier and the chairperson of the Workspace Summit
As a founder of Intelier, a Dubai-based marketing agency for the construction, architecture, and interior design industries, Marina’s career spans more than 20 years in digital, socia,l and traditional media, as well as in B2B marketing and communications. She has successfully organised multiple design conferences and events in Dubai, presented gala awards events, and moderated panel discussions and roundtables, regularly collaborating with key interior designers, architects, and brands in the region.
“As I step into my fourth year chairing the Workspace Summit, the goal remains to evolve the platform—expanding dialogue, fostering collaboration, and driving meaningful change in workspace design. This year’s advisory board meeting generated compelling ideas that we aim to integrate into the Summit, along with an exciting new stage design by Bluehaus,” said Marina Mrdjen, Founder of Intelier and Chairperson of the Workspace Summit.

Adil Amin, Bluehaus
With 24 years of industry experience, Adil Amin brings a pragmatic, solutions-driven approach
to interior design. His architectural background and passion for creativity allow him to balance aesthetics with functionality. Since joining Bluehaus in 2013, he has played a key role in delivering impactful, buildable design solutions across the region.
“One trend that continues to hold strong is workplace well-being. Of course, its implementation depends on client initiatives, what designers can achieve within budgets, and various other factors, but it remains a key discussion point when working with clients. When we start projects, we always ask the right questions at the briefing stage—what are their intentions and aspirations regarding employee well-being? This serves as a strong foundation for meaningful discussions,” said Adil.

Pallavi Dean, Roar
Pallavi plays at the intersection of design and entrepreneurship, she founded her design firm, Roar in 2013. A trained architect and sustainability specialist, she has won multiple awards for work across various sectors, including commercial, hospitality, and residential. Her work has been profiled in some of the world’s leading international media, including the Financial Times, the BBC, Monocle, Wallpaper, and the Architectural Digest. She was named Architectural Digest Middle East Designer of the Year in 2020 and Designer of the Year globally by Interior Design Magazine in 2021.
“I’m so excited because we’re going to hear all about psychology, wellness, productivity, culture. What else are we going to throw into the mix for this year? I think the big kind of takeaways from today’s discussion for me would be looking at Emiratisation in companies here, looking at workplace strategy in more detail, and then I’m excited to talk about how neurotypical and neurodivergent people deal in the workspace,” explained Pallavi.

Anton Mendez, CBRE
Anton is an Associate Director within the CBRE Building Consultancy team and is responsible for project delivery for high-profile clients, as well as supporting the project management team. With over 10 years’ experience, of which 5 years within the UAE, Anton offers a wealth of experience, having delivered several high-profile projects within the region for key commercial clients.
“There’s a lack of available office stock in Dubai, which means companies must act quickly when securing a space. This puts significant pressure on design teams and contractors to execute projects within tight timelines. Educating clients on best practices is essential to managing expectations while ensuring high-quality design outcomes,” said Anton.

Darren Taylor | INC Solutions
Darren is the Global Head of Accounts and Strategy for INC, a market leader in the design-and-build industry. He is also responsible for providing insight on complex issues, such as the workplace of the future, technology, and innovation, as well as the company’s drive towards sustainability.
“I’m loving the idea that we can revisit past initiatives and see how sustainability continues to grow. The key question is: How are we making an impact in the workplace? Being surrounded by like-minded people who are eager to drive these initiatives forward is truly inspiring,” said Darren.

Sarah Allix, Motif Interiors
Born and raised in Dubai, Sarah Allix moved to Australia for high school, where she pursued interior design and founded Allix Design on the Gold Coast. After 17 years in the industry across Australia and the UAE, she returned to Dubai in 2014.
As Head of Business Development at Motif Interiors, Sarah drives growth in the commercial and healthcare sectors, overseeing client acquisition to project execution. Her 11 years as a Director and designer at Allix Design equipped her with deep industry insights, shaping her strategic approach to business development. Passionate about design and mentorship, she continues to make a lasting impact at Motif Interiors.
“We had a highly engaging discussion, with a significant focus on the role of AI in the workplace. I’m eager to explore the latest advancements in this industry and see how they are shaping the future of workspace design,” said Sarah.

Nicola Trivett, Summertown Interiors
With over 20 years in the construction industry, Nicola started as a designer in Scotland before transitioning into project management and relocating to the Middle East 12 years ago. She joined Summertown as Projects Director and later became Commercial Director, now leading the company as General Manager. Passionate about client satisfaction and team collaboration, she thrives on delivering successful projects. As a mother of four, she values balance, teamwork, and strong leadership, advocating for diversity and mentoring the next generation to reach their full potential in the industry.
“For me, the biggest takeaway is the need to harness collective knowledge and work towards better workplace solutions. Sustainability remains a major priority, and it’s crucial to understand how it shapes the next generation of design. I’m particularly interested in exploring emerging trends—what’s happening in the market, what employers are looking for when opening new workplaces, and how the workplace landscape is evolving, said Nicola.

Joyce Jarjoura, Gensler
With a background that encompasses interior design, urban planning, and architecture, Joyce brings a multi-faceted approach to her work that has allowed her to deliver creative, award-winning design solutions. Highly regarded for her ability to seamlessly merge function and aesthetics with user behaviours, Joyce believes that design can help organisations simplify processes, enhance collaboration, and encourage innovation. As she was exposed to the impact that space has on everyday life at an early age, she brings an incredible passion to resolving day-to-day challenges for end users while keeping her clients’ goals in mind. Understanding the importance of continued education and exposure to
changing trends, Joyce travels regularly across the region – and to attend design events, helping her effectively guide design concepts from idea into reality.

Farah Addada, JLL
With over 13 years of experience in the industry, Farah’s expertise is deeply rooted in the Middle East. Her regional knowledge is a key asset, allowing her to develop bespoke solutions tailored to the unique needs of each of our clients. Farah’s specialisation in design, strategy, and change management has led her to work with renowned clients such as Google, EY, and BCG. Her background and expertise in the region provide her with a competitive edge, particularly in technical detailing and corporate transformation. Farah’s unique creative vision, coupled with her technical knowledge, is the driving force behind each of her projects. Her passion and workplace knowledge fuel her innovative approach, inspiring those around her.

Savas Cizmeci, Microsoft
Savas oversees capital investments for Microsoft workplaces across EMEA, shaping the future of the company’s real estate strategy. With nearly 20 years of experience in construction, project management, and portfolio strategy, he previously led Microsoft’s real estate operations in the Middle East and Africa, managing the full lifecycle of projects across 21 countries. Before joining Microsoft, he played a key role in transforming Citibank’s real estate portfolio in MEA, certifying 12 premises with LEED. As Chair of CoreNet Global Middle East, he is committed to advancing corporate real estate practices. Savas holds a Mechanical Engineering degree and an Executive MBA, with further studies at Yale, LSE, and CEIBS.