Greg Ward takes the helm of leading UAE-based business support services provider taking charge of over 42,000 staff and a billion dirham turnover
UAE-based Transguard Group, one of the leading business support services providers in the region and a part of the Emirates Group has appointed Greg Ward as its new Managing Director.
British national Ward brings over 20 years of experience in the facilities management (FM) and aviation industries which are integral to Transguard’s business model. His previous career has included key director-level roles within blue chip organisations in the UK and UAE.
“This will be a very challenging and demanding role, but it will be an extraordinarily rewarding one too. Transguard is a dynamic business in a rapidly growing, but highly competitive, market. The company generated revenue of one billion dirhams last year and has aggressive regional expansion plans in the short to medium term,” commented Greg Ward, Managing Director, Transguard Group.
“To realise these objectives, our strategy will need to be even more customer focused and I want to continue to fully optimise the quality of our operation. I am fortunate to have a solid foundation to build upon, an excellent management team and full backing of the board,” added Ward.
Prior to joining Transguard, Ward, was previously CEO of Dubai-Based Plafond Fit Out, a multi-disciplinary fit-out and MEP contractor. Ward doubled Plafond’s revenues in 2014 and went on to double turnover once again in 2015.
Ward started his career with Ford Motor Company in the UK as a mechanical and electrical apprentice. During his 14 years at Ford, he rose quickly through the ranks progressing through various management positions to engineering general manager in 2004.
In January 2006, Ward was appointed as director of operations for the British Airports Authority (BAA) based in London’s Heathrow Airport, where he led the engineering and management teams and over 4,000 staff.
Ward’s responsibilities included maintaining the airport’s passenger terminals, as well as a host of engineering and other outbuildings located on the 1,227-hectare site. Ward was also instrumental to the opening of its Terminal 5 building.
Commenting on Ward’s appointment, Dr Abdulla Al Hashimi, Chief Executive Officer of Transguard said, “Greg brings with him sound business and operational acumen, solid experience and outstanding leadership qualities, precisely the attributes required at this stage in the company’s development. I am looking forward to working closely with Greg and supporting this strategic approach to achieving our growth targets.”