Meet Makram Al Musharrafieh: Middle East advisory director at Mott MacDonald

Our collaborative culture helps us to combine technical excellence and strategic advice, adding value for clients at every stage, from ideation and delivery to operations and maintenance. We caught up with advisory director Makram Al Musharrafieh to talk about his role within our Middle East business and his career journey to date. 

Creating a vision in the Middle East

As the Middle East advisory director, I am responsible for crafting and executing the Advisory Services Strategy, establishing Mott MacDonald as a recognised provider of advisory services in the region.

My proudest achievement

Early in my professional life, I made a career shift that led me into consulting. Looking back, it was a critical decision with lifetime implications, like a crossroad. I took a step back in terms of career level and accepted a significant pay cut, but it proved to be the right decision in the long run. Sometimes a step back serves as a springboard in the right direction. I am proud to have committed to making that change at the right time.

Why Mott MacDonald?

I joined Mott MacDonald in August 2022 as the advisory services leader for the Middle East Unit. With a background in management consulting and advisory services, I was drawn to Mott MacDonald by the positive market feedback and the encouraging insights from current and former staff about the company’s culture and work environment. As it turned out, everything I heard was true!

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Take your time when making big decisions and always seek advice from more experienced people around you. Decisions such as which university to attend, what to major in, which companies to target for your first job and when to make a job change or career move are all crucial and will shape your future. Don’t be shy to ask for help in making these decisions. Also, take care of your health and get into physical fitness early on. This is something I’m currently focusing on but regret not starting many years ago.

Describe what the Mott Mac Life means to you in three words

Collaboration, focus, healthy Culture

How are you empowered to be your best?

I believe that trust and a healthy working culture create an environment of empowerment and support at Mott MacDonald. Our collaborative approach fosters open debate and diverse perspectives, ensuring the best path forward in achieving our goals. We frequently challenge each other, yet we have confidence in each other’s abilities and competencies in leading our respective markets and practices.

By leveraging the diverse expertise and perspectives of colleagues from different regions and disciplines, we can achieve our goals more effectively and innovate in ways that benefit the entire organisation.

Opportunities for excellence every day

In the dynamic field of advisory, no two days are the same. I engage with clients from diverse markets, delivering a wide array of projects across multiple practices. I spend considerable time mentoring team members to ensure they reach their full potential. Also, essential business management activities play a critical role in ensuring effective governance and progress towards business objectives.

Building a network of talents

I emphasise the importance of collaboration across teams, divisions, units and regions. We consistently seek talented individuals who are best suited to deliver quality work. When we have gaps in our capabilities, we engage with colleagues from the wider Mott MacDonald network to connect with the right talent. This approach builds knowledge and networks for future collaboration.

What advice would you give to someone looking to start their career with us?

Don’t hesitate! Mott MacDonald is an excellent place to work. I appreciate the healthy culture and the commitment to the wellbeing of every staff member. The collaborative spirit across all countries and teams ensures that everyone is pushing in the same direction.