The Dubai-listed contractor Drake and Scull International (DSI) has announced the appointment of Wael Allan as chief operating officer as part of a shake-up of its senior management.

Kailash Sadangi has also been named the group’s chief financial officer, the contracting giant said in a statement to the Dubai Financial Market. Both men will assume their roles with immediate effect, and will report directly to Khaldoun Tabari, CEO and vice-chairman of DSI.

“The appointments reflect DSI’s strategic initiatives and operational focus in light of the challenging market conditions across the region,” DSI said in a statement.

“The new management structure is expected to enhance DSI’s efforts to continue its fiscal consolidation, operating discipline and costs rationalisation drive while pursuing high margin, low risk growth in key markets across MENA.”

Wael Allan is an industry veteran with more than 26 years of global management experience in EPC and construction across Europe, the USA, Far East Asia and the Middle East.

Prior to his appointment at DSI, he served as CEO for Arcadis Middle East. He has also served in senior management roles for firms like Skanska USA Buildings, Washington Group International and Raytheon Engineers and Contractors.

Kailash Sadangi has more than 25 years of experience spanning construction, infrastructure, manufacturing and heavy engineering across the Middle East, Africa and Australia. He has previously been the CFO of Al-Khodari Sons Company, and has had leadership roles in Demag Cranes (now Terax Corporation) and Emerson Electric.