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Turner & Townsend has appointed Alan Coary as the new data centre lead for the Middle East region, the company said in a press release. Coary will operate from Riyadh and brings 17 years of experience delivering hyperscale data centres together with mission-critical infrastructure projects across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The professional services firm, which is majority-owned by CBRE Group, said the move advances its digital infrastructure capabilities with a focus on innovation, operational efficiency and sustainable practices. Turner & Townsend serves clients in real estate, infrastructure and natural resources.
According to the company’s announcement, Coary joins from Linesight in Ireland where he served as EMEA regional account manager for a hyperscale data centre client after holding commercial management roles in Dubai and Australia. Alan Talabani, regional managing director for the Middle East, stated in the release that at this crucial time for the Middle East the demand for robust, scalable and sustainable data centre solutions is greater than ever. Talabani added that Coary’s leadership will strengthen the firm’s competitive edge, expand market share and position it as a leader in mission-critical infrastructure through operational excellence and sustainable practices.
Turner & Townsend’s corporate information places the data centre market in the Middle East, particularly across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, in a phase of rapid growth driven by demand for digital services, cloud computing, the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence. The Kingdom maintains more than 4,700 active construction projects worth approximately $285 billion, according to the company’s website. Turner & Townsend manages a portfolio valued at up to $20 billion in the Kingdom, supporting giga-projects including those led by NEOM, the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, Red Sea Development Company, King Salman Park Foundation, Saudi Electricity Authority, Misk Foundation and ROSHN.
A 2025 profile of the firm’s Middle East managing director noted that Turner & Townsend has expanded to more than 1,100 professionals across six strategic hubs, including a presence in NEOM, while achieving 88 per cent growth in Saudi Arabia through attraction of top-tier talent. The company is recognised as one of the region’s leading project management consultancy providers for complex and high-profile programmes. It continues to embed AI-powered cost management tools and predictive analytics to support smarter decision-making and greater client value.
Turner & Townsend maintains offices in Riyadh and Al Khobar to deliver services throughout the Kingdom, its website stated. The firm has forged strong partnerships with major Saudi entities and combines local insight with global reach to achieve successful project outcomes. Its work aligns with the scale of Saudi Arabia’s development trajectory under Vision 2030.
The company has separately strengthened its energy and natural resources leadership in the Middle East with the appointment of Dr Tarek Hamade to drive growth in renewables, conventional energy, water and mining, according to a July 2024 statement. Such moves reflect ongoing efforts to support the clean energy transition and infrastructure expansion across the Gulf. Turner & Townsend operates from its Saudi locations to contribute to the delivery of the country’s ambitious programmes.
