At the Arabian Business Leadership Summit 2023 that took place in Dubai on Wednesday, David Grover, the CEO of ROSHN, shed light on the company’s ambitious vision and its role in transforming Saudi Arabia through large-scale developments.
ROSHN, a gigaproject within the country, aims to create integrated communities that cater to the diverse needs of residents, from housing to education and leisure.
“We have a lot to do at a super fast pace, a pace that the world has never really seen,” Grover said.
Grover highlighted the magnitude of ROSHN’s projects, explaining that they are not limited to individual developments but extend to transforming entire cities.
With 10 major developments simultaneously underway across the kingdom, ROSHN is undertaking a vast range of infrastructure projects, including schools, mosques, retail and commercial spaces, highways, bridges, sewage treatment plants, and power generation facilities.
“We’re responsible for 10 major developments all happening at the same time around the kingdom,” he said.
Grover emphasized the immense scale of the projects and the need to break them down into manageable components. He stressed the importance of aligning the company’s vision with the master plan and infrastructure planning to ensure successful integration with existing communities.
“I’ve mentioned scale a few times, it’s astonishing. I remember my first day when I came out to our first project is in Riyadh. I remember driving around the site with some of our team, we drove for a long time in this 4×4 and I was thinking, wow, this site was amazing. Because I really couldn’t see the edges of it,” he said explaining the sheer size of the project.
“You have to really think wide in order to get your project to work,” he added.
One of the key challenges ROSHN faces is meeting the growing demand for housing and other properties in Saudi Arabia, driven by the young population. Grover noted that approximately 65 percent of the Saudi population is under the age of 35, making it crucial for the company to cater to the changing lifestyle preferences and affordability requirements of this demographic. “We’re trying to satisfy a young and growing population.”
To address this demand, ROSHN aims to provide a diverse portfolio of properties that range from affordable housing to higher-end residences. Grover emphasized the company’s commitment to creating integrated communities where people from different income brackets can live together, fostering a sense of unity and belonging.
“What you don’t want to do is create ghettos, you want to make sure that everyone feels part of the same community,” Grover explained.
ROSHN: Empowering Saudi nationals and fostering youth leadership
Regarding ROSHN’s workforce, Grover highlighted the company’s efforts to build a diverse and talented team. With around 75 percent of staff being Saudi nationals, the company aims to empower women by providing opportunities for their professional growth. While acknowledging that progress has been made, Grover expressed a desire to further increase female representation within the workforce.
Furthermore, Grover stressed the importance of youth within operations. The company has actively recruited talented individuals, averaging around 30 years old, from various countries to create a dynamic and innovative workforce.
Grover noted that ROSHN views its young employees as future leaders and believes in the importance of sharing knowledge and experiences to drive continuous improvement within the industry.
“Leadership is a balance of integrity, humility and passion for what you’re doing,” he said.
As Saudi Arabia undergoes transformative reforms, ROSHN’s integrated approach to community development and its focus on youth reflect the country’s aspirations for a modern and inclusive society. With its ambitious projects and commitment to innovation, Roshn aims to play a significant role in shaping the future of Saudi Arabia.
“For me, leadership is very much driven around engaging your people giving them space to grow as well,” he concluded.
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