“I have two primary roles,” explains Bird. “I have an operational role to run the multi-disciplinary design property team here in Bahrain, and a Middle East regional role to lead URS/Scott Wilson’s activities in the building design sector.

Bird says the 2022 FIFA Soccer World Cup “was only part of my interest in relocating to the region. Back in the UK, we collaborated with Foster + Partners on its successful design competition entry for the Lusail Stadium which, with its 90,000 seats, will host the opening game and the final. We certainly want to play a significant part in helping Qatar host the competition.”