Category: The 10 Most Inspiring Business Leaders to Watch in the Middle East in 2023 II_Profile

Master mariner with nearly two decades of experience at sea and over eight years of experience in several marine-related endeavors ashore, Capt. Himanshu Marwaha is the Managing Director of CHM Global LLC, a QFC-registered LLC company. Established in 2019, CHM Global is licensed to carry out business activities by providing services concerning sea cargo vessels, shipping agencies, and Marine Warranty Surveys, including advisory/consulting / survey and loss adjusting. It also extends its services to LNG vessels, tankers, dry cargo vessels, Insurance surveys, pre-shipment surveys, method statements, loading & unloading supervision, condition surveys, and other services.

Born and brought up in a nondescript village in Himachal Pradesh, India, Himanshu never expected to be going to sea or establish himself in Qatar. He shifted from sailing to the shore industry in 2014 and ventured into loss adjusting. Eventually, he continued his journey to establish an independent status and portfolios with a strong presence in On-shore, Off-Shore, Loss Adjusting, Legal Consultancy, Ports & Terminals, Risk Surveys and

Marine Warranty Surveys.

“Entering a completely unknown field when I moved to Qatar over eight years ago, the environment and the new job profile were a bit overwhelming. By god’s grace and the blessings of my elders, I learned my way around Qatar and the Middle East and, along the way, built skills, competencies, and qualifications, which, now looking back, I feel humbled by and proud about at the same time. The determination and grit that the sea builds into any seafarer helped immensely in the journey,“- he remembered.

Helping with Onshore and Offshore Marine Warranty Surveys

Himanshu’s 15 years of experience at sea, especially on Energy Vessels (VLGCs), helped shape the profile of CHM Global. While the organization started small, it is presently involved in all kinds of Onshore and Offshore Marine Warranty Surveys for a wide range of clients in Qatar and the Middle Eastern Region.

Simply put, the organization aims to be the one-stop solution for all marine matters in Qatar and the Middle East. It predominantly deals with; P & I Clubs, H & M Underwriters, Cargo Insurers, Ports & Terminals, Rig moves. MWS, Offshore Installations & Client Rep assignments, Vessel Owners/ Operators, Ports & Terminals, Insurers and Recoveries, Risk Assessment, Project Monitoring, Technical Superintendent, Seabed Surveys, bathymetric surveys, Chartering, Sales and purchase of ships.

“We work with all the major marine, oil, and gas companies based out of Qatar and the Middle East. Specifically, we have had an excellent track record working with Qatar Energy and other related companies in the same field,“- explained Himanshu. “We have always endeavored to provide timely and high-quality service while maintaining consistency and reliability in what we deliver to our clients. We acknowledge that the area of work in which we operate requires professionalism and diligence, and we strive always to build confidence with our stakeholders.”

Tackling Initial Challenges

When Himanshu started his business, it was in an entirely new field, in a completely new country. He had to find out the local customs, regulations, and how the marine industry operated in Qatar. It was quite difficult for him to make inroads into areas he had never dealt with. There were already several established players in the market, and many times, Himanshu was discouraged and dissuaded from pursuing what he felt was the natural course.

His primary inspiration was his father, who pushed him to achieve success beyond his comfort zone. While that may have been the primary inspiration, Himanshu’s innate desire to excel in any field fuelled his determination and passion and allowed him to stay on his course.

“My consistent support and sounding board have been my wife, Anshu, who had to bear the brunt of all my experimentation in setting up the company in Qatar,” – he said.

Gender Diversity is the Key

CHM is engaging with the market leaders and influencers in Qatar to understand how the new generation female workforce look at opportunities. CHM recognizes the immense value that the presence of women in the office brings to the organization. And the empathy and compassion that automatically then becomes part of the company culture. In endeavoring to support gender parity, CHM has gradually increased women’s participation in the office.

“My only word of advice to all concerned would be that while we may wish for a utopian world where everyone is equal, the fact remains that the challenges and the glass ceiling that women entrepreneurs and employees face in the workplace are undeniable. However, the only way to get beyond that is to have a strong spirit, remain determined, and build a reliable support structure that encourages and supports all your endeavors. And nurture a supportive work environment for yourself and other women,“- said Himanshu.

“I’m also gravely concerned about this because I have two young daughters for whom I desire a world of fair opportunities.”

Looking at the Future

In the future, Himanshu aspires to find a good work-life balance, fostering excellent relationships both at work and in his personal life, and simply enjoying every day as it comes and goes. Himanshu recognizes that it is no longer about his personal growth. Instead, the lives of people in CHM and their families are intrinsically linked to him. So, his future goal is to grow the company in keeping with the vision of Commitment to continuously improving service quality to be a leader and reliable provider of turnkey, customized, and high-quality marine services while maintaining profitability.

There is a wave of inspirational business leaders who are making a difference in their industries and beyond. They have not only accomplished their own personal goals thanks to their resilience, creativity, and will, but they have also made it possible for future generations of business leaders to follow in their footsteps.

In this article, we will explore the story of one such remarkable businessman – Khalil Hassan Oudah, CEO of Asqalan. He begun his victorious journey from scratch by joining Asqalan, a specialised building construction company that provides top-quality services together with outstanding communication and peace of mind.

Asqalan is the brainchild of Khalil’s father, who was a visionary and an entrepreneur and laid the foundation of Asqalan in Abu Dhabi. He started with humble beginnings, but his hard work and determination propelled him to success. Growing up, Khalil Hassan saw firsthand the difficulties he encountered while starting the business from scratch. Asqalan still stands tall as evidence of Khalil’s father’s unwavering dedication to excellence. “I am proud to be associated with the legacy that my father left.” This has driven me to follow the field that is important and in a way that looks after our bread and butter—the construction business,”, quoted the man behind the idea.

Khalil obtained a worldwide perspective on engineering while studying electrical engineering in Toronto. Then he enrolled at Queens Business School for a Master’s programme in management and finance. Currently, he is pursuing a doctorate in project management while managing Asqalan Construction. He explained, “Although it takes a lot of my time and effort to juggle, the rewards of personal development and improved knowledge can ultimately benefit both myself and the organization.

The transition from being the son of a business entrepreneur to now becoming a business leader involves ongoing learning, and the development of leadership abilities that determine being an engineer provides a solid foundation for becoming a CEO.

Asqalan Construction at a Glance

Established in 1994, Asqalan Construction is a specialized building construction company that is currently active in all seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates. This construction firm offers a broad range of services and focuses on both residential and commercial projects. The team of skilled experts will complete the project correctly, regardless of its size or scope.

Asqalan’s persistent dedication to client satisfaction sets them apart from other construction firms. To make sure that their particular demands are satisfied, they work closely with the clients. In addition, they provide a comprehensive range of services, including project management, design, and construction.

Asqalan specializes in offering top-notch services that are tailored to each client’s unique requirements. Their excellent customer service includes giving each client the individual attention they deserve. Asqalan’s dedication to quality is one of the things that sets it apart from competitors in the market. The company makes sure that every project is built with top-quality components and is thoroughly inspected for compliance with safety regulations. Another thing that distinguishes Asqalan Construction is its team of highly qualified experts who have years of expertise in the industry, allowing them to remain ahead of trends and keep a competitive advantage with their capacity to tailor plans in accordance with client’s particular needs.

“The dedication we share with our customers to continually improve has helped our firm grow into what it is today. We stand by our objectives of providing for clients as well as the quality level of satisfaction and dependability of our personnel“, quoted Khalil Hassan Oudah.

Growing as an Inspiring Leader: The Key Highlights

Khalil Hassan has had the honor of leading and expanding businesses over the years as a CEO. Several key highlights have fostered his professional growth:

• Firstly, building a skilled team has been instrumental in Khalil’s success. Attracting and maintaining top talent has allowed visionary leaders to trust others with their responsibilities and focus on strategic endeavors.
• Secondly, embracing innovation has been critical to staying ahead of the curve. By constantly exploring new practices and trends, the team has been able to adapt quickly to changes in the industry.
• Thirdly, fostering a culture of transparency and open communication has been paramount. Encouraging feedback from clients and employees at all levels has allowed them to determine areas for improvement and make the required changes.
• Lastly, maintaining a strong work-life balance has helped him stay focused and grounded in all aspects of his life.

Asqalan’s Innovative Initiative to Deal with the Shortage of Skilled Employees

The construction industry is one of the most important sectors of any economy. But it must also deal with difficulties, just like every other industry. The struggle with the   shortage of skilled people is one of the primary problems. In recent years, there has been a shortage of skilled personnel, which has increased costs and slowed down projects. Safety on construction sites is still a major concern because accidents happen often.

Many steps can be taken at various levels and are being used with Asqalan to address these issues. Employing appropriate training programs for all levels of workers entails regularly informing workers about potential workplace dangers. Another strategy is to perform routine site inspections.

Overcoming the COVID Crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone so greatly. Like any other business, Asqalan struggled to keep running due to problems with the supply chain, a labor shortage, and regulations requiring social segregation. Using modern technologies to enable remote team cooperation and communication has proven to be one of the most successful tactics. Also, all workers should have access to the following fundamental safety precautions: face masks, face shields, and safe distances from everyone.

The Future Plans

From a personal and professional perspective, Khalil Hassan has set a number of ambitious goals for himself over the next five years. His primary goal is to use cutting-edge tactics to guide his business towards sustainable success. It will lead them to increase revenue and create more job opportunities for their employees.

On a personal level, he is planning to improve his leadership skills by attending conferences or seminars that focus on effective communication, team building, and decision-making. Additionally, he also plans to put a priority on work-life balance by routinely taking time off to spend time with his family and engage in hobbies that make him happy. Also, he hopes to contribute to society through zakat donations and government programs.

Ultimately, Khalil’s goal as CEO would be to create value for all—customers, employees, and partners—while contributing positively to society!