People

Darragh is the go-to contact for key decision makers in government. He supports clients to design solutions to meet day-to-day implementation challenges and deliver projects with impact.

Darragh is based in our Abu Dhabi office.

Lynda works with clients and experts to scope plans that are clear and feasible. She also coordinates the knowledge centre and monitors international practice across innovative economies.

Lynda is based in our Dublin office.

Formerly an Executive Director with ASPIRE in Abu Dhabi, Tom has advised Government agencies and Ministries across the UAE and Saudi Arabia on innovation.

He has held previous roles as Chairman of the Irish Advisory Council on Science, Technology & Innovation and CEO of the Irish Management Institute.​

Tom works with leadership teams on strategic planning for sustainable futures based on good practice.

Tom is based in our Abu Dhabi office.

Seán works with senior leadership teams across Government to identify and prioritise national initiatives which will drive change and deliver growth.

He leads the Saviday representation for IDA Ireland in the Middle East.

Seán is based in our Abu Dhabi office.

Ahmed works with Government Ministries and implementation agencies to deliver strategic national initiatives. He leads engagement with clients across the GCC.

Alan works with clients on cross-government stakeholder engagement and global outreach initiatives. This includes strategic partnerships, international networks and points of contact in key markets.

Julian is an experienced Project Director with a 25 year track record in SME and export competitiveness enhancement, policy and initiative implementation.

Deirdre is a seasoned project manager with over nine years experience in project management and advisory support. Her international work has taken her to countries such as Botswana, the United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan, where she has successfully led initiatives in investor outreach, investment-driven regional development and special economic zones.

Cassandra has worked in advisory and project management roles on public sector projects in the Middle East for over 7 years. She takes a lead role in engagements with Saviday clients across the Middle East.

John has over 10 years’ experience delivering impactful economic development initiatives across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. He has extensive expertise engaging with companies and Government entities to attract foreign direct investment, develop SME capability, drive increased exports and develop economic zones. John is based in our Abu Dhabi office.

Ian has a 30+ year track record in working with Government senior executives in the Real Estate sector to underpin Government policy agendas, including 3 years establishing the Bahrain Real Estate Regulatory Authority.

Hilary is a seasoned executive with 25+ years’ experience in delivering strategic transformation programs at the highest levels of government. She was formerly Chief Executive of the National Shared Services Office of the Government of Ireland.

Paul has extensive experience in investment across the US, Europe, the Middle East and Asia through a long career with US Fortune 100 multinational. He currently leads a team working in Uzbekistan to attract investment for strategic sectors and initiatives, particularly in the regions.

Jamshid is an experienced project evaluations and risk assessment expert with an in-depth knowledge of the investment eco-system in Uzbekistan and Central Asia. He currently works with stakeholders to develop strategic investment attraction plans and supports investors assessing investment opportunities

Jakhongir is an experienced investor engagement executive. He was previously Senior Investment Specialist at the Investment Department of Bukhara region under the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade. He leads on stakeholder engagement and supporting investors assessing investment opportunities.

Maryam is an accomplished client relationship manager and executive officer with excellent logistics, operations and administration skills. Over her career she has worked in the UAE, the UK and Uzbekistan in project and event management roles. She currently leads the co-ordination and logistics of inward investor visits to Uzbekistan.

Juergen is a highly experienced Project Director and an expert in Government initiatives to support private sector development. Over a 36 year career, he has led strategically important initiatives for governments across the globe.

Abdull has 20 years’ experience in entrepreneurship, business development and technology transformation. He has built up deep knowledge of government programs for large and small companies across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Martina is an internationally recognised authority on biotechnology. Over a stellar career spanning three decades, she has contributed to the establishment of multiple high impact research funding programs as well as the design of governance and institutional structures. Most recently, as founding Executive Director of the Science Office at ASPIRE in Abu Dhabi, Martina shaped the Emirates R&D strategy, oversaw research funding for Abu Dhabi’s higher-education sector, developed collaborations with leading research institutions and helped to identify and design solutions for major research challenges.

Martina leads Saviday projects in research, development and innovation.

Thomas provides multi-disciplinary analytical, research and international practice support to Saviday project teams and clients globally.