DUBAI, September 18 — KBR has named James Duncan to lead its Infrastructure practice across the Global South, putting a 30-year industry veteran in charge of the company’s rail, aviation, urban development and built-environment work from a base in Dubai. The appointment was reported by Consultancy-me.com. Duncan joins KBR from Hill International, where he served as First Vice President.
His résumé includes a stretch as Chief Project Officer at Al Farwaniya Property Developments, where he led delivery of Reem Mall in Abu Dhabi, and a prior role as Chief Development Officer at Emaar.
What the job covers
Duncan’s remit spans Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, South Asia, and parts of East Asia and Oceania. From Dubai, he will initially concentrate on growing the business across the Middle East and North Africa. KBR, headquartered in the United States, sells science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and private-sector clients.
The portfolio runs from business advisory services to technology consulting in artificial intelligence, cyber and digital twins, software engineering, and mission-critical work for the defence and aerospace industry. On the infrastructure side, Duncan will lead the firm’s full slate of services to clients in rail, aviation, urban development and the built environment.
KBR is targeting a larger role in major transport and urban development programmes as governments invest in infrastructure to support economic growth and diversification.
Where the growth is
Duncan’s own read on the opportunity is blunt. “The scale of infrastructure development in this region is enormous,” he said. “Governments and developers are planning major rail links, aviation projects and new urban communities.” His first task is internal.
“My immediate priority is to build the regional team and apply KBR’s capability more widely across rail, aviation and major urban development,” Duncan said. “We will start in the MENA before expanding further across the Global South.” KBR is not starting from zero in the region.
Duncan pointed to an infrastructure legacy that includes Yas Island and the Doha Expressway, plus what he described as strong programme and project delivery capability in mega projects. “Governments and developers need experienced delivery partners who can turn ambitions into effective infrastructure,” he said. “KBR is well placed to do that.” The company’s pitch is end-to-end: working alongside clients from early planning through procurement and construction.
What to watch
Investors will note that the infrastructure push is a services play, not a construction bet — KBR is selling advisory, technology and delivery management into programmes funded by governments and developers. The MENA build-out is the first test of whether Duncan can convert that legacy into new contracts. Watch for regional hiring and the first named project wins out of Dubai.
