IBS Group Restructures

Photo caption L-R, Stany D’Souza, Lorenzo Gempies, Samir Chikhodrawala, Nigel Smith, Terry Murtha and Scott DavisThe IBS Group in Dubai announces a major restructure, a move that sees a lively and energetic new management team in place to run the operation day-to-day, they are all experienced and respected HODs from within the company.

The team comprises operations manager Lorenzo Gempies, HSE manager Samir Chikhodrawala and CFO Stany D’Souza. They will work in conjunction with four core directors who originate from the UK.

This set up and the fusion of European management truly embraces and the spirit and international flavour of Dubai, one of the most dynamic marketplaces at the heart of the Middle East region.

Since 1996, IBS has gained a solid reputation as a leading enterprise for building ambitious bespoke stage and event sets, providing detailed and elaborate décor as well as specialist draping and soft goods.

Lorenzo, Samir and Stany will oversee the busy facility and 80 full time staff based at IBS’s large purpose built premises in Dubai Investment Park 2, purchased and constructed in 2013.

Director Scott Davis explained, “Directors Alan Scoley, Terry Murtha, Nigel Smith and I decided that a non-hierarchical management team was the way forward rather than appointing a general manger from outside. When we considered the talent, experience and commitment we have on-board … it was a straightforward decision”.

Each of the three new management team are long term IBS employees and are already invested in the company’s values, vision, operation and future enterprise, each has an in-depth knowledge and a unique understanding of how this very specific business runs.

The move has already brought a new dynamism to the workplace. Everyone involved has more responsibility and freedom to shape their roles within the company both individually and collectively, and to engage in smart approaches that will improve all aspects of work and communication.

“The realignment has optimised IBS and put it in a better position to attain its long term ambitions,” commented Stany, adding that having a system in place with more clearly

defined roles, functions, authority and appreciation of the scope of the work, means people working together can accomplish the more challenging “organisational goals”.

The move brings a big smile to Samir’s face, “We are the same people at IBS who take intense pride in our work have a serious passion for continual improvement”.

Lorenzo is “happy to see how motivated the whole team has become immediately after the changes were implemented. Everybody is excited about their contributions,” he enthuses.

This more inclusive approach will stimulate innovation throughout all departments – which include carpentry, painting, aluminium and steel fabrication, electrical, dry hire and equipment rental, graphics, design and technical drawing … plus the essential office and warehouse supporting infrastructures.

“All opinions are considered if they will make sense and be applicable in a company-wide context,” explained Scott, and the idea is that departments working more harmoniously together in this way create a synergy that is valued and encouraged.

“The immediate results have been fantastic and the feedback from our regular customers underlines my confidence that 2018 will be a very successful year,” he confirms.

Over the last 22 years IBS has become a benchmark for quality work and maintaining the highest standards in the UAE live event Industry.

With the changes, the company is an even stronger collective of professionals and creative and technical practitioners who are moving forward and working together both internally and with a diverse client base … for the benefit of creating and producing superlative live events.

Known for its imagination and flair, IBS is also fully committed to the health, safety and welfare of its workforce. A set / scenic provider in the Middle East to be certified OHSAS 18001 is very rare, if not unique, and being registered in Abu Dhabi is also another benefit allowing IBS the freedom to operate legally in both of the UAE’s main events market hubs.