Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Middle East Project Experience
Awards And Patents
Timeline
Generic

Irfan Soneji

Riyadh

Summary

Accomplished and results-driven executive with 30 years of expertise in digital transformation, smart infrastructure, and strategic urban development across the Middle East and APAC regions. Proven track record in leading large-scale smart infrastructure initiatives, driving AI-powered urban intelligence, and integrating digital twin and IoT solutions to accelerate smart city innovation and industrial digitalization. Adept at developing and executing high-impact business strategies, governance models, and investment roadmaps, ensuring alignment with Siemens’ vision for future-ready infrastructure and digital ecosystems.

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience

Work History

Digital & Asset Information Director

AMCL
01.2023 - Current
  • Company Overview: A leading global asset management consultancy, specializes in improving asset performance, assessment, training, and support, generating $8.5M in revenue with 200 employees
  • Smart Infrastructure Strategy – Developed and implemented integrated digital management systems (QMS, HSMS, EMS, AMS) aligned with ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 41001, and 55001 for giga-projects in KSA
  • AI-Driven Predictive Maintenance – Deployed machine learning models to optimize asset performance, reducing maintenance costs by 20% and enhancing asset reliability by 30%
  • Strategic Roadmaps & Procurement – Developed technical roadmaps, specifications, and procurement frameworks using Strategic Asset Management Plans (SAMPs), Asset Management Plans (AMPs), and Asset Information Frameworks (AIFs)
  • A leading global asset management consultancy, specializes in improving asset performance, assessment, training, and support, generating $8.5M in revenue with 200 employees
  • (Number of People Managed: 10, Global Complexity: Middle East)

Digital Transformation Director

ARCADIS
01.2021 - 01.2023
  • Company Overview: Established in 1888, offering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy services for natural and built assets
  • Served by 29,000 people in over 70 countries, T/O of $3.65B
  • Digital Revenue Growth – Designed and launched six new digital capabilities, accelerating revenue growth through a scalable cookie-cutter methodology
  • Global Offshoring & Delivery – Established a 150-person offshore digital delivery hub across India, the Philippines, and Romania, optimizing costs and efficiency for high-value consulting engagements
  • Programme Delivery & Risk Management – Led national smart mobility projects (UK Smart Tunnels & Highways Programme), overseeing programme governance, risk identification, and automated performance reporting
  • Established in 1888, offering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy services for natural and built assets
  • Served by 29,000 people in over 70 countries, T/O of $3.65B
  • (Number of People Managed: 200, Global Complexity: Uk, APAC)

Global Head of Digital Services

BURO HAPPOLD
01.2019 - 01.2021
  • Company Overview: Established in 1979, offering traditional engineering consultancy services, serving 5,000 clients in 120 countries, T/O of $215M, employing 1,700
  • Smart Destinations & Infrastructure Strategy – Designed the Al Janadriyah smart destination framework and Al-Ula policy and governance model, advancing KSA’s digital infrastructure
  • Market Expansion & Go-To-Market Strategy – Established a digital transformation roadmap, enhancing IT and asset management integration via business process engineering
  • Urban Digital Health Ecosystem – Developed patient-centric smart healthcare solutions, integrating AI-driven remote monitoring, diagnostics, and global patient portals
  • Established in 1979, offering traditional engineering consultancy services, serving 5,000 clients in 120 countries, T/O of $215M, employing 1,700
  • (Regional Sales Responsibility: $40M, Number of People Managed: 7, Global Complexity: Europe, Middle East)

Head of Digital Consulting APAC

BRITISH TELECOM (Global Services)
01.2016 - 01.2018
  • Company Overview: BTGS was established in 2000 as a provider of managed network IT services, serving about 5,500 corporate clients in 180 countries, T/O of $7.4B, employing 17,000
  • Smart City & AI Solutions – Designed AI-powered urban service models, integrating IoT, AI analytics, and automation across telco, finance, and government sectors
  • National Smart City Advisory – Partnered with Singapore Smart Nation, shaping urban governance models and next-gen smart city ecosystems
  • Data-Driven Urban Analytics – Developed digital twin models and smart city scorecards, embedding AI-powered analytics into policy planning frameworks
  • BTGS was established in 2000 as a provider of managed network IT services, serving about 5,500 corporate clients in 180 countries, T/O of $7.4B, employing 17,000
  • (Regional Sales Responsibility: $165M, Number of People Managed: 23, Global Complexity: EMEA)

Global Managing Consultant

ERICSSON
01.2009 - 01.2014
  • Company Overview: Established in 1876, Ericsson is one of the global leading providers of Information and Communication Technology to service providers
  • T/O of $33B, employing 115,000
  • Led the full-cycle implementation of a major smart city project in Dubai, enhancing urban infrastructure and connectivity
  • Directed sales and delivery in Smart City and Cloud Consulting, team of 30 with a regional sales responsibility of $30M
  • Acted as a keynote speaker at international conferences, promoting Ericsson's vision in analytics, big data, and smart city solutions
  • Established in 1876, Ericsson is one of the global leading providers of Information and Communication Technology to service providers
  • T/O of $33B, employing 115,000

Vice President of Vertical Industry Markets for APAC

ERICSSON
01.2014 - 01.2016
  • Company Overview: Established in 1876, Ericsson is one of the global leading providers of Information and Communication Technology to service providers
  • T/O of $33B, employing 115,000
  • Drove APAC-wide public safety and security sales, overseeing large-scale programs in 4G/LTE, Cloud, NFV, and IoT
  • Developed a 3–5-year digital roadmap for Ericsson in APAC, implementing strategies to foster sales growth and culture
  • Spearheaded the development of an award-winning driverless platooning system for Singapore Ports Authority
  • Established in 1876, Ericsson is one of the global leading providers of Information and Communication Technology to service providers
  • T/O of $33B, employing 115,000

Global Strategy Lead (Partner), Network Technology Strategy Consulting

ACCENTURE
01.2006 - 01.2009
  • Company Overview: Accenture is a multinational consulting, technology services, and outsourcing company
  • Net revenue of $34.9B, employing 425,000 staff in 120 countries
  • Global Network Technologies practice lead, managing 325 consultants across 18 countries
  • Performed as a special adviser within Digital Transformation Merger & Integration project to develop a programme structure around a complex $60M IT applications and infrastructure transformation project to merge the two vastly different working groups
  • Presented fundamental set of solutions concerning wireless broadband, voice, data, video services; directed the project costs, budgets, resource requirement, project valuation, including ROI, IRR, TCO, and implementation roadmaps
  • Accenture is a multinational consulting, technology services, and outsourcing company
  • Net revenue of $34.9B, employing 425,000 staff in 120 countries
  • (Regional Sales Responsibility: $60M, Number of People Managed: 65, Global Complexity: Pan-European)

Chief Technology Officer

OOREDOO TELECOMMUNICATIONS
01.2003 - 01.2006
  • Company Overview: Ooredoo (formerly QTel) is one of the largest public incumbent telecom operators in Qatar, offering mobile, broadband, and fixed-line services
  • Net revenue of $1.1B, employing 2000 staff
  • Supervised the definition/delivery of Ooredoo’s technical and commercial strategy
  • Initiated and implemented a customer-driven sales culture introducing a “right-first-time” approach
  • Launched a mobile department to establish an efficient agile business process framework, leveraging the eTOM model
  • Developed and managed the introduction of a comprehensive Education network (Qatar Foundation – Championed by Her Highness), connecting Qatar to worldwide Education hubs
  • Created and led a service- and sales-orientated organisation, improving NPS
  • Negotiated contracts and rolled-out of Wi-Fi hotspots within Qatar
  • Ooredoo (formerly QTel) is one of the largest public incumbent telecom operators in Qatar, offering mobile, broadband, and fixed-line services
  • Net revenue of $1.1B, employing 2000 staff
  • (Budget: $170M, Number of People Managed: 450, Global Complexity: Middle East, US, Europe)

Education

BEng (Hons) - Communications Systems Engineering

Leeds Metropolitan University

Skills

  • Digital transformation
  • Smart infrastructure
  • Strategic roadmaps
  • Smart city planning
  • Urban technology
  • Business consulting
  • Project execution
  • Capital investment
  • Asset optimization
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Go-to-market strategy
  • Procurement strategy
  • MVP development
  • Performance analytics
  • AI-based modelling
  • Service Launch
  • Vendor Management
  • Programme Controls
  • Global Alliance Mgt
  • Strategic Leadership
  • Negotiation
  • Profit and Loss Translation
  • Situational Leadership
  • TOGAF
  • ITIL
  • Enterprise Architecture
  • Agile
  • XaaS
  • Azure
  • AWS
  • Intelligent Buildings / CAFM
  • IoT platforms
  • Data Management Techniques

Middle East Project Experience

  • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, ENOWA – Digital Twin business case energy sector, Smart Service design at silver beach Phase 1, Design of intelligent building solutions for NEOM bay mansions, ENOWA – Asset Data Readiness, Useful lifes, ERP Remediation, NEOM The Line – Integrated Management System (nominated for a global award), Al Janadriyah – Smart Destination services definition, KAUST – Geospatial data and information maturity assessment, Madinah & Makkah Smart Cities – Smart City vision, smart city index development, DGDA Wadi Safar – Validating Vision, trends, defining user groups, Amaala – Digital blueprint definition, business process orchestration, service and convergence enablement, Royal Commission for Al-Ula – Framework plan, policy, process, change management, people, tools and governance, strategic principles, planning guidelines, Al Raha Theme Park – Digital opportunity analysis for theme park services, RSDC/TRSP – ICT & Smart Destination, CMP & DMP, covering destination services business model, functional blocks, CAPEX, OPEX analysis, Roadmap Development, Data Policy & Standards, Integration of digital into construction masterplan., Shurayrah Island – Environmental strategy development, evaluating sustainable mobility / transportation digital solutions, Al Wedyan - Strategic & commercial framework, city operating platform proposal (architecture, ownership, data flow, use case, stakeholders) technical framework report
  • United Arab Emirates, DSO (Dubai Silicon Oasis) – Digital Construction delivery manager, establishing costs, project timeline, implementation quality assurance via complex delivery partners, MOID UAE (Ministry of Infrastructure Development) – Digital infrastructure recommendations & people movement analytics project
  • Qatar, Lusail Smart City – ICT architecture design, service & partner selection, procurement, negotiation, and post implementation support, Al Daayen – Benchmarking global smart cities, Al Jazeera English Channel – Programme Delivery Manager for Qatar foundations initial science and technology park, design and operationalising a fully redundant STM-1 service via FOG & SEA-ME-WE 3., HMC (Hamid Medical Corp) - Digital construction designs integrated into RIBA stage 2 & 3 process, Qatar Petroleum – Smart Parking Study

Awards And Patents

  • Telecoms Asia Readers’ Choice award 2016, Best Smart City Innovation
  • ATM Multiplexer patent, 1995, Prototype
  • Connect to Learn platform, Developed with UNICEF as a digital inclusion initiative to provide access to basic education to over 180,000 students across 25 countries in Africa.

Timeline

Digital & Asset Information Director

AMCL
01.2023 - Current

Digital Transformation Director

ARCADIS
01.2021 - 01.2023

Global Head of Digital Services

BURO HAPPOLD
01.2019 - 01.2021

Head of Digital Consulting APAC

BRITISH TELECOM (Global Services)
01.2016 - 01.2018

Vice President of Vertical Industry Markets for APAC

ERICSSON
01.2014 - 01.2016

Global Managing Consultant

ERICSSON
01.2009 - 01.2014

Global Strategy Lead (Partner), Network Technology Strategy Consulting

ACCENTURE
01.2006 - 01.2009

Chief Technology Officer

OOREDOO TELECOMMUNICATIONS
01.2003 - 01.2006

BEng (Hons) - Communications Systems Engineering

Leeds Metropolitan University

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Irfan Soneji