NICHOLAS CLAXTON, Project Head

NICHOLAS CLAXTON

Project Head

Havelock AHI

Location
United Arab Emirates - Dubai
Education
Master's degree, Furniture Design & Production Technology
Experience
35 years, 9 Months

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Work Experience

Total years of experience :35 years, 9 Months

Project Head at Havelock AHI
  • Bahrain - Manama
  • My current job since December 2016

One of the largest high-end joinery, shopfitting and fit-out companies in the Region, with
extensive, world class facilities in Bahrain and fit-out divisions throughout the Middle East.
As Project Head, directly managing and successfully delivering the fit-out of 26 premium
apparel and food & beverage outlets in the Alshaya portfolio of high street brands within The
Avenues shopping centre in Bahrain; including the likes of H&M, Victoria’s Secret, Shake Shack,
Dean & DeLuca, Babel, The Cheesecake Factory, PF Chang’s, Pottery Barn and West Elm.
Additionally, managed and delivered the MAF/VOX Cinema in the same complex. This was a 10-
screen cinema with 1 MAX screen and 3 VIP screens and dining experience under the “Theatre
by Rhodes” concept, the first of its kind in Bahrain.
Due to the successful completion of the VOX Cinema in Bahrain, Havelock continued its
relationship with Majid Al Futtaim as the VOX brand expanded into Saudi Arabia. As the Project
Head we delivered two new VOX Cinema’s in Riyadh each with 8 screens. One of these
Cinema’s is the only exclusive VIP Cinema in the Middle East, with 8 screens dedicated to a
luxury dining and viewing experience. Both Cinema’s were opened early in 2019.

Operations Manager at Ishtar Decor LLC
  • United Arab Emirates
  • October 2014 to November 2014

A well established, successful interior fit-out and a high-end joinery manufacturer delivering
turn-key packages within the UAE marketplace. The client base includes Property Developers,
Main Contractors, Government bodies, specialist Retailers, Schools, Hotels and Resorts,
Corporate companies and International Embassies.
Involved in re-structuring the entire operation and re-building the project teams to expand the
company and increase turnover and improve profitability. Established new systems, processes
and working practises to improve project execution and delivery as well as re-focussing the
business to make sure that projects were delivered on time and within budget. Instrumental in
overseeing and administering the pre-contract, contract execution phase and post-contract
activities, from an operational and commercial perspective.

Senior Project Manager at Oger Abu Dhabi LLC
  • United Arab Emirates
  • February 2012 to April 2012

Forming part of the new Abu Dhabi Financial Centre and Stock Exchange on the fashionable Al
Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi, The Galleria is a new premium brand Shopping Mall developed by
the JV partnership, Gulf Related and Mubadala, featuring 96 high-end retail outlets and 25 F&B
and speciality restaurants spread across 33, 000 sq. metres of floor space.
This senior management role facilitated the delivery of all the retail store and F&B fit-out works.

Operations Manager at LLC
  • United Arab Emirates
  • November 2009 to December 2011

The company delivers a commercial turn-key interior fit-out service throughout the Gulf Region.
Completed projects include office furniture fit-out for the new 2, 000 m2 Petronas HQ in DIFC;
bespoke office joinery and furniture fit-out works for Parsons Brinkerhoff, Abu Dhabi; Five high-
end interior fit-out packages at Abu Dhabi Financial Centre, a turn-key fit-out package for three
individual reinforced concrete buildings which form the Troop Accommodation for Australian
Defence Forces at Camp Holland in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, including MEP and commissioning
works plus all the interior joinery, fixtures and finishes to a world class specification.

Project Director at MiceKraftwork LLC
  • United Arab Emirates
  • November 2005 to October 2009
at Hypnos Ltd. Princes Risborough
  • United Arab Emirates
  • March 2004 to October 2005

Responsible for directing the furniture development and manufacturing process from concept
design through to full scale production, including new joinery and furniture component product
sourcing from Vietnam, China and Brazil.

Owner at Minds Eye Design Consultants
  • United Arab Emirates
  • August 1998 to March 2004

An independent consultancy offering a full range of Design, Product Sourcing, Marketing and
Interior fit-out services, specifically aimed at the Contract Interior Design Industry.
Head of Product Development Consultancy

Senior Design Manager at FIRA International Limited
  • United Arab Emirates
  • January 1988 to July 1998

FIRA (Furniture Industry Research Association) is widely acknowledged as one of the worlds
leading furniture technology centres.
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The role embraced all aspects of market research, furniture design, value engineering, material
selection, ergonomics, task analysis, and development for manufacture, fitness for purpose
performance testing, product promotion, marketing, exhibition design, corporate branding and
product merchandising.
The main specialism was the design and development of both bespoke and systems office
furniture and the complete re-design of Front of Bank furniture for numerous High Street Banks,
namely NatWest, Lloyds, TSB, Abbey National. The furniture consultancy extended worldwide,
offering total technical, production and management assistance; rehabilitation and business
upgrade packages to beneficiary companies in the world’s developing economies.

senior executive at Easy Plan Industries Limited. Pickering
  • Canada
  • August 1986 to December 1987

, responsible for the day-to-day running of a large design,
product development, furniture manufacturing and engineering department. Furniture
manufacturing for the North American retailers such as Sears and Wal-Mart Stores.

Product Development Manager at Winchmore Furniture Limited, Mildenhall
  • United Arab Emirates
  • February 1984 to July 1986

A renowned, high end furniture manufacturer specialising in custom fitted, solid wood kitchens
and bedroom furniture and furnishings.

Education

Master's degree, Furniture Design & Production Technology
  • at Buckinghamshire College of Further
  • January 1983

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Bachelor's degree, Furniture Design
  • at Leeds Polytechnic
  • January 1982

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Specialties & Skills

Interior Design
Production Management
Business Management
Operations Management
Project Management
DEVELOPMENT
MICROSOFT OFFICE
INDUSTRY ANALYSIS
INTERIOR DESIGN
LA GESTIóN DE LA MARCA
MARKET RESEARCH
MARKETING
MERCHANDISING
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
TASK ANALYSIS