James MacShane

As part of the team delivering Expo 2020, James has been a pivotal member of our Dubai based team since he joined Mace in 2007. From shopping malls to hotels to office buildings, James has followed the sunshine and the sand: working on some of our most iconic and memorable projects in the Middle East and the Caribbean.

How did you get in to what you do?

After leaving school I went to university to study architecture but transitioned after one year to project management. From there I worked for a consultancy firm until an opportunity came up at a construction company to get some contracting experience. A few years, and another firm later, the opportunity to go international with Mace arose in 2007. I'd heard a bit about Mace and noted that they kept appearing in the 'top employers to work for' lists in the UK. Coupled with the fact that I'd heard good things from people who worked for Mace in London, I was definitely interested in trying to get the job in Dubai.

What do you enjoy most about your current role at Mace?

The day-to-day work is great and the size and scope of projects we're working on is fantastic. At Mace I organically grew into the role I have now, and I see that kind of thing all the time. It's a very flexible company.

The main thing is the culture of the people I work with now in Dubai. You can rely on people and we watch each other's backs. That's a culture that I haven't had the pleasure of being part of before.

What has been your favourite project at Mace?

I've been involved with some amazing projects and get a real sense of achievement from being part of their delivery. I joined Mace to work on the Dubai World Trade Centre district, and even though the recession hit and the plans changed, it was a great project to be involved in.

I was also lucky enough to work on a hotel project in the Bahamas. It was one of the best projects I've ever been involved in, it was the kind of job that makes you get out of bed in the morning smiling.

What advice would you give to someone looking to get in to what you do?

I'd say that you've got to keep believing that what you're doing is making a difference. You have to believe in what you do and always try to go that little bit further. Establishing yourself as an expert in your field is crucial. And, my final tip would be: simplify, simplify, simplify - but don't lose sight of the message you're looking to convey. 

What are you passionate about outside of work?

I like playing football and participating in obstacle-based events like Spartan challenges. I'm also into cooking and photography, and I especially enjoy posting photos of the dishes I've created.