Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC continue to reshape the global construction industry. From giga projects to major infrastructure investment, the scale is hard to ignore. Yet the projects themselves are only part of the story. Building a successful business in the region takes years of trust, strong relationships, and an understanding of how the market really works.
Marcus Siddons has spent decades helping deliver projects across the Gulf through Baker Wilkins & Smith, a company that has operated in the region for almost 60 years. Joining us on the UK Construction Podcast, he shares why British expertise continues to be valued, what many businesses misunderstand before expanding overseas, and why consistency often matters more than being the cheapest or the biggest.
The discussion moves beyond the headlines to cover commercial risk, procurement, cash flow, regional conflict, and the realities of working across Saudi Arabia and the GCC. Marcus also reflects on what the UK can learn from the pace of development in the region, while explaining why not every lesson should be copied back home.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to work in one of the world’s fastest-moving construction markets, or whether your business could succeed there, this conversation offers an honest perspective from someone who has seen the industry evolve first-hand.
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For the audio transcript, please visit this page.