Drake & Scull International (DSI), the UAE’s largest publicly listed construction company, has appointed a new general counsel, signalling a move towards legal resilience and operational renewal.
Ahmed El-Bayouk has assumed the position of general counsel and head of legal at the company as it looks to rebuild following its successful restructuring.
He has joined from the Dubai office of Dentons, the world’s largest law firm, where he was a senior associate.
He brings experience in construction, development, and infrastructure projects in both contentious and non-contentious capacities. His experience spans a range of sectors including energy, transport, and infrastructure.
El-Bayouk is part of a revamped legal team who will play a major role in supporting new CEO Muin Al Saleh in his mission to revitalise operations and drive new growth.
DSI faced substantial financial difficulties in recent years, leading to significant operational challenges and major restructuring efforts. Its AED 4 billion debt restructuring, led by A&O Shearman with support from Hadef & Partners, was the first major restructuring under the UAE’s new bankruptcy law, which came into effect on May 1, 2024.
“I look forward to contributing toward stability and growth by ensuring that the company is run in line with international best practices across all legal and regulatory affairs,” said El-Bayouk. “With Drake & Scull emerging from its restructuring, and the announcement of projects worth over a billion dirhams, we are at a very exciting point for the company.”
“The new CEO, Muin El Saleh, has extremely ambitious plans for Drake & Scull’s growth both domestically and internationally,” continued El-Bayouk. “I look forward to deploying my experience to guide the legal team in playing a central role in these plans, ensuring that risks are carefully managed and that maximum value is returned to shareholders.”
El-Bayouk began his legal career with Burges Salmon in Bristol, UK. He moved to the UAE as a qualified associate, joining Dentons’ Dubai office in October 2018. He worked there for nearly seven years.
