In an industry known for skylines and scale, Ambika Nair focuses on the foundation most companies overlook: their people. As Director of HR and Business Support at 9E Global, she has spent nearly 19 years shaping the human framework behind complex engineering projects. For her, construction is not just about delivering structures; it is about shaping cities, economies, and communities through the strength of the teams who build them.
What has kept her in the sector is a clear sense of purpose. While engineers design physical infrastructure, she builds the human infrastructure that determines whether projects succeed. She believes people strategy does not follow financial performance; it drives it.
One of her defining achievements has been transforming HR from a traditional support function into a strategic business partner. By ensuring workforce planning sits alongside conversations about revenue, margins, and EBITDA, she has reinforced the direct link between talent and performance. Attrition in critical roles affects revenue. Leadership capability influences execution. Workforce alignment impacts cost efficiency. Integrating these insights into financial forecasting has helped create a more resilient, scalable organisation where hiring, retention, and cost management actively support growth.
Ambika believes leadership in construction demands resilience and discipline, balanced with empathy and credibility. Transparent communication builds trust, and trust fuels performance in high-pressure environments.
At 9E Global, this approach has shaped a strong employee value proposition and contributed to a workforce where 28% are women, several in leadership and emerging leadership roles.
In a sector still largely male-dominated, she has progressed by pairing confidence with preparation and measurable results. She mentors emerging professionals and advocates for flexible policies that recognise family responsibilities without compromising performance.
For Ambika, sustainable industry progress starts with empowered people, because when care and accountability work together, organisations and communities both thrive.
Construction Week Middle East: https://www.constructionweekonline.com/power-lists/women-construction-2026-list#AmbikaNair
