aspexx.build: The first chapter
Six months ago, I left the US construction recruitment market to build aspexx.build from the ground up in the Middle East. Armed with ambition and a face-to-face philosophy, I set out to carve a niche in the region’s burgeoning Data Centre sector. This is the story of those first six months: the vision, the challenges, and the wins.
What made me join aspexx
After recruiting across the US across the data centre and construction market for a couple of years, the opportunity to head up aspexx’s construction division in the Middle Eastern market where I live — with its consistently booming sectors — was exciting from several standpoints.
The main draw? The aligned vision and ambition for aspexx.build and the amount of learning that was going to come with it.
Jack and Pete’s philosophy of running a very personable business – meeting as many people face-to-face as possible resonated deeply with me. Being given the opportunity to be more than just a person behind a screen, but someone actually connecting with clients and candidates in person, isn’t something this industry often allows.
The Early Challenges Faced
Starting out in the midst of summer, when everyone escapes the heat, probably wasn’t optimal timing. However I was able to have some great face to face candidate meetings and gain some valuable insights into the market have since led to some strong partnerships.
Then came the challenge of niching into the Data Centre market. We were almost too early. Key leaders kept telling me to wait until 2026, when the Data Centre market was expected to really take off. But I was always told, if you’re not early, you’re late. Which paid off, with strategic plans put in place early with clients to facilitate quick growth in the new year
My strategy was to bring fresh talent from outside the market into the Middle East, my first real lesson in educating myself further into how to educate candidates on the region.
What I’ve seen over the last 6 months
With the prior knowledge that 2026 will be a boom year, I’ve watched companies wait for tenders to drop on major projects in and outside of the Data Centre market. KSA is favoured to be a major DC hub, with priorities shifting and the 2026 vision driving momentum. This shift has sparked global interest from main contractors, consultancies and developers all looking to break into the region, with talent following suit.
What I’ve learned from a business perspective
To really succeed, you need to be excellent at what you do: stay obsessed with your markets and keep pace with developments. But the real difference? being personable and willing to meet people in person.
I’m excited to see what 2026 has to offer, how the market will continue to grow and where we can advise clients on the ever changing need for talent in the Middle East.
Wins
The first 6 months have been successful by my measure. Growing my network has been a key highlight, people I initially targeted as clients are now friends I’d call for a catch-up. From a business standpoint, we’ve onboarded exciting clients with ambitious plans for 2026 across data centre, architecture, infrastructure and real estate sectors. We’ve also taken on challenging, hard-to-fill roles where we thrive: MEP BIM Manager, Data Centre Project Director and a Global COO roles.
My vision for aspexx.build
First starting aspexx.build, my vision was to become a known figure in the construction market and really niche out into the regions Data Centre space. I made it a mission to meet every key leader in the space and not just seen as a recruiter, but as someone embedded in their industry. So when it came to events, I already had a strong network to enjoy events with, connecting on a personal level just as much as a business one
