Tom Berry will replace Riad Kamal in top spot at UAE construction firm

Irishman Tom Berry has been appointed chief executive of Arabtec Construction.

A 34 year veteran at the firm, Berry was formerly general manager of the construction arm and replaces Riad Kamal who remains chairman and chief executive of Arabtec Holding.

Dubai-based Arabtec Holding is the UAE's only publicly listed construction company and was founded back in 1975.

The firm has been helping to build the tallest tower in the world - the 818 m high Burj Dubai - but has suffered in recent months with a number of jobs being cancelled in Dubai because of funding problems.

And its contract to build the Meydan horse racing course was cancelled last month amid allegations that Arabtec and its joint venture partner on the job, Malaysian firm WCT Engineering, were behind schedule.