The consortium will manage the design, procurement and construction of the UK pavilion

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A joint venture of Mace and Jacobs has been appointed as the UK Government’s delivery partner for the UK pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.

The JV will manage the design, procurement and construction of the pavilion for the Department for International Trade in the run up to the opening of the Expo.

Expo 2020 Dubai will run for six months from 20 October 2020 and is expected to attract 25 million visitors, with 70% coming from outside the UAE, an unprecedented proportion in the 166 year history of World Expos.

More than 200 participants, including countries, multilateral organisations, corporations and educational institutions are expected to take part.

International trade secretary Liam Fox announced last October that the theme for the UK’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai would be “Global Britain – Innovating for a Shared Future”.

The Mace/Jacobs joint venture is  also delivering design, construction and operations management for the wider Expo 2020 Dubai host site (pictured).

Mace was appointed to Expo 2020 in 2014 and now has more than 80 staff working on the programme from its regional hub office in Dubai. 

Mace provided project management services for the iconic ‘Seed Cathedral’, designed by Thomas Heatherwick as the UK’s pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010.

Last month, the Department for International Trade kicked off a design competition seeking architects for the UK pavilion at the Dubai World Expo 2020.

Tender documents for the project suggested the winning practice would be in line for a £1.7m contract in return for their architectural services. Firms have until 24 April to send in their designs.