our team
Experience that
inspires confidence.
Collectively, the partners of CLS Advisory have led, managed and advised major infrastructure projects across multiple countries, sectors and procurement models.
Charles Shaw brings 45 years in the civil engineering industry, provides international experience delivering major transport, utilities, energy and government infrastructure programmes across the United Kingdom, Middle East and Africa. Throughout his career he has held senior executive roles spanning construction management, commercial leadership, programme delivery and organisational strategy.
He has led the successful delivery of complex infrastructure programmes valued at up to the equivalent of £1 billion, including highways, bridges, ports, utilities, water treatment, industrial developments and major government projects. His experience includes executive responsibility for large multidisciplinary teams, commercial negotiations, governance, procurement and programme recovery across multiple international markets.
Charles combines practical construction expertise with executive-level commercial judgement, helping organisations make informed decisions that balance technical excellence, commercial reality and long-term value. Increasingly, his work has focused on sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy, climate resilience and international development through the Ronella Group's initiatives across Africa.
01
Infrastructure strategy
02
Major project leadership
03
Government and investor advisory
Peter Lalor is a finance, commercial and transformation executive with more than 20 years of international experience across major construction, infrastructure and development organisations. His career has spanned executive finance, governance, procurement and organisational transformation throughout the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the Middle Ease, East Africa, and Australia.
He has held senior leadership positions including Chief Financial Officer and Chief Transformation Officer, leading governance, financial management, mergers and acquisitions, debt restructuring and strategic business transformation. His experience includes major infrastructure programmes such as Dubai International Airport, large-scale motorway developments in Dubai and Qatar, major residential developments and industrial infrastructure projects across the Middle East.
Known for his commercial judgement, attention to detail and practical approach, Peter helps organisations make informed decisions through robust financial governance, accurate data and disciplined commercial management. He combines deep financial expertise with extensive infrastructure experience to support complex investment, procurement and organisational decisions.
01
Commercial strategy
02
Procurement and transactions
03
Business case development
Juan Manuel Cadenas is a civil engineer, infrastructure executive and strategic adviser with more than 35 years of international experience leading major infrastructure, construction and industrial development programmes across Europe and the Middle East. His career has included senior executive, board and advisory roles spanning corporate strategy, governance, organisational transformation and the delivery of complex capital projects.
He has served as Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director and Board Adviser for leading international organisations, overseeing major infrastructure programmes, business transformation and executive governance. His experience includes executive leadership of the Riyadh Metro Programme, senior corporate roles with FCC Construcción, Petroserv, Gaptek, Unicorp and Ollearis, together with advisory work supporting governments, investors and private sector organisations on strategy, governance and project recovery.
Juan is recognised for bringing clarity to complex decisions by combining technical expertise, commercial judgement and executive governance. He helps organisations challenge assumptions, balance risk with long-term value and translate complex technical and commercial issues into practical, deliverable strategies.
01
Project assurance
02
Governance and risk
03
Executive reporting
John Shaw is a co-founder of CLS Advisory, bringing an entrepreneurial and commercially focused perspective shaped by experience across the UK, Australia and the Middle East.
His career has spanned construction, property, hospitality and digital enterprise, with a particular focus on business development, commercial strategy and turning new ideas into viable ventures. During his time in Qatar, John was involved in the Middle East expansion of Senseta, a Silicon Valley-headquartered technology company specialising in artificial intelligence, big data, cybersecurity and advanced data analytics.
John also brings a strong understanding of the human factors that influence organisations and decision-making. His background in counselling and crisis intervention complements his commercial experience, providing a practical perspective on leadership, communication and stakeholder relationships.
At CLS Advisory, John contributes to the firm's strategic direction, commercial development and growth, complementing the deep infrastructure, financial and governance expertise of his fellow founders with an entrepreneurial focus on opportunity, execution and building sustainable businesses.
01
Commercial Strategy
02
Business Development
03
Entrepreneurship & Growth
Rabih is a civil engineer and contracts professional with more than 24 years of experience delivering major infrastructure and transportation projects across the Middle East. His experience spans contract and commercial management, project delivery, claims and variations, procurement, risk management and stakeholder coordination across complex, multidisciplinary programmes.
He has held senior project and contracts roles on major infrastructure programmes in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. His project experience encompasses metro systems, tunnels, cable-stayed and viaduct bridges, highways and major utility infrastructure.
Rabih brings particular strength in contract strategy and administration, commercial negotiation, claims and change management, risk allocation and the management of complex contractor, client and stakeholder interfaces. He combines detailed technical understanding with extensive practical experience of delivering major projects in challenging contractual and operational environments.
01
Contracts & commercial management
02
Major project delivery
03
Claims, change & risk
Christopher brings more than two decades of professional experience across energy, operations and technology, combined with a developing specialism in electrical and electronic engineering, smart energy systems and connected infrastructure.
His industry experience spans energy supply, smart metering and IoT operations, including roles with Ecotricity, Utility Warehouse, Scottish Power and British Gas. He has worked across smart-metering infrastructure, operational fault resolution, industry compliance and complex technical support, alongside earlier operational roles in financial services and UK Government programmes.
Christopher is currently completing an Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree at the University of Lincoln, progressing toward an MEng. His technical work encompasses embedded systems, sensor networks, control systems, IoT and edge AI, with recent projects including intelligent monitoring systems and advanced thermal-management concepts for energy infrastructure.
He is a recipient of the IET Future Talent Award, sponsored by Costain, and is a member of the IET, IEEE and CIBSE.
01
Energy & smart infrastructure
02
Engineering & connected systems
03
Technology & IoT
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CLS Advisory Independent infrastructure advisory · Dubai, United Arab Emirates · Confidential enquiries