Villa Renovations7 min read
Why most villa renovations in Dubai go over budget
Sixteen years of running renovations taught me one thing: budgets rarely fail on price. They fail on decisions made before a single wall comes down.
12 August 2026Read→
Project Manager · Dubai, UAE
Building Dubai's
skyline with precision.
More than 16 years managing construction, fit-out, renovation, and structural projects across the UAE and Pakistan — from planning and site coordination to final delivery.
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Years of Experience
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Companies Led
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About
A businessman
who builds.
Shahbaz Akhtar is a Project Management and Business Development professional with more than 16 years of experience across construction, fit-out, renovation, structural modifications, and project coordination in the UAE and Pakistan.
His journey started in Sargodha, Pakistan — a mindset built on hard work and family values. With his father, Akhtar Ali Shaheen, he co-founded Favourite Foods (Pvt) Ltd in Islamabad and Asian Import General Trading LLC in Dubai — an import & export business importing from Pakistan, with Shahbaz running the Pakistan operations while his father led the UAE side. The partnership later grew into Koonshar Technical Services LLC, a construction company in Dubai.
Based in Dubai for much of his career, he has managed projects ranging from residential renovations and luxury villa transformations to major structural modification works — covering the complete project lifecycle: planning, site coordination, demolition, structural works, subcontractor management, finishes, quality control, and project delivery.
His strength lies in managing complex projects while coordinating multiple stakeholders, site teams, contractors, and suppliers to ensure work is delivered according to the required quality, scope, and timeline.
Career Path
Sixteen years,
one direction.
2026
Project Manager
NATS Fitout
Dubai, UAE
Managing fit-out and construction projects — coordinating project execution, site activities, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure projects meet scope, quality, and timeline requirements.
2025
Executive Director of Operations
Oakbridge Developments
Dubai, UAE
Oversaw operational activities and project execution, coordinating teams and ensuring effective delivery across business and construction operations.
2023
Project Manager
Nu Projects
Dubai, UAE
Managed construction and renovation projects from planning and coordination through execution and completion — responsible for site operations, contractors, timelines, and quality standards.
2022
Project Manager
Jabran Ali Group of Companies
Sharjah, UAE
Managed project activities and coordinated contractors, site teams, and stakeholders to ensure successful project execution.
2022
Project Manager
Pace Arabia Contracting
Dubai, UAE
Managed project execution and site coordination, ensuring construction activities were carried out according to project requirements.
2015
Project Manager
Keynes Group UAE
Dubai, UAE
Managed construction and project activities across multiple projects — project coordination, internal communication, contractor management, and site execution.
2013
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Koonshar Technical Services LLC
Dubai, UAE
Co-founded with his father, Akhtar Ali Shaheen. A UAE-based construction company — managing business operations, projects, clients, contractors, and day-to-day operational requirements.
2009
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Asian Import General Trading LLC
Dubai, UAE
Co-founded with his father, Akhtar Ali Shaheen. An import & export trading business importing from Pakistan — Shahbaz ran the Pakistan operations while his father led the UAE side.
2006
Co-Founder & Managing Director
Favourite Foods (Pvt) Ltd
Islamabad, Pakistan
Co-founded with his father, Akhtar Ali Shaheen. Led company operations and managed business activities, overseeing day-to-day operations and organizational responsibilities.
Selected Work
Where he's left
his mark.
Expertise
Construction expertise,
applied on every site.
Project Management
Leading construction, fit-out, renovation, and structural projects across the full lifecycle — from planning and coordination through to final delivery.
Construction Management
Managing site activities, demolition, structural works, and execution to ensure work meets quality, scope, and timeline requirements.
Villa Renovations
Full-scale villa renovations and luxury transformations — planning, demolition, structural modifications, MEP coordination, and finishes.
Luxury Fit-Out
High-end fit-out delivery with premium finishes and close attention to quality throughout the execution process.
Structural Modifications
Coordinating major structural works with contractors, site teams, and technical stakeholders while maintaining quality, safety, and timelines.
Site Coordination
Coordinating site teams, contractors, and suppliers to keep multiple stakeholders aligned on quality, scope, and timeline.
Professional Network
Companies he's
built and led with.
NATS FitoutOakbridge DevelopmentsNu ProjectsJabran Ali GroupPace Arabia ContractingKeynes Group UAEKoonshar Technical Services LLCAsian Import General Trading LLCFavourite Foods
Blog
Notes from
the field.
Contact
Let's discuss
your next
project.
Whether it's a private villa on the Palm or a commercial tower in JVC — same energy: get it done right, get it done on time.