Kez Taylor: The Visionary Leader behind ALEC’s $1 Billion Success Story

Kez Taylor is the CEO of ALEC. He has proved to be a pioneer as the company progresses towards innovation, sustainability, and excellence. With over 35 years of experience in managing mega-projects and steering large construction businesses across the Middle East and Africa, Kez Taylor left an indelible mark on the region’s construction landscape. His inspiring journey from his humble beginnings in South Africa to leading a billion-dollar enterprise in the UAE shows a commitment to determination, foresight, and passion toward a better future.

Taylor’s career started in 1985 when he won a bursary with Grinaker Construction. This was the start of his journey to a degree in Construction Management at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, which he completed with honours in 1988. During his time at Grinaker, Taylor worked on various projects in South Africa, Mauritius, Zambia, and Namibia, developing his skills in managing complex projects and building businesses in emerging markets.

In 2001, Taylor made a life-changing decision to join ALEC to set up a construction company in partnership with the Al Jaber Group in the UAE. Under Taylor’s leadership, ALEC grew from a small outfit to a billion-dollar powerhouse, delivering high-profile projects in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Oman, over the next decade. Today, ALEC employs over 13,000 people and is recognized as a leader in innovation, sustainability, and quality in the construction industry.

Taylor’s management philosophy is based on his inspiration to innovate and promote sustainability. During his tenure, ALEC has diversified its activities and built a comprehensive ecosystem designed to address the changing construction industry needs. The company established energy efficiency and renewable energy, including: ALEC has become synonymous with innovation and sustainability. The company has diversified into energy efficiency, renewable energy, and smart solutions through subsidiaries such as ALEC Energy, specializing in solar solutions; Smart4Power, focusing on energy efficiency; and AJI Rentals, which provides advanced aerial work platforms. This diversification reflects Taylor’s vision of creating a construction ecosystem that delivers value while minimizing environmental impact.

For Taylor, collaboration is the foundation for success. He believes that aligning stakeholders and creating strong partnerships will help conquer the challenges that the construction industry faces. Uniting different teams and pushing collective efforts has helped ALEC succeed in its endeavors, which have included iconic projects such as the Central Bank of Kuwait headquarters and many landmark developments in the UAE.

Taylor may have conquered the world, but he is still rooted deep in South Africa. Currently living in Dubai with his wife Micheline and their two sons, Ross and Adan, Taylor represents his homeland at the international level. He does not miss an opportunity to show a positive image of South Africa and is working for the development of the UAE.

Taylor’s career is more than a story but a journey of ambition and resilience, with a deep desire to make a difference. His leadership style reflects humility and hands-on involvement, whether it is engaging employees, understanding customer needs, or exploring innovative solutions.

Kez Taylor’s work has been beyond ALEC’s outstanding financial success. His vision is about an efficient, sustainable future in construction, an effort to answer some of the world’s most daunting challenges and add value for stakeholders and communities alike. His commitment to innovation, sustainability, and collaboration not only transformed ALEC but also set the standard for the industry.