Poya has a clear vision to accelerate growth in our energy, resources and water portfolios while helping clients across Australasia with the critical task of rethinking and rebuilding their operations for a sustainable future. He sees his portfolio as an embodiment of Arup’s support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Poya helps bring together the right experts to find solutions to client issues, such as transitioning to green energy with the energy business. In resources, he focuses on traditional areas and emerging issues such as building sustainable food systems, decarbonising mining or enabling circular economy opportunities. In water, he supports businesses to use water resources better and to become resilient to withstand the challenges of climate change.  

Poya has over 25 years of commercial and project management experience in diverse industry sectors and functions across Asia, South Africa and the Middle East. He is passionate about business development and finding innovative ways to meet emerging needs. He thinks strategically, is entrepreneurial, and is experienced in project management, finance, and risk and quality management. His technical background in electrical engineering underpins his broad range of experience. Poya enjoys managing multidisciplinary teams and mentoring people to grow their skills and ambitions. 

While Poya has led countless large projects at Arup, he looks back proudly to a project before Arup in his mid-20s in South Africa, when he started to explore renewable solar energy. With the findings, the company electrified 2000 rural schools using solar. He sees his role leading energy, resources and water at Arup as coming full circle – now equipped with his vast insights and Arup’s knowledgeable teams to make a powerful difference. 

Poya holds a Master of Technology Electrical Engineering (SA), Master of Business Administration (MBA)(UK), a Management Advancement Programme (MAP)(SA) and a Project Management Professional (PMI).