The Faces of AIS: Kris Chacinski
At AIS our people are what make us exceptional and what better way to highlight the faces of the business than to delve into their career journey and what tips they have for anyone looking to join the industry.
Kris Chacinski
Operations Director, Middle East
What attracted you to join AIS in the Middle East, and what is your vision for operations in this region?
What attracted me to AIS is its strong market reputation for delivering high-quality, integrated design-and-build solutions, its smart use of both digital and physical technologies, and its genuinely client-centric culture. And since the Middle East is undergoing a rapid transformation, with rising demand for agile, sustainable, and technology-enabled workspaces, I saw an opportunity to contribute to that evolution while helping scale a business with strong global credentials and a clear ambition in becoming a leader in this region.
My vision is to build an operations platform that is predictable, scalable, and relentlessly client and quality focused. That includes strengthening our delivery systems, deepening supply-chain partnerships, investing in digital capabilities, and ensuring every project reflects both local expectations and global best practice.
How do you define operational excellence in the context of design and build projects?
Operational excellence, for me, is the consistent and repeatable ability to deliver projects on time, on budget, and at the expected quality, without ever compromising safety or the client experience.
In a design-and-build environment, that translates to:
- Early alignment between design, commercial, and delivery teams
- Clear governance and proactive risk management
- Efficient procurement and strong supply-chain coordination
- Transparent, timely communication with clients
- Continuous improvement driven by data and feedback
Operational excellence isn’t about perfection; it’s about building systems that enable teams to perform at their best and give clients complete confidence in our delivery.
What will success look like for AIS Middle East in the next 12–24 months?
Success over the next couple of years will be defined by a strong, sustainable project pipeline anchored by key client wins. It means delivering with consistency, supported by a strengthened local supply chain capable of handling complex, fast-paced builds.
We’ll know we’re succeeding when our internal teams operate as one, design, commercial, and delivery working seamlessly, while improved margins reflect greater efficiency and smarter project controls.
Most importantly, success will be evident in the feedback we receive: recurring clients who see us as a trusted partner of choice.
Ultimately, success means establishing AIS as the go-to design-and-build provider in the region.
What do you see as the biggest opportunities for AIS in the Middle East right now?
Corporate workplace transformation is accelerating as organisations adapt their post-pandemic layouts, while large-scale national programs in both UAE and Saudi, such as Saudi Vision 2030, are driving sustained investment in new commercial environments. We’re also seeing rapid growth in tech, financial services, and professional services, all of which require premium, future-ready office spaces.
Demand for sustainable and smart workspace solutions is rising, and many clients now prefer single-partner delivery models to reduce complexity and risk. AIS is well positioned to capture this demand; our integrated design-and-build capability offers the speed, accountability, and creativity clients are looking for in one parcel.
AIS stands out in this market for three key reasons. First, we offer truly integrated delivery, we have the corporate experience, structures, processes, and culture that make it real. Second, we combine global standards with local agility, bringing international expertise while adapting to regional regulations, materials, and delivery practices. Third, we operate with a genuinely client-centric mindset, prioritising transparency, flexible engagement, and proactive communication throughout the project lifecycle.
How do you plan to build collaboration across design, delivery, commercial and client teams?
- Integrated planning from day one, bringing all functions into early design and commercial reviews so scope, cost, and schedule are aligned from the outset.
- Second, clear governance and communication, with shared dashboards, consistent reporting rhythms, and transparent decision-making.
- Thirdly, a genuinely collaborative culture, where people feel safe raising risks early, celebrating shared successes, and learning continuously from each project.
What do you believe makes a great client experience in this region?
A great experience is one where clients feel informed, respected, and confident from concept through to handover.
How do you balance speed, quality, and innovation when delivering projects at pace?
Balancing these demands requires:
- Strong early-stage planning to remove ambiguity before site works begin.
- Standardised processes and templates so teams don’t reinvent the wheel.
- Selective innovation, focusing on technologies and methods that directly improve predictability and client value.
- Robust quality controls integrated into the program rather than added at the end.
How do you see sustainability and smart technology influencing how we deliver workspaces?
Sustainability and smart technology are no longer optional. They’re becoming core client expectations. We’re seeing greater use of energy-efficient materials, modular and low-carbon solutions, and IoT systems that elevate both user experience and building performance. Data-driven space planning is also growing, helping clients optimise occupancy and reduce inefficiencies, alongside a stronger focus on circularity, durability, and responsible sourcing.
For us at AIS, this means embedding sustainability and technology early in the design process, educating clients on the value, and partnering with suppliers who can meet the standards the market now expects.