Middle East & India Regional Meeting

Technical Adviser – Diving

Ali joined IMCA in February 2019 from The Underwater Centre in Fort William, UK where he was the Diver Training Manager.

Ali is a qualified Air and Closed Bell Diver, a Dive Supervisor and highly experienced Diver Medic, having gained extensive experience for over 20 years treating divers both inside and outside the chamber. During his career Ali has assisted the Health & Safety Executive and other authorities in investigating diving accidents and has also been called as an expert witness due to his specialist knowledge of diving techniques and diving medicine.

Experienced in training, assessment and verification as well as dive project planning and risk assessment, Ali’s initial remit on joining IMCA was to ensure that IMCA Training Providers around the world continue to deliver quality training to the offshore diving industry. In September 2019 Ali’s remit was expanded to cover a wider range of diving related activities.

Ali has a passion and a reputation in the diving industry for delivering high quality training to members of the dive team.

Mike Austin is a distinguished expert in remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) with a robust background in the Oil & Gas industry. With 20+ years of hands-on experience, Mike has been instrumental in deploying and managing ROVs for complex underwater operations. His expertise spans across various sectors, including offshore drilling, subsea construction, and marine surveys.

Mike has played a pivotal role in advancing the use of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and ROVs, contributing to significant projects that enhance operational efficiency and safety. His deep understanding of ROV technology and its applications has made him a sought-after professional in the field. Mike’s work involves overseeing the deployment of cutting-edge ROV systems, ensuring precise data acquisition and effective problem-solving in challenging underwater environments.

At the conference, Mike will share insights from his extensive experience, highlighting the latest advancements in ROV technology and their impact on the industry. His session promises to provide valuable knowledge for professionals looking to leverage ROVs for enhanced operational capabilities and strategic growth.

Sanjay is a seasoned management consultant with over 32 years of experience across diverse sectors, including heavy industries, commercial plantations, automobiles, aviation, premium hospitality, oil and gas, and clean energy. He has significantly contributed to various World Bank and ADB-funded projects globally, focusing on vital infrastructure and capacity-building initiatives.

He is a regular guest speaker at esteemed forums such as OPEC and the World LPG Association. His most recent role was as an Advisor to the CEO of a major oil company in the Middle East.

Sanjay is passionate about teaching and knowledge sharing, having mentored numerous successful MBA students. Currently, he is engaged with Hal Offshore Ltd, a leading company based in Mumbai.

Barbara works as a Project Engineer at Boskalis Offshore Heavy Lift, where she applies her expertise to support projects in the offshore wind industry.
With a background in Geophysics, Barbara began her career as hydrographic surveyor, working as a freelancer to assist the Renewables Industry. In 2017, she joined Deme-Offshore, gaining hands-on experience on jack-up and heavy lift vessels involved in foundation installation. During her time there, she transitioned into the role of Project Engineer, where she further developed her technical and practical skills. To advance her career, Barbara joined Boskalis Abu Dhabi in 2024. She applies her practical experience in project preparation and support while pursuing a Master’s in Civil Engineering and Construction Management to enhance her knowledge and capabilities in the field.

Chief Technology Officer

Ehab is an accomplished automation engineer and water technology expert with over a decade of experience in executing and operating diverse projects within manufacturing industry, with a strong focus on innovative water technologies. Prior to co-founding 44.01, Ehab played a pivotal role in successfully leading the adoption and implementation of CapDI (Capacitive Deionization) water technology across the GCC region.