Returnees Establish Company Serving The Gulf

Returnees Establish Company Serving The Gulf
 
The Enterprise Centre welcomed another tenant and start up when a local man and his wife established a new firm  servicing clients from the part of the world where they previously worked , fell in love and married!

 Relocating from the Middle East to Ballinasloe in August 2020, took a few months to actually get back due to airport closures in Oman but David Gallagher, his wife Salha Al Sabahi and their two children; Noorah aged 8 and Adam aged 5 managed to settle in. 

 David - completed his Leaving Cert at St Michael's Vocational School, worked for a few Years in Square D before studying in Civil Engineering in Athlone IT, progressing to an Honors Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Edinburgh.

He began his Engineering career in Galway with Tobin Consulting Engineers and then moved to the Middle East in 2007, working  on some amazing mega projects throughout the Arabian Gulf .In 2011 he became a Chartered Engineer of Engineer's Ireland which saw his, career move towards the Project Management aspects of Construction. 

His wife Salha - from Muscat, Oman attended schools in Malaysia, Sudan, Bahrain and Oman,  as well as the city of St Louis in Missouri, USA for her 3rd level education in  Business Administration.

She has previously worked in the Aviation industry, Event Management,  Tourism Development and Property sectors in Kuwait and Oman and is currently completing a degree in Marketing.

They found setting up their own company a lot easier than expected-  “our first Client is located in Dubai; my previous employer was helpful ; so we are currently providing support from Ireland on a large project, which I have been involved in since 2016” .states David. 

The Project is in the heart of Dubai Marina, UAE. Where Gallagher PM is providing Contract Management support to a high rise (59 story) mixed use development, comprising of a Hotel, 362 Residential Apartments, Retail Units and a Yacht Club.
 
At Gallagher PM they offer tailored solutions for individual client requirements for all stages of the Construction cycle (Pre and Post Contract). 

 “The Enterprise Centre (BEC) is a 'one stop' shop, fully furnished offices, with high speed Internet. I was providing a service to our Client in Dubai within 10 minutes of walking into my new office – that’s the quality of the resources this location provides “, he explains.

Advantages of Ballinasloe as a business start up are easily identifiable it’s the other reasons that he and his wife found very attractive“ to find a wide range of school options, sporting facilities; great golf course, soccer club, GAA clubs, snooker club etc,  other activities for children, e.g. Irish dancing, Galway Music Hub and the town  library , coupled with great businesses within the town, to name a few: Gullane’s Hotel for Sunday carvery, Joes bar for live sports, Salmons Department Store, Supermacs ! plus many more.... is a huge plus” notes David.

 Once they have a firm foundation, they would like to build the size of our Company but know it’s not going to be easy for the next 12 to 24 months.  

When asked for advice for start ups -  it boils down to a few core principals for them “ Do not rush,  Do your Market research – not all from online,  Assess all known risks  and please speak to experienced professionals” are David’s Top tips.

They are indeed grateful to ,  Lyn Donnelly,  James Coyle, Principal of Coyle & Company (Chartered Accountants), Gemma Costello, Bank Manager Galway South & East, Bank of Ireland

​It’s best during COVID to contact by phone; 0858036652 or email; [email protected] Website: www.GallagherPM.com is currently under construction and should be live by early 2021.