Wood has hired Naeem Farooqi as director of sustainable transit and transport asset management solutions in Canada, a move that further strengthens the company’s leadership in urban mobility, and growth in the transit and transportation decarbonisation markets.
Farooqi’s career in transportation has focused on bringing an innovative approach to transit asset management and business case development in Canada’s public and private sectors. This includes several years at Metrolinx, Ontario’s regional public transportation agency, where he spearheaded the development and implementation of supply chain and public procurement projects. He also spent six years as principal consultant of sustainability and asset management at a large transportation engineering firm.
Farooqi has been recognised through numerous industry awards as an emerging leader in sustainability including for his leadership in zero-emission transport by Clean50.
“Having Naeem Farooqi join our team positions Wood at the forefront of cutting-edge mobility solutions, enabling us to deliver future ready infrastructure for our clients,” said Jay Martin, VP of Wood’s Americas transportation sector.
“Decarbonisation of transportation is key to addressing the pressing demands that our clients are facing to reduce emissions and improve operating efficiency. Naeem’s experience with major transportation agencies will play a valuable role in helping our clients build a resilient future by embracing change and adopting smart solutions.”
Farooqi has experience in electrification and clean hydrogen transport solutions, as well as establishing transit fare policies, asset management plans and organisational designs to support transit service. He has worked on international zero-emission transit projects in markets including Canada, US, Peru, Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia and the Ivory Coast.
When asked why he decided to join Wood, Farooqi responded, “It’s an organisation that shares my passion and curiosity for innovating new solutions that will leave the world a better place, by enabling the transition to cleaner energy models and creating sustainable infrastructure, especially in transportation. Wood’s depth of expertise in delivering intelligent systems across industrial sectors is an attractive enabler as the market shifts towards smarter solutions in transport.”
Farooqi has a master’s degree in planning from the University of Toronto, a bachelor’s in business administration from York University and is currently pursuing a PhD in mechanical and industrial engineering.