Asghar’s story – a career defined by growth, leadership, and an unwavering focus on excellence in times of crisis, change and complexity

Following a 15-year career as an Indian Navy Aircraft Engineer, Asghar Abbas entered the world of Operations (Ops) Supervision in 2007. He joined Serco a few years later in 2012, shortly after Serco was awarded the Serco Middle East Logistics and Base Support Services (MELABS) contract – beginning a long-standing relationship serving the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in the Middle East across more than 20 service lines.

Demonstrating a stellar journey over his 13 years at Serco, Asghar now leads the high-performing MELABS Estates Upkeep team, which provides facilities management support ranging from power generation and water production right through to hard FM solutions, maintenance and civil projects management. Under Asghar’s leadership, the team delivers exceptional quality of service to the ADF, prioritising safety, innovation, flexibility and agility.

“Through cross-training and proactive risk management, we ensure seamless service delivery, even when faced with unexpected challenges,” Asghar said.

“The Estates Upkeep team has consistently exceeded expectations and contract requirements: maintaining KPIs above 97% and achieving exceptional employee engagement (100% engagement survey participation, 96% positive feedback). I take immense pride in building a resilient, high-performing team capable of handling complex FM challenges and delivering under pressure.”

No stranger to complex operational transitions, whether it’s facility relocation, 24-hour turnarounds of urgent maintenance tasks or managing 25-30 projects simultaneously, Asghar and the MELABS team fully understand the critical role Estates Upkeep and FM services play in supporting the ADF in a challenging environment and in times of crisis. When spearheading a response during adversity, Asghar’s approach is one of quick-thinking resilience.

A powerful demonstration was when Asghar was one of various key leaders during Operation Neo, when Serco supported the ADF as thousands of civilians were evacuated from Kabul International Airport. Working under intense pressure, tight deadlines and facing unprecedented demand for services, Asghar along with other MELABS leaders successfully prepared shelter, cleaning and maintenance of accommodation for 3,000+ evacuees. Another example Asghar shared was how, when a utilities plant subcontractor departed abruptly during the COVID-19 pandemic, Asghar’s team seamlessly took over full operational control, maintaining performance without dropping a single KPI.

Serco is proud to spotlight and thank Asghar and his MELABS Estates Upkeep team for providing an exemplary illustration of innovation, resilience and commitment to operational excellence. Serco looks forward to the continued success of MELABS in partnership with the ADF as our teams continue to evolve, grow and thrive together.