Rahul Shankhwalker, Partner at HBA Dubai, has been appointed as a Regional Juror for the AHEAD Awards – MEA 2026 by Sleeper Magazine, joining a distinguished panel of leading voices from architecture, interior design, and development across the Middle East and Africa.

With more than 25 years of international experience spanning hospitality, residential and mixed-use design, Rahul’s global perspective, multidisciplinary design experience, and deep understanding of the region’s evolving hospitality landscape will contribute to evaluating projects that exemplify exceptional design. His appointment reflects HBA’s continued commitment to raising the bar of hospitality design and supporting industry excellence across the region.