Partner Hires in Middle East Reveal Where PwC is Expanding

PwC Consulting’s recent appointment of five new partners in the Middle East provides insight into the firm’s expansion efforts, with a special focus on transformation. In addition to transformation services, strategy implementation, market restructuring, and energy transition are also practice areas that PwC is investing in. As consultants seek opportunity, the addition of new partners reveals where firms will next search for downstream talent. To gain more insight, let’s take a closer look at the partners and the value each adds to for PwC growth.

PwC Names 5 New Partners in UAE

The five new United Arab of Emirates partners bring a plethora of knowledge and expertise to the firm. Ghassan Gazawi brings over 20 years of experience in strategy implementation and national scale transformation to his new role in the consulting practice.

Hiba Darwish possesses similar strategy and scale transformation skills that have been utilized in the government sector. For seven years, she expanded PwC’s government efforts and now joins the consulting practice area at PwC. The government sector is a fast-growing segment for all consulting firms in the Middle East. This is as firms step in to help governments undertake massive investment and economic development projects (ex: Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030).

As a new partner in the consulting practice, Rebhi Abdelqader delivers transformation solutions in the government and public sector. Rebhi focuses on end-to-end solutions – from strategy to implementation. Federal government spending on management consulting in the US alone exceeded $25 billion in 2018. Not to mention, the average contract averages $4.5M. It is clear that PwC aims to capture more of the total addressable market (TAM) with the hirings of Hiba and Rebhi.

Shubham Agarwal has been brought on board to lead PwC’s risk and regulation agenda. His experience in large risk transformation projects at Accenture and EY was a driving factor in PwC’s interest in him.

The leadership of Stephen Tudhope will bring significant value in the energy practice, an arm of the firm that serves a rapidly changing industry. Stephen’s portfolio will include market restructuring for oil and gas companies, utilities, water, and more.

The addition of these top middle east consultants should bode well for PwC’s future.

Practice Areas are Indicators for Where PwC is Expanding

When researching consulting firms, consider new partner additions for insight into the firm’s strategic direction. With this latest round of appointments, PwC Middle East has tipped its hand as to which practice areas it deems important going into the next decade. Look for PwC growth in those areas in the near future. If you are a prospective consultant, keep all this in mind. You may want to consider specializing in strategy implementation, transformation, risk, or finance transformation. In addition, as the world becomes more vigilant about environmental sustainability, the energy transition sector is another area likely to see a significant demand increase.

Conclusion

New consultants differentiate themselves by staying ahead of the industry trends and preparing for the future. Consultants in the Middle East should be positioning themselves to capitalize on the transitions happening in the near future. In 2021, management consulting is expected to grow by 14%, which means opportunities are available to candidates who position themselves strategically. Specializing can make you a more attractive candidate during the process. Be aware of new partner additions inside consulting firms as you apply!

Additional Reading:

• Consulting Hiring Amidst Covid
• Why Businesses Should Focus On The Top Line In Crisis
• McKinsey Middle East Careers
• Top 10 Consulting Firms in the Middle East
• The Pyramid Principle