
Bain & Company announces five partner promotions in the Middle East
Tom de Waele, Managing Partner of Bain & Company Middle East, noted: 'We are proud to welcome Faisal, Joseph, Othmane, Abdullah, and Khaled into their new leadership roles. Each of them embodies the values that define Bain: Bold thinking, deep expertise, and an unwavering commitment to client impact. Their contributions have shaped some of the region's most important transformations. These promotions are a reflection of their exceptional talent and are a testament to our long-term commitment to build-up our leadership in the region.'
Faisal Sheikh has been promoted to Senior Partner and is a core member of Bain's EMEA Consumer Products practice. He advises leading multinationals and regional Consumer Product companies on growth strategy, operating model design, and performance acceleration.
With over 7 years at Bain, Faisal has led major transformations across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia to unlock step-change value for clients. He supports executive teams on multi-year full potential programs delivering in-year P&L results. He is known for pairing strategic clarity with hands-on execution. He is also helping clients harness AI to power next-level performance, with a focus on practical use-cases.
Previously, Faisal was Head of Emerging Markets and member of global leadership team of a listed-Food company.
Joseph Edwin has been promoted to Senior Partner and is a core member of Bain's EMEA Financial Services and Enterprise Technology leadership teams. He advises leading financial institutions & financial investors across EMEA and North America on various topics including technology strategy, technology operating model redesign and multi-year technology modernisation and transformation efforts.
Joseph specializes in large-scale, technology-enabled transformations and is a globally recognized thought leader on core banking modernisation. With over 25 years of experience gained from working at leading banks and in consulting, across Europe, Middle East, North America and Australia, Joseph brings a practitioner's toolkit and a pragmatic and results-oriented approach to help clients drive digitalisation, boost productivity, and maximise business value impact from technology.
Othmane Boujemaoui has been promoted to Partner and is a core member in Bain's Energy & Natural Resources and Sustainability & Responsibility practices.
With close to 15 years of experience in industry and consulting across EMEA, Othmane has driven major transformation programs across the energy value chain - spanning oil & gas, utilities, and chemicals. His recent work includes advising leading players in the energy ecosystem on energy transition strategies, energy markets, and operating model redesigns to drive effectiveness and performance improvement.
He also co-authored Bain's perspective on voluntary carbon markets in the GCC, helping position the region at the forefront of climate innovation.
Abdullah Khan has been promoted to Partner and is a key member of Bain's Advanced Manufacturing & Services practice. He brings over a decade of consulting experience focused on helping organizations navigate complex strategic and investment challenges.
Abdullah has deep expertise across the investment ecosystem, advising sovereign wealth funds, private equity firms, and national investment entities on topics including due diligence, investment thesis development, and value creation planning. He has also contributed to national investment agendas, including cross-sector initiatives to unlock the full potential of AI.
In addition, he supports clients on corporate strategy, performance improvement, mergers and integrations, and large-scale transformation programs.
Khaled Zikry, who has been promoted to Partner, is a key member of Bain's Financial Services practice.
He has worked with many of the top FS players in the MENA region, across banking, non-banking financial services, and payments. His work primarily revolves around Mergers and Acquisitions, starting from due-diligence phase passing through merger integrations and ending with post-acquisition value creation programs. His case portfolio includes several of the largest banking mergers in the region over the past decade.
About Bain & Company
Bain & Company is a global consultancy that helps the world's most ambitious change makers define the future.
Across 65 cities in 40 countries, we work alongside our clients as one team with a shared ambition to achieve extraordinary results, outperform the competition, and redefine industries. We complement our tailored, integrated expertise with a vibrant ecosystem of digital innovators to deliver better, faster, and more enduring outcomes. Our 10-year commitment to invest more than $1 billion in pro bono services brings our talent, expertise, and insight to organizations tackling today's urgent challenges in education, racial equity, social justice, economic development, and the environment. We earned a platinum rating from EcoVadis, the leading platform for environmental, social, and ethical performance ratings for global supply chains, putting us in the top 1% of all companies. Since our founding in 1973, we have measured our success by the success of our clients, and we proudly maintain the highest level of client advocacy in the industry.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Zawya
10 minutes ago
- Zawya
Oil steadies on potential Trump-Putin meeting in coming days
Oil prices steadied on Thursday, paring early gains after the Kremlin announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet U.S. President Donald Trump in the coming days, raising expectations for a diplomatic end to the war in Ukraine. Brent crude futures were up 21 cents, or 0.3%, at $67.1 a barrel by 0902 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 20 cents, or 0.3%, to $64.55. Both benchmarks slid about 1% on Wednesday, touching their lowest in eight weeks, after comments from Trump on progress in talks with Moscow. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said on Thursday that Trump and Putin will meet in the coming days in what would be the first summit between leaders of the two countries since 2021. A White House official had previously said that Trump could meet Putin as soon as next week, though the U.S. continued preparations to impose secondary sanctions, potentially including China, to pressure Moscow to end the war in Ukraine. Oil is modestly up, benefiting from a crude draw in the U.S., higher Saudi prices for Asia and solid Chinese crude imports in July, said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo, adding that gains were curbed by news of the potential Trump-Putin meeting next week. Russia is the world's second-biggest producer of oil behind the United States. The Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday that U.S. crude oil stockpiles fell by 3 million barrels to 423.7 million barrels in the week ended August 1, exceeding an expected decline of 591,000 barrels in a Reuters poll of analysts. In China, crude oil imports in July dipped 5.4% from June but were still up 11.5% year on year, with analysts expecting refining activity to remain firm in the near term. Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, on Wednesday raised its September crude oil prices for Asian buyers, the second monthly rise in a row, on tight supply and robust demand. Global macroeconomic uncertainty capped price gains, however, after the U.S. ordered a fresh set of tariffs on Indian goods. Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods on Wednesday, citing the country's continued imports of Russian oil. The new import tax will take effect on August 28. Trump also said he could announce further tariffs on China.


Zawya
10 minutes ago
- Zawya
South Africa: Joelene Pierce set to assume role as KPMG CEO
Joelene Pierce has been appointed the new chief executive officer of KPMG in South Africa, effective 1 March 2026. The appointment has been made as a result of the imminent retirement of current chief executive officer Ignatius Sehoole, which is set to take place on 1 March 2026. Partners of the firm voted for the appointment of Pierce on Thursday, 31July 2025, signalling the strength of expertise that she brings to the firm. The decision serves as testament to her unparalleled expertise in both leading the business, as well as understanding the unique and dynamic nature of the clients and the economic environment in which they operate. Pierce currently serves as KPMG's head of Financial Services in South Africa and is a member of the KPMG South Africa Policy Board. Having been with the firm for 26 years, undertaking a partner role for 19 of those, she brings extensive expertise in key areas of financial services including retail banking, corporate treasuries, securities trading as well as asset-based securitisation structures. She has worked with most of the firm's top 10 clients. Ethics drive growth Says Sehoole, current chief executive officer of KPMG South Africa and chairman of KPMG Africa: 'It is an honour to hand over to not only a highly skilled, responsible leader, but to one whose career has been underpinned by driving the core principles which we, as a business, are passionate about and actively drive within the sector.' He continued: 'However, it is not just the technical skills and know-how that sets CEOs apart; it is the ability to truly connect with various stakeholders and to ensure that everyone – both internally and externally - remains committed to the firm's key values and principles. "Sehoole's appointment ensures that a sound focus on innovative and next-generation thinking will be prioritised alongside the key focus areas of ethical governance, integrity and holding the firm accountable to maintain public trust. This is essential to build the firm of the future for both our clients and for our people.' Building on legacy Says Pierce: 'I am extremely grateful and honoured to take on this new role and build on the strong foundations created during Sehoole's tenure. "I am committed to remaining focused on transformation and ethical practice, as well as embedding critical thinking into the business. This will ensure that, in addition to continuing the strong focus on instilling trust in the brand, we continue to expand the firm's role in social and economic development. "With a strong client base across different sectors, building on this will be a priority, along with continued development for our people and culture.' In the lead up to Sehoole stepping down as chief executive officer on 1 March 2026, and heading into retirement, both he and Pierce will undertake a focused handover over the next few months. This will ensure a smooth transition into her role and enable her to continue providing unwavering support and high-quality service to the business, clients and employees. Wishing Sehoole all the best for his future, chairman of KPMG South Africa, Wiseman Nkuhlu says: 'I would like to thank Sehoole for the unwavering commitment to the KPMG brand over the last six years. His contribution has been exceptional. "He has led this business with the highest level of ethics, transparency and diligence, with a solid commitment to transformation and market excellence." All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (


Zawya
10 minutes ago
- Zawya
Etihad Cargo celebrates two-year milestone with Ezhou Huahu Airport
EHU has enabled the movement of over 43,000 tonnes of exports and growing weekly services The partnership supports high-tech and e-commerce trade between China and the Middle East Abu Dhabi – Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, is celebrating two successful years of operations at Ezhou Huahu Airport, marking a significant milestone in its strategic collaboration with SF Airlines. Since transitioning joint operations from Wuhan to Ezhou in August 2023, Etihad Airways is the first international airline to launch scheduled commercial freighter services in the region. Building on this milestone, Etihad Cargo expanded its presence at Ezhou Huahu Airport and announced a second weekly frequency in November 2023, followed by a third in July 2024, reflecting growing demand and operational momentum. Since August 2023, Etihad Cargo has operated two commercial freighter flights per week, one with Etihad Airways and the other with SF Airlines. From October 2023, the frequency increased to four flights per week, with two operated by Etihad Airways and the other two by SF Airlines. By July 2024, commercial freighter services had expanded further to five flights per week, with two operated by Etihad Airways and three by SF Airlines. Over the past two years, Etihad Cargo has operated 184 Boeing 777 freighter flights through Ezhou Huahu Airport in close cooperation with SF Airlines' over 200 flights with Boeing 747 freighters. The addition of a sixth weekly scheduled flight in July 2024, followed by a seventh in 2025, has further strengthened Etihad Cargo's network, improving connectivity and providing customers with faster and more efficient access to key global markets. In addition to scheduled services, charter freighter operations have also grown steadily. Etihad Cargo operated one charter freighter flight per week throughout 2024. From January to June 2025, the number of charter flights increased to three per week, supporting flexible and on-demand logistics solutions. Ezhou Huahu Airport began operations in 2022. The airport is Asia's first dedicated freighter hub and has been instrumental in enabling Etihad Cargo to deliver consistent and reliable service. Since 2023, more than 43,000 tonnes of export cargo and over 690 tonnes of import cargo have moved through Abu Dhabi via Ezhou Huahu Airport, reinforcing the hub's critical role in global logistics. Located in Hubei Province, the airport offers unrivalled domestic reach and growing international connectivity with 135 aircraft stands, dual 3,600-metre runways. 'This milestone reflects the operational success and strategic value of our collaboration with Ezhou Huahu Airport and SF Airlines,' said Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer at Etihad Airways. 'Ezhou's role as Asia's first dedicated freighter hub has allowed us to unlock new levels of efficiency and reach, particularly for time-sensitive e-commerce and high-tech shipments, supporting growing demand for cross-border e-commerce and high-tech shipments between China and the Middle East. The expansion to seven weekly freighter services strengthens our ability to offer reliable, time-sensitive logistics solutions across key global trade lanes.' Luo Guowei, Chairman of Hubei International Logistics Airport Co., Ltd., stated: "As the first international airlines to operate at Ezhou Airport, Etihad Airways has transported over 28,000 tons of cargo since launching the Abu Dhabi - Ezhou route. This has established an efficient two-way trade corridor spanning Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, injecting strong momentum into regional economic and trade exchanges. At this new starting point, Ezhou Airport will deepen strategic collaboration with Etihad Airways and SF Airlines. We will further increase route frequency, enhance cooperation on overseas warehouses, and jointly build efficient logistics channels connecting the world to China. This will forge new milestones in establishing an aviation trade hub for the Belt and Road Initiative." As Etihad Cargo continues to expand its global footprint, the relationship with Ezhou Huahu Airport remains a cornerstone of its Asia strategy, driving innovation, efficiency and mutual growth. The hub's advanced infrastructure, streamlined customs processes and proximity to key manufacturing centres have enabled Etihad Cargo to meet the rising demand for high-tech, automotive and e-commerce shipments. Looking ahead, Etihad Cargo will continue its presence at EHU, exploring opportunities for service enhancements and digital integration to further optimise end-to-end supply chain performance. About Etihad Cargo: Etihad Cargo is the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways. Since its establishment in 2004, Etihad Cargo has grown rapidly to become one of the world's leading air cargo carriers, offering customers a range of cargo products and services to five major continents. Its hub in Abu Dhabi is strategically located at the centre of the world's busiest trade lanes, providing an integral link between Asia, Europe, North America, Australia and Africa. In addition to general cargo, Etihad Cargo offers a wide range of specialty products including live animals, dangerous goods, valuables and vulnerables, personal effects, as well as its market leading cold chain products (the latter holding IATA's stringent Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators certifications for both Pharmaceutical and Perishables Logistics, as well as Live Animals Logistics). Media Contacts: Duty Media Officer, Etihad Airways Email: dutymediaofficer@ Omnia Ebrahim, IHC E-mail: Omnia@ About Ezhou Huahu Airport Zelda Zou WEBeijingEtihad@