PwC names Hani Ashkar as Middle East Senior Partner

PwC, the world's leading professional services network, is appointing Hani Ashkar as the Middle East Senior Partner of PwC effective October 1, 2013. The selection of Ashkar, with a Middle Eastern background, to this senior position signals a continuation of PwC’s transformation journey, continuing an era of a dynamic leadership with a distinct vision and aspiration for the region.

Ashkar has been with PwC for 18 years, most recently as Deals Leader for the Middle East Region for three years and the Country Leader in Saudi Arabia for two years. He has extensive experience with multinational and regional investors across the Middle East, having been involved in over 250 transactions with corporate and private equity investors, covering a number of industries.

As the Middle East Senior Partner, Ashkar will be responsible for the executive leadership of operations in 12 regional countries and determining the strategic direction of PwC in the region, along with managing relationships with other PwC member firms around the globe.  In this regard, Ashkar will also become a member of PwC’s Central Cluster Leadership Team and Global Strategy Council.

Commenting on his new position, Ashkar said, “PwC’s growth in the Middle East reflects our commitment and continuation of our goal to become the leading professional service provider in the region. In 2012, we achieved a revenue growth of 23%the Middle East and we are expecting progression of 18% in 2013.”

“Moving forward we will continue to build upon our achieved success, and further invest in our resources to ensure we deliver outstanding service to our clients and unmatched opportunities for our people. We are committed to attracting and developing local talent to enhance our market knowledge and position as the leading professional services practice in the UAE and the region,” added Hani Ashkar.

Warwick Hunt, Middle East Senior Partner for PwC for the past 4 years, has been promoted and appointed to the join the UK Executive board and Leadership team and will be relocating to the UK effective October 1, 2013. 

Supporting Ashkar’s appointment, Hunt commented, “Hani has been a committed leader for PwC for almost two decades. His vast knowledge and understanding of the region will contribute significantly to the continued growth of PwC across the Middle East. His proven ability to build strong relationships, combined with his solid leadership and diverse experience make him uniquely position to serve as the next Middle East Senior Partner of PwC.”

Adding “We at PwC continue to strive, to pursue regional talent and deliver world class solutions. With this in mind I’m also delighted to announce the joining of Will Jackson Moore, who is currently the UK Firm Transaction Service Leader, in the role of Managing Partner, mirroring the structure of our UK Firm. In addition to this we are delighted to announce the promotion of 12 new partners effective July 1, 2013 across our line of services and industries.

PwC Middle East’s commitment to identify and nurture local talent matches a key finding in the 2013 Middle CEO survey that highlights , with the increasing concern of matching skills of local talent available with the required job, 81% of Middle East CEOs are planning to invest in creating and fostering skilled workforces in their home country.

PwC – Middle East Success Story

PwC has grown significantly over the past three years and is currently the largest professional services practice in the UAE and will very shortly become the largest in the Region.  In 2012, it was awarded “Firm of the Year” in the Middle East Accountancy & Finance Excellence Awards ceremony run by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales  (ICAEW).  Building on that momentum, PwC will be the largest professional services practices in the Middle East region consistent with its Global position. Adapting to the changing markets has created an avenue to implement new strategies to strengthen PwC’s role in the region as a leading business advisor, enhancing quality of services and most importantly, pursuing and developing regional talent.  

PwC has reported strong growth in the region, despite geopolitical unrest and changing competitive markets, and the Middle East is the fastest growing region in the wider PwC network. In 2012, the Middle East practice reported a growth of 23% with total revenues reaching $339 million.. In 2013, PwC expects to generate revenues of approximately $400m.

PwC is a leader in the industry due to its ability to understand client problems and needs and provide rapid and on-going solutions that drive value, delivery highest standards of quality, and integrity.

The PwC workforce also expanded to reach 2,700 employees, of which almost 1,000 were in the UAE, further strengthening the influence of regional talent. This comes as a successful initiative to implement a range of projects around the region to support professional development of local talent, enhancing PwC’s professional standards.