New York – Leading global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) has appointed Ali Anwar as a Managing Director and Middle East Practice Leader of A&M's Global Transaction Advisory Group, based in Dubai, UAE. Mr. Anwar’s appointment aligns with the firm’s strategic growth plans and its ongoing commitment to meet the market’s evolving needs.

Mr. Anwar joins A&M at a time when the Gulf region is undergoing significant change. Governments are intensifying transformation and reform efforts to accelerate diversification away from oil and gas. Some of these efforts include incentivizing domestic and foreign investment in key local industries and encouraging investment of the vast sovereign wealth in high quality regional and global assets, which helps transfer knowledge to and enhances talent in the region. This shift is prompting government-backed investment vehicles, global and regional private equity firms, corporations, and family offices to develop plans to capitalize on the unprecedented opportunities.

“The Middle East, particularly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is embracing a diversified economic outlook along with visionary advancements to legal and regulatory frameworks. This scenario increases the need for independent advisory services, driving our strong business growth in the region,” said Tony Alvarez III, Managing Director and leader of A&M’s European and Middle East practices.

“Our work on high-profile assignments across the region, including NMC in which I am personally involved, showcases our leadership, action, results differentiators. A&M’s ability to attract accomplished local talent supports our ability to build depth and breadth service offerings aligned with our integrated approach. Our expanding transaction advisory footprint, combined with Ali’s appointment, will help create value for Middle East-based businesses, sovereign wealth funds, and regionally located international investors deploying capital and resources inside and outside of the region.”

“The expansion of A&M’s Global Transaction Advisory Group to the Middle East is the continuation of our firm’s global growth strategy,” said Paul Aversano, Managing Director and Global Practice Leader of A&M’s Global Transaction Advisory Group. “Ali’s experience and local market relationships align with A&M’s global network and boots-on-the-ground approach. He strengthens our ability to help clients be successful investors and maximize value amidst a fluctuating landscape regionally and globally.”

 Mr. Anwar has provided financial due diligence and related services on transactions involving some of the most well-known Middle East-based businesses. He has advised clients on more than 130 transactions/projects in the past decade in the Middle East. He has wide-ranging experience in helping sovereign wealth funds, global and regional private equity firms, multinational corporations and family offices navigate M&A and capital markets transactions. 

Additionally, Mr. Anwar has worked with clients on deal origination, market entry approaches, feasibility studies, expansion strategies, and operating model and business case development. He joins A&M after nearly 15 years at Ernst & Young (EY), where he served as an Engagement Partner and a trusted advisor to some of the firm’s key clients in the Middle East.

Mr. Anwar said, “A&M’s integrated platform positions the firm to advise Middle East-based clients, as well as those around the world, on domestic, inbound and outbound transactions. Our Middle East Transaction Advisory Group further amplifies A&M’s restructuring heritage and deep operational expertise. It advances our mission to drive change that helps clients turn market challenges into investment opportunities.”

Mr. Anwar earned a bachelor of science in mathematics from Imperial College London and is a qualified Chartered Accountant.

About Alvarez & Marsal

Companies, investors and government entities around the world turn to Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) for leadership, action and results. Privately held since its founding in 1983, A&M is a leading global professional services firm that provides advisory, business performance improvement and turnaround management services. When conventional approaches are not enough to create transformation and drive change, clients seek our deep expertise and ability to deliver practical solutions to their unique problems.

With over 5,000 people across four continents, we deliver tangible results for corporates, boards, private equity firms, law firms and government agencies facing complex challenges. Our senior leaders, and their teams, leverage A&M’s restructuring heritage to help companies act decisively, catapult growth and accelerate results. We are experienced operators, world-class consultants, former regulators and industry authorities with a shared commitment to telling clients what’s really needed for turning change into a strategic business asset, managing risk and unlocking value at every stage of growth.

To learn more, visit: AlvarezandMarsal.com. Follow A&M on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

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