Gulf Industry has unveiled its annual record of MENA’s 50 maximum influential chiefs and bosses, spotting the leaders shaping the area’s trade panorama. Amongst them is only one member from the pro products and services trade: Hisham Farouk, CEO of Grant Thornton within the UAE.
The record, independently curated via the editorial workforce at Gulf Industry, options most of the area’s maximum distinguished trade leaders, together with HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum (Chairman and CEO of Emirates), Amin Nasser (President and CEO of Aramco), Hamad Ali Al Khater (CEO of Qatar Airlines), Hana Al Rostamani (CEO of First Abu Dhabi Financial institution), and Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak (CEO of Mubadala Funding Corporate and Chairman of Manchester Town).
In spite of the consulting trade’s pivotal function in supporting governments and companies around the area on their maximum urgent strategic, monetary, operational, and organizational demanding situations, the sphere has only one consultant in this yr’s record – that honour is going to Hisham Farouk.
As CEO of Grant Thornton within the UAE, Farouk has led the company thru a sustained length of enlargement and transformation, positioning it as a future-focused skilled products and services company identified for its consumer relationships, sector experience, and depended on functions.
Beneath his management, the UAE follow has change into one of the vital fastest-growing member companies within the world Grant Thornton community, incomes the celebrated Move Past Award from the world community in reputation of its efficiency and innovation.
Consistent with Gulf Industry, Farouk “has built a reputation as a leader who sees beyond cycles, driving continuous innovation while positioning the firm ahead of change and preparing it for what comes next.”
Farouk additionally led the care for Grant Thornton Advisors, an investor-backed multinational platform that brings in combination Grant Thornton companies from around the globe. Lately, Grant Thornton Advisors employs greater than 24,000 execs spanning the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Heart East.
From a shopper paintings viewpoint, Farouk has all through his occupation urged most of the area’s main organizations throughout a vast vary of industries. His experience covers company governance, restructuring, succession making plans, dispute answer, and long-term worth advent. He’s a registered auditor with the UAE Ministry of Financial system and an authorized insolvency practitioner with each the Dubai Global Monetary Centre (DIFC) and Abu Dhabi International Marketplace (ADGM).
Farouk has additionally constructed a robust recognition as an adviser to family-owned companies, serving to them professionalize their operations, give a boost to governance, and get ready for long-term enlargement. His paintings on this space prior to now earned him reputation from The Nationwide, which described him as “the right-hand man for Dubai families”.
Supporting entrepreneurship
Past his govt obligations, Farouk is an lively contributor to the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and management group. He helps organizations together with Undertaking and the GCC bankruptcy of the 30% Membership, whilst mentoring founders and rising trade leaders.
He additionally champions purpose-driven tasks thru organizations such because the Al Noor Coaching Centre for Other folks of Choice and the Maria Cristina Basis, reflecting his dedication to group building along trade management.
Jury verdict
In its jury verdict, Gulf Industry praised Farouk’s contribution to the area’s trade group: “For more than two decades, Hisham has been at the forefront of advising businesses through some of the UAE’s most significant periods of economic growth, regulatory reform and corporate transformation, establishing himself as one of the region’s most respected business leaders and advisers.”
The newsletter additionally highlighted the transformation of Grant Thornton beneath his management: “Under Hisham’s leadership, Grant Thornton’s business in the UAE has transformed into a future-focused organization built on trust, relevance and deep sector expertise, while driving sustained growth and strategic evolution across the firm.”
The jury additional famous Farouk’s govt schooling credentials from Harvard Industry Faculty, the College of Oxford, Chicago Sales space, and INSEAD.
“This recognition reflects Hisham’s continued impact on the region’s business landscape and reinforces his position among a select group of leaders who are helping shape a more dynamic, resilient and globally connected MENA economy.”
