Dubai, United Arab Emirates
With over thirteen years of professional experience, I now specialize in executive search and leadership advisory. My focus is on identifying, engaging and placing senior leaders who drive business growth and innovation across the Middle East.
Tandem role with Intertek Developed and implemented multi-country risk and compliance frameworks integrating ISO 9001, 17020, and 17065 standards, while unifying risk identification and ERM systems across all business units. Led internal audit programs and liaised with external auditors, governmental inspectors, and ministry audit teams to ensure regulatory compliance across regional offices. Reported directly to Managing Partners and Founders, coordinating management meetings, monitoring resolutions, and implementing policy and procedural changes accordingly. Conducted risk assessments and mitigation planning, ensuring consistent follow-up and continuous improvement of the enterprise risk register and compliance monitoring systems. Coordinated with internal and external stakeholders (ministries, customs, and regulatory authorities in KSA, Oman, Iraq, and Qatar) to ensure alignment with national and international compliance and inspection frameworks. Advised on import regulations, WTO standards, and conformity to Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) agreements, supporting policy alignment and market access across the GCC. Directed cross-border compliance initiatives that streamlined import certification for 100+ food and consumer goods, reducing operational risk and ensuring adherence to SFDA, SASO, DGSM, and COSQC regulations. Developed and reviewed policies, procedures, and operational controls to enhance governance and ensure compliance with legal, ethical, and safety standards.
Engage international stakeholders in developing agriculture projects in Economically challenged regions Developing of methodologies and adopting technology that allowed continuous production of agriculture produce in post-economic collapse (for example, development of production line in Lebanon after the Beirut Port explosion). Feasibility and market studies for such projects to ensure company resilience throughout challenging conditions such as disrupted supply lines and blocked export lines.
• Project management: ex: Qatar World Cup 2022- leading a multinational team for food import verification into Qatar- dealing directly with Qatar customs officials. managed team of 5; ex: Delivering projects to Saudi Arabia mega project customs officials for import goods standard verification and customs clearance; food product safety standards, Risk Assessment programs; policy development with government bodies such as SFDA and SASO. • Hiring new staff for projects: ex: food safety specialists and technical consultants, etc. • Project development & Research for tenders (applying for bids, determining ROI, etc.) in the field of taxation, tobacco control, import certification, used car parts, etc. • Business development: Identified new markets and revenue streams, spearheading investment opportunities to enhance current work in import and export certification with customs and government officials. • Direct engagement with stakeholders including government and customs officials in KSA, Iraq, Kurdistan, Qatar, etc. • Policy advisory and policy change for KSA (Saudi Food & Drug Authority/SASO (Saudi Standards), Iraq (COSQC- Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control), Kurdistan, Qatar (Ministry of Public Health), Oman (Directorate General for Standards & Metrology), etc. to develop the necessary policy and process of work for import certification. • Consultation and advisory on the development and expansion of online government portals for import regulation and business registration. • Application of Technical barriers to trade agreements for countries in the gulf and providing policy change and advisory accordingly. Developing policy for the application of Quality Mark on a national scale, and Gulf mark adoption for regional exports in the Gulf • ISO 9001/1702517020 certified.
Project development & management: animal genetics and breeding experiments focused on improving offspring & meat quality Experimental design, implementation, and optimization of laboratory and farm processes to ensure operational efficiency in wet lab and farm production. Data analytics & quality control: Statistical analysis, data visualization (Minitab, R Studio, SPSS, R…). Transformed research findings into actionable commercial applications, driving agriculture industry adoption and food development and innovation. Engaged farmers and government officials and to align research outcomes with industry needs and market demands.