AlixPartners, the global business-advisory firm, has appointed Hamed Kazim its senior advisor for the Middle East region and Dr Vinzenz Schwegmann as managing director, both based in UAE.

Dr Schwegmann is slated to eventually lead AlixPartners’ entire team in the Middle East, a company statement said.

“These two very significant appointments strengthen our on-the-ground team and position us better than ever to help clients in the region. Kazim brings a deep understanding of the regional business environment and culture, and is highly respected for his contributions to the local economies,” said Stefano Aversa, co-president of AlixPartners.

“Dr Schwegmann has been a pillar of AlixPartners’ development in Germany and throughout Europe for the past several years. He will bring an invaluable wealth of industry and business knowledge to the region,” he added.

Kazim’s career spans 25 years, initially with Arthur Anderson and later with Ernst & Young, following the merger of the two firms. A UAE national, Kazim was on the board of the Emirates Securities & Commodities Authority and currently holds a number of non-executive positions.

Dr Schwegmann joined AlixPartners in 2003.  Most recently, he was European Head of AlixPartners’ Automotive and Industrial Goods Practice. Prior to AlixPartners, he spent 12 years with McKinsey & Co, with a year in Saudi Arabia, where he co-led that firm’s European operations excellence and lean manufacturing team.

Eric Benedict, managing director and head of AlixPartners’ Middle East team, said: “Many government-related entities and private companies across the region are reviewing the structure of their businesses as they consider future growth plans, and the development of early-stage, ‘greenfield’ operations is an area more and more companies here should be, and are, thinking about.”

“In Dr. Schwegmann, we have expert in the field, who also has professional expertise in the region. Additionally, he also has experience in growing regional practices for professional-service firms.  I think our clients will be greatly impressed by what he can do for them here,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service