Global brand consultancy Industry has appointed Abdullah J Wallace as the strategic advisor for the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, based in Bahrain.

Prior to this, Wallace was an advisor to the Bahrain Association of Banks (BAB) and started The Bahrain Banker, a quarterly publication promoting the kingdom as a regional banking centre.

He has over 45 years of experience in publishing and consulting industry throughout the Middle East, specialising in economic development, business, banking and Sharia-compliant finance, said a statement from the London-headquartered company.

Wallace was publisher and editor-in-chief of Meed magazine and a major shareholder until he sold the group to pursue other interests. He also worked as the Middle East editor for BBC TV news and Middle East and Europe editor for United Press International (UPI).

Under the Meed banner, Wallace organised and ran the Gulf’s first international banking conference, which was held in Bahrain in the early 1970s, said the statement from Industry.

His most recent book, A Guide to Islamic Banking & Finance, is generally regarded as a ‘must read’ for all those interested in this complex subject, it added.

Welcoming the appointment, Robert F Johnson, the director of Mena at Industry, said: "This reflects our continued commitment to building a strong and highly experienced international team."

With regional offices in the Middle East and Australia and partner offices in New York and Singapore, the consutancy brand boasts deep expertise in running global brand transformation programmes for financial and professional services, property, government and industrial clients.

On his new role, Wallace said: "I am delighted to have joined Industry which brings a robust and strategic focus to the branding process."

"I am excited at the opportunity to work with such a dynamic international team who are quickly developing a strong reputation in the region," he added.-TradeArabia News Service