Oxford Business Group (OBG), the global publishing, research and consultancy firm, has marked its sixth year in Abu Dhabi by appointing a new team to spearhead operations at its research office in the emirate.

Country director Neslihan Aydagul and editorial manager Joseph Kissick will lead the group’s research operations in Abu Dhabi on the back of a successful spell in Saudi Arabia where they jointly oversaw OBG’s previous two landmark publications charting the Kingdom’s progress in diversifying its economy.

The move marks a return to Abu Dhabi for both Aydagul and Kissick who were key players in the compilation of business intelligence for OBG’s 2008 report on the emirate’s economic development and investment opportunities.

Aydagul has carved out a successful career with OBG since joining the company seven years ago, having led production of the Group’s recent reports on Brunei Darussalam, Bahrain, Qatar and Malaysia, said a OBG statement.

During her time with the Group, she has interviewed many high-profile personalities, including the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Tun Abdul Razak and the chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority of Abu Dhabi and Mubadala Development Company Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak.

Kissick has also made a valuable contribution to OBG’s expansion across the region during his time with the OBG, leading editorial and research teams in the Gulf and Southeast Asia.

His interviewees include Brunei Darussalam’s Minister of Energy Pehin Mohammad Daud, the Mayor of Mecca Osama Al Bar, and the chairman of Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority and Abu Dhabi Executive Council board member Sheikh Diab bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Aydagul said she was delighted to be back in Abu Dhabi to document the emirate’s ongoing economic transformation as it continued to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbons dependence and drive growth in the non-oil sectors.

“Since our launch in Abu Dhabi, ObG has observed the emirate’s progress in expanding the role of the private sector and increasing investment in line with Economic Vision 2030, the guiding framework for economic growth,” she said.

“It’s a pleasure to come back to the emirate and touch base once again with the politicians and business leaders who are galvanising this exciting transition.”

“Key sectors such as industry, tourism and financial services are earmarked for growth,” he said. “I look forward to covering these exciting developments and analysing them with the rest of our team here.”

Regional director Michelle Solomon said the new team’s in-depth understanding of the workings of the GCC economies and the Abu Dhabi government’s vision for growth in particular would boost the Group’s operations in the emirate.

“Prudent governance has stood Abu Dhabi in good stead during the global economic crisis and the emirate is well placed to continue on its path of sustained growth,” she said.

“Neslihan and Joseph have a thorough knowledge of emerging economies, both in the Gulf and beyond, together with extensive networking skills."

"I am confident that their well-established synergy and expertise will be put to good use at our Abu Dhabi office as we prepare to cover this important phase in the Emirate’s development," she added.-TradeArabia News Service