Grant Thornton UAE has announced tennew Partner appointments as part of the firm’s continued expansion in the UAE, adding senior leadership across multiple service lines at a time of sustained client demand and market change.
The new Partners are Sameer Abdi, Partner and Head of Advisory; Chris Quinn, Audit Partner; Hani Zeidan, Audit Partner; Ahmad Chit, Forensics Partner; Ahmed Afify, Audit Partner; Haris Saigal, Audit Partner; Rajeev Patel, Financial Due Diligence Partner; Anand Balasubramanian, Partner and Head of Risk & Compliance Advisory; Veronica Fox, People Partner; and Richard Hills, Partner, Head of Risk Innovation & Digital Forensics.
The expansion of the partnership comes as organisations across the UAE operate in an environment shaped by increased regulatory complexity, heightened scrutiny and the growing impact of technology on business and transaction models. Businesses are increasingly seeking senior judgement and practical advice that combines sector expertise with an understanding of data, automation and technology-enabled value creation, particularly across transactions, restructuring and governance. Grant Thornton UAE has continued to strengthen its senior leadership in response, drawing on both long-standing internal leaders and experienced professionals from the market.
Two of the appointments, Ahmed Afify and Haris Saigal, follow promotions from within the firm. Their progression reflects the firm’s approach to building leadership over time, with experience rooted in the local market and developed through long-term client relationships.
Hisham Farouk, CEO of Grant Thornton UAE, said: “These appointments recognise people who have earned the confidence of clients and colleagues through the quality of their work and the way they lead. Each Partner brings a clear understanding of the market, strong professional judgement and a responsibility that extends beyond individual engagements. That responsibility matters, both to our clients and to the wider business community.”
Jim Peko, CEO of Grant Thornton Advisors LLC, points to the depth of leadership emerging across the firm. “The UAE is not only an important market for us – it is a driving force within our 24,000-strong platform,” he says. “The leadership emerging here, grounded in deep local insight and matched with our multinational ambition, reflects the strength of our platform and the exceptional people who power it. The UAE plays a pivotal role in delivering the seamless crossborder experience our clients expect, and it continues to set the pace for what excellence looks like across Grant Thornton.”
Steve Tennant, CEO of Grant Thornton Advisors for Europe, Middle East and Africa, emphasises the importance of judgement in a changing environment – “What clients value most today is advisers who truly understand the forces reshaping the markets they operate in and who recognise the responsibility that comes with staying ahead of that change,” he says. “As the professional services landscape evolves at unprecedented speed, these new appointments demonstrate the forward looking perspective needed to navigate what’s next.”
With an expanded partnership in place, Grant Thornton UAE continues to build its presence in the market with a long-term view, focused on experience, continuity and trusted relationships.
