Q5 appoints Scott Kennedy as Managing Director of Saudi business

International change consultancy Q5 has appointed Scott Kennedy as the new Managing Director of its Saudi business.

Originally from Scotland, Scott Kennedy has been based in the Middle East for over a decade, and brings over a decade of experience spanning the private, public, and non-profit sectors across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Oman to Q5.

His background includes leadership roles at Maximus Gulf, AEI Saudi and Working Links. As Vice President of PMO & Centre of Excellence at Maximus Gulf, he built a Saudi-based PMO function that supported regional growth and launched an advisory unit focused on strategy execution and social impact.

As Chief Operating Officer at AEI Saudi, he initiated a company-wide transformation, forged strategic partnerships, and helped hundreds of international companies establish a presence in the Saudi market. At Working Links, he played a key role in shaping international strategy across Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Europe, managing government advisory projects and overseeing a vast network of partners.

“After more than a decade of learning, growing, and working in Saudi Arabia, I’m excited to bring my experience to Q5,” said Kennedy on his new challenge.

At Q5, an award-winning change and organisation consultancy firm, Kennedy is responsible for leading the company’s growth agenda in Saudi Arabia, strengthening client relationships, and building a high-performing local team in the Riyadh base. He will also have a client-facing role, specialising in strategic execution, organizational design, organizational effectiveness and operational excellence.

“My key goals include localizing Q5’s expertise to better serve clients, enhancing the company’s reputation within the Kingdom, and fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence,” he said.

Olly Purnell, Managing Partner at Q5, stated: “The appointment of Scott marks an exciting chapter for our Middle East business. Scott has been a good friend of Q5 since we opened our operation in Riyadh back in 2018, so we know what he’s capable of, what motivates him and how he can help us make a profound impact on our clients in the Kingdom.”

In the Middle East, Q5 also has an office in Oman, with its other offices based in the UK, the US, and Australia.