Strategic Gears makes leadership appointments across MENA, UK and Digital practices

Strategic Gears has made four key senior appointments as it enters a new phase of growth, expanding its international footprint and deepening its sector and digital expertise. Richard Parkin, Nagaraj Padmanabhan, Hanni El-Sayed, and Hashim Alsadah join the firm’s leadership team.

The four new leaders bring decades of experience across commercial due diligence, digital transformation, technology strategy, and operational execution – supporting the mission of Strategic Gears to deliver agile, insight-driven solutions across the public and private sectors.

Richard Parkin joins in the UK

Richard Parkin joins as Partner to lead Strategic Gears’ expansion into the UK market and to establish a dedicated Commercial Due Diligence (CDD) offering for the firm. With over 22 years of experience advising private equity and corporate clients, Parkin has led nearly 100 CDD engagements spanning deal sizes from under $10 million to over $500 million. His sector expertise includes B2B services, industrials, and the automotive ecosystem.

Previously holding leadership roles at Grant Thornton, EY, Mars & Co, and Roland Berger, as well as operational positions at Autovista and British American Tobacco, Parkin brings a blend of strategic and practical insights. At Strategic Gears, he will focus on building a UK-based team, developing sector-specific intelligence in mobility and sustainable transport, and integrating CDD into broader strategy and value-creation mandates.

“I joined Strategic Gears because of its great culture and bright, motivated people. Consulting work is varied and exciting, but it’s not without risk – being part of a cohesive and motivated team really helps to get things done. Strategic Gears has some real growth momentum, and I'm excited to be part of the journey in building out the firm's offering and geographical reach,” said Parkin.

Nagaraj Padmanabhan appointed as Senior Partner

Nagaraj Padmanabhan joins as Senior Partner to lead the firm’s Digital, Cloud, Data, and AI practice. With over 21 years of consulting experience across the Middle East, Europe, North America, and India, he brings a strong track record of driving technology-enabled transformation. Padmanabhan has developed and deployed over 100 AI and machine learning models and built multiple advisory practices from the ground up.

His previous roles include CEO of Cirrus Labs for the Middle East & Africa and Partner at Deloitte, with earlier experience at KPMG, IBM, and TCS. At Strategic Gears, he will spearhead the integration of advanced technologies into sector offerings, enable digital revenue streams for clients, and scale enterprise transformation initiatives through a performance- and compliance-driven lens.

“I joined Strategic Gears to be part of a purpose-driven team that blends strategic advisory with cutting-edge technology. What excites me most is the opportunity to build, grow, and scale our technology consulting practice by integrating cloud, digital, and AI into every facet of transformation – bringing innovation closer to execution. My mission is to ensure that our clients not only transform but lead – ethically, efficiently, and sustainably,” said Padmanabhan.

Hanni El-Sayed joins as Associate Partner

Hanni El-Sayed joins as Associate Partner and co-Lead of the firm’s newly launched Digital & Technology practice, with a focus on financial services and enterprise transformation. With 17 years of experience at top global consultancies including Boston Consulting Group, Accenture, Synpulse, and IBM, El-Sayed specializes in digital strategy, enterprise architecture, and data transformation.

He has led engagements with key regional institutions such as the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA), and the Central Bank of the UAE. At Strategic Gears, El-Sayed will focus on building a differentiated digital advisory offering, embedding AI and data-led innovation into financial institutions’ strategies, and driving measurable outcomes through delivery excellence.

“I’m deeply passionate about all things digital and technology related, helping clients pull forward the future in ‘byte’ sized chunks is what gets me out of bed each morning. I’m excited at the opportunity to Strategic Gears to support our clients in this ever-evolving fast paced domain to help uplift the digital and technology maturity of our clients and help them respond to a changing technology driven market environment,” commented El-sayed.

Hashim Alsadah named Chief Operating Officer

Hashim Alsadah joins as Chief Operating Officer (COO), bringing over 12 years of experience across government, industrials, and tech startups. He was an early member of Careem’s Saudi Arabia team and played a key role in scaling its early operations. At the Ministry of Commerce, Alsadah supported strategic initiatives under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Most recently at Sary, a B2B tech startup, he led operations across logistics, fintech, and marketplace services.

As COO, Alsadah will focus on aligning operations with Strategic Gears’ growth strategy, driving internal consistency, scalability, and performance across regions. His immediate priorities include building a scalable delivery model, establishing firm-wide operational standards, and embedding a strategy-to-execution rhythm that positions the firm for sustained growth.

“I joined Strategic Gears for a simple reason: the team, the mindset, the place, and the timing are all aligned to build something big and inspiring. Throughout my journey, I’ve focused on paving ways through ambiguity, and I see that same opportunity in our industry today. I’m confident we have what it takes to pave the way and stay ahead,” said Alsadah.

Asked about a career lesson he’s learned along the way, Alsadah said: “My reminder is this: don’t get too busy to pause and reflect on the great things you’re building. Don’t lose sight of the purpose or the joy in the exposure, the challenges, and the achievements along the way. It’s a game we get to enjoy playing and enjoy winning.”