Crestview appoints Alexander Wegner as Head of Middle East business

Crestview, an international player in communications and public affairs, has appointed Alexander Wegner as Vice President and Head of Middle East.

Canada-headquartered Crestview has a team of around 130 professionals working from offices in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the UAE.

In the Middle East, the firm works mainly across the Gulf, with clients including multinationals, governments, and telecom organizations. Its work in the region currently focuses on three core areas: strategic positioning, stakeholder engagement and market entry and access.

Installed as Head of Middle East, Alexander Wegner has been tasked with growing the firm’s footprint in the region. He brings over 15 years of experience across the Middle East and Africa, having worked extensively across the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria.

Wegner joins Crestview from Instinctif Partners, which recently was acquired by Italian group Excellera (which just landed a major private equity investment). Before that, Wegner worked in the communications arms of Teneo and APCO, and served boutique player Richard Attias & Associates. His clients have included Ministers, ultra-high-net-worth individuals, CEOs, sovereign wealth funds and Fortune 500 firms.

“I’m delighted to lead Crestview’s business in the Middle East,” said Wegner, who is a German national. “Crestview has a hard-earned reputation for consistent excellence and impact, and the caliber and commitment of colleagues throughout the firm is nothing short of exceptional. I’m excited about all we’re going to achieve with and for our clients here in the Gulf.”

Julian Ovens, partner and former resource executive and Chief of Staff to Canada’s Foreign and International Trade Ministers, stated: “Gulf markets have always been key – during my time in government, resources and investment banking. With our world changing more profoundly and rapidly than anyone had predicted just a few years ago, the Gulf states’ financial firepower and diplomatic leverage can make an outsized difference.”

“In Alexander, we have a trusted hand who knows the region inside out and can help clients in, or interested in, these markets navigate them successfully. We’re glad to have him join our senior team.”