Asian management consulting firm AWR Lloyd launches in the Middle East
AWR Lloyd, an Asian management consulting firm, has launched in the Middle East through a joint venture with Abu Dhabi-based Siraj Holdings.
Established 25 years ago, AWR Lloyd is an Asia-focused firm specialising in strategy, corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, private equity services, and sustainability. Last year the Financial Times ranked AWR Lloyd as one of the top 10 fastest growing consulting firms in Asia-Pacific. The consulting firm has offices and teams in Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and India.
Through its strategic alliance with Siraj Holdings, a holding company that owns several businesses in sectors such as financial services, technology, hospitality, energy, and real estate, AWR Lloyd now also has an office in the UAE’s capital city, Abu Dhabi.
Operating as AWR Lloyd Gulf Partners, the joint venture in the region will offer the full suite of professional services currently offered by AWR Lloyd in Asia-Pacific. Key offerings include strategy, mergers & acquisitions, due diligence, investment decisions, shareholder value maximization, market entry strategy, restructuring, investor relations, crisis resiliency, and sustainability transformation.
Commenting on the expansion, Alexander Wood, CEO and co-founder of AWR Lloyd said: “In recent years, we managed assignments during the pandemic in the UAE and Iraq for major energy construction projects and have worked for some of the region’s largest energy and infrastructure groups in relation to their Asia M&A strategies. We now look forward to deepening and broadening our presence in the Middle East.
Asked why the firm picked a joint venture above a solo market entry, Wood said: “Clients in the region are increasingly seeking high-touch, sector-specific advisory services from firms who understand both global markets and local expectations. This partnership combines AWR Lloyd’s extensive experience in strategy consulting and transaction advisory with Siraj Holding’s regional insights and networks.”
“AWR Lloyd Gulf Partners is uniquely positioned to deliver on this need. We provide strategic intelligence and transaction management grounded in international best practice, but always customised for the regulatory, cultural, and commercial context of each country and sub-region in which we operate.”
Udaya Indrarathna, a distinguished Sri Lankan diplomat and consultant, played an important role in the formation of AWR Lloyd Gulf Partners, and will become one of its founding shareholders and directors. Another director is Mohamed Rusan Fyroze, the CEO of Siraj Holding. He said: “We are delighted to expand into strategic consultancy and M&A advisory services through a partnership with AWR Lloyd.”
Ahmed Khalaf Al Otaiba, Chairman of Siraj Holding, added: “We are excited to diversify into consulting with AWR Lloyd. The firm has demonstrated its ability to challenge the dominance of mainstream consulting and investment banking firms in the Asia-Pacific region. We will now work with AWR Lloyd to offer value-add advisory services to major corporations and public sector clients in Middle East.”
