AlixPartners appoints Irfan Bidiwala as new Middle East Market Leader
Global consulting firm AlixPartners has appointed Irfan Bidiwala as its new Market Leader for the Middle East. He steps into the shoes of Gabriel Chahine.
A Partner and Managing Director at AlixPartners, Irfan Bidiwala now returns to his roots, having spent part of his upbringing in Bahrain and advising clients in the region periodically over the years. He has been with AlixPartners since 2021, working out of its Houston office for clients in the US and internationally.
“My return to the Middle East marks an important new chapter for me both personally and professionally,” Bidiwala stated in a LinkedIn post. “This region has always been a hub of ambition and bold vision. What makes this moment especially meaningful is not only witnessing how much the region has grown and evolved in such a short period of time, but also experiencing once again the warmth of its people and culture.”
“I’m honored to lead our Middle Eastern practice, a region central to AlixPartners’ long-term commitment. Together with our talented team, I look forward to building on the strong momentum in the market and partnering with clients who are ready for the kind of practical, results-based work and lasting impact that defines AlixPartners.”
In his new role, Bidiwala will lead the strategic direction of AlixPartners in the Middle East and its teams across offices in Dubai and Riyadh.
His track record includes advising on strategy, cost reduction, commercial profitability enhancement, operating model redesign, accelerating revenue, performance improvement, and the delivery of large-scale transformation programs. He focuses on clients in the energy and process industries.
Before AlixPartners, Bidiwala worked for Oliver Wyman and Arthur D. Little, among others. He holds an MBA degree from Rice Business School and a bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas.
Commenting on the appointment, Mark Veldon, EMEA Co-Head at AlixPartners said: “Irfan brings exceptional experience and strong regional expertise, strengthening our ability to serve clients at a time of opportunity and rapid transformation in the region. His appointment reflects a key step in the growth of our Middle East business.”
Gabriel Chahine, who has led the Middle East practice since its inception, will transition into a market-focused role, working more closely with clients to support the next phase of the firm’s growth in the region.
