Consulting Chronicles by Haziq Neshat Akhtar: From high stakes to hidden agendas
For over two decades, Haziq Neshat Akhtar has been solving complex challenges in corporate advisory, finance, risk and transactions. In ‘Consulting Chronicles’, his new book released today, he pulls back the curtain on life as a consultant – from high-stakes decisions and impact to hidden agendas and even unexpected betrayals.
The novel offers readers an immersive glimpse into the world of management consulting – a profession known for tackling intricate problems at pace, operating in high-pressure environments and navigating the many subtleties that sit behind strategic decision-making.
Now a partner at Wathiq (part of athGADLANG), Akhtar previously held roles at global advisory firms including BDO, Forvis Mazars and Grant Thornton. Over the years, he has advised organisations across the Middle East and Asia, working his way through the consulting ranks while gaining first-hand experience of the profession’s challenges and rewards.
Many of those experiences have now found their way – albeit in fictional form – into Consulting Chronicles. The story follows Harry Noel Arthur, managing partner of ACON Consulting (a playful nod to the author’s own initials), and his team as they navigate a world of corporate intrigue, unravel financial mysteries and forge unexpected relationships.
ACON Consulting is presented as a high-end boutique with a reputation for solving the most complex financial puzzles. At the heart of the story are a series of demanding engagements, including a manufacturing group suspected of inflating revenues, a technology start-up requiring a dramatic turnaround, and a high-profile tax evasion case that draws the team into an increasingly intricate web of deception.
While the narrative is fictional, those close to Akhtar may recognise echoes of situations and lessons drawn from his own career.
Beyond the professional intrigue, the novel also explores the ‘human side’ of consulting. Long hours and intense collaboration often create bonds that extend beyond the workplace, and the book touches on how professional relationships can evolve into personal ones. There are moments of romance among team members – and, without revealing too much, even a wedding.
Lessons from the consulting world
Asked about the core messages of the book, Akhtar first points to the importance of teamwork. “Consulting Chronicles shows that no success is achieved alone,” he explains. “It highlights the role of teamwork, collaboration and leadership in high-pressure consulting environments. It’s about building trust, learning from one another and working collectively to solve complex challenges.”
Another theme running throughout the story is the role of integrity and careful judgement. “The book illustrates how strategy, diligence and ethical decision-making can make all the difference,” Akhtar says. “It offers a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs behind consulting work – a world where every decision has consequences.”
Beyond these two, there are a lot more lessons Akhtar shares in the book. “Over time, I found myself holding onto moments from my work in finance and consulting – not just the outcomes, but the conversations, the decisions and the realities behind them. Some of those moments stayed with me longer than others.”
“They shaped how I think, how I approach problems and how I understand the profession beyond the numbers. This book is a reflection of that journey and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.”
The result is a story aimed at both seasoned consultants and those just beginning their careers. For experienced professionals, the narrative may feel familiar; for younger readers, it offers a glimpse into what life inside consulting can look like. “It brings together experiences from the field in a way that I hope resonates with those who have faced similar situations – or are navigating them today,” Akhtar says.
From passion to publication
The publication of Consulting Chronicles has been years in the making, with the idea lingering in Akhtar’s mind even as the demands of consulting left little time to pursue it. “Like many of us, I often find ourselves caught up in the whirlwind of deadlines and day-to-day responsibilities,” he says. “But beyond work, it’s equally important to make time for the passions that truly inspire us.”
“For me, that passion has always been writing. It’s a space where I can reflect, create and express ideas in a different way.”
After pitching the concept, it was Austin Macauley Publishers – an independent publisher with offices in London, New York and Sharjah – that embraced the project. Now available through several online bookstores, Consulting Chronicles marks a moment Akhtar describes as deeply meaningful. “I’m incredibly humbled and excited to see a vision I’ve carried with me for years finally become reality,” he concludes.
