BrazilDina Abo-Onoq takes on chief country manager role for A&M in KSA
Experienced advisor Dina Abo-Onoq has taken over as the Chief Country Manager of Alvarez & Marsal in Saudi Arabia, the first female Saudi national to head a professional services firm of its type in the Kingdom.
Alvarez & Marsel has appointed Dina Abo-Onoq to lead its country operations in Saudi Arabia. Taking on the role last month, Abo-Onoq’s appointment reflects what Alvarez & Marsal states as a growing demand for its services in the Kingdom, where the firm operates one of two regional offices alongside the UAE, while also aligning with its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda and efforts toward workforce nationalisation.
Tasked with cultivating client relationships and growing the firm’s presence in the Kingdom, Abo-Onoq brings over 18 years of advisory and leadership experience to A&M’s Riyadh office, specifically in the area wealth management, having crossed from her most recent position as local Head of Business Development for Indosuez Wealth Management, which recently sold a 20% stake of its subsidiary Azqore to Capgemini.
Prior to her nearly two-year stint with Indosuez, Abo-Onoq spent over three and a half years with Liechtenstein’s royal financial services entity LGT as a Director of Business Development in Dubai, before which she served as Vice President and senior financial advisor for both Merrill Lynch and BNP Paribas in Saudi Arabia. In addition, Abo-Onoq is an Executive Member of the Board of Directors in the Saudi International Chamber of Commerce.
According to A&M, Abo-Onoq is recognised as a local pioneer and one of the first female Saudi nationals to achieve executive status with several global financial services institutions, with her latest appointment as country leader in Saudi Arabia for a firm of A&M’s ilk further marking a first for the country’s high-end professional services sector. At A&M, Abo-Onoq joins Middle East co-leader Saeeda Jaffar, who was recruited by the firm as a Managing Director in 2016
“I am delighted that we are being joined by a seasoned professional with relevant experience and expertise,” said Jaffar of Abo-Onoq’s appointment. “Our two-prong focus on strategic advice and implementation has proven to be very successful in helping KSA institutions transform in line with Vision 2030. Dina’s appointment illustrates our commitment to the region and its goals. She will be an extremely valuable asset to our clients and our team.”
Abo-Onoq responded in kind: “I am excited to be joining such a reputable firm and leading its expansion into Saudi Arabia, as the Kingdom undergoes its economic and social reform programme with the implementation of the leadership’s Vision 2030. I believe my experience and network stand A&M in great stead to build a credible operation in the Kingdom. I look forward to helping A&M’s Middle East clients continue to grow and to maximise value.”
A&M has since Abo-Onoq’s appointment made an additional round of promotions within its Middle East operations, including new directors Marco Vögele, a former five-year Deloitte management consultant who joined Alvarez in 2016, and Sean Dedross, who joined A&M’s turnaround team last year after five years at PwC. The firm has also this year added Haroon Ansary and Pietro Castronovo as local senior directors, along with Ghazanfar Shah in August.
