Deloitte partner Hadeel Biyari wins international tax award
Hadeel Biyari, a partner at Deloitte in Saudi Arabia, has been named a ‘rising star’ in the EMEA tax landscape by global publication International Tax Review.
One of just four winners in the ‘rising star’ award category (notably alongside one other Deloitter based in South Africa), Hadeel Biyari has been selected by an independent jury out of hundreds of candidates from across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Organised annually, the ITR Tax Awards recognize the outstanding achievements of tax firms and professionals over a 12-month period. The competition covers all segments of the tax space, including corporate taxation, transfer pricing, disputes, and indirect tax.
Individual awards assessed candidates on criteria including client impact, expert knowledge, leadership skills, contribution to the industry, and more. Biyari was named a ‘rising star’ in the ‘Tax Disputes & Litigation’ category.
A partner in Deloitte’s Saudi Arabian team, Biyari specialises in Value Added Tax (VAT), Real Estate Transactions Tax (RETT), and customs and excise duties, among others. She advises clients on navigating and complying with Saudi Arabia’s rapidly changing tax landscape, and with engaging with the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority (ZATCA).
“The local tax system is constantly evolving and requires a great level of understanding of the Saudi legislation as well as a high degree of familiarity with the challenges facing businesses operating in the market, which amplifies the need for local expertise,” said Biyari.
“I am committed to raising the standards of excellence and delivering the best possible results for clients across a range of tax litigation cases, advisory and compliance matters.”
Biyari gained her master’s diploma at Northumbria University in the United Kingdom, and holds several professional accreditations including SOCPA zakat and VAT licenses, and an ATT GCC VAT compliance diploma.
Prior to joining Deloitte in 2020, she worked for another Big Four firm and spent a decade at oil giant Aramco.
Celebrating the high-profile recognition, Deloitte’s Tax leader for the Middle East, Muhammad Bahemia, stated: “A big congratulations to Hadeel for winning the award, it marks a great recognition of her pioneering work and leadership.”
The prize for Hadeel Biyari capped a more than successful outcome for Deloitte at the International Tax Awards 2023. The firm took home 16 country awards (more than any other Big Four), and 4 of the in total 12 regional EMEA awards, including the most prestigious of all – being named Tax Firm of the Year for the entire EMEA region. Deloitte was also named Tax Firm of the Year in the Middle East.
The three other rising stars lauded during the International Tax Awards were: Robert Dever (Eversheds Sutherland), Kananelo Lethena (Deloitte), and Aleksandra Plichta (CRIDO Taxand).
Meanwhile, the other award category for individuals in the professional services sector (‘practice leader’) named Ekow Eghan (EY), Yves Hervé (NERA Economic Consulting), Jason Collins (DLA Piper), and Vita Miroshnychenko (PwC) as winners.