Manara Global opens for business in UAE’s capital city

Dubai-based Manara Global has expanded its wings in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), opening for business in the federation’s capital city of Abu Dhabi.

Established in 2019 in Dubai, Manara Global is a professional services firm specialised in strategic communications, public relations, and brand reputation management.

Founded by the duo Teri O’Donnell and Robin Gordon-Farleigh, Manara Global is a boutique with around a dozen staff – although it self-bills itself as a top-tier player in the communications space with a roster of clients including CEOs, top politicians, founders, and ultra-high net worth individuals.

“Our expansion into Abu Dhabi is a strategic leap in our journey,” stated co-founder O’Donnell. “With our increasing engagement in the Abu Dhabi and UAE government sector, this new location empowers us to serve our clients more effectively.”

Gordon-Farleigh added: “This strategic move not only underscores our commitment to deepening ties with the Abu Dhabi and UAE government sector but also highlights our momentum in the private sector, following several significant client account wins in the technology sector, such as G42 Cloud.”

From its new base in Masdar City, an urban blended work and residential community famed for its sustainability footprint (six kilometers from the Abu Dhabi airport), Manara Global will also seek to expand its client base, among others through the launch of new service offerings, partnerships, and fresh hires.

“A focus of Manara Global’s strategic plan is on innovation which will see a range of technology solutions taken up and a greater focus on our Insight and Intelligence team – the Ma’refa (meaning knowledge in Arabic) team – which will be providing comprehensive insights into the region, with a particular focus on the UAE,” said Gordon-Farleigh.

According to a recent report from Boston Consulting Group, Abu Dhabi ranks as one of the most desirable destinations in the world for doing business – and living.

Last month, FTI Consulting – a global management consultancy that also has a strategic communications arm – similarly launched a new office in Abu Dhabi, although it picked the Abu Dhabi Global Market district for its base.