Consulum members on the firm’s Saudi expansion and culture

Global advisory firm Consulum has moved into new state-of-the-art offices in KAFD and established its regional headquarters in Riyadh. As Saudi Arabia – and the wider region – looks to forge ahead with a major economic transform, we spoke with three company members about the firm’s culture and plans for further GCC expansion.

Consulum is a firm dedicated to advising governments on developing and leading transformation initiatives, and promoting their global interests.​ With its team of over 130 experts, the company’s offering has proven popular across the Middle East – as the region’s economies look to transform their economies, and shift away from their historic dependence on fossil fuels for growth.

Signalling its commitment to the Saudi market, Consulum has established its regional headquarters in Riyadh.

Consulum has been conducting business in the country for more than a decade, but securing its regional headquarters licence in the Kingdom will facilitate better collaboration with local public and private sector operators, as Saudi Arabia pushes ahead with its own Vision 2030 plans.

Nader Naamani, a partner who has been with Consulum since 2018, tells ConsultancyME that as “a proud resident” of Saudi Arabia for many years, he has witnessed “a remarkable transformation” across the country. It has created an atmosphere of progress and ambition, something he says is very exciting to be part of.

Speaking on the launch of the new (and larger) Consulum office, he explains, “As the country and our clients continue this fast-paced journey to Vision 2030, Consulum is taking this important step to be at the heart of this ongoing renaissance. We have expanded our offices to the King Abdullah Financial District, and proudly established our regional headquarters in Riyadh.”

The King Abdullah Financial District is itself an example of Vision 2030: the mixed-use district positions Riyadh as one of the leading financial and business centres in the region. The district is part of efforts from the country’s state to stimulate the growth of a private sector and stimulate public-private sector cooperation.

Mohammad Ayaz, an associate director who joined Consulum in 2022, said being present in the buzzing hub is an exciting development. As a former strategic advisor in public diplomacy with the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Belgium, he has already been working for more than a decade to enhance the country’s reputation from afar – so getting to see Vision 2030 first-hand from the Riyadh office is a satisfying moment for him.

Ayaz notes, “As a team, we are very excited about this expansion. It’s energising to be a part of a growing company in the heart of one of the newest business districts in Riyadh. As someone whose role is to work closely with government, I am proud to be part of the remarkable achievements of my country.”

That excitement is shared by Hania Malhas, a graduate consultant who joined Consulum after completing a journalism bachelors with Boston University in 2023. “Being at Consulum means working on some of the most impactful and rewarding projects happening in the world today. It also means that more of my colleagues from around the world will experience the atmosphere of ambition that makes Saudi Arabia so exciting.”

And according to Naamani, that is just the beginning. Insisting Consulum is not “only a chapter in the broader story”, he adds that the new office empowers the firm to become a bulwark of Saudi Arabia’s future.

Having the final say, Naamani concludes, “This expansion is designed to bring Consulum's excellence to a new level. We're not just physically even closer to our clients; we're immersed in their aspirations. We will continue to collaborate, innovate, and celebrate success, together.”