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Global strategic advisory network H/Advisors has launched its offering in the Middle East, working in close partnership with parent company Havas, one of the world’s largest communications groups.

H/Advisors provides advice and PR support across a wide range of business challenges, whether building a sustainability strategy, preparing for a financial transaction, promoting corporate profile, managing regulatory change, navigating a crisis situation or inspiring employees.

H/Advisors and Havas Middle East – with its team of over 200 people based across Riyadh, Dubai,  Cairo and Muscat – will pool their resources to deliver both insight-driven and creative solutions and communications strategies for regional clients.

The firm has appointed Laura Stockwell –a sustainability expert, entrepreneur, and long-standing business consultant in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region –as Managing Director. She will lead and oversee the build-out of the firm’s strategic communications services across the region.

Laura, who has lived in the UAE for over a decade, will primarily focus on advising private companies and government-related entities on their corporate reputation and sustainability objectives. This will be delivered in combination with H/Advisors Sustain, a global team of ESG specialists covering everything from multilateral regulation and environmental media to greenwashing reputational risk and corporate reporting. This aligns H/Advisors’ launch focus with that of the region’s key leadership and vision, combining both local and international knowledge and best practice.

Neil Bennett and Tom Johnson, Global co-CEOs of H/Advisors, said: “Our group’s international expansion continues and this is an exciting new launch. It enables us to integrate our insights-led strategic advisory and communications services – whether in sustainability, capital markets and M&A, corporate communications, public affairs, crisis management or internal change– with Havas Middle East’s leadership in developing meaningful brands.”

Dany Naaman, CEO, Havas Middle East, said: “Havas has been operating in the region for many years in a joint venture with Chalhoub Group. This new partnership adds to our expertise and gives us access to specialised, strategic communications professionals all over the world. We are excited to integrate our talent with H/Advisors’ team at a time when the region, its governments and companies are playing a crucial role on the global stage. Delivering the energy transition is one example and we are well placed to support the vision of the GCC’s leadership.” 

Laura Stockwell, Managing Director, Middle East at H/Advisors, said: “This an exciting time to be joining the group with my experience in delivering sustainability programmes. COP28 is being held in the UAE later this year, and this will be the first time the country has hosted the global climate event. H/Advisors has already developed a suite of advisory and communications services tailored to supporting organisations both to prepare and engage around COP28, helping ensure these businesses play their part delivering the region’s economic and energy transition plans.”