Deloitte announce new leadership appointments in the Middle East

• Akbar Ahmad is appointed Deloitte Middle East Audit & Assurance Leader

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Deloitte announced two major leadership appointments in the Middle East today. Muhammad Bahemia has been named the new Tax Leader, succeeding Nauman Ahmed, while Akbar Ahmad will take over as the Audit & Assurance Leader, succeeding Herve Ballantyne, effective April 1st.

Mutasem Dajani, CEO of Deloitte Middle East said, “Nauman Ahmed and Herve Ballantyne played an instrumental role in driving Deloitte’s substantial growth across both their business lines, from talent and offerings to client base. As a result, today with the new appointed leaders we believe we are best equipped to support clients to seize opportunities and navigate challenges across our dynamic and complex market." 

With over 31 years of experience in the industry, Muhammad Bahemia is a seasoned tax professional with extensive knowledge and expertise in tax law and regulations. Prior to his new role, he served as Tax COO and Business Tax Leader, where he provided strategic tax advice to some of Deloitte Middle East’s flagship clients.

Commenting on his appointment, Muhammad said, "It’s a great honor to lead the Deloitte Tax practice which boasts incredible talent and great professionalism. Our team brings an unparalleled level of insight to the table with vast knowledge and expertise, which perfectly reflects Deloitte's ongoing commitment to deliver excellence.”

Akbar Ahmad brings extensive experience and a wealth of knowledge gained over 27 years of serving some of Deloitte’s most prominent clients in the UK and the Middle East. In his previous role as the Clients & Industries Leader, he was responsible for developing and delivering the organization’s strategic objectives, where he demonstrated his exceptional leadership qualities. 

"I am excited and proud to lead our Audit & Assurance Business which have a critical role to play in the economic diversification and transformation being delivered in the region. The focus and expectations of the markets on the provision of high-quality corporate reporting has never been greater. We are committed to developing world class talent, leveraging leading-edge technology, to deliver high quality services in an efficient and effective way that uphold integrity and drive value.” said Akbar Ahmad.  

To learn more about Deloitte, please visit: www.deloitte.com

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Deloitte & Touche (M.E.) LLP (“DME”) is the affiliate for the territories of the Middle East and Cyprus of Deloitte NSE LLP (“NSE”), a UK limited liability partnership and member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (“DTTL”).

DME is a leading professional services firm established in the Middle East region with uninterrupted presence since 1926. DME’s presence in the Middle East region is established through its affiliated independent legal entities, which are licensed to operate and to provide services under the applicable laws and regulations of the relevant country. DME’s affiliates and related entities cannot oblige each other and/or DME, and when providing services, each affiliate and related entity engages directly and independently with its own clients and shall only be liable for its own acts or omissions and not those of any other affiliate.
DME provides audit and assurance, consulting, financial advisory, risk advisory and tax, services through 29 offices in 15 countries with more than 5,900 partners, directors and staff. 

About Deloitte:

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The information contained in this press release is correct at the time of going to press.

Bassel Barakat 
Senior Manager |External Communications |PR and Media
Deloitte & Touche (M.E.) 
bbarakat@deloitte.com | www.deloitte.com 

Contact:
Bassel Barakat
Senior Manager |External Communications |PR and Media
Deloitte Middle East
Email: bbarakat@deloitte.com