Middle East Markets | Business Awards 2016
Best Audiovisual Production Company 2016 & Events Management Firm of the Year in Saudi Arabia- page 4
Best Pharmaceutical Marketing & Consultancy Company 2016 MENA- page 6
mea Markets
Welcome to the 2016 Businesss Awards The Middle East & Africa is one of the world’s most diverse business centres, and has become the focus for many companies looking to move into a dynamic and vibrant region brimming with possibilities. The 2016 Business Awards are designed to recognise and reward the truly outstanding work done by the Middle East’s and Africa’s most talented, dedicated and experienced businesses, departments and individuals.
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Contents
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4 Timeline Production & Events
Best Audiovisual Production Company 2016 & Events Management Firm of the Year - Saudi Arabia 6 Genpharm
Best Pharmaceutical Marketing & Consultancy Company 2016 - MENA 8 Septech Emirates L.L.C.
Best in Wastewater Solutions 2016 - UAE
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10 Rosabon Financial Services Ltd
Leading Experts in Bespoke Wealth Management Services 2016 - Nigeria 12 Paramount Computer Systems FZ LLC
Best IT Company 2016 & Sustained Excellence in Information Security - UAE 14 The Emirates Capital Limited
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Leading Experts in Cross-Border Transaction Services 2016 - UAE 15 Booking World Wide , KSA
Best Tourism & Travel Agency - Saudi Arabia 16 Urban Associates
Leading Experts in Private Sector HR Consultancy 2016 - UAE
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BS160008
mea Markets Best Audiovisual Production Company 2016 & Events Management Firm of the Year Saudi Arabia
Product on & Events
Timeline Production & Events isPantone a Saudi Arabia based firm offering a range 262C of services from events management through to advertising and audio visual Cool Gray 3C production and post-production Pantone support. We profile the firm to find out more. Established in 2010, Timeline draws on the combined experience of its Founders, which spans over 150 years across the audiovisual production, event management and advertising sectors. Supporting clients including household names such as McDonald’s, Coca- Cola and Riyad Bank, Timeline’s overall aim is to turn ideas into actions. In order to achieve this, the firm is committed to provide all production services for audio-visual projects, as well as advertising and additional media solutions to meet the varied needs of its clients. Alongside supporting clients with their production needs the firm also provides equipment hire for everything from cameras and their accessories through to lighting equipment and accessories and sound equipment. Timeline can also arrange filming locations, obtain permits and provide male and female models, photographers, technicians and production assistants to all regions of Saudi Arabia, the Arab countries, and Europe.
to direct documentaries, drama series, commercials, grand openings, project launches, and live direction. It can produce world-class HD graphics for program signals, breaks, stings, promotions and cinematic tricks using 3D Studio MAX, Maya, Adobe After Effects, and Photoshop Illustrator, ensuring that anything is possible for their clients. Within the events management space, the firm offers corporate identity design and development for events, as well as full event planning and execution, offering clients the chance to enjoy a hassle free process from a professional and knowledgeable provider. Ultimately Timeline Production & Events offers the very best solutions across the media and marketing sectors, supporting firms from around the world with their audio visual needs. The firm’s expertise and dedication to excellence makes it the ideal partner for anyone seeking innovative branding and a full service.
Timeline also deals with the best Directors in the Arab world, Europe, and America,
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Company: Timeline Production & Events Email: info@timeline.sa Phone: 00966114643719 Website: www.timeline.sa/index.php/en
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BS160011
mea Markets Best Pharmaceutical Marketing & Consultancy Company 2016 - MENA
Genpharm are a specialty pharmaceutical marketing and advisory company, providing its strategic partners with fast and sustainable market access into the MENA region. Founders and Managing Partners Karim Smaira and Kamel Ghammachi outline how the firm has come to achieve its current success. Genpharm are a market access pharmaceutical company focused on innovative and orphan drugs for the specialty and rare disease areas. Karim provides greater detail on the firm’s service offering and how it has carved a niche for itself within the pharmaceutical marketing industry. “At Genpharm, we represent multinational pharma and biotech manufacturers that would like to expand in the MENA region but do not have necessarily the regional knowledge and expertise or resources to do so. We provide all the regulatory, medical and commercial support for them to make sure that awareness on the disease and the product is raised amongst the key stakeholders. We engage through dedicated Medical Science Liaisons and scientific data, which is typical when working in the rare disease space. “Personally, we believe we have established in a very short period of time, new standards of excellence for private companies working in the pharmaceutical sector. We have stuck to our vision and values despite the recent difficult circumstances in the region. We have a very unique and differentiated model focused on working in the unmet medical need segment of rare and genetic diseases. This has really separated us from the pack and allowed us to make a name for ourselves in the market.” In the USA, a rare disease is defined as a disease impacting less than 200,000 patients. These disorders are usually genetic, hereditary and mostly paediatric conditions. They are degenerative,
leading to poor quality of life and a relatively short life expectancy. Nevertheless, there are more treatment being approved and made available thanks to advances in research. Therefore, Genpharm feel that they can have a positive impact on people’s life by raising the disease awareness and making sure that patients in the region have access to these innovative therapies, as Kamel explains. “Being in the area of rare disease, one should not lose focus on the patients and their families. They are at the core of everything we do. We are driven by our values that are; patient centric, innovation, integrity, accountability and teamwork. Our commitment to living our values ensures the high standards we hold ourselves against.” Working closely with many strategic partners throughout the healthcare, Karim is able to offer an insightful view on the industry as a whole and the developments affecting it. “If we focus on the MEA region, there have been several recent trends impacting our industry, such as the emergence of new local and regional manufacturer competing with the multinationals, the increase of generic penetration, the arrival of the biosmilar products, heavy price pressures, the growth of the private market across the region, the introduction of the mandatory health insurance, fast maturation cycle of the markets, a consolidation trend with unprecedented M&A activity and healthcare investments, among others.
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“Within the wider market, clearly, the introduction of the new mandatory insurance schemes for employees will have a major impact on our industry. It is too early to foresee the total impact but one can imagine that it will improve access to care for a larger proportion of the population. “Additionally, we also believe that regulators and MOH have done a leap forward in terms of improving timelines in approving new therapies. We see innovative therapies being made available very quickly after their approval by the FDA in the USA or EMA in Europe. This has been a very encouraging sign for both the industry and the patients that are in high need of these medicines. “Nevertheless, this comes at a cost. The healthcare bill of governments has seen steep increases, particularly driven by some national healthcare issues such as diabetes, obesity, cardio-vascular diseases and oncology. Hence, the industry will continue to face pricing pressure for the foreseeable future.” Regulations surrounding pricing, regulatory, IP, patient confidentiality and other factors impacting our industry are ever changing and at a rapid pace, and as such Genpharm always works hard to remain well informed and greatly networked to anticipate some of these changes and protect their business against them. This, as Kamel emphasises, is a central part of the firm’s culture, which centres around collaboration and support, both for staff and clients.
“Being a small company, transparency in communication is key. We effectively promote this behaviour through an open door policy by senior management setting the example. Internally our workforce comprises of around 12 different nationalities, all brought together by a common purpose and guided by the same set of values. “Longer term we are keen to remain small with the advantages that come with it such as agility, light decision-making processes and the ability to act quickly in the market. We always look for candidates that understand and fit this culture. Entrepreneurship, ownership of the task and assuming both responsibility and accountability are critical. In addition, we are constantly looking at creative ways to interact with our customers to ensure that we are able to reach them with the information with the relevant reach and at the required speed. Ultimately, the founders and the team at Genpharm remain dedicated to helping patients in the MENA region to gain access to revolutionary treatments which could drastically improve their lives. “Moving forward, we have a long-term vision and believe that our strategy is the right one for the region. We will continue to attract multinationals to come to the region so that patients can benefit from the innovations happening elsewhere, which will be our continued focus.”
Company: Genpharm Name: Karim Smaira & Kamel Ghammachi Email: Karim.smaira@genpharservices.com Kamel.ghammachi@genpharmservices.com Web Address: www.genpharmservices.com Address: Business Bay, Al Manara Tower #2805, Dubai Telephone: +97144227010
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BS160006
mea Markets Best in Wastewater Solutions 2016 - UAE
Operating throughout the Middle East region, Septech has established itself as an innovative specialist water provider, with their quality turnkey solutions ranging from complete design through to build and operations. We invited CEO and Founder David Heffernan to tell us more about the services the firm offers. Established in 1997 Septech the group has since increased its investment profile and talent pool to include the establishment of operating entities in Australia, Europe, Mexico, Oman and Saudi Arabia. Having a primary focus on addressing the world’s water shortages and related infrastructure requirements in developed and emerging markets; Septech as a group is poised to provide various specialised turnkey solutions in water and wastewater; mobile water; precast; marine; and utilities management. David is keen to outline the firm’s focus on sustainability and how it works to ensure that both it and its clients are operating as efficiently and sustainably as possible. “Here at Septech our global footprint demonstrates our ability to provide solutions in almost every industry sector whilst also ensuring that the countries suffering the highest water scarcity and water stress concerns are able to call upon the resources of the group for almost any application at any time. “In the area of sustainable development, Septech strives towards the goals that it has either set itself or which have been decided contractually with its clients to best meet their demands. Steps have been taken to make improvements at all of the firm’s operating sites in order to achieve this. Results are measured and audited by independent experts and are used to continuously
improve operational activities. Sustainable water management requires the participation and commitment of all stakeholders, especially citizens. Hence Septech’s involvement, as a local operator, in the life of municipalities; by listening to their concerns and fostering clear, transparent dialogues with all stakeholders within the areas they serve. This allows us to provide the information and advice necessary for everyone involved to make informed choices in support of sustainable water and waste water management.” Operating sustainably has become an increasing global focus, and in addition global warming combined with massive population growth has led to increasing pressure making access to resources more important than ever – and no resource is more important than water. Climate change has had a significant impact on freshwater availability, resulting in a global freshwater crisis whose effects are more acute in arid and semi-arid regions like MEA. In fact, the MEA is the most water scarce region in the world. This scarcity is caused by a combination of factors. Firstly, the region experiences arid conditions, low rainfall and high levels of evaporation, leading to limited naturally available water resources and that is why it is so crucial that Septech continues to push its capabilities in this sector. Septech also has a mobile water fleet readily mobilised and available to deploy at a moment’s
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notice. The Mobile Water Treatment unit from Septech Emirates is the most advanced selfcontained system in the world that employs the latest pre-treatment and Reverse Osmosis(RO) capabilities in a fully containerised solution. It has up to 20% less power consumption than their competitors and has up to 30% less footprint. Septech offers a Remote Operation and Monitoring System (ROAM) tailored to all their client needs, as David explains. “Currently within our market Dubai has shown enormous traction with major residential and commercial developers in coastal locations, and as such Septech will place a big focus on pushing their capabilities in this sector in order to provide cutting edge bespoke design solutions in the water and wastewater treatment capabilities. “Additionally, the firm utilises the concept of providing a range of products and services to its market for almost all types of infrastructure
applications. Drawing upon in-house capabilities, which extend across product, process and manufacturing expertise within these industry verticals allows for complete solutions to be tailored to each customers’ requirement. We are also placing strong emphasis on introducing a range of technologically advanced systems to deal with different processes identified across its business verticals to retain our strong market position.” Ultimately, the future success of Septech is driven by the committed and combined vision of both its founders and outstanding team; allowing the group to further cement its position as the market leader in innovative water solutions, as David emphasises in his concluding comments. “At Septech we have many exciting existing and upcoming projects, both large and small, and we are excited to take advantage of the many opportunities these will bring for us in the months and years to come.”
Company: Septech Emirates LLC Name: David Heffernan CEO & Founder Email: claire.connor@septechemirates.com Web Address: www.septechholdings.com Address: No. 3M Al Swaidan Trading Building B-Block, 1st Floor, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE Telephone: +971 4 408 8777
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BS160003
mea Markets Leading Experts in Bespoke Wealth Management Services 2016 Nigeria
Rosabon Financial Services, licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, is Nigeria’s leading non-banking financial institution servicing niche and general markets. We invited Kehinde Ruth Onasoga to tell us more. Drawing over 23 years of experience, Rosabon Financial Services provides bespoke financial solutions and advisory services to individuals and corporate organizations. The firm offers affordable loan, lease and treasury facilities to an array of clientele. However, in a country like Nigeria where the cost of living rises on a daily basis, posing a huge threat to the savings culture of many individuals, Rosabon Financial Services places emphasis on the creation of fund placement plans that ensure high returns on investments via its highly competitive interest rates in an effort to provide ongoing to support to its clients. This client focus is of vital importance to the firm, as Kehinde emphasises. “At Rosabon client services means goes further than solving problems or addressing complaints, it is creating a whole new experience for our clients in today’s increasingly cluttered and commoditized marketplace. As such we support our customers in a swift manner; working out affordable and suitable plans for all their financial needs, offering our services with utmost courteousness and giving them special treats. In addition, we conduct regular clients’ feedback survey so that we can understand how we can serve better serve our customers and meet their needs.” The Nigerian financial industry is currently undergoing a period of change. Over the
coming years the financial services sector will be completely transformed to house an array of new providers and innovative services. This new change will be driven by technology, compliance and financial inclusion. As such the industry will need to innovate and address customer needs in a broader fashion, which is why Rosabon are keen to constantly stay on to remain on top of the latest industry developments, as Kehinde elaborates. “Recent advances in technology have changed the way organizations and customers interact. With E-service becoming increasingly important in providing consumers with a superior experience with respect to the interactive flow of information, Rosabon is gravitating towards the creation of a perfect working relationship with its clients. “In order to stay ahead of these trends we keep coming up with customer friendly technologies to deliver prompt financial services so as to maintain customer loyalty and increase market share. In addition, we use these technologies to reduce the labour service and processing cost, increase service levels and boost our competitive advantage in the Nigerian financial sector. To achieve this, we have a team of in-depth technology and software experts who are always on the look-out for ways to improve our client services and communications with our partners and clients. “Globally the financial industry is witnessing
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a wave of technological advancements, stricter regulations, current market volatility and savvier consumers. Rosabon is adapting its business practices and strategic decisions towards these developments. With the current market instability leading to increased costs and risks, we are taking measures to mitigate risks for ourselves and customers by working out flexible systems and processes to ensure that no party loses out. “Ultimately, at Rosabon we understand the need to constantly adapt our services to meet the ever changing needs of our clients, and as such we are constantly working to stay on top and taking ourselves to the next level. On a daily basis we come up with strategies and financial solutions that would ensure that we keep pleasing our clients and meeting their every need.”
In keeping with this constant forward focus the firm will be continuing to innovate and adapt going forward, as it seeks to remain at the forefront of Nigeria’s growing financial services industry, as Kehinde concludes. “As we look to the future we are certain that Rosabon Financial Services will continue on its steady expansion drive whilst ensuring that we are capable of maintaining the levels of service which our clients have come to expect from us. “Our vision is to create the largest leasing and boutique finance mediation company in Africa. To achieve this, we will continually provide innovative financial products whilst surpassing stakeholder’s expectations.”
Company: Rosabon Financial Services Ltd Address: 32, Mongomery Road, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria Phone: (234) 815 088 0038 Email: info@rosabon-finance.com Website: www.rosabon-finance.com
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BS160007
mea Markets Best IT Company 2016 & Sustained Excellence in Information Security - UAE
Paramount, a leading cybersecurity firm, enables customers to protect their critical information assets and infrastructure through a prudent combination of people, process and technology. We caught up with Manikandan Natarajan, Vice President of Paramount to find out more about the firm’s innovative solutions which are keeping their clients safe. Paramount, over the last 16+ years have continuously strived to deliver the best IT security services covering technology, consulting and solutions to the clients, which include leading airlines, telecom companies, government departments, banks and banking solution providers as well as oil and gas companies.
system will continue help us achieve our goal. We place a great deal of emphasis on human capital development, with training and education serving as an important component built into every employee’s career path. We have been judged the “Best places to work” and “Happiness at workplace” award.
Offering solutions which include Infosec Solutions, Consulting Services, Identity and Access Management, Managed Security Services, Telecom Security, and innovations from its R&D division, Mani believes that the firm has continuously matured to align itself to the regional requirements & is able to provide the very highest quality solutions for clients looking to secure themselves.
“We have been judged the 5th best SME in the region and needless to say that Leadership Development Programs, Personal Growth Labs and Project Management workshops are regularly conducted to unearth ‘talent’ in people and nurture the next level of leadership. We respect the need to maintain high employee morale by balancing processes with relationships, encouraging individualism, as well as team work and continuing transparency from top to bottom. The hierarchy of the company is not strictly enforced and as far as approaching management is concerned, it’s well communicated that the door is always open. We have been able to attract young local professionals to intern and continue to build their future with a long term vision in mind.”
“Paramount holds itself to the highest legal and ethical standards for data privacy and security. Customers have faith in our ability to manage their corporate and customer data responsibly and protect it from unauthorized access or use by any individual. Paramount places the utmost importance on maintaining this trust. To ensure this, the company has a stringent set of guidelines in place that are summarized in the company’s Code of Ethics and Business Conduct. We are an ISO 27001, 22301 and 20000 certified company.” “Overall, our mission is to be the most respected security services company in the Gulf Region and we believe that our CLEAR (Caring, Learning, Energizing, Achieving and Respecting) value
What distinguishes Paramount in the marketplace is its team of accomplished Cyber security professionals and their track records. A 145-strong workforce, with 100+ Security Consultants and Engineers, makes Paramount one of the largest reservoirs of Cyber security talent in the Arabian Gulf. The 13-member management team of Paramount has an aggregate of over 200 man-years of industry experience including 93 man-years in
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the Cyber security arena. Moving forward, the firm is keen to continue developing its service offering in order to offer the most comprehensive solutions, and aims to be regional InfoSec company going global” as Manikandan concludes. “Ultimately Paramount is always on the path of learning with the continuous development of its IT systems. Over the next three to five years to expand into other markets. We are confident that
careful planning and a solid strategy can help Paramount enter the more mature markets of Europe and the US and recreate the success we have here in the Middle East. “Overall, the best way to adapt and continue to offer the very best, most relevant solutions is to never stop learning and evolving. Our core philosophy of customer insight and industry foresight has been the beacon thus far and this will be our ongoing focus as we look towards to the future.”
Company: Paramount Computer Systems Name: Manikandan Natarajan Email:Manikandan.n@pcsuae.com Web Address: www.paramountassure.com Address: DIC – Building No 1, First Floor, 102,Dubai Telephone:04 3918600
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BS160001
mea Markets Leading Experts in Cross-Border Transaction Services 2016 - UAE
The Emirates Capital Limited, trading as Emirates Capital, is a Dubai based financial service provider specialising in investment management and corporate finance. We spoke with Chairman and CEO Erik Essiger to learn more. Established in 2007, The Emirates Capital Limited is a part of the Dubai International Financial Centre with two main areas of business; advisory services and asset management. In the advisory services space the firm provides dedicated support to institutional investors and ultra-high net worth investors with cross border transactions between the Middle East and Europe, the USA as well as Asia. Providing quality services is of vital importance to the firm and to Erik, who draws on his extensive experience, which includes working for global giants PwC, to achieve this. “At Emirates Capital our overall aim is to provide the same quality of service to all of our clients, whether they are a multinational conglomerate or a SME. The deals we advise on range in size from $50 million to $1 billion, but every client receives the same high level of service and dedicated support. “This includes providing a 24-hour response time, which is almost unheard of in the Middle East and ensures that clients receive an answer of some form to any query they may have within
a day of contacting us. Having a diverse team of professionals from around the world helps us to perform to the very highest standards, and I am proud to say that it is a team effort which ensures our clients are always satisfied and fully supported when they work with us.” Quality is exceptionally important in the investment industry, which is historically highly competitive. Currently in the MEA region the market is focused on hospitality, which is a rapidly growing sector, as well as energy, with areas such as renewable, hydrocarbon and nuclear all coming to the fore. In order to capitalise on this trend Emirates Capital will shortly be opening a new fund dedicated to renewable energy, which Erik believes will provide the firm with many great opportunities. “Moving forward we will shortly be opening a renewable energy fund in order to meet our clients’ needs. The new fund will be our focus in the months ahead, alongside continuing to offer the very highest quality of advice and support to every one of our clients, which will always be our ongoing goal.”
Company: The Emirates Capital Limited Name: Erik Essiger Address: 504, Liberty House, Dubai International Financial Centre, P.O. Box 506597, Dubai Phone: + 971 4 447-7672 Fax: + 971 4 447-7671 Email: e.essiger@emirates-capital.com Web Address: www.emirates-capital.com
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BS160005
Best Tourism & Travel Agency Saudi Arabia
Booking Worldwide is a travel agency which has been established according to the World Tourism Organization standard. We invited Islam Elmohamdy to tell us more. Booking Worldwide, based in Riyadh, was established by travel professionals with vast experience in the tourism market, enabling the firm to offer a comprehensive service to both groups and individuals. Islam explains the firm’s vision and how this is achieved.
as Saudi Arabia is ever evolving and developing, and as such clients are increasingly enjoying more disposable income with which to travel. Our challenge will be to continue to read the trends in the market and stay on top of them, and we are keen to develop around this and overcome it.”
“Our philosophy is make the client happy to dream and choose the destination and we will achieve this through our high standard of service and vast industry expertise. “In addition, our office is fully equipped with the latest hi- tech, computers and ticket printers. Offering a highly professional multi-lingual team guarantees the best service clients can ever have, at the best competitive rates available. We believe that success does not happen by chance, and as such our philosophy of providing good service, and caring about clients, is the foundation of business.” Moving forward, Islam states that the firm is looking forward to taking advantages of the numerous opportunities that will come with the continued economic prosperity of Saudi Arabia. “Looking to the future there are many exciting opportunities for us here at Bookings Worldwide,
Company: Booking Worldwide Name: Islam Elmohamdy Email:islam@bookingsa.net Web Address: www.bookingsa.net Address:Riyadh –Almohamdia -ksa Telephone:00966112255010
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BS160013
mea Markets Leading Experts in Private Sector HR Consultancy 2016 - UAE
Urban Associates Limited provides world-class consulting services that add value to businesses of all types across all sectors. We spoke to Chairman and Co-Founder Zhamal Nanaeva to learn more about the firm and its service offering. Established in 2014, Urban Associates is a management and HR consultancy start up providing solutions to organizations in a wide variety of industries, supporting primarily regional public sector organizations with everything from strategy development and execution through to program management and innovation. Zhamal is keen to highlight the firm’s innovations and drive towards constantly offering unique solutions to meet client’s needs. “As industry pioneers, Urban Associates was behind the ME region’s first online video interview platform, MyInterview.org, which also happens to be the web’s first such platform in native Arabic language. Moreover, we have designed the Public Sector Innovation Model to help public and not-for-profit organizations measure and promote much needed innovation. So, we pride ourselves for having a pioneering mind set and adopting a design thinking approach when serving our clients. “Our unique differentiator is the human-centered design thinking approach, which we adopt when serving our clients. As such, every engagement involves extensive prototyping and understanding
of client’s customers. Moreover, we pride ourselves for having an innovative mind set. It is this combination that enables us deliver unique value to our clients and help them prioritize and achieve their strategic objectives.” Being headquartered in the UAE, Urban Associates has access to regional GCC markets as well as the ability to attract global talent, allowing it business flexibility which it intends to leverage moving forward to continue offering the most innovative solutions on the market, as Zhamal concludes. “Overall, it is our aim here at Urban Associates to be known as the trusted partner and innovation leader in the region’s management and HR consultancy market. Therefore, to remain competitive and grow our market share, we will continue building our thought leadership across all of our business practices. In addition, we aim to continue investing in our innovative HRTech platform, MyInterview.org, by adding the elements of Artificial Intelligence. To achieve our ambitious plans, we are exploring potential strategic partnership options with likeminded teams who can offer our business maximum value and synergy.”
Company: Urban Associates Limited Name: Zhamal Nanaeva Email: Zhamal.Nanaeva@urbanassociates.me Web Address: www.urbanassociates.me Address: South Tower, Emirates Financial Towers, DIFC Dubai, UAE, PO Box 506556 Telephone: +971 (50) 1152350
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