ABU DHABI — Edelman has appointed senior Emirati business leader Tariq Bin Hendi as its Middle East chairman, to support the firm’s growth plans across the region and provide strategic counsel to regional chief executive Omar Qirem.

Bin Hendi was most recently chief investment officer of Group 42, the UAE-based artificial intelligence and cloud computing company that supports AI across the healthcare, finance, oil and gas, aviation and hospitality sectors.

Previously, Bin Hendi was director general of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, where he led initiatives to drive foreign direct investment into the Emirate and oversaw the launch of several international offices.

Bin Hendi began his career in professional finance at Citibank, before joining sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Investment Company. Before joining the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Bin Hendi held leadership roles at Emirates NBD and Dubai Holding. He also sits on the boards of companies including AXA and Emirates Post Group.

Edelman currently operates three wholly owned offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh, and has a network of affiliates across the region. Qirem said: “I have known Tariq for a number of years, and I am delighted that he has decided to take up the position of our Middle East chairman.

“Edelman is the only international communications firm with its regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi, and Tariq’s appointment is a sign of our continued commitment to the region. His experience, insights, and previous roles will mean we can offer clients unrivalled counsel from someone who has played a key role driving the UAE’s international agenda.”

Bin Hendi added: “I am excited to be appointed Edelman’s Middle East Chairman. The firm has an impressive bench of clients and advises important businesses and organisations on some of the biggest mandates in the region, and world, today.  I place enormous value on senior counsel and innovative thinking, and I am looking forward to contributing to the success of Edelman’s clients.”