Edelman Smithfield Bolsters Middle East Leadership Team with Senior Promotions and New Appointments

Edelman Smithfield, the financial communications and strategic advisory division of global communications major Edelman, has announced a series of senior promotions and appointments across its Middle East operations, as the financial communications consultancy continues to expand its regional leadership and strengthen its advisory capabilities across key client accounts.

The changes reflect the firm’s ongoing investment in talent development and senior expertise in the Middle East, where it advises sovereign entities, financial institutions, listed companies and global investors on strategic communications and reputation management.

Dhanya Issac has been promoted to Managing Director, Middle East, in an expanded regional role. She will continue to lead the firm’s Capital Markets advisory offering while playing a broader role in strengthening its financial communications and strategic advisory platform across the region.

Dhanya advises sovereign entities, financial institutions, listed companies and global investors on reputation, stakeholder engagement and strategic communications across public and private markets. Her work spans IPOs, mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, investor relations, transaction communications and special situations. She also leads the firm’s Dubai office and will continue to support the development of regional talent and integrated client advisory services.

Tarek Zahnan has been promoted to Senior Director, reflecting an expanded leadership role across the Middle East business. Since joining Edelman in 2022, he has led strategic advisory work for Abu Dhabi Global Market, overseeing communications support for Abu Dhabi’s international financial centre and contributing to the strengthening of its global profile.

With more than two decades of experience in financial communications, media and journalism, Tarek will continue to provide strategic counsel and support across major client mandates.

Alongside the internal promotions, the firm has appointed Pia Pennyfather as Director within its Middle East practice. She joins from Barclays in London and brings specialist expertise in investment banking, investor relations, fintech and central banking, having previously worked at the Bank of England. She will lead key client mandates and provide senior counsel across the region.

The company has also promoted several colleagues across its Edelman and Smithfield teams in recognition of their contribution to client growth and the continued development of its regional capabilities.

Alex Simmons, Head of EMEA at Edelman Smithfield, said the firm had made sustained investments in both talent and clients across the Middle East over the past five years.

“We’ve built a platform with deep sector expertise and the senior counsel the market increasingly demands. Dhanya’s promotion to Managing Director is a natural next step as we continue to strengthen regional leadership,” he said.

He added that the promotions and appointment reinforced the firm’s long-term commitment to the region and its focus on investing in the capabilities clients require.

Simon Hailes, Head of Edelman Smithfield Middle East, said the firm had achieved record growth in the region and established itself as a trusted financial communications adviser.

“These promotions and appointments reflect the depth of our bench and our focus on the region — developing talent from within, bringing in international expertise, and supporting the next generation of communications professionals as we expand our presence,” he said.

The firm said it is continuing to invest in local talent development, including the recruitment of emerging Emirati and Saudi professionals. As a signatory to the UAE’s Emirati Media Talent Pledge, Edelman is supporting the next generation of communications professionals through mentoring and structured development programmes aimed at contributing to the long-term growth of the regional media ecosystem.

The 40-member Edelman Smithfield team provides financial communications expertise across major Middle East markets as part of Edelman’s broader regional network of more than 200 communications professionals. The firm works with key sovereign and financial entities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Riyadh, while also supporting global financial institutions operating in the region.

 

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