Global communications firm Edelman has appointed senior Emirati business leader Tariq Bin Hendi as Chairman, Middle East, 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 (G42), a UAE-based artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing company that has supported the development of AI Industries across the healthcare, finance, oil and gas, aviation, and hospitality sectors.

Previously, Bin Hendi was the Director General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), where he led major initiatives to drive foreign direct investment into the Emirate and oversaw the launch of several international offices to expand ADIO’s global presence.

Bin Hendi began his career in professional finance at Citibank, before joining sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Investment Company. Prior to joining ADIO, Bin Hendi also held leadership roles at Emirates NBD and Dubai Holding. He also sits on a number of boards, including AXA and Emirates Post Group.

Bin Hendi said in a statement, “I am excited to be appointed Edelman’s Middle East Chairman. The firm has an impressive bench of clients and advises important businesses and organizations on some of the biggest mandates in the region, and the 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.”

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 unrivaled counsel from someone who has played a key role driving the UAE’s international agenda.”

Bin Hendi holds a PhD in Economics from Imperial College, London, and a joint MBA from London Business School and Columbia Business School.

Edelman currently operates three wholly owned offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh, and has a network of affiliates across the region.