Signium expands in GCC region with new Executive Search office in Dubai

Signium, a global leader in executive search and leadership consulting, proudly announces the opening of its new Dubai Executive Search office, effective 1 December 2024.

This expansion enhances Signium’s presence in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, complementing its existing Dubai Leadership Consulting office, led by Managing Partner Hisham El-Badawy since 2006.

The new office is led by seasoned industry professionals Jon Ashcroft and Mark Holdich, who have joined as Managing Partners. Together with El-Badawy, they will operate under the unified branding of Signium GCC, offering specialized services tailored to the region’s dynamic market.

Growing the executive landscape in a thriving business hub

The GCC economies demonstrated resilience during 2024, achieving steady growth despite global challenges. While the oil sector remains vital, the region’s focus on economic diversification has driven significant contributions from non-oil sectors such as tourism, trade, finance, construction, and manufacturing. This transformation has opened doors for business leaders across various industries.

As a recognized global crossroads for commerce. The GCC has shown resilience and economic growth in recent years, with Saudi Arabi and the UAE leading the growth. “Saudi Arabia is undergoing a Public Investment Fund-driven transformative change, pioneering growth in non-oil sectors such as technology, renewable energy, financial services and tourism,” says Holdich. “Signium GCC is well-positioned to navigate these opportunities and deliver tailored solutions for C-suite level placements.”

Ashcroft emphasizes the UAE’s role as a world-leading economy: “The UAE is a hub of innovation and investment, attracting talent and businesses from across the globe. As sectors like fintech, real estate, and manufacturing flourish in Dubai and surrounding areas, the demand for highly skilled leadership is on the rise.”

A unified approach with complementary expertise

The new partnership brings together the distinct strengths of Signium’s leadership consulting and executive search expertise. El-Badawy states, “This collaboration creates synergies between our deep local expertise and the global reach of Signium. By combining our networks and resources, we’re in a favorable position to deliver comprehensive talent solutions for the GCC market.”

Piotr Pilecki, Signium Vice-Chair and Managing Partner in Poland, played a pivotal role in overseeing the expansion. He comments, “Jon and Mark’s proven track record in executive search, coupled with Signium’s robust reputation of over 70 years in executive placement, makes this partnership a natural fit. Their entrepreneurial vision aligns seamlessly with our mission to deliver exceptional client value.”

Holdich notes that, although the socio-economic environment in the GCC has modernized rapidly, the business landscape is still distinctly relationship-driven. He says, “There are particular nuances in this region and how people here like to do business. It’s not highly transactional, and relationships need to be developed over a period of time before trust is truly earned. This works really well for Jon and me – it aligns with our preferred way of working.”

A bright future for leadership in the GCC

The new office will focus on executive and board-level searches across industries while fostering collaborations with the Leadership Consulting division. “Our priority is to address the growing need for localization while also tapping into global talent,” said El-Badawy. “We aim to position Signium as a trusted partner for organizations navigating the complexities of growth and diversification.”

Looking ahead, the GCC’s unwavering commitment to developing multiple industries makes it a dynamic and promising landscape for executive search in 2025 and beyond. As the GCC region undergoes this rapid transformation, Signium GCC is poised to help shape the future of leadership.

Jonathan Ashcroft adds: “We were actively seeking a new partner to join, one with shared values of trust, innovation and collaboration. What stood out was that Signium has a credible global brand with a rich history and a network of highly experienced executive search recruiters. With that kind of reach and trusted expertise, especially in sectors that we’re only just beginning to explore, we anticipate being able to expand broader service offerings in terms of leadership advisory. We’re excited to embark on this journey and contribute to the region’s remarkable growth.”

To get in touch with Signium GCC, contact one of the managing partners directly:

Leadership Consulting

Hisham El-Badawy
+971 50 724 2921

Executive Search

Jon Ashcroft
+971 5 8127 2210

Mark Holdich
+971 5 2875 3766