KPMG Middle East appoints Ismail Alani as Head of Clients and Markets

KPMG Middle East has appointed Ismail Alani as Head of Clients and Markets and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee, which is responsible for managing KPMG’s business and advancing its strategy, growth and performance across the region. Alongside his new role, Alani will continue to lead KPMG Middle East’s Infrastructure, Government and Healthcare sectors.

In his role as Head of Clients and Markets, Alani will focus on deepening client relationships across the Middle East and helping organizations respond to their strategic priorities by bringing together KPMG’s sector knowledge, multidisciplinary capabilities and global network, working closely with the functional and sectorial leaders to deliver more connected, sector-relevant support to clients in the region’s priority sectors.

Alani has led KPMG’s Government and Public Sector practice in Saudi Arabia and levant since 2018 and across the Middle East since 2024. Earlier in his career, he left KPMG to take on a management role at Microsoft before rejoining the firm in 2014. Since 2019, he has served as a member of KPMG’s Global Government Board, representing the region and contributing to the firm’s global strategy and propositions for government clients. He is also a founding board member of the Saudi Management Consultants Association (SAMCA).

Alani brings around 25 years of experience in management consulting, technology, transformation and program management. He has advised senior government leaders and executives and contributed to the design and delivery of major transformation initiatives linked to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and its realization programs.

Alani is an alumnus of the London Business School Chairman’s 25 Program and holds an honours bachelor’s degree in Engineering Science from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM). He was among the first 100 certified Project Management Professionals in Saudi Arabia and has been a PMP in good standing since 2005.

Islam Al Bayaa, CEO of KPMG Middle East, said: “Ismail has worked with clients across the region for many years and understands both the opportunities they are pursuing and the challenges they face. His appointment to our executive committee strengthens the leadership team managing our business across the Middle East. His experience across consulting, technology and transformation will be important as we deepen our client relationships and bring the full breadth of KPMG’s capabilities to the market.”

He added: “Ismail will work closely with our teams across the region to bring the right sector insight, experience and capabilities to our clients. He will also continue to lead our Infrastructure, Government and Healthcare sectors, which are central to the region’s transformation and investment agendas and where he has built significant experience over the course of his career.”

Ismail Alani said: “Our clients are navigating significant transformation, investment and technological change. They expect us to understand their sectors, anticipate their priorities and bring together the right people, insights and capabilities to support them.”

He added: “My priority will be to stay close to our clients and make it easier for them to access the best of KPMG across the Middle East and our wider global network. By combining deep sector expertise with our multidisciplinary capabilities, we can help clients in the region’s priority sectors address their most important challenges, capture growth opportunities and deliver lasting impact. I also look forward to continuing to lead our Infrastructure, Government and Healthcare teams.”