Global consulting firm Simon-Kucher has announced the opening of its new office in Riyadh, marking a significant expansion of its footprint in the Middle East. This strategic move comes as Simon-Kucher aims to meet the increasing demand for its specialized services, particularly in pricing and growth strategies.
Expansion and New Leadership
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The Riyadh office launch is part of Simon-Kucher’s broader strategy to bolster its regional talent pool. The firm, which now operates 46 offices across 31 countries, including Europe, APAC, the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East, has been in the region since 2012, starting with its Dubai office. The addition of three new Partners in Riyadh underscores Simon-Kucher’s commitment to strengthening its leadership and expertise in the Middle East.
“Opening our new office in Riyadh marks a significant milestone in Simon-Kucher’s global expansion,” said Dr. Andreas von der Gathen, co-CEO of Simon-Kucher. “Situated at the heart of the Middle East, Saudi Arabia is undergoing a transformative journey of diversification and modernization through its Vision 2030 initiative. Simon-Kucher’s expertise, spanning pricing strategies, marketing, sales, and digitalization, aligns seamlessly with the evolving landscape of the region. As true pricing and growth specialists, we’re focused on delivering tangible results for our clients.”
Local Leadership and Expertise
Dr. Salim Al Gudhea, the Managing Partner of the Riyadh office, will lead the expansion. He brings extensive experience in strategic advisory, consulting, and public policy. “It’s ideal timing for Simon-Kucher to expand into the Saudi market, which welcomes the specialized consulting offerings of the firm. The market will especially benefit from Simon-Kucher’s expertise in the design and implementation of dynamic pricing models as well as growth and commercial models,” states Dr. Al Gudhea. “Our Riyadh-based team is dedicated to driving value creation, growth, and profitability in this dynamic economy. By integrating local and regional expertise with the global connectivity of a leading pricing and growth specialist, we aim to deliver impactful solutions.”
Future Plans
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Simon-Kucher plans to significantly grow its Riyadh team over the next three years. Partners Sebastian Grunow and Jan Gudat have recently joined the office to support this expansion. Grunow offers strategic guidance in public services, financial services, industrial goods, and healthcare across Europe and the GCC, with a focus on digitalization. Gudat specializes in expediting digital transformation in diverse industries across Europe and the Middle East, emphasizing innovative methodologies for sustainable business models.
“Simon-Kucher has had a longstanding presence in the Middle East, with the establishment of our Dubai office more than a decade ago,” notes Lovrenc Kessler, Partner and Dubai Managing Director at Simon-Kucher, overseeing the company’s operations in the Middle East. “The addition of our new office in Saudi Arabia and new talent corresponds to our clients’ growing demand for local presence in the region. Our local consultants are dedicated to driving tangible impact and advancing businesses and institutions.”