MUSCAT: PwC Middle East, one of the world’s leading professional services firms with over 4,000 people and 21 offices across the region, has appointed Omar Al Sharif as the Country Senior Partner for the Sultanate and the first Omani national to hold this position, further enhancing PwC’s commitment to the Sultanate. Omar joined the firm in 1997 and spent his first five years in the London practice within the middle market division. After returning to Oman in 2002, Omar joined the Assurance practice where he focused mainly on growing the energy, telecom and manufacturing sectors. While Omar’s base and focus was Oman, he has also worked across the region leading and supporting audits in countries across the region such as in Libya, UAE and Yemen. In recent years, Omar has focused on developing the firm’s advisory business in Oman and has contributed to important projects in both the private and public sector, aligning the firms offering with the nation’s needs.
Omar has also been an important figure in the development of nationals in the Oman firm and has overseen the development of programmes such as the firm’s graduate programme, which includes providing opportunities to Omani graduates to gain experience oversees in other PwC offices including the UK and USA. On his appointment, Hani Ashkar, PwC Middle East’s Senior Partner said: “We are delighted to announce Omar’s appointment as the new Country Senior Partner for the Sultanate of Oman. He has demonstrated a deep understanding of the issues and challenges in Oman, and brings the right expertise and resources to help solve them.”
Commenting on his appointment, Omar Al Sharif said: “Despite the economic challenges the region is facing, there is no better time to make a difference for our future generations. PwC Middle East is fully committed to supporting the ambitious and achievable economic diversification plan the government and private sector are embarking on. I’m pleased to be recognised by the firm to lead the Oman practice, and work with our clients to build trust in society and solve important problems. My new role will entail ensuring that our clients, in both the public and private sector, continue to be able to leverage the excellent expertise and capabilities the PwC network has to offer in order to support the country and the vision set by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.” Omar is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
