Deloitte Financial Advisory has appointed Wayne Thomas as its new Managing Partner in the Middle East, replacing outgoing Managing Partner, Humphry Hatton who has moved on to lead the Deloitte Turkey firm.

Wayne joined the Middle East firm in 2014 to lead Transaction & Restructuring Services. He has over 20 years’ experience with Deloitte as a transaction specialist working on major cross-border acquisitions and joint ventures for private equity, corporate and family office clients.  His significant international experience, gained from working in Australia, the UK and Russia, with the last 18 years spent working in Europe and MENA, has seen him lead transactions in a range of industries including oil & gas, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, construction and retail.

Part of Deloitte’s global Financial Advisory business, the Middle East team of specialists provides a range of advisory services around M&A transactions, restructurings, raising capital and forensic investigations.  The team also has capabilities in valuation and business modelling, public private partnerships as well as infrastructure and real estate advisory.

Wayne Thomas says: “I am proud to be taking over from Humphry as Deloitte Financial Advisory’s new Managing Partner in the Middle East. We have a truly inspiring team of over 250 Financial Advisory professionals across our regional offices, providing the very best advisory services to our clients. Humphry has achieved a great deal in the last five years and I am delighted to take on the role at this exciting time. Our goal has always been to have the highest quality team working on the region’s most demanding engagements and I am looking forward to continuing to deliver on that. We will continue to invest in our footprint and service offerings across the region to create an impact that matters for our clients and our people.”

“Wayne is a great asset to the firm and I am positive that his vast experience, knowledge and understanding of the issues important to our clients will help to continue the success of Financial Advisory in the region” said Deloitte Middle East’s Chief Executive Officer, Omar Fahoum.

“After over five years as head of Financial Advisory in the Middle East, I am delighted to transition the position to Wayne, whom I have worked with closely. I have no doubt that with Wayne’s leadership, the Financial Advisory team in the Middle East will continue to be a market leader and provide clients with the best offerings available globally” concluded Humphry Hatton.