Q5 announces Scott Kennedy as new managing director in Middle East

International consulting firm Q5 has named Scott Kennedy its new managing director for Q5 Arabia. He will work to help the firm strengthen its presence across the Middle East, as it wins work supporting governments across the region transform their economies.

Founded in 2009, Q5 is a consulting firm which helps clients develop strategy, and deliver organisational change. The firm has more than 300 specialists stationed across offices in London, Leeds, Cardiff, Sydney, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Houston, and New York – but as economic transformation efforts across the Middle East continue at pace, it has also been growing throughout the region.

Q5 has also operated in the Middle East countries since 2017, via an office in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh. From there, the firm has worked with clients looking to execute Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 plans. At the same time, it has been able to work across the GCC – giving the firm a wealth of experience when it comes to supporting the region’s economic diversification drives. As it continues to support change in the local market, Scott Kennedy’s arrival will further boost Q5’s offering to public and private organisations navigating the transformation.

Olly Purnell, managing partner at Q5, commented, “Scott is a super chap, with many years’ experience leading teams in Saudi Arabia. He’s been a good friend of Q5 since we opened our operation in Riyadh back in 2018, so we know what he’s capable of, what motivates him and how he can help us make a profound impact on our clients in the Kingdom”.

Originally from Dunfermline, Scotland, Kennedy’s career has been defined by over a decade of experience spanning the private, public, and non-profit sectors. In that time, he has already helped drive initiatives across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Italy, Sweden, Singapore, and South Korea, with his expertise specifically falling in strategic execution, organisational design, organizational effectiveness and operational excellence.

In recent engagements as vice president of PMO and centre of excellence at Maximus Gulf, he built a Saudi-based PMO function that supported regional growth and launched an advisory unit focused on strategy execution and social impact. Meanwhile, as chief operating officer at AEI Saudi, he initiated a company-wide transformation, forged strategic partnerships, and helped hundreds of international companies establish a presence in the Saudi market.

As managing director of Q5 Arabia, Kennedy will take responsibility for creating and leading the company’s long-term vision and driving its strategic growth. This will include working to localise Q5’s expertise, to better serve the region, enhancing the company’s reputation within Saudi Arabia. A strong advocate for talent development, he is committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders, ensuring Q5 Arabia remains an employer of choice in the region.

Reflecting on his new role, Kennedy added, "After more than a decade of learning, growing, and working in Saudi Arabia, I’m excited to bring my experience to Q5. This is more than just a business opportunity—it’s about people, impact, and the future. Together, we’ll continue to innovate, create lasting value, and contribute to the Kingdom’s dynamic transformation as Q5 moves PowerPoint to dashboard.”