Teneo, the global CEO advisory firm, has expanded its team with the appointment of Nicholas McDonagh as Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region.

McDonagh brings over 20 years of experience in strategic communications, private equity and investment banking.

Prior to joining Teneo, he was a Partner with the strategic communications firm, Finsbury, where, based in the UAE, he led the consultancy's growth across the MEA region.

Prior to this, McDonagh was a fund manager and Managing Director of a UAE-based private equity group and, before moving to the Middle East in 2008, co-led the management buy-out of part of Deutsche Bank's private equity funds management business in Australia.

Before joining the private equity industry, he had roles in London, New York and Singapore with Deutsche Bank's global corporate development and strategic acquisitions group.

Teneo was founded in 2011 with a vision to create a new breed of advisory firm focused on working exclusively with the leaders of major corporations and organizations to help them address a wide range of business and reputational issues and opportunities.

Teneo's clients include some of the world's largest corporations.

The firm has over 550 employees working across 12 integrated operating divisions spanning the disciplines of strategic communications, investor relations, investment banking, financial analytics, executive recruiting, digital analytics, corporate governance, government affairs, risk management, business intelligence, management consulting and corporate restructuring.

The business operates out of 14 offices around the world across the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. 

Teneo currently employs over 30 professionals working across the MEA region based in both the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. In Qatar, operating under the Blue Rubicon brand, Teneo has a market leading position.

Recently, Teneo launched of a new division, Teneo Risk, headed by Bill Bratton, former New York City Police Commissioner.

The business advises clients on key risk identification, prevention and response - with specific focus around cyber risk, security and data protection, smart city planning and infrastructure development, crisis response, preparedness and corporate security strategy.

Teneo also engages a number of senior advisers to advise its clients including: Britain's former Foreign Secretary Lord William Hague of Richmond; former US Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell; former CEO and Chairman of Standard Chartered, Lord Mervyn Davies; former head of the US Army, General Raymond T. Odierno and Sir Michael Rake, Chairman of the BT Group and former president of the Confederation of British Industry.

"I know of no other consulting firm that provides CEOs and senior leaders of large organizations both the depth and breadth of Teneo's unique expertise and offering," said McDonagh.

"I'm excited to join such a dynamic firm and strong local team that has so much to offer in this region," he added.