Operational resilience during regional disruption

Basit is the Middle East Leader for Business Process Solutions (BPS) Division of Deloitte & Touche (M.E). He leads nominated BPS pursuits in designated verticals (managing the entire deal process, creating compelling business solutions, presenting winning bids etc.) He builds relationships across CEO levels in client organizations and developing executive level relationships. Basit specializes in helping organizations address the knowledge gap between operations and finance, particularly in identifying and delivering customized consultancy aims at enhancing operational working practices, financial management, project management, and regulatory compliance. Basit joined Deloitte in 2007 and has led the BPS practice ever since. He is a registered Chartered Accountant in The Netherlands and has been involved in a wide variety of international engagements for globally based groups operating in Middle East and Africa.

Ahmed is a partner at Deloitte's Business Process Solution (BPS) practice in the Middle East. He has over 10 years of experience in strategic advisory and proven track record in managing large diverse teams across the region. Ahmed specializes in developing and implementing strategic initiatives that deliver measurable results. He has worked on a wide range of international engagements for globally based groups operating in the Middle East. Drawing on his extensive expertise, Ahmed helps businesses formulate strategic plans that align with their vision and support long-term sustainability. He is also a Chartered Accountant registered in England and Wales.

Based in Riyadh, Michael leads the Middle East Indirect Tax practice, overseeing various indirect tax implementation projects across the region and actively driving other advisory and compliance services for clients. Previously, Michael was the Indirect Tax Leader of Bahrain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia With over 29 years of experience in Value Added Tax (VAT), Michael has worked across jurisdictions including the USA, Switzerland, and the UK, assisting clients in managing their indirect taxes. In the GCC, he advises on VAT implementation practicalities, post-implementation processes, and addresses technical issues. Michael has significant experience across sectors such as telecommunications, travel, manufacturing, oil and gas, and defense. He advises clients on supply chain reorganizations, VAT optimization planning, and mergers and acquisitions. Additionally, Michael collaborates with the Deloitte Tax Technology teams to assist clients with their systems, processes, and compliance challenges.

Fernand is the Middle East Tax COO, delivering impact how and where it matters most for our Tax clients, talent, and community in the region. Fernand is also the Middle East Customs and Global Trade Advisory Leader and is based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Fernand has more than 30 years of experience in indirect tax, with a strong focus on Customs, excise taxes and global trade matters. In 2010, Fernand became the Global Leader for Global Trade Advisory at Deloitte, working with a group of over 800 subject matter experts around the globe serving clients in both the public and private sectors on customs and global trade matters. He regularly advises on projects relating to business model optimization, automation (customs and excise solutions), compliance, export controls, excise, litigation, valuation, origin, customs classification, data analytics and trade automation/technology. Before becoming a consultant, Fernand worked as a Customs Official with the Dutch Customs Authorities. He assisted several clients in a variety of cases including leading a PAN-European project on e-Customs and Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), excises and international trade matters and indirect tax IT solutions.

Pascal Cange is a Global Trade Advisory Partner at Deloitte leading the Global Trade practice in the Middle East with more than 20 years’ experience advising clients across the Middle East on complex trade and customs matters. A certified lawyer in Paris (France) and Beirut (Lebanon), Pascal specializes in setting up cross-border procurement and supply chains, business restructuring, and customs controversies, with a deep understanding of the Middle East trade and customs landscapes. Pascal led numerous private and public sectors engagements, including the worldwide trade and customs risks and opportunities for GCC national oil company in view of setting up an efficient and derisked customs model with USD 150m targeted savings. He also advised on number of Government trade policy including initiatives leading to an increase of 30% in trade flows volumes in one of the GCC member states. Pascal also represented key GCC exporters in successful trade remedy controversies with an impact exceeding USD 80m. Pascal holds a Master’s degree in WTO and EU laws, and a Masters in international business from France. He is a frequent speaker in regional and international global trade client events, including the GCC tax forums, Global Summit for Indirect Tax and Global Trade. He is devout to developing Deloitte talents in Global Trade in the Middle East and serves as a coach for number of Senior Managers and Directors within the firm.

Mark leads our Middle East Financial Services Tax industry, which provides comprehensive, integrated advice to clients across banking and capital markets, insurance, investment management, and real estate sectors to enhance the region’s financial ecosystem. Based in Dubai, Mark also leads the Indirect Tax practice in the UAE. With over 20 years of Tax experience, Mark has a deep understanding of the complex and evolving Middle East Tax landscape and leads Deloitte’s relationships with many of the leading public and private sector Financial Services organizations across the region.  Our Financial Service Tax practice is a regional team of highly skilled professionals that combine outstanding sector knowledge with market-leading expertise across all areas of Tax including Business Tax, VAT, Transfer Pricing, Withholding Tax and Employment Taxes.  Mark’s deep understanding of the financial services industry, combined with his team's multi-disciplinary Tax knowledge, provides a differentiating proposition to clients looking to navigate the ever-evolving Middle East Tax landscape. With his extensive experience in Middle East Tax transformation, deep industry knowledge, and strong client relationships, Mark is a trusted advisor and leader in the financial services sector in the Middle East. He is committed to helping clients navigate the ever-changing Tax landscape in the region, whilst maintaining alignment with over-arching business objectives.

Kate is the Middle East Consumer Business Tax Leader, leading our client offerings for businesses in the consumer products, automotive, retail, wholesale and distribution, hospitality and services sectors. As a Director in the Indirect Tax team based in Dubai, she also leads the indirect tax industry offerings for the education, and life sciences and healthcare sectors. Kate has worked for Deloitte since joining the UK Graduate scheme in 2007, working with clients spanning a range of sectors including consumer business, private healthcare, and education. She relocated to the UAE in 2016 as a result of the tax policy reform process within the GCC and has been based in the UAE since then – working with private sector businesses and government clients to advise on VAT and Excise Tax policy, technical matters, and governance. In addition, Kate leads external VAT training offerings and spends a lot of time speaking at events on the subject of GCC VAT, VAT implementation, and ensuring robust Indirect Tax governance strategies. She is a UK qualified Chartered Tax Adviser, with a BA(Hons) degree in Politics.