APCO, a global advisory and advocacy firm, announced that John Defterios, the award-winning former CNN emerging markets editor and energy correspondent and longtime senior advisor to the firm, has been named chairman of APCO in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.“Clients around the world increasingly see MENA as a region of growing economic, political and strategic importance, and they are looking for insights and strategic help to engage it effectively, while clients within the region are looking to forge their optimal place on the world stage,” APCO President and Chief Operating Officer Evan Kraus said. “As a fully integrated global and cross-disciplinary firm, APCO is in a prime position to help clients navigate this increasingly complex and consequential geo-commercial environment. John’s appointment as chairman supercharges that capability, given his unmatched experience with these global dynamics and the relationships needed to help clients achieve their ambitions within them.”“I have watched APCO’s expansion across the Middle East and other high-growth markets with great interest and respect since I first joined the firm as a senior advisor in 2021,” said Defterios. “My focus is on MENA clients, but it’s equally important to APCO’s global portfolio: the region is a fast-growing global financial, trade, energy and artificial intelligence hub. I look forward to helping APCO’s clients everywhere make sense of a region being reshaped by the energy transition, new investment corridors and geopolitical realignment—and to working even more closely with such a talented global team at APCO.”Defterios first joined APCO in July 2021 as a senior advisor. Across more than three decades working at the intersection of business, government, energy, trade and geopolitics, he has developed a deep understanding of MENA and other high-growth markets, as well as trusted relationships with senior leaders across the public and private sectors. Before joining APCO, he served as CNN’s emerging markets editor, energy correspondent and anchor, including a decade based in the network’s Abu Dhabi bureau.Defterios also serves as the global lead for APCO’s Storybook Studio, the firm’s in-house content studio, where he draws on his journalism network to help APCO’s team of award-winning international and regional journalists identify, create and distribute live studio coverage from Tier 1 forums and summits, along with branded content series and documentaries for clients across the world on leading television, digital and social media platforms.“John will be joining our MENA team this month, and his mandate is clear and immediate,” said Samer El Hachem, president of APCO in the MENA region. “He will focus on two priorities: supporting our new business efforts, drawing on his deep network across the region, and serving as a senior advisor to our team and clients on an as-needed basis. Having someone with his standing and relationships in this capacity is a real asset for our clients as they plan for the year ahead.”APCO has operated in the MENA region for more than two decades, with teams based in Abu Dhabi, Amman, Doha, Dubai, Manama and Riyadh. The firm advises governments, multinational corporations, sovereign entities and family-owned enterprises on strategic communications, public affairs, crisis management and sustainability across the energy, finance, technology, healthcare, infrastructure and tourism sectors. Defterios’s appointment adds a widely recognized regional voice to that team as APCO enters its next phase of growth in MENA.

Global advisory and advocacy firm APCO has unveiled a new leadership structure for its Middle East and North Africa (MENA) operations, setting the stage for further growth in 2025 and beyond. Samer El Hachem, currently serving as chief operating officer for the region, will now take on the role of deputy president for MENA, where he will drive the region?ÇÖs development as a key growth engine for the company.Supporting El Hachem in this transition, Muhannad Al Badri has been promoted to managing director, Public Sector?ÇöUAE, while Mohamed Bahaa will serve as managing director, Private Sector?ÇöMENA, alongside his role in APCO?ÇÖs global public affairs leadership team. Additionally, Yomna Kamel, PhD, has joined the firm to lead APCO?ÇÖs government advisory center, bringing over two decades of experience in advising UAE-based government entities on their communication strategies.To lead APCO?ÇÖs expansion in Saudi Arabia, Andrew Bone has been appointed managing director of the company?ÇÖs operations in the Kingdom. Bone, who has more than 30 years of experience in communications and crisis management, has worked extensively with Saudi ministries on Vision 2030 projects. He will be joined by Hala Hayek, former director at APCO, who will co-lead operations as deputy managing director of the Riyadh office.Meanwhile, Imad Lahad, former managing director of the Dubai office, now leads APCO?ÇÖs global AI business solutions team. This division is focused on advancing Margy, an adaptive intelligence platform that leverages APCO?ÇÖs collective expertise to provide enhanced insights for clients.Commenting on the leadership changes, Mamoon Sbeih, President, MENA, said:"For nearly two decades, APCO has built a legacy of advisory, advocacy, and impact across MENA. As we enter a new phase of growth, seamless integration across our markets is key to strengthening our capabilities and delivering even greater value. I?ÇÖm proud to announce Samer as deputy president. His leadership will enhance our MENA offering and deepen our regional practices, ensuring APCO continues to lead and thrive."Samer El Hachem added: "I?ÇÖm honored to step into the role of deputy president at APCO in MENA during this exciting time. Our region is evolving rapidly, and we are committed to expanding our offering, strengthening our market-leading practices, and driving impactful solutions for our clients. Together, we will build on APCO?ÇÖs strong foundation, unlock new opportunities, and shape the future of advisory and advocacy in MENA."CEO Brad Staples emphasized the company?ÇÖs vision for sustainable growth in the region:"As we continue to expand our footprint in the MENA region, our vision is to drive sustainable growth by leveraging our deep understanding of local markets and aligning our strategic initiatives across all offices. This new leadership structure will enable us to harness the collective expertise of our teams, ensuring seamless integration and collaboration. We are well-positioned to deliver innovative solutions and unparalleled value to our clients, further solidifying APCO?ÇÖs position as a trusted advisor in the region."Andrew Bone, newly appointed managing director for Saudi Arabia, highlighted the importance of the Kingdom: "As the G20?ÇÖs fastest-growing economy and an increasingly influential player on the global stage, Saudi Arabia presents one of the most important markets for APCO. I?ÇÖm very pleased to navigate these seismic shifts alongside Hala, a powerhouse in her own right. We are working closely with our public and private sector partners in the Kingdom to help harness the opportunities created by Saudi Vision 2030."New Appointments in Key Growth AreasAPCO also announced several new leadership appointments to strengthen its specialized practices in MENA:?Çó Christophe Guibeleguiet, former partner and global Business & Society lead at Brunswick Group, will lead APCO?ÇÖs Climate & Sustainability practice in MENA, supporting clients with their ESG strategies and climate commitments in line with national and global agendas.?Çó Fr??d??ric Cornet has been appointed to lead APCO?ÇÖs new MENA capital markets arm, created following the acquisition of financial communications firm Camarco. Cornet, formerly managing partner and head of Capital Markets, MENA at Instinctif Partners, specializes in investor relations strategies and financial communications for public companies.?Çó Geoffrey Pelham-Lane, chair of APCO in the UK and CEO of Camarco, noted:"The recent surge in IPOs in MENA, driven by strong investor confidence, continues to buck global trends. With Camarco expanding to the region, spearheaded by Fr??d??ric, we are positioned to support issuers on all the region?ÇÖs bourses."Expanding Sector Specialties in MENATo better serve its clients, APCO is introducing new sector specialties across MENA. The newly structured practices and sector leads include:?Çó Public Policy & Government Affairs ?Çô Led by Mohamed Bahaa?Çó Internal Communications, Change Management & Transformation ?Çô Led by Tim Walmsley?Çó Crisis & Risk Management ?Çô Led by Nicolas Labuschagne?Çó Creative & Brand Strategy ?Çô Led by Mohammad Kamal?Çó Family Office ?Çô Led by Jolyon KimbleAdditionally, key industry sectors will be overseen by specialized leaders:?Çó Arts & Culture ?Çô Siwar Bandar?Çó Tourism ?Çô Sofia Santos?Çó Health ?Çô Co-led by Sanaya Pavri, Jumana Nabulsi, and Ramla Ben Ammar?Çó Defense & Technology ?Çô Co-led by Mathilda Saad and Ramy Reda?Çó Food & Beverage ?Çô Anshu Gupta?Çó Technology ?Çô Co-led by Sarah Raafat, Benjamin Leakey, and Thamer Alharbi?Çó Financial Services ?Çô Co-led by Amir Matar and Robert KopitschWith this newly structured leadership team and sector-focused approach, APCO is poised to drive further growth and innovation across the MENA region.