KPMG in Qatar said its managing partner, Jamal Fakhro, has been appointed to the board of KPMG International.

Fakhro, who is also chairman of KPMG’s Middle East and South Asia practices, is the first Middle East leader to be appointed to such a senior position with KPMG International.

KPMG Global chairman, Michael Andrew, said he was delighted with the appointment.

“The Middle East is an increasingly important region to KPMG globally and has some of the fastest growing economies in the world,” said Andrew.

“Jamal’s leadership skills and market knowledge will be valued assets to our global board as KPMG firms expand their presence in the region and work with clients, not only in the Middle East but in other parts of the world who are interested in investing in the increasing opportunities here.”

Fakhro said he was honoured by the appointment and that he hoped to draw on this experience for the benefit of KPMG’s local clients.

“KPMG firms operate in some 156 countries and has 152,000 people working in member firms around the world,” said Fakhro.

“I am sure the opportunity to work with some of KPMG’s brightest people will help me identify opportunities to add value to our clients here in Qatar.”

KPMG in Qatar expects to double the size of its practice in the next few years and is leveraging the full strength of the KPMG network to support its local team and clients.

KPMG in Qatar provides a diverse range of specialist services in areas such as audit, corporate finance and restructuring, management consulting, risk consulting and tax. It has some of the brightest industry specialists in many of the areas, relevant to Qatar’s National Vision 2030, the company said.

Fakhro said KPMG in Qatar works with more than 800 leading organisations.

“Our reputation for uncompromising quality is one of the key reasons we have one of the largest audit practices in Qatar and work with most of Qatar’s biggest organisations,” said Fakhro.

“KPMG’s total commitment to quality is one of the reasons we have never had a legal or regulatory issue with any of our engagements in this market.”

Related Story