Islam Al Bayaa takes office as CEO of KPMG Middle East

Islam Al Bayaa takes office as CEO of KPMG Middle East

KPMG today announced that Islam Al Bayaa has formally assumed his role as CEO of KPMG Middle East, leading the firm across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq.

He will lead a firm of over 5,000 people across ten offices, serving clients through audit, tax and advisory, with sector expertise spanning financial services, energy and natural resources, infrastructure, government and healthcare.

His appointment comes as businesses across the Middle East navigate a changing economic environment, with trade and investment activity showing renewed momentum following a period of regional disruption. Long-term diversification programs, deeper commercial ties and continued investment in new industries are shaping where companies deploy capital, build resilient operations and plan for growth.

Al Bayaa brings more than three decades of experience across professional services, transactions and investment banking. He began his career with KPMG in the UK before spending more than a decade in investment banking in London. He rejoined KPMG in Saudi Arabia in January 2009 and has since worked through a period of significant economic and institutional transformation across the Middle East.

Al Bayaa’s leadership agenda will reflect the economic and business shifts shaping the Middle East, including greater integration across regional markets, cross-border growth, technology adoption and the development of national and regional talent. His experience across professional services and investment banking will inform his perspective on how businesses are responding to these shifts as they invest, expand and operate across the region.

He will also engage on the governance and execution challenges facing businesses operating across multiple regulatory environments, including the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence and the capabilities required as companies scale across markets. 

Islam Al Bayaa, CEO of KPMG Middle East, said: “The Middle East is entering a new phase of growth, with businesses operating across more connected markets, capital moving in new directions and technology reshaping how decisions are made. KPMG has an important role to play in helping clients navigate that environment with the depth of local expertise and regional perspective they increasingly expect.

“As CEO, my focus will be on bringing those capabilities together more effectively across KPMG Middle East, building on the strong foundations laid by the previous leadership.

We will continue to strengthen how we work across the region, invest in our people, and entrench our high-performing family culture to deliver impact and value for our clients in the years ahead.”

Emilio Pera, who served as Deputy CEO during the transition to KPMG Middle East, will continue to lead KPMG in the UAE as Country Leader, a role he has held since 2023.

Emilio Pera, Country Leader, UAE at KPMG Middle East, said: “KPMG Middle East works as one firm across six countries, with leadership close to clients in each market. I’m confident Islam will build on that foundation as he leads the firm.

The UAE has deep business ties throughout the Middle East, and we have worked alongside businesses here for more than 50 years. My focus in this role is to grow our UAE business and bring our teams’ knowledge of this market into KPMG’s regional work.”