BOARDING CALL ✈

Welcome aboard, and welcome to the Departure Brief

If you’re reading this in the cab to the airport, in the lounge, or halfway through boarding EK819, you’re exactly where we imagined you’d be.

Departure Brief was built for consultants in the Middle East who want to start their week a little sharper, without digging through the noise of the countless news sources out there. Every Monday, we’ll bring you a fast, focused update on what actually matters for you, plus a few tools and insights that will make you look good in front of your client, manager, director, partner… or whoever’s reviewing your slides. And if you’ve had enough of airplanes, we’ve got you covered with the latest exit opportunities.

Highlights this week:

A lot happened this week with MBS x Trump visit (loved that Cristiano was there too), CityScape and the Dubai Airshow; outcomes of these are summarized in the sector scan section; jobs of course; and Departure Brief’s first interview with Valentin from Ultra.

Enjoy your read!

SECTOR SCAN 🔭

Your weekly rundown of the most relevant business news in the region - for the sectors that matter to you

Public Sector & Government

• Saudi Arabia’s Cityscape Global wrapped up in Riyadh with a massive SR237 bn ($63.1 bn) in real estate deals; a record edition featuring 577 exhibitors (265 international), showing how the Kingdom is rising as a global hub for future-city development (summary of the event here)

• One key announcement from Cityscape was the launch of a new “Real Estate Stimulus” program to fast-track development by digitizing land analysis and connecting landowners, developers, investors and financiers on one platform, alongside new MoUs to boost sustainability, logistics hubs, and housing supply across the Kingdom (full story)

• The IMF mission to Damascus said Syria is showing early signs of economic recovery, with authorities maintaining tight fiscal and monetary discipline as sanctions ease and more than 1 million refugees return (full story)

• Saudi Arabia’s business events sector is booming, with venue capacity up 32% YoY across 923 accredited sites and total exhibition space growing by 320% since 2018 - a “golden decade” of mega-events coming ahead of Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034 - gonna have to book those Ritz rooms very early (full story)

Energy & Resources

• KSA’s mining push is accelerating as the ninth exploration round will open up a massive 25,000 sq km for bidding (much bigger than the eighth round) with the ministry expanding plot sizes to meet global investor demand, after the number of mining companies surged from 3 to 226 under Vision 2030 (full story)

• Masdar and Tadweer will build the UAE’s first commercial waste-to-SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) plant in Abu Dhabi, converting 500,000 tonnes of waste a year into sustainable aviation fuel (full story)

Technology, Media & Telecommunication

• The US approved transferring tens of thousands of advanced Nvidia chips to Saudi AI firm Humain, capping a high-profile Washington visit by Crown Prince MBS (full story)

Financial Services

• Emirates NBD’s India unit is in talks to buy Deutsche Bank’s retail and wealth business in India, alongside Kotak Mahindra and Federal Bank - this follows ENBD’s recent $3bn deal for RBL Bank, as Gulf lenders accelerate expansion into India’s fast-growing financial sector (full story)

Transport & Logistics

• First, big announcements were made in this week’s Dubai airshow, here’s a short summary:

  • Emirates will roll out free Starlink WiFi across its entire fleet of 232 aircraft starting November 2025, completing by mid-2027 - this means you’re gonna be able to take your teams meetings in-flight, no more excuses (full story)

  • Emirates announced a huge $38 bn order for 65 Boeing 777-9s, bringing its total to 270 and cementing its status as the world’s largest 777 operator - interesting considering the massive delays they’re having with the 777X (full story)

  • FlyDubai shocked the market by ordering 150 Airbus A321 neos (first time they buy Airbus), but then also announced a provisional 75 Boeing 737 MAX order (full story)

  • The UAE’s Tawazun Council signed AED18.01 bn ($4.9 bn) in defense and security contracts including major deals with Global Aerospace Logistics, Thales, Abu Dhabi Aviation, and Leonardo; as the country accelerates localization, tech transfer, and domestic defense manufacturing (full story)

• Saudi Arabia plans to launch three new airlines as part of a $100bn aviation overhaul; adding a new low-cost carrier in Dammam (Air Arabia–Nesma–KUN JV) and another budget airline in Medina (full story)

Consumer & Retail

• The Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID) is exploring new food and agriculture investments in Saudi Arabia, holding talks with firms like SALIC, Almarai, and Jadaya to expand into projects across crops, poultry, livestock and food manufacturing (full story)

• Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Reef program launched its first Saudi coffee development initiative with the UN FAO, aiming to boost annual production from 800 tonnes to 7,000 tonnes and lift self-sufficiency from 0.5% to 4.4%, reducing imports and improving incomes for smallholder farmers as part of Vision 2030 - I had no idea that there were coffee plantations in Saudi (full story)

Other

• Saudi Arabia will open its first-ever Six Flags on Dec 31, 2025 in Qiddiya, it will include record-breaking coasters like Falcon’s Flight - nice after work activity (full story)

• Saudi Arabia signed an MoU with Stellantis and Petromin to study building a vehicle manufacturing plant in the Kingdom - a move aimed at localizing commercial and passenger car production and boosting the automotive sector (full story)

THE EXIT ROW 💼

Your bosses might not like this section, but that’s alright. Every week, we’ll provide you with a list of curated job openings for any of you that are tired of the travel routine and looking to have a life again after 7 PM - includes opportunities for all levels

FREELANCING

There is a bunch of freelancing opportunities I’ve been made aware of. If you’re interested, please register your profile on Ultra (“join Ultra”) - a top EMEA freelancing platform that connects you with an extensive portfolio of clients in the region for freelance consulting projects. You can also book a call with Valentin Reyx, co-founder, to learn more.

UAE

1. Qashio | Strategy Lead (Apply here)

2. Wonderful | Chief of Staff MEA (Apply here)

3. Modern Pharmaceuticals | Strategy Analyst/Manager (Apply here)

4. NDMC Group | Strategy Associate (Apply here)

5. Sunset Hospitality Group | Strategy & Investment Manager (Apply here)

6. Mastercard | Director, Strategy & Performance Management (Apply here)

7. Talabat | Senior Specialist, CX Strategy (Apply here)

8. Dubai Holding | Manager - Strategy & Value Creation (Apply here)

9. Dubai Holding | Senior strategy manager (Apply here)

10. Salt | Strategy Manager (Apply here)

11. Fever | Senior Strategy & Partnerships Manager (Apply here)

12. Trivandi | Senior Manager / Associate Director, Strategy & Commercial Advisory (Apply here)

13. Careem | Senior Commercial & Strategy Leader (Apply here)

14. Al Futtaim Automotive | Transformation Manager (Apply here)

15. Animoca Brands | Senior Associate, Strategy Ops / BD & Partnerships / Investments (Apply here)

16. Revolut | Strategy & Operations Manager (Apply here)

KSA

1. STC | Investment Strategy Manager (Apply here)

2. Fever | Senior Market Strategy & Partnerships Manager (Apply here)

3. Tamara | Corporate Strategy Associate (Apply here)

4. Qiddiya | Analyst, Strategy Oversight (Apply here)

5. Careem | Strategy Manager (Apply here)

6. Careem | Commercial & Strategy Leaders (Apply here)

7. ArcelorMittal | Strategy Analyst (Apply here)

CABIN DEEP DIVE 🔎

Every week, we give a focused look on a topic, news, trend that is shaping the region; no fluff, just the insights you need.

ONE-ON-ONE WITH VALENTIN REYX, CO-FOUNDER OF ULTRA

This week, we wanted to deep dive a little bit on freelance consulting. Yup… those guys that do the same job as us for twice the money. So we sat down with Valentin Reyx, Co-Founder of ULTRA, a platform which connects consultants (and other experts) with firms looking for free-lancers. Enjoy the interview:

What is ultra?

Ultra is a next-generation consulting platform.

We believe success is human, earned through trust, rigor, and humility. We set up the team our clients need to succeed: the right talent, right place, right moment, right value. A fit that works on the field, not just on paper.

We are a curated community of 1,500+ independent consultants, sector specialists, and interim executives across EMEA, mobilized in 48 hours to help our clients solve strategic, M&A, and transformation challenges.

Our clients span governments, sovereign funds, global corporates, NGOs, family businesses and leading consulting firms.

Think of ultra as consulting 2.0 : leaner, faster, more transparent, and engineered for on-the-ground execution.

We build the relationship. Performance follows.

So you have a good view on the market today… what are the key consulting trends in the GCC?

The Middle-East is entering a new phase. The era of vision is giving way to the era of execution. For the last ten years, the region invested in mega-strategies. Now, it needs people who can deliver them.

We see 3 structural shifts shaping the consulting landscape :

1/ A more mature and sophisticated market

Government entities, sovereign funds and fast-scaling companies are now sharper buyers. They expect expertise and impact. That creates massive demand for doers : PMI operators, interim CxOs, transformation leaders, sector specialists.

2/ A clear appetite for alternatives to traditional consulting

Ambitions remain high, but clients are voting with their budget and they are looking for transparency and reactivity. ultra matches this need with a lean model, experienced operators, and a price-to-impact ratio that traditional firms cannot replicate. We put expertise over branding.

3/ A shift from strategy to implementation

Vision 2030 initiatives are moving into execution mode. This requires PMO veterans, M&A operators, sector experts, turnaround leaders, interim CxOs: people you cannot hire fast enough through traditional firms. ultra’s momentum is strong because we sit exactly at this intersection, between skills scarcity, execution pressure and demand for adaptability.

What are the main pros and cons of independent consulting vs full-time employment?

As someone who leads a freelance consulting platform, we naturally see the upside of independent work. But the reality is that both paths come with clear advantages and meaningful trade-offs, and the right choice depends on an individual’s risk tolerance and career goals.

Independent consulting offers a level of flexibility that’s difficult to match in traditional employment. Consultants can choose their projects, set their schedules, and even work part-time or build portfolio careers that combine advisory, operating roles, and personal ventures. Compensation can also be attractive: daily rates are often higher than equivalent salaries, and independents can optimize how they structure their income. But this comes with real volatility - no guaranteed pipeline, no paid-time off, and no built-in benefits (eg. visa and insurance). It demands a certain entrepreneurial mindset, because independents need to market themselves, secure engagements, and manage the operational side of their business.

On the other hand, permanent positions offer stability and a strong sense of belonging within a team. Employees benefit from predictable income, health and retirement benefits, and structured development pathways. For some, this stability enables deeper long-term focus and reduces the cognitive load of constantly sourcing work. But it also comes with less control: working hours, travel expectations, and project allocations are often determined by the organization rather than the individual. For people wanting to experiment, work flexibly, or pursue part-time arrangements, traditional roles can be limiting.

Ultimately, it’s a risk-reward trade-off. Independent consulting maximizes autonomy and choice but requires comfort with uncertainty and self-management. Permanent employment provides security and support but offers less freedom to shape one’s work. Neither is inherently better - the best path depends on whether someone is motivated by entrepreneurship and flexibility or by predictability and structured progression

Can you give an example of a recent assignment?

Lately, a mid-size tourism and attractions group in the UAE struggled gaining profitability while macroeconomic figures showed UAE visitors growing fast. The company operated resorts, desert experiences, and city tours across Dubai and Abu Dhabi - yet competition from new Saudi giga-projects and shifting traveler behavior (shorter stays, higher expectations, digital-first planning) threatened their growth trajectory.
The board needed a strategic reset. Internal teams were focused on day-to-day operations, and the organization lacked a clear plan to differentiate in a GCC tourism landscape undergoing massive transformation. The freelance strategist was brought in to :

● redefine the group’s unique value proposition,

● build a more data-driven understanding of source markets,

● rationalize underperforming assets,

● and design signature experiences to compete with regional mega-developments.

A permanent hire would have taken months and the client was not capable of absorbing consulting firms’ high fees. This situation required speed, independence, and top-tier strategic thinking and
In 12 weeks, the consultant delivered:

●A new portfolio strategy that shifted investment from low-yield tours to premium immersive experiences.

● A digital distribution revamp boosting direct bookings by 25%.

●A partnership model with hotels, airlines, and DMO stakeholders that unlocked new high-value visitor segments.

● A three-year transformation roadmap endorsed unanimously by the board.

The group regained momentum, strengthened competitive position, and accelerated revenue growth ahead of peak season.

How can ultra offer such high quality at a fraction of traditional consulting prices?

Because we removed everything that makes consulting expensive, without touching what makes it efficient. No Business Class and Ritz Carlton or St Regis booking. No branding. No layers or hierarchy. No ego.

Just a lean model where value flows directly to the expert who creates it. We offer tier-1 expertise without the tier-1 overhead.

Most of the consulting invoice isn’t expertise. It’s everything built on top of it.
ultra is designed like a race team: light, fast, precise.
Our consultants are senior, autonomous, and focused on delivery.
Clients pay for the doers, not for the brand

Where does ultra play between traditional consulting firms and manpower suppliers?

We sit in-between. ultra is a strategy, M&A and transformation partner, we are not a typical staffing agency. We combine the rigor of consulting, the speed of an on-demand talent network, and the impact of seasoned operators.

We plug into existing teams, accelerate delivery, customize every assignment and bring senior operators who have actually done the work on the field, not just on paper.

And with 1,500+ vetted independent consultants and experts across sectors and functions, ultra has quietly become one of the largest consulting players in the region

And that’s a wrap…

Thank you for being on board the Departure Brief this week.

Let us know how we did!

Have a safe flight, an amazing week, and see you next Monday!