Alchemy Uncensored

If you’re a recruiter, HR professional, or jobseeker, this episode is for you! Hisham ElSaied, a chartered MCIPD member and certified coach with 18+ years of experience in Fortune 500 companies across MEA, shares his expert insights on the future of hiring. We dive into the interview process, with tips to help candidates and recruiters excel, discuss the growing role of AI in recruitment, and exam...

If you’re a jobseeker in the UAE, this episode is a must-listen! Weam Kamel, Director and Head of Abu Dhabi Operations, and Lewis Elsey, Principal Consultant at Alchemy Search share their expert advice on how to stand out in the competitive UAE job market.   They discuss the key differences between Dubai and Abu Dhabi job markets, offer tips on nailing your interviews, and reveal what recruiters r...

In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, we’re joined by Sheena Ganesh, a seasoned CFO and finance leader with over 25 years of experience across the Middle East and Africa. Hosted by Lewis Elsey, Sheena shares her expertise on the pivotal role corporate governance plays in shaping successful organizations. She provides valuable insights into how corporate governance has evolved across the Middle Ea...

In this episode, we’re excited to feature Babita Ganeriwala, CFO of TRACTEBEL Middle East, as she shares her incredible journey and over 15 years of experience in finance and leadership. A Chartered Accountant and an accomplished professional, Babita offers valuable perspectives on navigating the challenges of today’s business world. Babita discusses the evolving role of women in finance, the cruc...

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome John Ioannou, where he shares his extensive expertise on creating psychologically safe workplaces and empowering people to unlock their full potential. With over 35 years in leadership across multiple industries. Join us as John explores the transformative power of psychological safety. He discusses the effects of toxic environments, the importance of bui...

In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, we’re joined by Sher, Group CFO of Phoenix, as he unpacks the essentials of cryptocurrency with host Weam Kamel. With a background at KPMG and experience across Europe, Sher offers deep insights into crypto's appeal, exploring topics such as Bitcoin, mining, stablecoins, and how these digital assets differ from traditional finance. For newcomers, Sher shares...

In this episode, we welcome Adnan, Group CFO at Select Group. With extensive experience in prominent firms across various sectors where he brings a wealth of knowledge about the financial landscape. An episode that focuses on critical insights into investment timing and the potential for market corrections, offering a comprehensive view of what investors need to consider. Join us for a thought-pro...

In this episode, Ashfaque Patel, Group Head of Tax at the Landmark Group, shares his extensive experience in the tax industry, offering invaluable insights into building high-performing teams and fostering a positive workplace culture. He discusses what it truly means to prioritize people in an organization and how effective leadership can drive success while ensuring team well-being. Join us for...

In this episode, Chadi Farah, an expert in investment management and private banking, shares his vast experience working with family offices. He breaks down what exactly defines a "family office" and explains why they are crucial for managing wealth across generations. With a proven track record of establishing investment platforms and managing multi-asset portfolios, Chadi offers an insider’s loo...

In this episode, Oleksandr Polishchuk, CFO of a sub-cluster within a UAE government defense company, shares insights from his remarkable career journey. At just 34 years old, he has achieved significant milestones, holding an EMBA from INSEAD and being a member of ACCA. Engage with an enlightening discussion that reveals the challenges finance professionals face as they navigate their careers. Ole...

Join us in this eye-opening episode of Unlocking Abu Dhabi as Weam Kamel, Principal Consultant at Alchemy Search and a key player in shaping the recruitment landscape in Abu Dhabi, shares her insider insights into the unique job market of the UAE’s vibrant capital. Weam uncovers essential truths about navigating Abu Dhabi’s recruitment dynamics, from understanding relationship-driven practices to...

In this special episode, Conor McHugh, founder of Alchemy Search, joins Recruitment Unfiltered , hosted by Martyna Sikora, to share his journey and insights into how Alchemy Search is transforming the recruitment industry. Conor dives into the importance of challenging the status quo and pushing boundaries to drive innovation in recruitment. Whether you're in recruitment, HR, or leadership, th...

Join us for an eye-opening episode with Holger Schlechter, a finance powerhouse with over 15 years of experience in corporate finance, accounting, and M&A. Discover the game-changing career moves and insights that catapulted him to the top, and learn how technology is revolutionizing the CFO role. We reveal the latest on IFRS and its surprising impact on financial reporting, plus Holger's...

In this episode, we are thrilled to feature Saad Siddiqui, CFO of Mumzworld, who brings over 14 years of expertise, including his experience at two of the largest Big 4 firms in the UK. Saad takes us through his incredible career journey, sharing invaluable insights on how finance professionals can embrace opportunities, tackle challenges, and elevate their careers. Saad discusses his path from th...

Join Conor McHugh, owner of Alchemy Search, as we explore the latest trends and key developments in the tax market for Q2 2024. In this video, we cover the recent fluctuations in tax placements, including a notable increase in tax-related roles this quarter. We also discuss the current demand for Corporate Tax and Transfer Pricing specialists, the growing preference for UAE experience, and the ris...

Dive into our Q2 2024 review at Alchemy Search, where we reveal the major highlights and significant developments over the past quarter. We’ve observed a surge in first-round interviews from Q1 to Q2, marking a significant rise compared to Q2 2023. Our placement data shows a strong start to 2024 with notable changes in the second quarter. We also analyze job trends across experience levels, sheddi...

In Season 2, Episode 13 of Alchemy Uncensored, we explore the crucial interplay between tax and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance). With the recent introduction of Corporate Income Tax in the UAE, understanding the synergy between tax policies and sustainable practices is more relevant than ever. Our guests, Mary from EY MENA and Seema from Network International, bring their expertise in...

In this insightful discussion, we are thrilled to have Bikash Prasad, President and CFO of Olam Agri, join us. With over 25 years of experience in the global environment, Bikash brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. Together, we explore key topics currently shaping the finance industry, including the evolving role of traditional finance and the future of finance itself. We cover...

We're joined by expert guest Ralph Khoury, often dubbed as the "Crisis Financial Officer" for sharing invaluable strategies for navigating and thriving during economic challenges. This episode is packed with essential insights to fuel your professional journey. Discover effective methods for evaluating cultural fit in candidates and uncover untapped talent sources for recruitment. Ge...

We are honored to be with the three incredible finance leaders: Alia Saleh, Polina Gancheva, and Saveta Celar. Alia is the Finance Director of Southeast Asia and the Middle East at ISG, with over 15 years of experience in corporate finance, risk management, financial modeling, and data analysis. Polina is the Finance Director of Crayon, Middle East and Africa, with 15+ years of experience in the t...

We're joined today by Ciarán McBreen, who is a certified executive and performance coach with 2b Limitless, he is a school wellbeing adviser, an author and a mental health podcast host. Ciarán has created a platform for thousands of people to flourish, develop self-belief, feel empowered and reach their true potential. Ciarán has sparked the ‘life’ into the lives of many. In today’s episode we...

Another Tax Episode with our very own Rutika Hardikar, a specialist in tax recruitment at Alchemy Search, which is a niche Finance and Tax recruitment firm based in Dubai. Our special guest, Hadeel Biyari, is the first Saudi Indirect Tax Partner in the KSA market, she is leading the KSA Indirect Tax Controversy and Litigation practice and is also the KSA Talent Leader. She brings in 17 years of ex...

In this episode, we have Bhavya Kumar who is a Managing Director & Partner at Boston Consulting Group Middle East with extensive leadership experience in strategy and management consulting. Discover the varied paths into consulting and the essential steps to prepare for success. We'll explore how self-awareness and skill development play key roles in shaping a fulfilling career in this dyn...

Join us for an insightful discussion on navigating the evolving tax landscape with Nilesh Ashar, a seasoned tax partner at FTI Consulting in the UAE. Learn about preparing for changes in the competitive tax market, global tax practices, and the role of AI. Gain valuable insights into team building, workplace flexibility, and tips for job seekers. Tune in for expert advice from Nilesh's 25 year...

In today's episode of our tax series podcast, we're excited to welcome and chat with Stuart Ramsay. Stuart has nearly 16 years of experience working in tax, and has spent the last 10 of those years in the UAE. Some of the points that we'll be discussing are the views on the current tax landscape versus 10 years ago in Dubai, Pros and Cons of consultancy versus in-house, What he looks f...