Ozgur
Partner
Helping to open a new McKinsey office in the Middle East has been a tremendous opportunity. We see the impact of our work across the region. Aside from my work, I love reading, and I have a one-year-old baby at home who makes life very busy.
"McKinsey and our clients have been on a similar journey in the Middle East. I think my relationship with my clients is closer because we’ve gone through the same changes."
We are shaping the Dubai office as it grows
I was in the Istanbul office in Turkey and wanted to do a project outside of the country. I didn’t have a long-term plan and I came to Dubai to do a short study. But I started working with my core client, and I’ve now been serving that same client for four years.
My relationship with that client, as well as the environment of growth in the office and the region, compelled me to stay. The office had about 15 consultants when I came here; now we have about 200 in the region. When I came here, we had half a floor and lots of empty space. Now we have three floors and are running out of room.
We feel like entrepreneurs
Starting from the most junior levels, all consultants at McKinsey have a chance to get a senior perspective. I’ve worked with many leaders in the region, including chairmen of leading companies and leaders of government institutions. I enjoy being able to contribute to the success of these organizations as the region evolves into an international center of commerce.
Furthermore, the fact that the region is so growth-oriented means we’re dealing with fundamental issues. Many of our projects have to do with improving and developing the region, including its education, health care, and governments.
We work with leading companies in the region
Very recently, I’ve been getting into the risk framework of the banking system and working with regulators. Some other exciting projects include helping to build a new bank from scratch—from design to selecting a location and actually seeing it come alive with 200 employees—and getting to work on an important combination of two companies in the region.
We have a great future in the Middle East
We have started an economic transformation in the region, and my vision is for us to take it all the way. We need to make sure that the Middle East has a sustainable economy that doesn’t rest on energy, but can instead contribute to gross domestic product in a variety of ways. The entire region has to be part of this, not just Dubai. It’s not a choice; it will determine the region’s success in the long term.