FTI Consulting Expands Middle East Healthcare Advisory Team

Riyadh, 10 February 2026 — FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE: FCN) has announced a major expansion of its Strategy & Transformation practice in the Middle East, reinforcing its commitment to supporting healthcare and life sciences organisations across the region. The firm has appointed two highly experienced healthcare leaders — Oussama Nicolas and Tara Makarem — as Senior Managing Directors within its Corporate Finance & Restructuring segment.

With these appointments, FTI Consulting is launching a dedicated Healthcare and Life Sciences offering, which will be jointly led by Mr. Nicolas and Ms. Makarem. The new capability will serve both public and private sector clients in the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, focusing on helping organisations respond to evolving healthcare demands, modernisation efforts, and system-wide transformation goals.

Antoine Nasr, Senior Managing Director and Head of FTI Consulting Middle East, said the additions significantly strengthen the firm’s ability to deliver high-impact healthcare transformations across the region.

“Oussama and Tara bring deep sector expertise, strong leadership credentials and a proven track record of delivering complex healthcare transformations,” Mr. Nasr said. “Their leadership will enhance the capabilities of our Strategy & Transformation practice, supporting governments and organisations as they modernise healthcare systems and improve outcomes for communities across the Middle East.”

Extensive Experience in Healthcare Strategy and Transformation

Mr. Nicolas brings more than 25 years of healthcare consulting experience, having advised both government and private healthcare stakeholders on critical priorities such as:

• healthcare strategy development

• large-scale transformation programmes

• care model and service design

• capacity planning and infrastructure optimisation

• execution of multi-year strategic initiatives

Before joining FTI Consulting, he held senior leadership roles at several global strategy advisory firms, where he managed complex, multi-country healthcare engagements across the Middle East and worked closely with decision-makers on long-term system reforms.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Nicolas highlighted the pace of change in regional healthcare systems and the need for practical, sustainable execution.

“Healthcare systems across the Middle East are undergoing fundamental change,” he said. “FTI Consulting’s breadth of capabilities and commitment to tailored client services drew me to the firm. Working with Tara and colleagues across the region, I look forward to supporting clients in designing and implementing sustainable healthcare strategies that deliver meaningful, long-term value.”

Strengthening Delivery Through Implementation and Outcomes

Ms. Makarem brings more than 12 years of specialised healthcare consulting expertise, with strong experience in shaping strategy and ensuring implementation delivers measurable results. Her work has covered:

• healthcare strategy and transformation design

• care pathway development and optimisation

• workforce planning and capability building

• value creation and performance improvement

• population health management

• accountable care organisation transformation programmes

Prior to joining FTI Consulting, she served as a Partner at a global strategy consultancy, leading large-scale strategy, transformation, and implementation programmes for public-sector healthcare clients. Earlier in her career, she worked with another leading global strategy and advisory firm.

Ms. Makarem said she was excited to strengthen FTI Consulting’s healthcare offering by combining strategic direction with rigorous delivery.

“FTI Consulting has a strong reputation for helping clients navigate complex change,” she said. “I am delighted to work alongside Oussama and the wider Strategy & Transformation team to enhance our offering to healthcare clients. Our focus is not only on strategy, but also on rigorous execution that enables better long-term outcomes for patients and communities.”

Supporting Regional Healthcare Modernisation

FTI Consulting stated that the expanded healthcare and life sciences capability is designed to support regional healthcare systems that are undergoing rapid transformation driven by:

• population growth and changing demographics

• increased demand for specialised services

• government reform agendas and national health strategies

• efficiency and sustainability requirements

• integration of new models of care and patient-centred systems

With Mr. Nicolas and Ms. Makarem leading the new practice, FTI Consulting aims to deliver end-to-end advisory support — from strategy design to implementation — helping clients achieve stronger performance, improved patient outcomes, and sustainable system improvements across the Middle East.