APCO, a global advisory and advocacy firm, has announced changes in its leadership structure for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The company aims to strengthen its ability to serve clients as the region grows in importance on the world stage.
Mamoon Sbeih, who has led APCO’s regional operations since its expansion into MENA two decades ago, will take on new responsibilities as chief international business development officer and chairman for MENA. Samer El Hachem has been appointed president of MENA, while Faten AlMasri will serve as deputy president.
Margery Kraus, APCO’s founder and executive chairman, commented on the changes: “As global power dynamics shift and traditional leaders adopt more nationalist postures, MENA has emerged as a critical connector internationally. This leadership team ensures we will continue delivering the regional excellence our clients expect while expanding our ability to serve their growing global connectivity needs.”
APCO has operated in major cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Amman, Doha and Manama for nearly 20 years. Its teams have also supported clients in Kuwait, Egypt, Oman and Morocco. The firm is recognized by industry organizations for its policy insight and research-driven counsel. In 2025, PRovoke Media named APCO one of the 10 Best Agencies in the Middle East due to its strategic impact and sustained growth across the region. The company also received awards from PRCA MENA in 2022, SABRE Awards in 2021 and MEPRA Awards in 2020 for work that goes beyond traditional communications.
The leadership transition comes at a time when Gulf sovereign wealth funds control about $6 trillion in assets. In 2025 alone these funds invested $126 billion—representing approximately 43% of total global sovereign investment spending—demonstrating the region’s growing influence over international markets.
Sbeih stated: “The transformation we are witnessing across MENA represents one of the most significant geopolitical and economic shifts of our time. APCO has been privileged to support this evolution over nearly two decades, building deep relationships and expertise across the region. As our clients’ needs have evolved from regional market access to global corridor navigation, APCO must evolve as well to fully support clients’ needs.”
In his new role Sbeih will focus on cross-border advisory services and international partnerships using APCO’s integrated team serving clients in more than 80 markets worldwide.
El Hachem said: “The opportunity before us is unprecedented. As MENA countries project power through cultural initiatives, infrastructure investments and diplomatic engagement, our clients need advisory partners who understand both the regional nuances and global implications. Our regional team of 200+ professionals from 26 countries is uniquely positioned to deliver this expertise.”
He plans to concentrate on operational excellence while expanding services such as strategy consulting, digital transformation services and government/public sector advisory.
AlMasri added: “The Middle East is undergoing a profound transformation – one that is redefining how organizations connect, invest and grow across borders. As clients increasingly seek innovative approaches to navigate complex markets, they need partners who can anticipate change and deliver impact at scale. At APCO, our deep local roots, multidisciplinary expertise and commitment to innovation make us the perfect partners to help clients seize the extraordinary opportunities emerging across the region.”
