Welcome to Aontas Advisory
Strength through partnership
Aontas is a Gaelic word used for unity, union, or alliance; here at Aontas Advisory, we partner with you to meet your goals, providing expert guidance tailored to your needs.
We specialize in strategic GCC market entry & partner sourcing, regional business development support, international supply chain optimization, as well as offering boutique fractional executive management consultancy services.
We help you navigate complex regional setup challenges with ease.
Boutique Consultancy
If you're ready to engage in GCC markets but don't want to dive in head-first, we can support you all the way, from advising on the best market entry strategy to full local representation in business development and sales, providing fractional executive expertise at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire, warehousing & logistics networks setup, and navigating local and regional regulatory requirements without the cost, complexity, and risk of setting up an entity in the region.
Our boutique consultancy offers fractional executive services though our highly qualified and experienced consulting partners including:
Factional CEO, CFO, COO
Regional Business Development
Local & international supply chain alignment and optimization
Local, regional and international warehousing & logistics services
We represent companies interested in exploring GCC markets providing market research and business development services across a range of industries and disciplines.
We also provide highly specialized services in oilfield chemical design and delivery systems and work with major Oilfield Services companies through our partners.
Contact us to find out more.
Who We are
Brian O'Halloran MSc MCIPS - Managing Director
Dr. Ayman R. Al-Nakhli - Bespoke Chemistry Design Partner
Dr. Ayman R. Al-Nakhli - Bespoke Chemistry Design Partner
Brian O'Halloran is the Owner & Managing Director of Aontas Advisory; he is an executive leader and independent advisor with over 30 years of international experience.
Based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Brian brings deep regional expertise from across the Gulf, having held senior positions in manufacturing, procurement, logistics, indu
Brian O'Halloran is the Owner & Managing Director of Aontas Advisory; he is an executive leader and independent advisor with over 30 years of international experience.
Based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Brian brings deep regional expertise from across the Gulf, having held senior positions in manufacturing, procurement, logistics, industrial supply chain management, and regional business development roles in Ireland, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.
With a track record of delivering transformational results for clients in the oilfield chemicals, chemicals, transport & logistics, industrial gases, renewable energy, and pharmaceutical sectors, Brian works with organizations on building local capability, and assists with repositioning supply chain and logistics operations in the GCC.
His extensive experience in regional business development has yielded significant opportunities for the business he has worked with, including securing a LOI for a €23m project in Turkey, and adding >SAR25m in new revenue in one year in oilfield chemicals.
His advisory work spans supply chain strategy design, localization and in-country value (ICV/IKTVA) compliance, operational excellence programs, regional supply base and import/export regulatory compliance, and regional business development — areas where he has consistently delivered measurable commercial impact throughout his executive career for clients including Saudi Aramco & SABIC.
A recognized thought leader in the region, Brian was featured in The Energy Year Saudi Arabia 2023 and served as a guest speaker and panelist at Kingdom Manufacturing 4.0 in 2024.
Dr. Ayman R. Al-Nakhli - Bespoke Chemistry Design Partner
Dr. Ayman R. Al-Nakhli - Bespoke Chemistry Design Partner
Dr. Ayman R. Al-Nakhli - Bespoke Chemistry Design Partner
Dr. Ayman R. Al-Nakhli the CEO of SMART Chemical Company, a firm he established to support the oil and gas industry through the development of specialty chemicals.
Aontas Advisory partners with SMART Chem providing full operational support andsupply chain and logistics solutions. Dr. Al-Nakhli can provide novel bespoke chemical solutions
Dr. Ayman R. Al-Nakhli the CEO of SMART Chemical Company, a firm he established to support the oil and gas industry through the development of specialty chemicals.
Aontas Advisory partners with SMART Chem providing full operational support andsupply chain and logistics solutions. Dr. Al-Nakhli can provide novel bespoke chemical solutions to your specifications.
Previously, as a Petroleum Science Specialist at Saudi Aramco’s Advanced Research Centre, he developed and commercialized several novel technologies that generated more than $500 million.
Dr. Al-Nakhli is a multi award winning innovator, having received two World Oil Awards for Best Production Chemical, and is a winner of the Saudi Aramco Corporate Innovation Board and R&D Innovation awards.
He is credited with more than 50 patents and 100 journal papers. Dr. Al-Nakhli holds a BSc in Industrial Chemistry from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, an M.S. in Entrepreneurship for New Business Development from Open University Malaysia, and a Ph.D. from the British International College of Economics & Political Science.
Hafiz Fawad Ismail - Fractional CFO
Yazan Darwish - Supply Chain & Logistics
Yazan Darwish - Supply Chain & Logistics
Hafiz Fawad Ismail is a seasoned finance professional with extensive experience across financial planning and analysis, M&A advisory, deal structuring, and corporate turnaround.
Based in Dammam, he has worked closely with business owners and investors across the GCC on complex transactions — covering everything from audited financial due
Hafiz Fawad Ismail is a seasoned finance professional with extensive experience across financial planning and analysis, M&A advisory, deal structuring, and corporate turnaround.
Based in Dammam, he has worked closely with business owners and investors across the GCC on complex transactions — covering everything from audited financial due diligence and debt restructuring to acquisition pricing and post-deal value creation planning. His hands-on approach bridges the gap between strategic thinking and operational execution.
Hafiz has advised on multi-entity consolidated businesses, worked with regional banking institutions on facility restructuring, and built investor-ready financial models and presentations that translate complicated financials into clear, decision-ready narratives for buyers, boards and stakeholders.
As a Fractional CFO, Hafiz brings senior financial leadership to growing businesses without the overhead of a full-time hire — offering engagements across financial reporting, investor readiness, fundraising preparation, debt management, and strategic planning. He is particularly well-suited to owner-managed businesses preparing for a transaction, restructuring phase, or their next stage of growth.
Yazan Darwish - Supply Chain & Logistics
Yazan Darwish - Supply Chain & Logistics
Yazan Darwish - Supply Chain & Logistics
Yazan Darwish is a Senior Supply Chain and Logistics executive, working with clients to unlock efficiencies, reduce cost-to-serve, and build resilient, high-performance supply chain networks.
Based in the Kingdom of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia with experience of more than 15 years in those markets, Yazan supported clients from the Oil & Gas,
Yazan Darwish is a Senior Supply Chain and Logistics executive, working with clients to unlock efficiencies, reduce cost-to-serve, and build resilient, high-performance supply chain networks.
Based in the Kingdom of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia with experience of more than 15 years in those markets, Yazan supported clients from the Oil & Gas, Petrochemicals, Mining and Healthcare sectors.
In addition to his role in Key Account Management and Business Development, Yazan has a proven track record of advising clients on warehouse layout design, network design, contract logistics, inventory management and optimization.
Advisory Scope:
- Fractional Sales & business development
- New Facilities Setup
- Warehouse Layout Design & Optimization
- Handling Equipment and Storage Media Selection/Warehouse Automation
- Dangerous Goods Storage and Handling Compliance
- Supply Chain Network Design