Ascentis Advisory helps international companies, investors and family offices enter and scale in Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf through senior relationships, market understanding and practical delivery.
Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf represent one of the most significant commercial opportunities available to international businesses today. Vision 2030 has reoriented the Kingdom's economy, creating real demand for international companies, capital, expertise and partnerships across almost every sector.
The path from initial interest to a productive outcome is rarely straightforward, though. Saudi Arabia is a relationship-led market. Decisions are made by people, not processes. Trust takes time, and introductions carry reputational weight. The distance between early conversations and actual delivery is where most international companies find themselves without the right support.
Ascentis Advisory was founded to close that gap.
"We do not sell introductions and we do not operate as a directory service. We work alongside clients so they arrive properly prepared, positioned appropriately and connected to the right people in the right way."
We are not a generic consultancy. We came out of private banking and international business development, and that shapes how we work: commercially realistic, discreet, and clear that our reputation depends on how we represent clients as much as on the results we help them achieve.
We help clients assess their readiness for the Saudi or wider GCC market, map relevant sectors and stakeholders, identify potential partners and structure a credible route to market: market readiness assessment, sector and competitor mapping, commercial positioning and a practical entry roadmap.
Where clients need local partners, investors or strategic allies, we define the ideal profile, develop a considered approach strategy and help manage the relationship from initial outreach through to negotiation and follow-through.
For clients seeking engagement with merchant families, family offices, private sector businesses, government-linked entities or institutional investors, we provide structured support with positioning, preparation and introductions where appropriate, followed by disciplined post-meeting follow-up.
Ascentis works in both directions. We support international companies entering Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, and we support Saudi and GCC principals engaging internationally, including in the US, UK, Europe, Asia and China.
We work with international companies, founders, family offices, merchant families, private equity firms, investors, consumer brands, construction and infrastructure businesses, technology companies, healthcare businesses, food and beverage operators, sports and entertainment businesses, professional services firms and industrial and logistics companies, from first exploration through to converting live conversations into outcomes.
We start with the client's proposition, commercial objectives, timeline and readiness, and assess how the offer is likely to be received in Saudi Arabia or the wider Gulf. Arriving without clarity is one of the most common reasons market entry stalls.
We shape the Saudi-specific narrative: how the proposition is presented to a Gulf audience, the stakeholder thesis, the right type of partner or counterpart and how commercial terms should be framed for this market.
Where the client is ready and the context is right, we facilitate introductions and manage the approach, whether to merchant family groups, institutional investors, private businesses, government-linked entities or strategic partners. Every introduction is handled with full regard for the reputation of all parties.
The work does not stop at the first meeting. We support relationship management, follow-up, meeting preparation, negotiation and the practical steps required to maintain momentum towards a defined outcome.
Saudi Arabia rewards persistence and follow-through. We help clients sustain both.
A number of advisers operate across the Saudi and Gulf market. What distinguishes Ascentis is the combination of relationship capital built over time, commercial experience on both sides of the market and a clear understanding of what is required to deliver outcomes rather than simply generate conversations.
We understand Saudi merchant family and family office dynamics from direct experience. We know how introductions should be handled, what preparation is required before a senior meeting and where international companies typically misjudge the market.
Owen brings more than 20 years of experience in private banking, relationship management and strategic advisory, with a career spanning London, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf.
At HSBC Private Bank, Barclays Private Bank and EFG Private Bank he covered Saudi, UAE and Bahraini ultra-high-net-worth clients, family offices and merchant families at a senior level, building trusted relationships with leading Saudi merchant families and senior business figures.
As co-founder of Ascentis, he helps international businesses approach the Saudi market with clarity, credibility and practical commercial judgement.
JP brings more than 30 years of commercial experience in international business development, with a track record spanning the UK, the US, China, Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf.
He has worked across property, construction, off-site manufacturing, strategic business development, sports, media, technology and aviation, with a reputation for identifying opportunities, structuring partnerships and helping businesses move from discussion to delivery.
For the past several years his focus has been Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East, where he has helped facilitate joint venture partnerships and strategic alliances for international clients establishing a meaningful presence in the region.
International companies want access to Saudi growth. At the same time, Saudi families, investors and institutions are increasingly looking outward for technology, operating capability, consumer brands, investment opportunities and strategic partnerships. The appetite from the Gulf side is as significant as the demand from international markets.
Ascentis sits between these worlds. We help clients on both sides identify where there is genuine alignment, understand who the relevant parties are and develop relationships in a way that creates the conditions for a productive outcome.
Saudi market entry strategy for one of New York's largest construction companies, including joint venture partner identification, vendor ecosystem development and commercial positioning around giga-project opportunities, including Diriyah.
Strategic commercial engagement in China for a leading Saudi merchant family, including senior-level meetings across Shanghai, Hangzhou, Beijing and Hong Kong. The engagement progressed to live MOU discussions spanning China's largest coffee chain and AI-powered automotive technology.
Support for a UK firm exploring Saudi expansion aligned with Vision 2030. The client was introduced to influential merchant family offices and developed a clearer pathway into the market.
Saudi investor engagement and capital raising for a Malaysian private equity firm. The capital raising process was successfully completed.
Engagements are anonymised. Further detail is available in conversation, subject to client confidentiality.
If Saudi Arabia or the wider Gulf is relevant to what you are working on, we would welcome a conversation.
info@ascentis-advisory.com