About us
History
Founded in London in 1972, the company originally known as International Marketing and Economic Services was the brainchild of Don Moore, a management consultant with extensive experience in both the private sector and with international agencies.
Throughout the 1970s, the company was involved in a wide range of international projects throughout the world, working for an exceedingly diverse client base including both multinational companies and organisations such as the Commonwealth Secretariat, the United Nations, the European Commission, Cuba-export, and the China External Development Corporation. At that time, the range of services offered embraced economic forecasting, investment promotion and product development in addition to the market research and consultancy which is the company’s core business today.
IMES first Middle East project was a study of the market for mango juice in several countries undertaken in 1975. But as the price of oil rocketed, IMES clients began to focus greater attention on the petro-economies of the Arab world. So while IMES continued to undertake projects worldwide (the firm has worked in 120 countries), the 1980s saw ever more business in the Middle East. To supplement work for private clients, the company also began to produce published syndicated studies: the first study of the soft drinks market in Saudi Arabia was published in 1983, with the first published dairy study following two years later. Now updated every year, these studies are still used throughout these industries today.
By the early 1990s, over half of IMES revenues were related to the Arab countries, but this was severely disrupted by the First Gulf War. IMES diverse international base enabled the company to maintain its growth through major projects in South East Asia, China, the Caribbean and elsewhere, while continuing to work as much as possible in the Middle East. And as stability returned to the region, the decision was taken to open a local office. After a long search for a suitable local partner, an office was opened in September 2001 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in conjunction with Dr. Abdullah Basodan, a leading Saudi businessman.
In the same year, the company’s name was formally changed to IMES Consulting.
In early 2004, the Board of IMES Consulting undertook a major strategic review of operations, which by that time included a head office in London and subsidiary businesses in the USA, Ireland, Russia, Singapore and Saudi Arabia. The Board concluded that given IMES experience and established reputation and client base, the Middle East offered the most exciting long-term prospect for business growth. On this basis, the decision was taken to relocate IMES operational headquarters from London to Dubai Media City. This move was undertaken in October 2004.
In March 2012, IMES Consulting celebrated 40 years in business.
Biographies
Brendan Nolan
Managing Director
Brendan Nolan holds a both a Bachelor of Commerce Degree and an MBA from University College Dublin. On completing his MBA, Brendan joined the PA Consulting Group, initially in Dublin, and during this period he was elected the President of the MBA Association of Ireland for two year period in 1990 and 1991.
Transferring with PA Consulting to London, Brendan became particularly involved in helping many food companies to develop and implement strategy in Europe, the UK and Ireland. It was this experience that in 1994 led him to be headhunted by the Almarai Company in Riyadh, where he was appointed as General Manager – Marketing.
Brendan spent ten years with Almarai Company, based in Riyadh but travelling widely within the Middle East – seven years as GM – Marketing and a further three years as GM – Business Development. During this period he played a central role in the development of Almarai into the leading dairy company in the Middle East, utilising a fully integrated marketing approach: launch of several new dairy products, entry into new markets, aggressive pricing and promotional strategies, diversification into juices, improved alignment of marketing and sales etc.
In 2004, Brendan decided to return to his consultancy background. As a client of IMES Consulting throughout his Almarai years, there was a natural fit and Brendan joined IMES as a Director on 1st January 2005. He is based in Dubai.
Director
Born in Wolverhampton, England, David completed an Honours Degree in Business Studies before starting his career in the marketing of building materials for the English China Clays group. He joined IMES for the first time in 1985 and during a four year period as a junior consultant with the company, he worked extensively in both the Middle East and South East Asia on topics ranging from breakfast cereals to light emitting diodes. For a one-year period during this time he acted as investment adviser to the Government of Mauritius, including training local personnel.
After five years with IMES, David left to pursue his career with Visa International, the World leader in consumer payment systems, where he held various marketing positions. He was eventually appointed Vice President – Marketing Operations for Europe, Middle East and Africa. His major achievements during this time included a re-launch of Visa’s Gold Card programme and introduction of the Global Customer Assistance Service.
In 1996 he was invited back to IMES as a shareholder and director. Despite his senior position in Visa, David felt that IMES offered still greater potential and so rejoined the company. He was subsequently appointed as Managing Director on 1st January 2000 and his since been responsible for driving IMES strategic direction, and in particular the total focus on the Arab World. In support of this, David and his family relocated to Dubai in 2004.
In 2004 David was elected a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and in 2006 was made a Freeman of the City of London and elected a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Marketors.
Director
Kieran graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Civil Engineering from University College Cork (Ireland) in 1984 followed by a Master’s Degree in Engineering Science. He began his career with multinational building products company CRH and worked in both business development and internal consultancy roles in the UK, Ireland and Spain, before returning to studying. In 1992 he completed an MBA at the prestigious Cranfield School of Management in the UK.
Joining IMES, Kieran quickly became the preferred consultant for projects on behalf of several leading multinational clients and worked on major strategic projects all over the World. He was rapidly promoted to Senior Consultant and subsequently led the successful development of IMES practice in Ireland. In 2000 he was appointed to the Board of IMES and has been instrumental in the company’s development. In 2004 he relocated to Dubai in order to support the opening of IMES new operational headquarters, although for family reasons he now splits his time between Dubai and Cork.
Kieran is a Member of the Institute of Management Consultants and the Marketing Institute of Ireland.
Senior Consultant
Born in Scotland, Ken graduated with a BA in Economics from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh during 1977. The same year, he embarked upon a long career in Sales and Marketing with Dr Ian Sangster & Co. in Kingston, Jamaica. Having gained experience there in the formulation, bottling, packaging, distribution sales and marketing of a range of rum-based liqueurs, he moved on to join drinks giant International Distillers & Vintners (IDV) in the UK – working on the marketing of the company’s flagship brand, Smirnoff vodka.
In 1983 Ken joined the Wellcome Foundation’s International Division to market the company’s range of pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and FMCG products in the countries of the Arabian peninsula.
In 1998 Ken joined London-based MSI and developed brands for Contraceptive Social Marketing programmes in the developing world.
Ken joined IMES in 2002 and has since worked on a diverse range of projects for a variety of clients in key Middle East markets.
Join Us
IMES Consulting does not currently have any vacancies for full-time employees. However, we are always on the look out for suitable people to join our list of Associate Consultants able to undertake occasional research and consultancy assignments. Requirements are:
- a first degree in a business discipline, or preferably a higher degree (MA, MSc, MBA)
- a minimum of five year’s business experience, ideally in B2B market research or consultancy
- fluency in English, and ideally Arabic
- excellent literacy and numeracy
- high level of self motivation and self reliance
Our consultants work under the supervision of a Director and take responsibility for completing assignments to a Client’s satisfaction. Typical projects involve a period of fieldwork in the target market, followed by a report and presentation to the client, often at very senior level.
If you are interested in working with IMES please send your c.v. for consideration to us at enquiries@imesconsulting.com
Contact Now
IMES CONSULTING
Founded in London in 1972, the company originally known as International Marketing and Economic Services was the brainchild of Don Moore, a management consultant with extensive experience in both the private sector and with international agencies.
SERVICES
CONTACT US
IMES Consulting (Middle East and North Africa) FZ LLC
PO Box 487177 Dubai, UAE
Tel: 050 5013108
Mobile: +971 50 501 3108
Email: enquiries@imesconsulting.com
bpn@imesconsulting.com
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