01
Market entry & partner sourcing
Routes into the GCC without the cost or risk of setting up an entity before the case is proven.
— Boutique GCC Advisory · Bahrain · Dammam · CORK
Building networks.
Bridging markets.
A boutique advisory practice offering end-to-end services on GCC market entry, regional business development and supply-chain alignment, and M&A advisory services. Additional fractional executive leadership services provided by in-house and trusted contracted experts covering Logistics & Transportation, Supply Chain analysis, assessment and realignment, Operational Excellence and Value Chain improvements, Financial Due Diligence, and Specialty Chemical design. Supplier of strategic products to select clientele.
— What we do
The Aontas
difference.
Aontas is the Irish (Gaelic) word for unity, alliance - we partner with our clients to find the best solutions.
We believe in having close relationships with our clients - West Asian business relationships are built on trust and the time it takes to gain it, we take pride in the relationships we have developed over our combined decades in business in the region.
We are selective in the engagements that we chose, we are careful to not undertake anything outside of our core capabilities, and we decline when it is right to do so.
Honesty and integrity are our watchwords.
— What we deliver
A boutique
practice.
Tailormade service built around you.
02
Fractional CEO, CFO & COO
Senior executives on fractional time - Senior experience at a manageable cost without a full-time hire.
03
Regional business development
In-region business development, market research, partner sourcing, and channel strategy. Local representation and reach.
04
Supply-chain alignment & ICV / IKTVA
Network design, business analysis, Value Stream mapping, cost reduction, and localization compliance.
05
Warehousing & logistics networks
Warehousing and transportation services, facility setup, layout design, dangerous-goods compliance, optimized storage solutions.
06
Specialist oilfield chemistry
Bespoke chemistry through SMART Chem partnership — the technology behind $500M+ in commercialised value.
— Where we've delivered
Selected
engagements.
Mandates and projects are led, jointly led, or delivered through partners. We disclose only what clients permit; representative briefs are summarized below.
Tasnee
NESR
SMART Chem
Tasnee
NESR
SMART Chem
Prominent NOCSupply Chain · ICV
Localised supply base for upstream chemicals
Re-architected the regional supply base across three product families, lifting localisation scoring while compressing lead-times by 22%.
New Supplier - KSA AdditivesSourcing
Specialty additives — Saudi Arabia
Sourced a new partner for a specialty additives line as a back up supplier against more expensive European options amidst unprecedented supply disruptions.
SMART Chem Specialty CHEMICALS Logistics
Production-chemical operationalization
Designed the operational and logistics strategy for a new production chemical from lab to first deployment.
— Select consultants' Track record
- €23M
- Letter of Intent on major project secured · Turkey
- SAR 25M+
- New revenue · single year · oilfield chemicals
- $500M+
- Commercialised value · novel chemical technologies - SMART CHEM
- 50+
- SMART CHEM Patents | 100+ journal papers
— Strength in alliance
We strive for unity of purpose - every engagement is partner-led, jointly scoped, and professionally delivered.
Click anywhere on the canvas to grow a new tree.
— WHO WE ARE
Leadership,
by name.
Each mandate is led by one of the partners below, depending on remit, and focused on their own areas of expertise.
01
Brian O'Halloran
Principle Consultant · MSc · MCIPS
Brian is the Owner and Principle Consultant of Aontas Advisory — an executive leader and independent advisor with over thirty years of international experience.
Based in the Kingdom of Bahrain, he holds deep regional expertise from across the Gulf, from senior roles in manufacturing, procurement, logistics, supply-chain management, and regional business development across Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Oman.
Recent commercial impact includes >SAR 25m in new revenue in a single year in oilfield chemicals. Clients have included Saudi Aramco, SABIC, Tasnee, and others.
02
Dr. Ayman R. Al-Nakhli
CEO, SMART Chemical Company · Bespoke Chemistry Partner
Dr. Al-Nakhli founded SMART Chemical Company to support the oil and gas industry through specialty chemistry. Aontas Advisory partners with SMART Chem on operational delivery, supply chain, and logistics.
Previously at Saudi Aramco's Advanced Research Centre, he developed and commercialised novel technologies that generated $500M+ in value. He is credited with 50+ patents and 100+ journal papers, and has received two World Oil Awards for Best Production Chemical.
03
Hafiz Fawad Ismail
Fractional CFO
Hafiz is a seasoned finance professional with extensive experience across FP&A, 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.
As a Fractional CFO, he brings senior financial leadership to growing businesses without the overhead of a full-time hire — particularly suited to owner-managed businesses preparing for a transaction, restructuring, or their next stage of growth.
04
Yazan Darwish
Supply Chain & Logistics
Yazan is a Senior Supply Chain and Logistics executive working with clients to unlock efficiencies, reduce costs, and build resilient regional networks.
Based in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia with 15+ years across Oil & Gas, Petrochemicals, Mining, and Healthcare. Advisory scope includes warehouse layout design, network design, dangerous-goods handling compliance, and storage automation.
— Start a conversation
What is
your brief?
Tell us what you need and we will guide you down the right path for your business.
- Office
- Yateem Centre Complex Shop No. 39, Building 111 Road 385, Block 304 Kingdom of Bahrain
- Telephone
- +973 3778 2200
- brian@aontas-advisory.com
- Hours
- Sun – Thu 09:00 – 18:00 AST By appointment beyond.