Who We Are
A consulting firm shaped by experience and committed to lasting impact.
For more than three decades, CDS has supported leaders across the MENA region as they navigate strategic, operational, and organizational challenges. We bring regional understanding, disciplined methodology, and a way of working rooted in clarity, partnership, and execution.
OUR STORY
Three decades of advising leaders at decisive moments.
Founded in 1994, CDS emerged as one of the region’s early management consulting firms.
Built on long-standing client relationships, the firm has grown through trust, consistency, and the ability to translate complexity into structured solutions.
Our history is defined by:
A deep understanding of regional dynamics.
A commitment to clarity in strategy and organization.
A disciplined approach to execution.
A belief that consulting must fit the rhythms, culture, and realities of each organization.
Today, CDS continues to support clients across sectors and geographies, bringing experience that is both broad and deeply contextual.
WHAT WE STAND FOR
Experience where it matters most.
Clarity
We bring structure and direction to complex challenges
Relevance
Our recommendations are shaped by each organization’s culture, capacity, and operating environment.
Discipline
We design solutions that can be implemented, owned, and sustained.
Partnership
We work closely with leadership teams during and beyond the engagement, remaining a trusted advisor as decisions evolve and priorities shift.
Impact
Our focus is tangible improvement and measurable outcomes, not theoretical solutions
LEADERSHIP TEAM
George Hatem
Founder & CEO
Founder of CDS, Chairman of CDS Holding, and Group Chief Executive Officer, George Hatem has more than 35 years of management consulting experience. His work has covered a wide variety of industries in the private and public sectors, as well as non-profit organizations.
Prior to establishing CDS in 1994, George worked with prominent consulting firms in Europe, where he actively participated in vision engineering, strategy definition, reorganization, and operations improvement projects for companies in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.
As an expert with extensive consulting experience, George is often invited to speak about change management and family businesses in local, regional, and international forums. He holds a Master’s and a Post-Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Stanford University, and an MBA from INSEAD.
George is also the Founder and President of the Happy Childhood Foundation, established in Switzerland, Lebanon, Tanzania, and the U.S.
George is constantly in search of discovery, be it during his travels, extensive reading, or by looking for unusual objects to collect; he enjoys walking and swimming, and has a special interest in nature and wildlife.
Sima Taha
Senior Vice President and Partner
Sima Taha joined CDS in August 2008. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a Minor in Business Administration from the American University of Beirut (AUB); she also holds a Master’s degree in Finance & Accounting from the London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) in the UK, and a Management Acceleration Program Certificate from INSEAD.
Since she joined CDS, Sima has worked on strategy, business process reengineering, and implementation assignments for companies in the automotive, private equity, banking, insurance, hospitality, oil & gas services, consumer goods, and retail industries.
She currently holds the position of Senior Vice President for Corporate Development, responsible among other things of Knowledge Management and Quality Control.
Sima is passionate about traveling and exploring new destinations and cultures. She enjoys adventure activities and is fond of watching biographical documentaries and thrillers.
Khaled Bachir
Member of the Board of Managers of CDS Arabia
Khaled Bachir is a Senior Managing Consultant at Mastercard, in charge of Data & Services Business Development activities for the Levant/Bahrain region and is currently based in Dubai.
Prior to joining Mastercard, Khaled worked at CDS for 13 years. During this time, he managed strategy and management consulting assignments for companies operating in the construction, manufacturing, oil & gas, industrial services, hospitality, and banking sectors.
Before that, Khaled held several positions in the Middle East and Europe. He acted as a management consultant with prominent consulting firms in Dubai, France, and as Operations Manager with a global marketing and communications consulting firm based in Cyprus.
Khaled is a graduate of the American University of Beirut (AUB) with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, ESSEC’s MBA, and Harvard Business School’s Leadership Development Program.
Bader S. AlReziza
Chairman of the Board of Managers of CDS Arabia
Bader S. AlReziza is the Chief Executive Officer and Board Director of AlReziza Trading and Contracting Company, a 2nd generation family business operating in various industries.
Bader is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asharqia Chamber of Commerce in its 19th session and a member of its Board’s Executive Committee. He is also a member of the Investment Committee of Sharqia Development Authority (SDA) and a member of the Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Board (Sharqia Chapter) of Oqal (Angel Investors Network). Bader is a founding partner and a member of the Board of Directors and head of the Executive Committee of Zadk Culinary Institute, a not-for-profit organization focused on developing young Saudi Chefs.
Noaf AlTurki
Member of the Board of Managers of CDS Arabia
Noaf AlTurki is a Board Director and Vice President for Corporate Affairs at Rawabi Holding. She oversees the Group’s shared corporate services as well as its corporate social responsibility activities. She also sits on several Boards of the Group’s subsidiaries and partners.
Noaf is a Board Member of Asharqia Chamber of Commerce in its 19th session, a member of the Board’s Executive Committee, and a member of the Chamber’s Executive Council of Businesswomen.
She is a member of the Nationalization Committee at the Emirate of the Eastern Province, a member of the Nomination and Renumeration Committee at the Sharqia Development Authority, and a member of Afaaq Advisory Committee at Aseer Development Authority.
She is a Board of Trustees Member of the Saudi Arabian Drilling Academy (SADA) and of the Leading National Academy (LNA). She is a Co-Founder and a Board of Trustees Member of Zadk Culinary Arts Academy and a Board of Trustees Member of the Eastern Province Council for Social Responsibility.
Noaf also supports several non-profit organizations.
Riad Obegi
Shareholder at CDS Holding
Riad Obegi is currently the Chairman of Banque BEMO SAL Lebanon, member of the Board of Banque BEMO Saudi Fransi SA Syria and the Non-Executive Chairman of BEMO Europe Luxembourg.
In addition to his responsibilities in the banking sector, Riad is the Chairman of Unifert Holding SAL and Chairman of Obegi Group SA in Luxembourg.
He holds a PhD in Economics from Lyon Lumière University, a Diploma in Economy & Finance from IEP Paris, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Paris IX Dauphine.
Nicolas Chammas
Shareholder at CDS Holding
Nicolas Chammas is Member of the Board of Trustees of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Past President of the MIT Alumni Association worldwide, General Secretary of the Lebanese Economic Organizations, Chairman of the Beirut Traders Association (BTA) since 2010, and Managing Partner at Elie D. Chammas & Co.
He graduated with distinction from the American University of Beirut (Bachelor of Engineering), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Master of Science in Civil Engineering), and Harvard Business School (Master of Business Administration with a focus on the international economy).
Nicolas’ research and publications include:
Social and economic advisory missions to various ministries, public institutions, and international organizations, focusing on employment, trade, development, investment, finance, and competitiveness.
“The knowledge-based economy and its impact on the Lebanese society and economy.”
“The socio-economic future of Lebanon is in question.”
“Construction industry and its role in the Lebanese economy.”
OUR SOCIAL IMPACT
“A happy childhood for the children of the world is a promise of a more prosperous future for all.
We strongly believe that bringing happiness to children is a shared responsibility, one that must be taken seriously.”
— George Hatem
Our Commitments
At CDS, social responsibility is embedded in how we operate, make decisions, and engage with our stakeholders. We are committed to creating positive and lasting impact across our communities, workplace, and environment.
We actively strive to generate meaningful social and environmental impact through responsible business practices
We ensure full compliance with applicable laws and regulations, continuously monitoring and adapting to evolving legal and regulatory requirements
We uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct, maintaining zero tolerance for corruption, unprofessional behavior, or unfair practices
We act with integrity and accountability in all our relationships, with our employees, clients, partners, and the wider society
We remain committed to environmental stewardship through responsible water use, pollution prevention, recycling initiatives, and energy-efficiency efforts
We promote sustainable ways of working by encouraging remote and hybrid work models, digital collaboration, and reduced business travel and paper use helping lower our environmental footprint while enhancing employee well-being and work-life balance.