Our Partners

Mr. Al Duaij’s practices in the finance and accounting sector spanned around 25 years, during which he gained many experiences in the fields of accounting, auditing, investment, accounting expertise, and bankruptcy management.

Mr. Al-Duaij worked for several respectable companies before becoming a vital member of UHY Pillars.

This includes working in the petroleum industry as a Consultant, in the funding and economic development sector as an Auditing Specialist, in the investment sector as an Investment Accountant, and in the ministry as an Expert Accountant.

Mr. Al-Duaij possesses a Bachelor’s Degree (with Honours) in Accounting from KU and is a Certified Investments and Derivatives Auditor (CIDA), a licensed Auditor by the Ministry of Commerce, a licensed Arbitrator by the G.C.C Commercial Arbitration Centre, and registered auditor in the Capital Market Authority. He also possesses several accredited certifications in the accounting and auditing fields.

Dr. Wael Arafa serves as the Managing Partner at UHY Pillars & Partners in Kuwait. He brings over 25 years of experience in financial accounting, business valuation, financial and administrative systems design, financial analysis, corporate restructuring, and the development of internal control policies and procedures.

Dr. Arafa has held several senior advisory positions in the fields of management and economic consulting, where he has delivered specialized studies and advisory services to a wide range of organizations and companies both within Kuwait and internationally. In addition to his executive role at UHY Pillars Consulting, he also serves on the boards of several regional and international companies.

Dr. Wael Arafa holds a PhD in Islamic Banking and Finance (IIiBF) from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), an MSc in Management and Finance from The George Washington University in the United States, and a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Business Administration – majoring in Accounting from Egypt.

He is also a certified International Certified Valuation Specialist (ICVS), accredited by the International Association of Certified Valuation Specialists (IACVS).

Ibrahim brings over 23 years of diversified experience, contributed through advisory roles, executive management and board memberships of private equity and investment funds. He assumed various roles in Financial Services, Investment, and multi-industry family business conglomerates.

Throughout his professional career with organizations in the Middle East he assumed strategy setting roles covering revenue growth and sustainability, liquidity and capital optimization, risk management, corporate governance and compliance.

He started his career as auditor with a Big 4 firm for a number of years, then assumed financial management roles with renowned family business, where he gathered significant experience of multi-locations and multi-cultural environments.

Prior to joining Pillars, Ibrahim was the Managing Partner and co-founder of a highly successful and recognized mid-tier consulting company in Kuwait & UAE.

Ibrahim has extensive M&A and corporate finance experience, advising on many acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, alliances and valuations.

He holds a Bachelor Degree in Accountancy and Audit (Distinction) from Kuwait University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst from the CFA Institute – USA, and a qualified CPA from California Board of Accountancy.

Ms. Munira brings over 16 years of experience in internal audit, risk management, governance, and compliance across governmental and regulatory sectors. She has a strong track record in establishing strategic functions, including Risk Management and Internal Audit departments, while leading digital transformation initiatives and strengthening internal control systems. Her expertise includes developing integrated governance policies and advanced frameworks for operational and regulatory risk management, as well as providing specialized consultancy aimed at improving organizational efficiency and ensuring compliance with international standards.

Ms. Munira previously served as Director of Risk Management, Governance, and Information Security at the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA). Prior to this role, she served as Head of Internal Audit, where she established and developed CITRA’s Internal Audit Department over a period of more than seven years and was responsible for defining its strategic and operational frameworks.

She also gained distinguished experience at the Kuwait State Audit Bureau, where she contributed to strengthening financial oversight and the governance of public funds through comprehensive audit activities. Her responsibilities included conducting in-depth audits, developing control procedures, and establishing protocols designed to prevent financial irregularities and enhance operational efficiency.

Ms. Munira holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Kuwait University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from London Business School (LBS), one of the world’s leading academic institutions. She is also a Certified Corporate Governance Officer (CCGO) from the London School of Business and Finance, in addition to holding other accredited certifications in internal auditing and risk management.

Mr. Sobhy El-Shennawy serves as the Executive Director at UHY Pillars & Partners. He brings over 25 years of professional experience across various fields, including financial services, auditing, investment, and multi-activity business environments.

He also possesses extensive expertise in internal and external auditing, risk management, compliance, and corporate governance. Mr. El-Shennawy has served on the boards of several companies both in Kuwait and internationally.

Mr. Sobhy El-Shenawy began his professional career as an auditor at one of the Big Four accounting firms, where he worked for several years. He later assumed senior financial management positions at reputable companies.

Prior to joining UHY Pillars, he was the Managing Partner and Co-Founder of a consulting firm with a strong presence in Kuwait, the Gulf region, and Egypt.