Kent Consulting & Events: Driving Investment and Growth in MENAT: Zehra Fattah

Today, we had the pleasure of speaking with Ms. Zehra Fattah, the founder and managing director of Kent Consulting & Events. Based in the UAE, Kent Consulting & Events is a boutique economic development consultancy dedicated to facilitating cross-regional investment opportunities and promoting economic development across the MENAT region. Inspired by her late mother, a businesswoman, Zehra established this company to honour her legacy while making a significant impact on international business and economic development. We are excited to hear more about her journey and the vision behind Kent Consulting & Events.
Q: Welcome to The Founders Story, Ms. Zehra Fattah. We are thrilled to have you with us today. Your journey in establishing Kent Consulting & Events, especially with such personal inspiration behind it, is incredibly compelling. We are excited to delve into your experiences, the challenges you have faced, and your work’s impact across the MENAT region. Thank you for joining us.
Ms. Zehra Fattah: Thank you so much for having me. It is an honour to be here and share my story. Kent Consulting & Events is a project I am passionate about, and I am excited to discuss the journey with you, including the challenges and successes we have encountered along the way.
Q: Let us talk about the beginnings. Can you tell us what sparked the idea to start your own business?
Ms. Zehra Fattah: This is very close to my heart. My late mother, who was a remarkable businesswoman, inspired me to start my own business. I had been nurturing the idea for some time, and after she passed away, I felt it was the right moment to take that leap. Her last name was Kent, and by founding Kent Consulting & Events, I am hoping to carry forward her legacy in a way that honours the incredible influence she had on my life and career.
Q: Thank you for sharing such personal and heartfelt inspiration behind your journey. With that in mind, why did you specifically choose to establish Kent Consulting & Events, and how does your personal vision align with the company’s mission to promote economic development in the MENAT region?
Ms. Zehra Fattah: Well, this could sound cliché, but like everyone else, even I wanted to make a difference—a meaningful impact in the world—while growing up. For me, this meant contributing to the economic development of the countries I work with and where we operate. I am well aware of the fact that we might not always get recognition for our work and that it is quite challenging to see the immediate results. But when we facilitate investments, I know for a fact that we are just not boosting the country’s GDP in the short term. We are also creating sustainable employment and thus contributing to long-term economic growth. I take great pride in treating every client—whether a multinational corporation, a federal government, or a new market entrant—with the same level of respect and dedication. We ensure that our efforts support their success and pave the way to lasting economic development.
Q: Your commitment to long-term economic development is truly admirable. With such a broad and impactful mission, what have been some of the major challenges you’ve encountered in facilitating cross-regional investment opportunities, and how did you manage to overcome them?
Ms. Zehra Fattah: I absolutely love what I do, so I don’t really see challenges in my daily work as obstacles but rather as opportunities to grow. My work involves a lot of multitasking and requires flexibility since we handle multiple projects across different time zones. I understand that this could be challenging for some, but they are what I enjoy most. Every day brings a new learning experience, no matter how long I have been in this field. New industry-specific rules, regulations, and updates are constantly emerging. I make it a point to stay informed by regularly educating myself. This helps me stay up to date with the latest developments in the field.
Q: It is impressive how your commitment to staying informed is a key part of your success. Could you tell us about a specific instance where Kent Consulting & Events made a significant impact on a client’s market entry or investment strategy?
Ms. Zehra Fattah: I can’t share any names due to data protection laws, but I recall a case where a startup approached me seeking Series A investments. At the time, they were considered early-stage by the government I was working with. After conducting my due diligence, I recognised the company’s tremendous potential and decided to introduce them to an IPA at the time. The agency was initially sceptical, as they were looking for an organisation with more established investments. However, with the support of my colleagues, I remained persistent and successfully facilitated the introduction, which paved the way for their expansion. Today, that organisation has grown significantly, expanding across many countries in the MENAT region and Europe and creating hundreds of quality jobs.
Q: How do you stay ahead in generating leads across both traditional and emerging industry sectors? Are there any innovative methods or technologies you employ?
Ms. Zehra Fattah: We always try to stay up to date with the latest technologies and platforms supporting our lead generation efforts. We have a team of analysts who monitor investment signals daily. We utilise advanced databases as well as conventional research methods to stay up to date with cross-sector investments.
Q: What are the critical elements that ensure the success of high-level government missions and events you organise?
Ms. Zehra Fattah: You see, having a highly motivated and fully functional team is important when organising high-level events and trade missions. The work we do goes far beyond the regular 9-to-5, so it is important to pay attention to detail, stay highly collaborative, and be well-organised. Most importantly, you need to be ready for anything unexpected that might come up.
Q: What strategic advice would you offer to governments looking to increase their economic footprint in the MENAT region?
Ms. Zehra Fattah: One of the aspects that I find crucial when entering the MENAT region is to have a continuous presence, either through a representative office or a third party in the region. We see many entities that are looking to conduct business from abroad, which can be challenging due to in-market competition.
We always recommend some sort of physical presence, as nurturing in-person business relationships and follow-ups is especially important in the MENAT region.
Q: How do you cultivate and maintain robust relationships with high-level stakeholders across different regions?
Ms. Zehra Fattah: I believe that trust is one of the main factors that helps me maintain long-term relationships with my clients.
I don’t see projects as a one-time transaction. So, I put a great emphasis on a successful working relationship that adds long-term value.
Most of our clients have been with us from the beginning, and I know that our customer service capabilities and willingness to go the extra mile are the reason for it.
Q: That is commendable. Your company supports CSR activities in emerging countries. How do you balance commercial objectives with your commitment to social responsibility?
Ms. Zehra Fattah: I truly believe we have a responsibility to give back to society, and that is why at KCE, supporting charitable projects is a core part of our mission. I don’t view these efforts through a commercial lens. Whenever a cause needs our support, I make sure to deploy resources without thinking twice. There is a concept in Arabic called ‘Barakah,’ which means blessing, and I genuinely feel that the more pro bono support we provide, the more prosperity we receive in return.
Q: As someone with extensive experience in international investment and economic development, what trends do you foresee, particularly between the Middle East and other regions?
Ms. Zehra Fattah: I believe that emerging technologies and the need for talent acquisition in new sectors will become increasingly prominent soon. Governments, academia, and businesses will need to collaborate more closely than ever to ensure a successful transition. This presents significant opportunities for both investors and organisations looking to enter new markets.
Q: How do you create a culture of excellence and innovation within your team at Kent Consulting & Events?
Ms. Zehra Fattah: Our hiring decisions play a significant role in promoting excellence. I prefer to hire a highly motivated employee whose work ethic and values align with those of my team. I would choose someone who fits this criterion over a candidate with excellent grades and a strong track record but who is lacking in these key areas. I strongly believe in first impressions and the power of intuition when hiring employees.
I encourage my team to contribute to our daily activities and include them in many decision-making processes. I do not prefer a team that simply agrees with each other to avoid conflicts. I want them to constructively challenge each other and come up with best practices and innovative ideas.
Q: Now that we have covered the business side, let us shift to getting to know you better. Can you describe a typical day in your life as an entrepreneur?
Ms. Zehra Fattah: Sure! I start my day with mindfulness and exercise, then check in with my team to review our various projects. Business development takes up most of my time, so I’m constantly on the move. I stay actively involved in the day-to-day tasks, juggling between project support, attending high-level events, and meeting with clients. Balancing work with family time is really important to me, so I always strive to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Q: How do you stay motivated and driven in your entrepreneurial journey, especially during tough times?
Ms. Zehra Fattah: It can be tough, especially when I am between projects, but I always try to work hard and remain hopeful. As long as I know I did all I could and I am 100% happy with my output, I try to control what I can and let go of what I can’t.
Q: That’s one great mantra for life. What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who want to start their own business?
Ms. Zehra Fattah: Be prepared for the unexpected. Establishing your own company is probably one of the most interesting things in your life, but it can come with a lot of surprises as well. So be prepared to learn a lot, especially in the beginning phases, where you will be most likely to be involved in many functions in your business.
Q: What has been the most rewarding aspect of being an entrepreneur for you?
Ms. Zehra Fattah: There are many rewarding aspects of being an entrepreneur, and it is hard to summarise them all. Beyond the fact that it just feels right, I’m grateful for the flexibility it provides. I also value the opportunity to hire highly collaborative employees who represent the corporate culture and values we stand for.
Q: This has been an incredibly insightful conversation, Ms. Fattah. Your story is inspiring and a testament to the power of perseverance and vision. I’m sure our readers, especially aspiring entrepreneurs and women in business, will find your journey both motivating and encouraging. Thank you for sharing your experiences and wisdom with us today.