Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Corporate Profile
Contents
Corporate Overview
Core Strengths
ARDENT Team
Industry Expertise
Product Offerings
Our Credentials
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ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC is a limited liability company registered in the United Arab Emirates. The ARDENT name and logo are owned by ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC . Printed in the UAE
Corporate Overview
ARDENT is a UAE headquartered advisory firm, with a targeted focus in the GCC
region.
The firms partners and directors bring over 100 years of cumulative advisory
experience with the Big 4 professional firms and global investment banks.
The ARDENT team members have worked with and advised some of the leading
industry players in the region and have played a pivotal role in their business
growth.
Our client centric business model, in addition to our local expertise and extensive
industry knowledge, consistently creates and adds value to our clients.
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ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC is a limited liability company registered in the United Arab Emirates. The ARDENT name and logo are owned by ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC . Printed in the UAE
Core Strengths
Functional
specialists
Focus on
adding value
Client
Centric
Approach
Global
experience
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ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC is a limited liability company registered in the United Arab Emirates. The ARDENT name and logo are owned by ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC . Printed in the UAE
ARDENT Team
Sharad Bhandari, Managing Partner
Sharad is the Managing Partner of ARDENT Advisory as well as a member of the Trade Committee of Abu Dhabi
Chamber of Commerce. Formerly, Sharad was a partner and the Head of Transactions and Restructuring Practice at
a Big 4 firm in the Lower Gulf.
Sharad has over three decades of Audit and Advisory experience in Corporate Finance, Transaction Services,
Restructuring, Forensic and Internal Audit. He served as the Lead Partner on several large clients of the Big 4 firm
and has led several of the landmark Corporate Finance and Restructuring transactions in the UAE in the recent
past.
Sharad is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
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ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC is a limited liability company registered in the United Arab Emirates. The ARDENT name and logo are owned by ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC . Printed in the UAE
ARDENT Team
Nirbhay Vaidya, Partner, Head of Risk Advisory
Nirbhay is a founding partner of ARDENT. Prior to joining ARDENT, he was part of the executive leadership team at
one of the largest real estate private developers in the world, headquartered in Houston.
Based in Abu Dhabi, Nirbhay headed their Finance function for the MENA region and was involved in strategic
planning and development, client negotiations and fund raising.
Between 1997 and 2007, Nirbhay worked with two Big 4 firms in the UAE and UK, advising a broad client base
spanning from large national and multinational clients to clients listed on the DFM, FTSE and NYSE. His sector
specific expertise ranges from FMCG, real estate and construction to broad exposure in healthcare, automotive and
media industries.
Nirbhay is an Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
Nigel Smith, Partner, Head of Debt Advisory and Restructuring
Nigel has been a full time Debt advisor and Restructuring specialist for over 25 years. He was previously a member
of the Banks Credit Committee and headed its workout team for 6 years. He joined a Big 4 firms UK Restructuring
team in 2001 and its Debt Advisory team in 2006, where he was appointed Partner in London, before permanently
relocating to the UAE in 2011.
During the course of the past 15 years, Nigel has extensively advised the Boards of FTSE 350 companies. In the past
10 years he has specialized in assisting Boards understanding, structuring and raising new finance. He advises
groups across the spectrum including strong credits and also companies in distress.
He has raised in excess of US$2bn in new finance for UAE companies during the last 2 years.
Nigel specializes in representing several large families and listed companies in realizing the optimal capital structure
and achieving market leading terms on all debt raising whether though a refinancing, restructuring or for new
capital projects.
He is currently advising an Indian listed company in a debt and equity capital raise of c US$2bn.
Nigel has numerous contacts within the banking sector, both within and external to GCC.
Education: BA in Economics, Liverpool University; A.C.I.B.; CCT; FSA London Stock Exchange Approved Person.
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ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC is a limited liability company registered in the United Arab Emirates. The ARDENT name and logo are owned by ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC . Printed in the UAE
ARDENT Team
Ajay Malik, Partner, Head of Private Equity
Ajay is a Partner and Head of Private Equity at ARDENT with over 20 years professional experience in principal
investing, corporate & project lending and corporate finance advisory while working with leading international banks
and financial advisory firms.
Prior to joining ARDENT, Ajay was with International Finance Corporation for 8 years, where he was responsible for
originating, processing and supervising equity, mezzanine and debt investments, while working for the Europe,
Middle East and North Africa region. Previously, Ajay has worked with two Big 4 firms, where he has been involved
in a number of M&A, private equity fund raising and corporate lending projects, across a number of sectors
including oil & gas, property, education, healthcare, construction and infrastructure contracting, industrials
and transport. Ajay has also worked with a leading international bank handling project and corporate lending for
sovereign and contracting clients during his work experience.
Education: Ajay is a CFA, has an MBA in Finance and is a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering.
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ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC is a limited liability company registered in the United Arab Emirates. The ARDENT name and logo are owned by ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC . Printed in the UAE
ARDENT Team
Hemant Agarwalla, Director
Hemant has over 15 years of experience and has previously led the valuation advisory team for a Big 4 firm in the
UAE. He has worked across diverse sector viz. aerospace, defense and logistics, consumer markets, education,
financial services, healthcare, IT, infrastructure & utilities, real estate & contracting.
Hemant has advised on over 80+ buy-side transactions, divestures, mergers, restructuring and other strategic
matters.
Education: MBA from Management Development Institute, Gurgaon.
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ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC is a limited liability company registered in the United Arab Emirates. The ARDENT name and logo are owned by ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC . Printed in the UAE
ARDENT Team
Amit Lodha, Manager
Amit is an IT & Finance professional with 13+ years of experience in ERP implementations, risk assessment, internal
controls review and Internal audits. Prior to ARDENT, Amit was a Senior Consultant with IT Advisory Team at one
of the Big 4 firms in the UAE
Amit specializes in project management and controls review and has supported various system and vendor
selections
He has successfully led teams to 8 successful ERP implementations focusing on implementing internal controls and
MIS reports. Amit has also delivered engagements on IT controls testing and applications testing including change
management controls
A MBA and a Chartered Accountant with 2 Certifications in Financials Module of MS Dynamics ERP
Certified Project Management Professional from PMI, USA and currently pursuing CIA (Level 2 completed)
Karthik is a Manager in ARDENTs Transaction Advisory Practice. He has over 8 years of experience in M&A,
Business Valuations, Strategic Business Plan Reviews, Distress Asset Reviews, Private Equity Fund raising and Debt
Syndication
Until recently he was with a Big4 firm and his experience includes assignments with large PE houses, family houses
and conglomerates across sectors like Construction, Real Estate, Food & Agriculture, Retail & Consumer, Healthcare
and IT/ITeS.
Education: Chartered Accountant, Bachelors in Commerce and CFA Level III (USA)
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ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC is a limited liability company registered in the United Arab Emirates. The ARDENT name and logo are owned by ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC . Printed in the UAE
ARDENT Team
Sulaiman Al Hamimi, Associate
Prior to joining ARDENT, Sulaiman has worked as an Accounting Intern for an Oil & Gas company in Abu Dhabi,
UAE and for a Management Services company in Los Angeles, USA. In addition, He has worked as an Accountant for
an Exchange Company in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
His recent projects with ARDENT have been in the Contracting and Construction industry, Government Sector,
Automotive industry, and Real Estate industry performing internal audit & diagnostic reviews, and business process
improvement, and developing procedure manuals
He performed a Business Process Improvement and procedure manuals development exercise. He reviewed complete
procedure, held enhancement discussions, and formulated future state procedures.
He worked on improving all the departments' processes and procedures manual including procurement department.
He performed internal audits, and finalized reports with global audit programs. He also performed documentation of
internal controls at process and entity levels, risk assessment, gap analysis, and remediation planning for identified
gaps.
Sulaiman has bachelor of Business Administration Major: Accounting, Minor: Finance, Abu Dhabi University, UAE
Pursuing CPA.
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ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC is a limited liability company registered in the United Arab Emirates. The ARDENT name and logo are owned by ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC . Printed in the UAE
Industry Expertise
ARDENT supports clients across a wide range of industries
Industrials
Infrastructure
Real Estate
Financial Services
Construction
Healthcare
Government
Telecom
Media &
Communication
Hospitality &
Leisure
Client groups include Government entities, PE houses, large private sector businesses and private family offices.
ARDENT employs a cross functional team that has depth of experience across industries..we add real value by
providing informed advice that results in competitive advantage and improved performance for our clients
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ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC is a limited liability company registered in the United Arab Emirates. The ARDENT name and logo are owned by ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC . Printed in the UAE
Product Offerings
ARDENT supports its clients across their business agenda helping senior management with growth, control,
and efficiency related decisions
Transaction Advisory
Risk Advisory
Management Consulting
Transaction Support
Corporate Finance
Corporate Governance
Restructuring,
Refinancing & Debt raising
Forensic Services
Information Technology
Risk Management
Human Resources
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ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC is a limited liability company registered in the United Arab Emirates. The ARDENT name and logo are owned by ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC . Printed in the UAE
Transaction Advisory
Transaction
Support
Transaction Support:
We provide comprehensive support to stakeholders in the evaluation and execution of their
transaction, from deal identification to post deal integration support. Our services include:
Corporate Finance
Completion accounting
IPO advisory
Post deal integration advisory
Employee issues
Transaction tax structuring
Corporate Finance:
ARDENT provides corporate finance advisory services right from deal origination to deal
completion. We assist with capital formation, such as raising debt and equity for middle
market businesses to large capital intensive businesses. We also advise our clients in
buying or selling businesses or assisting them to prepare for an IPO.
Our services include:
Strategic advisory
Deal flow management
Portfolio rationalization
Merger and acquisitions
Origination
Advise on transaction
Fund raising advisory - debt and
Negotiation
documentation
equity
Deal structuring and execution Infrastructure advisory
Target Search buy side and sell
Deal closing
side
Restructuring
Restructuring:
Restructuring: Creative solutions to maximise value and minimize provisions. Ardent provides
comprehensive restructuring advisory services for lenders, companies, creditors, financial
sponsors, and other stakeholders of companies that may be in a distressed or special situation.
Our services include;
Stressed M&A
Operational Restructuring
Cost Reduction strategy
Finance Department restructuring
Business and assets divestment
Corporate Restructuring Officer (CRO)
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ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC is a limited liability company registered in the United Arab Emirates. The ARDENT name and logo are owned by ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC . Printed in the UAE
Risk Advisory
Internal Audit &
Compliance
Corporate
Governance
Forensic Services
Risk Management
Forensic Services:
We assist organizations in taking pre-emptive actions to prevent economic crime and disputes, as
well as with post fraud investigations. Our services include:
Fraud prevention and detection
Revenue leakage assessment
Fraud risk assessment
Anti-money laundering review
Integrity due diligence
Whistle blowing services
Data analytics
Risk Management:
ARDENT can assist financial and non-financial institutions to evaluate and implement
sound risk management practices. Our services include:
Set-up of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)
Credit risk assessment
function
Operational risk assessment
Enterprise Risk assessment
Basel III gap analysis and implementation
Review of Treasury operations
solutions
Accounting & CFO Services:
We assist organizations with enhancing the effectiveness of their accounting and finance
functions with tailor-made accounting & CFO services such as:
Secondment of CFO and other finance and
Design and implementation of KPIs
accounting staff
Financial analysis and modeling
Budgets and forecasts preparation
Bookkeeping and preparation of Financial
Cash Flow Management
Statements
Payroll processing
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ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC is a limited liability company registered in the United Arab Emirates. The ARDENT name and logo are owned by ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC . Printed in the UAE
Management Consulting
Business Strategy &
Planning
Process
Improvement &
Optimism
Information
Technology
Human Resources
Management Systems
Change Management
Structures
People Development
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ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC is a limited liability company registered in the United Arab Emirates. The ARDENT name and logo are owned by ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC . Printed in the UAE
Our Credentials
ARDENTs professionals have over100 years of cumulative experience of serving clients in the GCC markets across several industries
and sectors. Few of the entities our professionals have advised are:
Public Sector
Private Sector
Financial Institutions
Abraaj Capital
ACWA Power
Aldar Properties
Al Fahim Holding
Al Rajhi Bank
ADNOC Group
Al Jaber Group
Amiri Flight
Al Noor Hospital
Dolphin Energy
Al Sayegh Brothers
Etisalat
Emirates NBD
Etihad
GE Mubadala
DAMAS
Dhabi Contracting
Invest AD
Khalifa Fund
Dubai Investments
Ithmar Capital
MASDAR
Mubadala
Faisaliah Group
Le Meridien Hotels
Olayan Group
NPCC
Societe Generale
RTA
Pepsico Inc
TDIC
ZonesCorp
Saudi Oger
Waha Investments
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ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC is a limited liability company registered in the United Arab Emirates. The ARDENT name and logo are owned by ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC . Printed in the UAE
Financial due
diligence of four
companies, each
operating a chain of
clinics in the UAE
Due diligence of
healthcare
companies for
acquisition
A diversified Indian
industrial house
Negotiation support
for restructuring /
refinancing debts of
over AED 4,500
million
UAE based
diversified family
group
Sell side assistance
with respect to
companies
operating in
contracting and
related business
Belgian based
manufacturer of
fiberglass products
Liaising for setting
up a greenfield
plant in the UAE
Valuation support
for negotiating with
existing shareholder
buyout
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ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC is a limited liability company registered in the United Arab Emirates. The ARDENT name and logo are owned by ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC . Printed in the UAE
UAE based
commercial
financing company
Preparation of risk
registers and
reporting key risks
to the Board for ongoing monitoring
UAE based
construction
company
Internal audit
services for the
company
Semi-government
fabrication
company
Internal audit
services for their
real-estate and car
dealership business
Target review of
support functions
to identify fraud
and suggest process
improvements
Business and
operational review
of three lines of
business to improve
profitability and
operational
efficiency
Business and
operational review
of more than 10
companies
operating in oil field
services, building
materials and
manufacturing
CFO services
Business and
operational review
of more than 20
companies
operating in diverse
verticals
Providing outsourced
accounting services
to listed companies
in multiple industry
segments
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ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC is a limited liability company registered in the United Arab Emirates. The ARDENT name and logo are owned by ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC . Printed in the UAE
Precast company
UAE based
construction
company
Assistance in HR
process
improvement and
update of HR
policies and
procedures
Development of
policies and
procedures manual
Semi-government
infrastructure
company
UAE based
industrial group
Review effectiveness
and implementation
of cost improvement
and efficiency
initiatives
Assistance in system
and vendor
selection
Identifying, leading
and negotiating the
IT outsourcing
project resulting in
significant cost
reduction
Government agency
Assistance in review
and improvement of
policies and
procedures of
procurement
function
Semi-government
infrastructure
company
Assistance in
validation and
accuracy check of
data migrated to a
TIER I ERP
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ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC is a limited liability company registered in the United Arab Emirates. The ARDENT name and logo are owned by ARDENT Advisory & Accounting LLC . Printed in the UAE