AW Rostamani Group (AWR Group), one of the largest, privately-owned family business conglomerates in the Middle East, has appointed Sara O’Hara as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer.
A global marketing and communications leader, O’Hara brings more than 18 years of corporate communications experience to the role with expertise spanning transformational corporate communications programmes, brand building, and reputation management.
With a deep understanding of family-owned businesses, O’Hara excels at balancing the preservation of heritage with forward-thinking innovation. At AWR Group, she has been entrusted with shaping the AWR Group brand of the future as the business looks ahead to the next chapter in its rich 70-year-old history.
Commenting on the appointment, Sara O’Hara said, “As a marketer with extensive experience of family business groups across the region, I’ve developed a proven record of building brands that are both purposeful and built to last. I am delighted to have joined AWR Group as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, and I’m eager to draw on my experience to develop initiatives that will ensure the brand continues to thrive well into the future.”
“The UAE’s marketing landscape is changing, and I believe AWR Group is uniquely positioned to be a leader in this new era. I’m excited to play a role in shaping the brand’s future and ensuring its continued success for generations to come,” O’Hara added.
O’Hara has been a part of numerous success stories in the course of her career, having led marketing and communications at regional business groups as well as in globally recognised blue-chip companies including Barclays Bank, Lloyds Banking Group, and AXA,
She has guided businesses in crafting and implementing impactful communication strategies. Her expertise lies in developing bespoke approaches that address each company’s unique challenges and opportunities.
Prior to joining AW Rostamani Group, O’Hara was SVP – Group Communications at Al Ghurair, where she oversaw a comprehensive group corporate communications function including internal, customer, social, digital, media, and executive communications across seven major industry sectors, impacting over 28,000 employees.
A graduate with Honours from the University of the West of England in Bristol, O’Hara earned a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Marketing, European Politics, and Foreign Languages. She is also a certified member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (MCIPR), a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (FCIM), a certified programme manager (APM), and a PROSCI change management practitioner.
