UK–MENA Trade Advisory
Market-entry strategy, regulatory navigation and trade facilitation for organisations expanding between the UK and the Arab world.
The Founder
Four decades of trust between two regions, now offered firsthand.
One of the UK's foremost authorities on UK–Arab trade relations.
Abdeslam El-Idrissi has spent the best part of forty years at the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce, rising from Director of Trade Services through Acting General Manager to Deputy CEO & Secretary General — a role he held until retiring from the Chamber in 2026 to dedicate himself fully to UK-MENA. Across that career he has built enduring relationships with British chambers, government bodies, embassies, educational institutions and the UK–Arab business community alike.
He is a key member of the Institute of Export, where he previously served as Vice Chair of the London Branch for seven years, and an elected local government councillor of two decades who chaired a planning committee and founded a regional chamber of commerce. He remains in demand across both regions as a keynote speaker on Arab-British trade.
UK-MENA brings that judgement, network and standing directly to a select group of clients — privately, and on their terms.
Read the full profile →2026 – present
Founder & CEO
UK-MENA
Four decades, to 2026
Deputy CEO & Secretary General (now retired)
Arab-British Chamber of Commerce
Earlier roles
Director of Trade Services · Acting General Manager
Arab-British Chamber of Commerce
Seven years
Vice Chair, London Branch
The Institute of Export
Two decades
Elected Councillor & Planning Committee Chair
Founder of a regional Chamber of Commerce
Global Perspective
Fluent reading of commercial, cultural and political context across both regions.
Trusted Partnerships
Introductions earned over decades, never transactional and never given lightly.
Strategic Solutions
Clear, practical counsel built around your objectives, risk and time horizon.
Sustainable Futures
Relationships and ventures designed to endure well beyond the first deal.