The People

35 Professionals. One Integrated Platform.

A diverse international team deployed across four offices, aligned to one operating model — combining research, strategy, technology, engineering, investment and market development.

35

Professionals

4

Global Offices

7

Senior Profiles

5+

Nationalities

Eng. Hesham Helal

Co-Founder & Executive Director

B.Eng. Communications · MBA Louisiana University · Cisco Expert Certifications

  • Engineering Foundation

    Communication Engineering — Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport

  • MBA Education

    MBA — Louisiana University; graduate business education underpinning strategic analysis and investment structuring

  • Expert Certifications

    Expert-level Cisco Canada certifications in enterprise systems and network architecture

  • International Track Record

    Pre-sales and international sales leadership at Alkan, followed by cross-border entrepreneurial ventures across Egypt, Canada and South Asia

Co-Founder & Executive Director

Eng. Hesham Helal

A communications engineer, technology executive and MBA graduate, Eng. Hesham Helal combines enterprise systems experience, pre-sales leadership, international sales and entrepreneurial execution.

At Global Link, he directs strategic advisory, investment, market intelligence, technology, artificial intelligence and business-development initiatives across multiple markets.

His professional journey spans Cisco Egypt as Communications Engineer, Alkan as Pre-Sales Department Manager and International Sales Manager, private entrepreneurial ventures, and ultimately the co-founding and executive direction of Global Link.

His leadership focus is converting complex technology, commercial and investment questions into practical strategies, strong partnerships and disciplined execution.

The value of intelligence is not in its volume — it is in its clarity, its independence, and its direct relevance to the decision at hand.

Areas of Expertise

Strategic SynthesisTechnology & SystemsCommercial StructuringCross-Border DevelopmentInvestment & RiskExecutive Execution

Senior Leadership

Seven Senior Profiles

Directors, partners and practice leads deployed across four offices — each bringing 15–30 years of domain expertise.

Farooq Ahmed

Partner & Director of Research & Development

Islamabad·Pakistani·30+ yrs

Research strategy, innovation programmes, R&D partnerships and governance.

Omar Hassan

Industrial Solutions Director

Cairo·Egyptian·25+ yrs

Industrial operations, automation planning and manufacturing performance.

Marcus Reed

Commercial Strategy Director

Delhi·American·25+ yrs

Market entry, commercial strategy, enterprise growth and cross-border development.

Li Wen

AI & Digital Innovation Partner

Vancouver·Chinese·25+ yrs

AI, analytics, systems integration and digital transformation.

Daniel Brooks

North America Investment Partner

Vancouver·Canadian·25+ yrs

Investment strategy, capital structuring and cross-border execution.

Nouran Mostafa

International Trade & Globalization Specialist

Cairo·Egyptian·15+ yrs

International trade, export pathways, market access and global partnerships.

Ananya Rao

Investment Advisory Director

Delhi·Indian·20+ yrs

Investment research, due diligence, valuation and investor communication.

The Global Link Philosophy

We believe that the most valuable advisory is delivered by people who have operated in the markets they analyse — who understand not just the theory of strategy but the practical realities of execution in complex, high-growth environments.

Independence Above All

We hold no financial stake in any project we analyse. Our conclusions serve only the client's decision-making needs — never a sales agenda.

Evidence Before Opinion

Every recommendation is built on confirmed facts and verified data. We distinguish clearly between what is known, what is estimated, and what is our independent assessment.

Practical Over Theoretical

Intelligence is only valuable when it can be acted upon. We structure findings for real-world implementation, not academic completeness.

The Full Platform

35 Professionals Across Four Offices

A diverse international team aligned to one operating model — research, strategy, technology, engineering, investment and market development.

Cairo

Executive direction, advisory, research and group coordination.

15
  • Rania HafezResearch & Intelligence
  • Aditya KhannaCommercial Strategy
  • Salma RefaatAI & Digital Innovation
  • Nouran MostafaInternational Trade & Globalization
  • Mai El SayedCommercial Strategy
  • Mustafa OmarInvestment Advisory
  • Mei Lin ChenIndustrial
  • Omar El-ShazelyInvestment Advisory
  • Omar HassanIndustrial Solutions Director
  • Heba TalaatHospitality & Branded Residences
  • Sophie MartinCommercial Strategy
  • Yasmine El KadyHospitality & Branded Residences
  • Tarek MahmoudIndustrial
  • Karim SamirInvestment Advisory
  • Mohamed AdelTrade & Cross-Border Support

Vancouver

North American investment, technology and cross-border coordination.

9
  • Andrew McKenzieRecruitment & Talent
  • Alysha BrownTrade & Cross-Border Support
  • David HamiltonReal Estate Intelligence
  • Elena FischerInvestment Research
  • Michael ZhangCommercial Strategy
  • Li WenAI & Digital Innovation Partner
  • Marco De SantisCommercial Strategy
  • Julia BergerHospitality & Branded Residences
  • Daniel BrooksNorth America Investment Partner

Islamabad

Industrial, trade, R&D and regional execution.

6
  • Farooq AhmedPartner & Director — Research & Development
  • Saurabh MehtaResearch & Intelligence
  • Omar NaqviIndustrial
  • Arjun KapoorInvestment Advisory
  • Fatima AliCommercial Strategy
  • Zara KhanTrade & Cross-Border Support

Delhi

Commercial strategy, investment and market-entry support.

5
  • Ananya RaoInvestment Advisory Director
  • Karan MehraIndustrial
  • Marcus ReedCommercial Strategy Director
  • Rohit VermaCommercial Strategy
  • Neha BansalResearch & Intelligence

Nationality Mix

14Egyptians
8Indians
5Europeans
4Chinese
4Canadians

International coverage across five nationalities, aligned to one integrated operating model.

Practice Groups

1Research & Intelligence
8
2Commercial Strategy
7
3Investment Advisory
6
4Hospitality & Branded Residences
3
5Industrial
3
6AI & Digital
2
7Recruitment / Trade
6

Begin an Engagement

Work With Our Team

Every Global Link engagement draws on the full depth of our 35-person international platform. Begin a conversation about your specific requirements.