Treasury is often overlooked.

But that is starting to change.

In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Mohamed Kortam, a Middle East & Africa Regional Treasurer with over a decade of experience leading corporate finance, liquidity, and risk strategies across the region.

Together, they unpack what the role of Treasury actually looks like today and why it is becoming increasingly important across businesses.

Because the reality is, Treasury is no longer just a support function.

It is becoming a key part of how companies manage risk, make decisions, and plan for the future.

This conversation brings that into focus. From understanding the core responsibilities of a Treasurer to exploring how the role differs from other finance positions, this episode gives a clearer view of where Treasury is heading.

This is not just about the role.

It is about the direction of finance as a whole.

What you will hear in this episode:

📌 What a Treasurer actually does

📌 How Treasury differs from other finance roles

📌 Why demand for Treasury professionals is growing

📌 Key challenges across the MEA region

📌 Hiring trends in the Treasury space

📌 What CEOs and CFOs should look for when hiring

This episode is proudly supported by Alaan, the Middle East’s leading corporate card and expense management platform. Alaan helps companies eliminate petty cash, reimbursements, and manual reconciliations by automating expense tracking, approvals, and accounting, giving finance teams greater control and visibility without the manual work.

A big thank you to Alaan for supporting this season and helping us bring these conversations to life. We will be back soon with more insights and more voices from across the region.

Whether you are exploring your next move or hiring within Treasury, this episode offers a practical perspective on where the function is going.

Listen to Alchemy Uncensored.

New episodes every Wednesday.

Uncertainty is not new.

But how you respond to it is what defines your next move.

In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Weam Kamel and Conor McHugh unpack what is really happening across the UAE market right now.

From the outside, it may look like hesitation.

From the inside, it is something else entirely.

This conversation is built on real interactions with candidates and clients across finance and tax functions, offering a clearer view of how hiring decisions are being made and how professionals are navigating this moment.

Because the reality is, the market has not stopped.

Opportunities have not disappeared.

But the way they show up has changed.

This episode brings that into focus. From shifting hiring patterns to evolving expectations, and from uncertainty to emerging opportunities, this is a grounded discussion on how to think and act in today’s environment.

This is not about reacting.

It is about understanding.

What you will hear in this episode:

📌 What is really happening across the UAE hiring market

📌 Whether this is a pause, a shift, or something deeper

📌 How today compares to previous market cycles

📌 Where opportunities are still emerging

📌 How companies are adapting and making decisions

📌 What professionals and businesses should be doing next

This episode is proudly supported by Alaan, the Middle East’s leading corporate card and expense management platform. Alaan helps companies eliminate petty cash, reimbursements, and manual reconciliations by automating expense tracking, approvals, and accounting, giving finance teams greater control and visibility without the manual work.

A big thank you to Alaan for supporting this season and helping us bring these conversations to life. We will be back soon with more insights and more voices from across the region.

Whether you are evaluating your next move or making hiring decisions, this episode is designed to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

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New episodes every Wednesday.

Empowerment is not a buzzword. It is built in the moments where voices are heard, confidence is strengthened, and opportunities are created.

In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Rutika Hardikar is joined by three inspiring leaders Lata Loungani, Alia Saleh, and Bally Dabb for a powerful conversation on women empowerment in finance and tax.

At the center of this discussion is She Counts, a community created to amplify women’s voices, strengthen representation, and build a support system that goes beyond traditional networking.

Because the reality is, the talent has always been there.

The ambition has always been there.

But the space to be seen, heard, and supported has not always existed.

This conversation brings that to the forefront. From navigating leadership expectations to overcoming self-doubt, and from breaking stereotypes to building each other up, these women share honest perspectives on what it really takes to grow and lead in today’s finance landscape.

This is not just about challenges. It is about ownership, visibility, and creating pathways for the next generation of women in finance and tax.

What you will hear in this episode:

📌 The origin story of She Counts and why representation matters

📌 Why empowerment goes beyond networking and into real support and growth

📌 The barriers women still face in finance and tax, and how to overcome them

📌 Mindset, stereotypes, and the importance of allyship

📌 The future of women in finance and how this movement is shaping it

This episode is proudly supported by Alaan, the Middle East’s leading corporate card and expense management platform. Alaan helps companies eliminate petty cash, reimbursements, and manual reconciliations by automating expense tracking, approvals, and accounting, giving finance teams greater control and visibility without the manual work.

A big thank you to Alaan for supporting this season and helping us bring these conversations to life. We will be back soon with more insights and more voices from across the region.

Whether you are building your career, stepping into leadership, or supporting others along the way, this episode is a reminder that empowerment starts with conversation and grows through community.

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New episodes every Wednesday.

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫: 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟖, 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧.

Understanding the cycle is not about predicting the future. It is about recognising patterns and making better decisions because of them.

In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Weam Kamel is joined by Renyl Rauf, a finance and strategy professional with over two decades of experience across capital-intensive industries, public markets, and transformation environments.

Having worked through multiple economic cycles, from expansion to disruption and reset, Renyl shares how leaders can approach uncertainty with greater clarity and discipline.

With everything happening across the UAE right now, this conversation is especially relevant for finance professionals and business leaders navigating shifting market conditions.

This is not about timing the market perfectly. It is about understanding the signals, staying grounded in fundamentals, and making decisions that hold up across cycles.

What you will hear in this episode:

📌How economic cycles have played out historically

📌Key signals that shape different phases of the cycle

📌Where we might be in the cycle today

📌Why understanding cycles is critical for finance professionals

📌How leaders make decisions during uncertainty

This episode is proudly supported by Alaan, the Middle East’s leading corporate card and expense management platform. Alaan helps companies eliminate petty cash, reimbursements, and manual reconciliations by automating expense tracking, approvals, and accounting, giving finance teams greater control and visibility without the manual work.

A big thank you to Alaan for supporting this season and helping us bring these conversations to life. We will be back soon with more insights and more voices from across the region.

Whether you are leading a business, managing risk, or planning your next move, this episode will help you think more clearly about the environment you are operating in.

Listen to Alchemy Uncensored.

New episodes every Wednesday.

In this special guest feature, our founder Conor McHugh sits down with Asad Siddiqui on the Asad Siddiqui Finance Insider Podcast to pull back the curtain on the UAE recruitment market.

The Middle East market has shifted. In this deep dive, we explore the rise of the "Plug and Play" candidate and explain why companies are no longer just looking for talent, but for immediate regional impact. Whether you are a Finance Manager or a C-suite executive, this episode is a no-filter guide to navigating your career in 2026.

🎙️ Full Credit to Original Creator: This episode was originally produced and hosted by Asad Siddiqui. We are grateful for his permission to share this valuable conversation with the Alchemy Search community.

Hiring is not about choosing between permanent or flexible talent. It is about knowing when each model makes sense.

In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Graham Halton to unpack how fractional hiring is being used alongside permanent recruitment, not instead of it.

This episode is proudly powered by Alaan, the Middle East’s leading corporate card and expense management platform, helping finance teams gain more control and visibility while eliminating manual processes.

As businesses grow, restructure, or enter new phases, there are moments where full-time headcount is not the right first step. Fractional professionals allow companies to access senior expertise quickly, test structures, and build confidence before making long-term hiring decisions.

Graham shares how this model is supporting businesses across the UAE, how it fits into wider recruitment strategies, and where it is delivering the most value for clients today.

This is not about replacing traditional hiring. It is about giving companies more options to build stronger, more agile teams.

What you will hear in this episode:

📌When fractional hiring makes sense and when permanent hiring is the right move

📌How businesses use fractional roles to support growth and transformation

📌What the fractional model looks like in real organisations

📌How visas, payroll, and compliance are managed

📌Real examples of how this approach has helped clients

How Alchemy Search supports you

✅We manage the full end-to-end process, including:

✅Visas and work permits

✅Payroll administration

Whether you are hiring permanent leaders or exploring flexible talent, this episode will help you understand how to build the right team for where your business is today.

Listen to Alchemy Uncensored.

New episodes every Wednesday.

Why does finding the right role in Dubai feel harder, even when the market looks busy?

In Part 3 of our Season 4 market special, we turn the spotlight on Dubai and unpack what is really happening behind the surge in competition, shifting salaries, and changing hiring priorities.

If you are navigating the UAE job market, feeling the pressure of longer hiring processes, or wondering why roles feel more selective than ever, this conversation will give you the clarity most professionals are missing.

In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Anchal Kalra shares a real, on-the-ground view of how the Dubai market has evolved in 2025. From mid and senior level hiring trends, to the rise of contract and fractional roles, to the impact of AI and automation on traditional positions, this episode breaks down what is driving decisions today.

We also explore why Dubai remains a key hub for finance and tax talent, how oversupply is affecting salary expectations, and what professionals can do to stand out in a more strategic market.

You will learn:

📍 What the Dubai hiring market really looks like in 2025

📍 Why competition has increased and how employers are responding

📍 Which skills are most in demand

📍 How AI, automation, and SSCs are reshaping roles

📍 Why contract and fractional hiring is growing

📍 What candidates must do to stay competitive

This is the final part of our three-part market review series, following our Abu Dhabi and Tax market deep dives. Together, these episodes give you a complete picture of where the UAE hiring market is heading and how to position yourself for success.

Listen to Alchemy Uncensored. New episodes every Wednesday.

This episode gives you a clear and practical view of the UAE tax hiring market in 2025.

This is Part 2 of our three-part series, and we focus on a question every tax professional is asking: what is really happening across Abu Dhabi and Dubai Tax Hiring market right now?

If you…

Are trying to decide between Abu Dhabi and Dubai,

Want to understand which skills are actually in demand,

Or feel uncertain about how the tax market has changed…

This conversation gives you the clarity most professionals struggle to find.

In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Rutika Hardikar breaks down the UAE Tax Market from the inside. From hiring trends and seniority shifts, to contract roles and salary expectations, this episode explains what shaped 2025 and what it means moving forward.

We also explore the real pros and cons of Abu Dhabi versus Dubai for tax professionals, how Corporate Tax has driven demand, and why hiring processes are taking longer than before.

You’ll learn:

📍 The key differences between Abu Dhabi and Dubai for tax careers

📍 How hiring demand shifted across 2025

📍 Why Corporate Tax dominated recruitment

📍 The rise in senior-level hiring and decline in junior roles

📍 How salaries and benefits have stabilized

📍 Why contract hiring increased so sharply

📍 What candidates should focus on in 2026

This is Part 2 of the series. The final episode will complete the picture with a broader UAE recruitment outlook and what to expect in the year ahead.

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Listen to Alchemy Uncensored. New Episodes every Wednesday!

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Apple Podcast: bit.ly/4865jHN

This episode will completely change the way you see the UAE hiring market.

This is Part 1 of a three-part special, and it starts with something every professional wants to understand: what is really happening in Abu Dhabi right now.

If you…

Are considering Abu Dhabi for your next move,

Want to know where the real opportunities are,

Or feel confused by how different the market feels compared to before…

This conversation gives you the clarity most candidates never get.

In this first part of Alchemy Uncensored, Weam Kamel breaks down the Abu Dhabi hiring market from the inside. From how roles are being approved, to how security clearance affects hiring, to why packages look the way they do, this episode gives you a real-world view of how decisions are actually being made.

We also explore how compensation is structured, why Abu Dhabi has been offering stronger overall packages, and how the market is beginning to evolve as it becomes more established and competitive.

You’ll learn:

📍 What the Abu Dhabi hiring market really looks like in 2025

📍How companies assess risk and candidates

📍Why some roles move quickly and others don’t

📍How salaries, bonuses, and benefits are put together

📍What professionals should know before targeting Abu Dhabi

This is just the first part. The next two episodes will take you deeper into the UAE market, giving you a complete picture of where hiring is heading and how to position yourself for it.

What does it really take to create a workplace where people feel connected, supported, and able to perform at their best? In a world where talent expectations are shifting fast, employee experience is no longer a “nice to have.” It has become a strategic priority that directly impacts performance, trust, and financial outcomes.

This week on Alchemy Uncensored, we bring together two leaders reshaping how organisations think about culture and connection: Killian Fitzgerald from Workvivo by Zoom and Ruth Dance, founder of the Employee Experience Exchange, a growing UAE community for HR and people leaders.

Together, they break down what employee experience truly means beyond perks and surveys. They explore why culture is a business driver, how leadership behaviour shapes trust, and why CFOs should care about the hidden costs of poor employee experience.

Killian and Ruth also discuss the growing momentum in the UAE, the data leaders should pay attention to, and the simple actions any organization can take to build a people-first culture that performs.

Whether you are a business leader, HR professional, CFO, or someone passionate about transforming the workplace, this episode will redefine how you see employee experience and why it matters now more than ever.