01
Data Strategy
Proven expertise in crafting actionable data strategies across industries, including smart cities and ESG, helping organisations unlock business value through structured, purpose-driven data roadmaps.
Data Strategy · Data Management · Analytics · AI
Helping organisations turn data into decisions, capability and impact.
I am Wassim Ibrahim, a Data & AI Consultant and Data Advisory Lead working across strategy, governance, analytics, AI, digital transformation and enterprise delivery across the UAE and GCC.
18+Years of experience
UAE + GCCRegional advisory focus
Data → AIEnd-to-end transformation
Current focusData & AI Advisory
Selected domains
Digital Twins · Sustainability · Smart Cities · GIS
Current focus
Data & AI Advisory
Selected domains
Digital Twins · Sustainability · Smart Cities · GIS
DATA & AI STRATEGYGOVERNANCEANALYTICSAI & MLDATA MANAGEMENT
01 · Profile
Strategy-led, delivery-minded, and focused on measurable business value.
Data Advisory Lead @ WSP, Master CDMP® | PMI-ACP® | PMP® | CSM® | CSPO® | Data & AI Consultant | Data Strategy | Data Management | Data Governance | Data Analytics and AI.
Highly motivated professional with over 16 years of experience and a diversified portfolio across Data & AI Consulting, software and web applications consulting, Agile project management, product ownership and Scrum leadership, with a demonstrated track record of successful project implementation.
02 · Core expertise
Three pillars that shape my consulting work.
From strategy and governance through to advanced analytics and AI, I help organisations build the foundations, operating models and technical capabilities required to create sustainable value from data.
02
Data Management
Certified CDMP professional with hands-on experience in data governance, metadata, quality and compliance, enabling organisations across the GCC to build robust data foundations.
03
Advanced Analytics & AI
Delivering AI and machine learning solutions across domains such as sustainability and operations, driving impact through real-world analytics use cases and advanced model deployment.
03 · Speaking & events
Sharing practical lessons with the data community.
I have had the privilege of speaking at regional events such as the Data Innovation Summit, the Geospatial Data Forum and the Cybersecurity Chapter in Dubai, among other events and webinars. My sessions have covered data management strategies, blueprints for data-driven analytics, and responsible applications of AI and machine learning.
04 · Project experience
A glimpse of the work I have delivered.
A selection of consulting areas spanning strategy, governance, delivery, analytics, AI and organisational enablement.
Every organisation striving to harness business value from its data must start with a clear and achievable data strategy. I have contributed to numerous projects where I applied tailored methodologies and industry best practices to design data strategies aligned with client objectives, capabilities and governance maturity levels.
I have successfully established Data Management Offices (DMOs) from the ground up, leading efforts to define data policies, procedures, standards and operating models. I guided clients through governance framework setup, capability assessments and the formation of data ownership and stewardship functions, enabling sustainable enterprise data management.
I led the creation of enterprise-wide Business Intelligence centres across multiple sectors in Riyadh, KSA. Over several years, I directed multi-disciplinary teams of data engineers and architects on multi-million SAR initiatives to transform reporting and decision-making capabilities through interactive dashboards, KPIs and self-service analytics platforms.
With a strong foundation in machine learning and data science, I have delivered end-to-end AI-driven solutions to support client transformation agendas. My engagements included use case identification, data preparation and model development, with a strong focus on business value realisation through predictive analytics, NLP and classification models across multiple domains.
Recognising that governance drives accountability, I have spearheaded Data Governance programmes for clients seeking to formalise data ownership, enforce compliance and adhere to local and regional regulations such as NDMO and DGA requirements. My experience covers governance frameworks, stewardship models and performance monitoring using fit-for-purpose KPIs.
Beyond strategy and governance, I place strong emphasis on the human side of data transformation. I have led data literacy and enablement programmes, including customised training, change management workshops and awareness campaigns aimed at building a strong data culture. These initiatives help organisations evolve into data-driven and data-native enterprises.
As a passionate data advocate, I have delivered numerous webinars, seminars and masterclasses covering topics such as data strategy, governance, quality, privacy and AI. My sessions are designed to empower professionals with both strategic and technical skills, contributing to the region's growing community of data leaders and practitioners.
05 · Career journey
Professional experience highlights.
A progression from digital product and project delivery into enterprise data, analytics and AI advisory leadership.
2023 – Present
Associate Director - Data Advisory Head @ WSP
As part of WSP's Digital Advisory services, I lead the Data Advisory Practice, building capabilities across Data & Analytics, Data Management, Data Engineering, and AI & Machine Learning. My focus is on empowering organisations across the UAE and GCC to accelerate their Data & Digital Transformation journeys.
I oversee multiple data-driven projects for existing and new clients, helping organisations create value across domains including Environment, Sustainability, Energy, and Geospatial Intelligence (GIS).
- Environmental Digital Twin – A first-of-its-kind innovative platform in the UAE and GCC region to simulate the environment of Abu Dhabi Emirate. The platform combines environmental data, AI and machine learning, scalable technology architecture, a 3D engine and geospatial overlays to support environmental monitoring, policy-making, cross-thematic simulations and what-if scenarios.
- Environmental Data Catalog – Centralising environmental datasets for streamlined access and governance.
- Sustainability & ESG Business Intelligence Center – Automated data collection, ESG data model and interactive BI dashboards.
- Data Management Strategy – Frameworks and policies for enterprise-wide data assets.
- Smart City Data Framework – Integrated data models and architectures for urban intelligence.
- Business Intelligence Centers – Scalable reporting and visualisation platforms.
- Organisational Data Maturity Assessment & Enablement – Assessing capability and enabling data-driven decision-making.
2020 – 2023
Lead Data & AI Consultant @ Devoteam
Worked as a Lead Data Consultant and Senior Delivery Manager within the Data & Integration business unit, delivering enterprise data solutions and overseeing complex projects for private and government clients across Saudi Arabia.
Focused on enabling organisations to implement, integrate and leverage Business Intelligence Centers, Data Management Offices, Data Governance frameworks and Digital Transformation initiatives, while aligning delivery models with Agile and DevOps SDLC best practices.
- Business Intelligence Center – Ministry of Justice (Riyadh)
- Command Centers & BI Solutions – Saudi Red Crescent Authority and Ministry of Industry & Mineral Resources.
- Data Management Offices – Established and operated enterprise-wide DMO programmes for the Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture and the Ministry of Justice, including strategy, policies, classification, cataloguing and maturity assessments aligned with the DAMA framework and NDMO compliance.
Also supported presales and proposals, managed business unit resources, contributed to the senior management team, and delivered Informatica-based enterprise data solutions across data management, governance, privacy and quality.
2017 – 2021
Senior Project Manager @ Instaclass
Worked as a Digital Transformation Lead, driving the organisation's digital strategy and overseeing the development and implementation of B2C and B2B products.
Led cross-functional teams and managed end-to-end delivery, aligning business goals with Agile and PMI best practices while integrating technologies such as WebRTC, .NET and cloud-based solutions.
- Planned and executed the organisation's digital transformation roadmap.
- Supervised product architecture, development and integration across HQ and outsourced teams.
- Engineered solutions to boost sales conversions and improve user experience.
- Collaborated with developers, designers, IT architects and marketing teams.
- Managed outsourced delivery partnerships in Europe and India.
- Oversaw code versioning, backups and deployment pipelines using GitHub, Azure DevOps and related tools.
2018
Project Manager @ Novo | Contract
Contributed to multiple digital transformation initiatives across development, migration and marketing.
- Led database systems implementation and data migration projects.
- Developed and maintained web applications with scalable architecture.
- Implemented cloud automation services to improve operational efficiency.
- Designed and executed digital marketing campaigns.
- Optimised SEO strategies to enhance visibility and reach.
- Managed outsourced Scrum teams across India and Russia.
2014 – 2017
Digital Project Manager @ Personalized Techno SARL
I worked as a project manager and Scrum Master, responsible for projects including:
- LMS, inventory and management systems implementation from end to end.
- Cloud architecture and systems integration with Azure and AWS.
- SaaS and PaaS development and consulting.
- Database migrations from on-premises environments to the cloud.
- MS Azure cloud consulting, including architecture design and implementation of cloud-based systems and software.
- Education technology and Microsoft Office 365 integration.
- Digital marketing campaigns.
06 · Credentials
Selected certifications and programmes.
A mix of data management, strategy, project delivery, agile and data science credentials supporting my consulting work.
University of Texas at Austin
Post Graduate Program in Data Science & Business Analytics
7-month programme
DAMA®
Certified Data Management Professional
Master Level
PMI®
Project Management Professional
PMP® Certified
UC Berkeley
Data Strategy
Professional certification
Informatica
Data Governance
Champion
PMI®
Agile Certified Practitioner
PMI-ACP®
Prefer to write?