StrEdge establishes global headquarters in Dubai

StrEdge, a fast-growing management consulting firm founded in Sri Lanka, has announced the setting up of its global headquarters in Dubai, marking a key milestone in its journey from a regional advisory firm to a globally positioned consultancy. 

The Dubai entity will lead the firm’s expansion strategy across UAE, GCC, Middle East, Africa, and Europe, while the Sri Lankan company will continue its focus on Asia, and be the strategic delivery partner, providing operational, analytical, and technical expertise that supports the firm’s international growth.

“This expansion marks an important inflection point for us,” says StrEdge Consulting Middle East Director and CEO Chester Cruse. Cruse, a former banker with over 25 years of experience across many markets, having held C-suite leadership roles, brings expertise in Transformation, Project Management, Governance, Risk, M&A, Operations and Shared Services. 

StrEdge Middle East is a management consulting firm that partners with financial institutions to achieve purposeful transformation. Headquartered in Dubai, with an operations, delivery and innovation hub in Sri Lanka, the firm operates across the UAE, GCC, Middle East, Africa, and Europe. It focuses on helping banks, insurance companies, and financial institutions transform with purpose—combining strategy, culture, process, and technology to achieve sustainable outcomes.

Client offerings of StrEdge Middle East are built around six key service pillars of Transformation and Growth, People Empowerment, Operation Optimisation, Acceleration of technology, Strengthening financials and Leading responsibility. 

“Our philosophy is simple—transformation must connect people, process, technology and purpose. We call this orchestrating value because it’s about creating synergy across every part of a financial institution to drive long-term value,” Cruse notes.

StrEdge, founded by Sumedha Wijesekera and Janaka Epasinghe, has been in the transformation consultancy business for nearly a decade. Today, they boast of a vibrant clientele, covering multiple industries and segments locally and globally. The key strength of the company being banking and finance transformation, the company has driven many successful transformation projects in Banking and Finance and NBFI’s. 

“We’re very proud of what started here at home. Our team continues to be the backbone of our delivery model—a source of expertise, research, and talent that now powers our global consulting ambitions. The Sri Lankan company remains an integral part of the Group’s structure, serving as the delivery and innovation hub. Our team of international experts who are on board with StrEdge Middle East, gives muscle to our strategy and operations,” says StrEdge Middle East and Sri Lanka Director Sumedha Wijesekera who is a former banker with over two decades of experience. He brings in expertise and leadership in Strategy Formation, Financial Valuation and Restructuring, Financing and Investment Strategies including Revenue Generation.

“Our expertise in Project Management and Change Management is one of our biggest strengths. Our vast experience in coaching and mentoring people has added immense value to all our transformation projects,” says StrEdge Middle East and Sri Lanka Director Janaka Epasinghe. A Certified Coach, Epasinghe brings in over 20 years of experience in the banking sector, specialising in Operations, Learning and Development. He is also experienced in driving large transformative projects across Operations, Human Resources, and Finance. 

StrEdge Middle East has strengthened its Dubai leadership team with a mix of regional and international experts. Adviser to the StrEdge Middle East Board, Hussain Al Hashmi brings in Board level experience, having held several Senior Leadership roles cross Financial Services industry, Consulting and Commercial Operations in UAE and GCC, and is a strategist on AI, Blockchain and Fintech. 

Senior Consultant Omar Tunio is an experienced Program Director, who has worked with McKinsey, PwC, Deloitte, Accenture, KPMG, and banks such as HSBC, Deutsche Bank and UBS Invest, while based in New York, Chicago, Paris, London and now Dubai. 

Senior Consultant Mohammad Al Balooshi brings 20+ years of experience in Banking and Finance, covering Operations, Investment Banking, Government relations, leading large Real Estate and Mortgage portfolios and driving Institutional relationships.