James Thorp

Founder @ Thorp Advisory

About

I spent a decade embedded with GCC royal families and UHNW Founders, navigating succession dynamics, billion-dollar portfolios, and the cultural psychology that determines whether wealth transfers succeed or fragment within a generation. That immersion taught me something most consultants never learn: GCC business culture is a language. You can be brilliant at your business and fluent in English, but if you can't speak this cultural language, your brilliance is invisible. I now work with two types of clients: 1. Founders and businesses entering GCC markets (UAE, Qatar, Saudi), I teach the cultural intelligence that prevents deals from collapsing due to relationship dynamics you don't understand. Not introductions. Not generic advice. The fluency that takes most people years to acquire. I will ensure you convert your deals in the region. 2. UHNW families navigating succession transitions, I focus on the identity work and psychological dynamics that sit underneath technical succession planning. The question isn't just "How do we transfer wealth?" It's "Who does the patriarch become when stepping back? How does the next generation establish legitimacy?" Most companies fail in the region not because of capital, but because they enter without execution, access, or the right partners. To date, I have coached 160+ founders, helped secure $200M+ in investments, and built 300+ strategic B2B partnerships across the GCC. If you're entering the GCC or navigating generational wealth transfer, book a consultation.

Country

City

Qatar

Industry

Management Consulting

Skill

Succession Planning, Leadership Psychology, Executive Advisory, Coaching and Mentoring, Construction and Infrastructure Management, Operational Excellence & Performance Optimisation, Stakeholder Engagement & Government Relations, Business Turnaround & Growth Strategy, Executive Coaching and Leadership Development, Strategic Advisory and Decision-Making, Trusted Counsel and Discretion, Cross-Cultural Leadership and Diplomacy, Clarity Coaching and Strategic Presence, Executive Coaching, Strategic Advisory, High-Stakes Decision Making, Personal Strategy, Family Offices, International Relations, Diplomacy

Experience

Founder

Thorp Advisory

2025-6 - Present · 1 yr 4 mos

London Area, United Kingdom

• Strategic advisory firm specialising in GCC cultural intelligence and succession planning psychology • Coach founders and businesses on market entry strategy for UAE, Qatar, and Saudi markets • Advise UHNW families on succession planning psychology and generational transitions • Facilitated $200M+ in GCC transactions across hospitality, mining, and investment sectors • Leverage decade of experience with royal families to teach cultural protocols that prevent deal failure

Private Advisor

Gulf Royal Family And Family Offices

2016-1 - Present · 10 yrs 9 mos

Gulf Region

For nearly a decade, I’ve served as a private advisor to members of Gulf ruling families and their offices - offering trusted guidance across leadership, strategy, and personal decision-making. • Embedded advisor to multiple branches of Al-Thani royal family in Qatar • Navigated succession planning for $2B+ family office portfolios • Advised on generational transitions in insurance, banking, and real estate sectors • Facilitated identity work and psychological preparation for next-generation leadership • Developed deep cultural fluency in Gulf business protocols and relationship dynamics

Chief Executive Officer

Kayyaan

2021-1 - Present · 5 yrs 9 mos

Doha, Qatar

• President of Qatar-based investment holding company with international presence • Directed strategic investments and partnerships across premium services portfolio • Managed $50M+ in portfolio investments serving UHNW clients and family offices • Established corporate governance frameworks and business processes • Leveraged GCC cultural intelligence to navigate complex stakeholder relationships

Director and Management Lead

Kayyaan Consulting

2021-1 - Present · 5 yrs 9 mos

Doha

Executive advisory and cross-border consulting for GCC governments and UHNW private clients • Advised on market entry strategies, operational transformation, and strategic partnerships • Implemented data-driven frameworks improving client operational efficiency by 30-40% • Specialised in cultural intelligence and stakeholder navigation for complex GCC projects • Consulted on $100M+ in cross-border transactions and government initiatives

CEO and Founder

Nokhbat Al Mashreq

2024-4 - Present · 2 yrs 6 mos

Doha, Qatar

• Interim CEO guiding leadership transition for Qatar-based construction, manpower, and facility management company • Oversee strategic direction and operational efficiency across core business divisions • Advise board and senior management on governance, organisational development, and stakeholder engagement • Position company for sustainable growth in Qatar's evolving construction landscape • Apply GCC cultural intelligence to navigate complex stakeholder relationships and succession dynamics

Chief Financial Officer

Hiru Corporation (OTC:HIRU)

2024-9 - Present · 2 yrs 1 mo

• CFO managing financial strategy and operations for OTC-listed mining corporation • Direct financial oversight of Balfour Copper Project and resource extraction portfolio • Manage investment strategies and capital allocation for sustainable growth • Foster stakeholder relationships and enhance shareholder value

CEO

Khalid Nasser Al Thani Holding Group

2019-1 - Present · 7 yrs 9 mos

Doha, Qatar

• CEO directing $500M+ family office portfolio spanning smart technology, real estate, finance, legal services, and hospitality • Structured $100M+ in investments and strategic partnerships across Qatar business sectors • Expanded portfolio from 2 to 10+ operating companies during tenure

CEO and Founder

N-GON UAV Solutions

2016-6 - 2025-12 · 9 yrs 7 mos

Doha, Qatar

• Pioneered commercial UAV deployment across Middle East and Europe, establishing early-mover advantage in emerging market • Secured $20M+ in contracts across defence, agriculture, logistics, surveying, and film production sectors • Expanded service portfolio from initial security focus to 10+ industry verticals • Negotiated strategic supplier agreements with international UAV manufacturers for regional distribution

Specialist Physiotherapist

NHS

2013-10 - 2016-9 · 3 yrs

London

Led multidisciplinary rehabilitation programmes and service innovations across clinical and community settings. Worked with consultants, administrators, and external partners to implement evidence-based pathways and improve service delivery. Built a foundation in leadership, research, and systems-level thinking - skills that later informed strategic, cross-sector, and international roles in management and development