Three practices. One accountable partner.
The SMO Group of Companies is headquartered in Abu Dhabi and serves the UAE, the GCC and the wider region. It was founded on a simple principle: strategy, capability and technology deliver more when they are designed to work together.
From one consultant's practice to three businesses in three regions.
- 2005
Consulting begins
Strategy and performance management work for public and private sector clients.
- 2007–2023
Sixteen years in the UAE
Senior strategy, risk and performance roles across utilities, financial services, energy, defence and education.
- 2023
The SMO is founded
An integrated strategy consultancy launches in Abu Dhabi.
- 2025–2026
New businesses, new regions
Thesmo Events and Thesmo.AI launch and PRiiSM goes live. Independent SMO companies are established for Africa, in Lagos, and the United Kingdom, in London.
“Empower organisations across the Middle East and beyond to achieve strategic excellence through evidence-based consulting, innovative thinking and sustainable transformation.”
Wale Buraimoh · Founder & Group CEO
Meet our leadershipEvidence over opinion
Performance conversations happen against KPIs and data, so decisions hold up in front of a board or an accreditor.
Execution is the work
A strategy counts when it reaches departmental objectives, budgets and daily operations.
Practitioners, not theorists
Our consultants and trainers have held the roles our clients hold, from strategy units to programme offices.
Management first, AI second
We apply AI where it strengthens a proven management method. We do not lead with the technology.
Each business stands on its own.
Separate teams, offers and pricing. One shared method and one point of accountability when you engage more than one.
The SMO
We design the strategy.
Strategy, risk, performance, programme and process consulting.
Visit The SMOThesmo Events
We develop the people.
The 12-course AI training pathway, bespoke training, retreats and forums.
Visit Thesmo EventsThesmo.AI
We enable the technology.
PRiiSM, GenAI, AI advisory and managed services.
Visit Thesmo.AI