From People to Performance: An Interview with Allan Brown

Managing Director, Operations & People – j. awan & partners and azakaw

In a Group that spans continents, clients and cultures, growth is not only about winning new business but also about ensuring the organisation runs smoothly and sustainably. At the heart of this balance is Allan Brown, Managing Director of Operations & People for j. awan & partners and azakaw.

With a 30-year international career across financial services, professional services, government, defence and technology, Allan has built a reputation for driving operational excellence while keeping people at the centre of any transformation. In this conversation, he reflects on his global journey, his philosophy on leadership and how operations and people strategy underpin the

Group’s growth story.

From Global Operations to the GCC

Q: Allan, you have led operations across Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean and beyond. What drew you to the J. Awan Group?

A: After decades working in industries where operational discipline is critical, from financial services to defence, I was attracted to the J. Awan Group because of its dual strength. j. awan & partners brings deep regulatory and advisory expertise, while azakaw delivers cutting-edge RegTech solutions. It is rare to find a Group where advisory and technology combine so seamlessly. That blend allows us to support clients strategically and operationally, while also scaling our own business sustainably.

Scaling for Growth Without Losing Culture

Q: With rapid expansion across the GCC and internationally, how do you scale operations without losing the culture that makes the Group distinctive?

A: Growth always puts pressure on culture. What we are doing is codifying our values, integrity, accountability, and client-first delivery, into every operational process. That means recruitment is not just about skills, but about alignment with our way of working. It also means embedding a culture of continuous improvement, so colleagues see change not as disruption, but as part of our DNA.

Building Culture Across Borders

Q: The Group now operates in offices from Dubai to Porto to Karachi. How do you create a unified culture across geographies?

A: Each office has its own rhythm and context, but the Group is tied together by shared values. My role is to ensure those values translate into daily practice, whether that is onboarding a new colleague in Riyadh or supporting a project in Porto. Consistency of culture, especially in compliance and RegTech, is a competitive advantage. I believe if you treat people with genuine respect and always act with integrity leading from the front others will follow that example. Before long you have an organisation of leaders at every level.

Operations as a Growth Enabler

Q: Operations are often seen as back-office. How do you frame them as a growth driver for the Group?

A: Operations are the engine room. Without strong HR, project management, finance and compliance structures, growth simply cannot scale. At azakaw, this means ensuring our technology delivery is supported by resilient internal systems. At j. awan & partners, it means building processes that allow consultants to focus on clients rather than internal bottlenecks. My job is to make sure both sides of the Group move faster, not slower, as we expand.

People Strategy in Regulated Markets

Q: You oversee people operations in heavily regulated industries. How do you ensure compliance and talent growth go hand in hand?

A: Regulation can sometimes feel like a brake on talent, but I see it as an accelerator. In regions like the GCC, regulators want to see firms building governance into their DNA. By training and empowering our people to be compliance-minded from day one, we create professionals who are not only aligned with regulation but also trusted by clients. That trust is invaluable.

The Role of Technology in Operations

Q: Where do you see technology fitting into the operations and people mandate?

A: Technology is not just for client delivery; it underpins how we run ourselves. At azakaw, our own RegTech platform helps us test and model compliance workflows internally. At the Group level, we are investing in digital HR tools, knowledge management platforms and project automation. When your people have the right tools, they can focus their energy on building enduring relationships and higher-value work rather than repetitive tasks. Technolgy is allowing us to spend more time face to face with key clients, that is how you gain trust, win business and grow.

Lessons from Leadership

Q: With such an international career, what leadership lessons have stayed with you?

A: Three lessons stand out. Listen more than you speak (i do struggle with that). Clarity is kindness; ambiguity creates confusion. And hold yourself accountable before asking the same of others. Whether leading a multinational team or mentoring new managers, those principles remain constant. The critical point to make on leadership is that you must be prepared to make decisions and live with the outcome and consequences. 

Looking Ahead

Q: What excites you most about the future of the Group?

A: What excites me is the vision and continuous stive for sustainable growth, and the opportunity to develop consultancy, operations and technology into a model that sets a new standard in our industry. Our clients are facing the same challenge we are: how to grow while staying compliant, resilient and people-centric. If we can model that ourselves, with j. awan & partners providing strategy and azakaw providing technology, we not only serve clients better but also prove what is possible in the GCC and beyond.

Final Word

"Authenticity & Integrity are essential in everything we do in life and business. If you empower good people, great results will follow".