People·Structure·Performance

Build the organisation your business needs next.

Senior People & Organisation expertise. I partner with CEOs and leadership teams across the UAE and GCC to build the organisation, teams and capabilities behind their business ambitions.

20+Years international
15+Years UAE
19Countries
UAE · KSA · GCC
Pauline Kao
Pauline Kao
People & Organisation Strategy · UAE
Expertise

Built around what your business needs next.

01 - Growth & scale
Build the structure for growth.
Organisation design · Workforce planning · Strategic recruitment · New functions & capabilities
02 - Organisational transformation
Shape a stronger organisation.
Restructuring · Roles & responsibilities · Operating models · Change management
03 - International expansion
Build teams across new markets.
UAE & KSA · Regional expansion · International teams · Local capabilities
04 - Investment readiness
Prepare the organisation for investment.
People due diligence · Governance · Organisation structure · Leadership readiness
05 - Talent & capability
Put the right capabilities in the right place.
Strategic recruitment · Talent reviews · Succession · Leadership development · Repositioning
06 - Performance
Turn priorities into performance.
KPIs & OKRs · Performance management · Leadership alignment · Culture · Employee advocacy
Selected impact

Different businesses. Different stages. Tangible impact.

Fintech | Dubai

From 5-person start-up to investment-ready organisation

USD 17M
raised across two investment rounds (Series A, Pre Series B)
Challenge

Rapid growth required a scalable organisation, stronger in-house capabilities and the right structure for future investment.

Action

Built permanent teams, established tech and service hubs, redesigned the organisation and strengthened People governance for investment.

Impact

Helped build the foundations for two successful funding rounds and was re-engaged by the CEO for the company’s next stage of growth.

Regional business | UAE & KSA

Restructuring the region ahead of a group transaction

USD 150M
regional revenue · 400+ projects annually
Challenge

The UAE & KSA business needed a stronger organisation, new capabilities and governance aligned with Group ambitions.

Action

Partnered with the regional CEO and Group CFO to restructure teams, create new functions, reposition talent and strengthen regional governance.

Impact

Built a more structured and self-sufficient regional organisation, ready for Group investment requirements and continued growth.

International group | 19 countries

Transforming People across a complex international group

800+
employees · 4 companies · 19 countries
Challenge

Four businesses across 19 countries needed greater organisational clarity, stronger leadership and a more effective People model.

Action

Advised the Board and redesigned the Group People model, separating the four companies’ HR structures and allocations, repositioning key talent and rebuilding performance and internal communication.

Impact

Created clearer company ownership and People structures, stronger leadership alignment and a more connected culture across the Group.

Client names remain confidential.
Approach

How I work.

A clear approach, adapted to the business.

01 - Diagnose
Understand the priorities.
Strategy
Organisation
Talent
Leadership
Performance
Culture
02 - Design
Build the right solution.
Structure
Capabilities
People
Priorities
Roadmap
03 - Deliver
Make it happen.
Implementation
Leadership support
Team alignment
Execution
Work with me

Three ways to work together.

01 - Discovery
Business & Organisation Strategy Session
Complimentary · Half day

A focused session with the CEO or leadership team to understand the priorities, organisation and People agenda, and identify where I can add the most value.

Book a strategy session
02 - Project
A defined business mandate.
Scope and duration tailored to the mandate

For a specific organisational priority, from structure and talent to performance, expansion or investment readiness.

Discuss a project
03 - Advisory
CEO & Leadership Advisory
Ongoing or project-based

Senior People & Organisation expertise for CEOs and leadership teams who need experienced support without adding a permanent senior role.

Let's talk
About
Pauline Kao

20+ years international. 15+ years in the UAE.

I'm a senior People & Organisation leader who has spent much of my career working alongside CEOs, founders and leadership teams.

My experience ranges from building a fintech from 5 people, to leading People across 800+ employees, four companies and 19 countries, and restructuring regional organisations across the UAE and KSA. I have worked across fintech, media, events, digital and international businesses, building teams and organisations across the Middle East, Europe and Asia.

That range matters. Different businesses need different answers. My role is to understand the business, bring the right level of senior expertise and build what it needs to move forward.

20+
Years international
15+
Years UAE
19
Countries
800+
People

What does your business need next?

Let's discuss the organisation, people and capabilities behind it.

Let's talk