Business Strategy
Corporate Strategic Planning
Group direction, capital and execution set in one plan.
Handle leads corporate strategic planning for boards and executive teams — setting group-level priorities, structuring the initiative portfolio and aligning capital, capability and business unit plans into one direction the whole organisation can execute.
When this is needed
Corporate Strategic Planning in the UAE: where the mandate begins.
- The board needs a clear set of group priorities, and business units are each pursuing their own agenda.
- Capital and resources are allocated by negotiation rather than against corporate priorities.
- Business unit and functional plans do not add up to the group’s stated ambition.
- The planning calendar lacks ownership, and board reporting does not show progress against strategy.
Matters Handle leads
Corporate strategic planning mandates.
Four mandate types. One group plan, owned at board level.
Board Strategy Facilitation
Board and executive planning sessions, led by partners.
Corporate Priority Setting
Group-level priorities and outcomes defined.
Portfolio & Initiative Planning
An initiative portfolio built to deliver corporate goals.
Review & Update Rhythm
Annual and multi-year planning and review cycles set.
The scope
Corporate Strategic Planning — scope, made explicit.
A focused, premium mandate — with the board’s priorities and the capital behind them at the center.
Portfolio Analysis
Businesses, regions and product lines assessed at group level.
Strategic Themes
A small number of themes that frame every unit’s plan.
Business Unit Alignment
Unit and functional plans cascaded from corporate objectives.
Capital Allocation Logic
Resources directed by priority, not by precedent.
Board Reporting
Corporate KPIs and templates for board oversight.
The mandate
One direction for the whole group.
Corporate planning sets the frame within which every unit operates. Handle translates board ambition into priorities, an initiative portfolio and capital plans with clear performance expectations.
Business unit and functional plans are then aligned through structured templates and cascaded objectives. Planning calendars, ownership and board reporting keep the plan current year after year.
What the mandate delivers
- Corporate strategic priorities
- Group initiative portfolio
- Capital and resource allocation framework
- Aligned business unit plans
- Corporate KPIs and board reporting
- Annual and multi-year planning calendar
How the work runs
Four disciplines. One corporate plan.
Every corporate planning mandate is run with board, portfolio, capital and reporting control.
01
Board-Level Planning Support
Partner-led facilitation of board and executive sessions.
02
Initiative Portfolio Structuring
Initiatives selected and sequenced against priorities.
03
Capital & Resource Alignment
Budgets and capital plans derived from strategy.
04
Monitoring & Reporting
KPIs and review cycles that keep the board informed.
The Handle model
Practice-led. Never fragmented.
The work may begin here — it stays connected to strategy, capital and law.
Strategy & Operations
The work stays connected to market position, operating model, performance and execution governance.
M&A & Capital
The work stays aware of capital readiness, investor review, transaction logic and deployment discipline where relevant.
Legal & Regulatory
The work stays protected through structure, rights, governance, enforceability and regulatory or dispute readiness.
Why Handle
Planning that governs the group.
Handle runs corporate planning as a governance discipline and keeps group priorities connected to capital allocation, transactions and the legal structure of the group.
- Partner-led board facilitation
- Group portfolio analysis
- Capital allocation tied to priorities
- Cascaded business unit planning
- Board-ready KPIs and reporting
- Partner-led mandates with institutional discipline
Before offering your business for M&A, you must raise it with discipline. Strengthen governance, restore financial clarity, and sharpen strategy. A parented business attracts investors with confidence, not discounts.
Mohamed abu El-MakaremManaging Partner & Chairman
Engagement paths
Where this work typically begins.
Growth & Expansion
When the asset must scale capacity, geography, capital, partnerships or market share.
Turnaround
When the asset must reset structure, capital, law, governance and operations under pressure.
Coverage
Connected across the strategy practice.
Handle applies corporate strategic planning for multi-business groups, family enterprises and institutions across the UAE and its priority verticals.
Related service lines · Business Strategy
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Across the Handle model
Questions, answered
Corporate Strategic Planning — questions, answered.
How Handle’s strategy team runs corporate strategic planning at group level.
What is corporate strategic planning?
It defines portfolio direction, priorities and resource allocation at group level.
How often should corporate strategic planning take place?
Typically once a year, with quarterly performance reviews and adjustments.
How does corporate planning differ from business unit planning?
Corporate planning sets overall direction, while business units design the plans that support it.
Who is involved in the process?
Board members, executive leadership, finance and strategy teams.
What does a corporate plan produce?
Strategic priorities, initiatives, resource plans and KPIs.
How do budgets relate to the plan?
Budgets and capital plans are derived from corporate priorities and initiatives.
Does corporate strategic planning address risk?
Yes. Risks are identified, prioritised and addressed through strategic choices.
How is alignment achieved across business units?
Through clearly cascaded objectives and structured planning templates.
What is the usual planning horizon?
Usually three to five years, with a focus on near-term execution.
What does Handle deliver in a corporate planning mandate?
Handle designs the process, facilitates sessions and builds the frameworks and reporting models.
Insights
Perspectives from live mandates.
Partner-led analysis on law, capital and strategy, shaped by boardroom realities across the UAE and the GCC.
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Work with Handle
Begin with Corporate Strategic Planning — kept connected to the whole Handle model.
When the group must move in one direction.
Request an initial review
When the board needs a plan the whole group can execute.
Set out the matter. A partner reviews it and responds with a defined route, strategy and accountable lead.
- Partner-level review of every request
- Strict confidentiality and privilege from first contact
- One accountable partner from review to execution
