We recently had the opportunity to speak with Sofian Bengra, a seasoned C-level advisor with over two decades of experience delivering complex business initiatives across the Middle East. Currently, as the Director with EY, Sofian leverages his expertise in transformation management with a proven track record of creating sustainable value through technology-enabled transformation, Sofian Bengra is fostering innovation and empowering leaders to navigate the dynamic business environment with ease.
Spark Behind the Journey
We started the interview by asking, “Could you start by telling us about your professional journey and inspiration behind jumping into consulting?”
Sofian shared, “I began my career in technology, working for a solution provider in Abu Dhabi. That experience gave me a strong foundation in enterprise systems and a practical understanding of how organizations use technology day to day. I later moved into project management and PMO roles, where I gained exposure to turning strategy into execution and managing complex initiatives across both business and IT.
Transitioning into consulting felt like a natural progression. I began focusing on transformation management, supporting organizations through large-scale change driven by technology, operating models, and new ways of working. What continues to inspire me about consulting is the diversity, every client, sector, and transformation journey is different.
I also value working with people from diverse backgrounds, as it constantly broadens my perspective. At the core, I enjoy bridging technology and business, helping leaders simplify complexity and achieve meaningful, lasting outcomes.”
Lessons Embraced in the Process
We then asked, “As a professional in this field, what are a few lessons that helped you in leading your team?”
“One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that collaboration is essential. Complex challenges are never solved by one individual. The best outcomes emerge when diverse perspectives are encouraged, open dialogue is fostered, and teams feel empowered to contribute. This creates stronger decisions and shared ownership.
Another critical lesson is empathy. Understanding a client’s constraints, pressures, and priorities beyond what’s documented in a project plan changes how you approach problems. It leads to solutions that are not only well-designed, but practical and realistic.
This naturally connects to the importance of trust. Strong relationships are built through transparency, honest communication, and clear discussions about risks and trade-offs. When trust is established, decisions are made faster and challenges are navigated more effectively. In my experience, trust is just as important as technical expertise,” Sofian mentioned.
Common Challenges in the Field of Consulting
Starting a career afresh in any sector can be a daunting task. To understand the challenges in the consulting landscape, we asked Sofian Bengra, “Would you like to share what you feel is a major challenge in starting a career in consulting? And how did you overcome it?”He reflected, “One of the biggest challenges is understanding context. Solutions often look compelling on paper, but real impact depends on how well they fit an organization’s culture, sector dynamics, decision-making style, and external constraints.
Early in my consulting career, I learned the importance of slowing down and listening. I focused on understanding how organizations truly operate and what success realistically means for their leaders. Over time, I learned to adapt frameworks rather than apply them rigidly, and to co-create solutions with clients instead of delivering predefined answers.
This approach consistently leads to better outcomes and stronger trust. Context is what turns good ideas into lasting impact.”
Plans we asked Sofian Bengra
Intrigued to learn more about the goals Sofian Bengra has planned for his career, we asked, “What are your plans with the services that you provide? Could you share a bit about it with our viewers?”
“Looking ahead, the focus is on evolving transformation and program management to match today’s pace of change. Traditional execution models were often linear and process-heavy, while organizations today need speed, adaptability, and incremental value delivery.
This means blending strong governance with agile ways of working, maintaining clarity and control while enabling teams to respond quickly as priorities shift.
Another key focus area is value realization. Organizations increasingly want visibility into how value is identified, tracked, and realized throughout the transformation journey.
Ensuring initiatives translate into measurable business outcomes remains a central priority,” Sofian mentioned.
Redefining Business with AI
Nowadays, AI is everywhere. Even businesses are adapting to it increasingly. We asked Sofian Bengra, “What are your thoughts on this?”
He commented, “AI is undoubtedly reshaping how organizations operate, but successful adoption goes far beyond deploying tools. The real challenge lies in readiness, having the right infrastructure, high-quality data, and people prepared to work effectively with AI.
AI adoption is a journey, not a one-time initiative. Organizations must take incremental steps, continuously learning and adapting as technologies, regulations, and business models evolve. Those that approach AI strategically, building capabilities, staying flexible, and embedding AI into their processes and culture, are the ones that will realize sustainable value.”
Message to Aspiring Professionals
Lastly, we asked, “What would be your advice to beginners in this field or in any field of business?”
“Stay genuinely curious. Take the time to understand your clients, their challenges, and what truly matters to them. This perspective allows you to make a real difference.
Equally important is collaboration. Success rarely comes from working in isolation. Learning from others and embracing diverse perspectives strengthens both solutions and personal growth.
Finally, never stop learning. The business landscape evolves quickly, and continuous learning is essential. The more you invest in your growth today, the better prepared you’ll be for tomorrow’s opportunities,” Sofian shared.
Connect with Sofian Bengra on LinkedIn to gain industry insights.
Visit EY on LinkedIn and http://www.ey.com to learn more.
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