ECNE Chief Commercial Advisor

Frank McCarthy is a commercial advisor with nearly 16 years of experience in commercial growth, strategic partnerships, executive relationships and market positioning, including almost 14 years across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

Based in Dubai, he has worked with global and regional CEOs, senior government stakeholders, family businesses, professional services firms and growth companies. Most recently, as a Director at EMIR, he held senior responsibility for commercial growth, strategic positioning, stakeholder engagement, revenue performance and business continuity. He also helped grow and position Boardroom by EMIR, a selective intelligence and relationship network for CEOs, senior officials and high achievers.

As Chief Commercial Advisor to ECNE Research, Frank supports commercial strategy, partnerships and client engagement. He brings particular insight into relationship-led markets across the UAE and wider GCC, helping ECNE build connections and align its services with client priorities.

Alongside his advisory work, Frank designs and facilitates executive conversations, roundtables and leadership forums, and speaks on leadership, preparation, judgement and sustainable high performance. In May 2026, he summited Mount Everest, completing his fifth of the Seven Summits. His approach to both business and mountaineering centers on preparation, trust, teamwork and sound decision-making under pressure.