Press Release

Gulf Capital, a regional private joint stock company currently under formation in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, recently announced the launch of its groundbreaking Industry Advisory Board. The Company’s strategy is to identify fast-growing industries in the Gulf and to acquire large stakes in promising companies within these target industries.

Commenting on how the Industry Advisory Board will support the Company’s strategy, Mr. Hareb Masood Al Darmaki, Chairman of the Founders’ Committee, Gulf Capital (under formation), said: “To secure the requisite industry expertise, we have assembled, for the first time in the Gulf, an Industry Advisory Board comprising of some of the most distinguished and knowledgeable business leaders to advise us on the acquisition and management of companies in our target sectors. In this approach, Gulf Capital is emulating the best-in-class practice of the leading global private equity players.”

Dr Karim El Solh, Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Capital (under formation) added: “Through their deep network and extensive relationships, Industry Advisory Board members will be instrumental in helping Gulf Capital source investments in our target industries. Leveraging their deep industry operating expertise, the Industry Advisory Board members will also assist Gulf Capital in, managing, restructuring and growing the acquired companies with a particular focus on improving the bottom line. As a hands-on investor, Gulf Capital is committed to adding value to its portfolio companies prior to exits.”

Members of Gulf Capital’s Industry Advisory Board are:

Oil & Gas: Suhail Al Mazroui, Chairman of Aabar Petroleum Investment Company PJSC and former GM of ADNOC, Nasser Al Sowaidi, Chairman of the National Petroleum Construction Company, Mohammed Al Khaily, Managing Director of the International Petroleum Investment Company and Waleed Zahid, CEO of Al Zahid Group

Utilities: Dani Safi, CEO of Tabreed, Ahmed Al Badi, Chairman of Belbadi Energy and Mike Joice, CEO of APEX Energy.

Industrial: Khaled Juffali, Vice Chairman of E.A. Juffali & Brothers, Hussein Noweis, Chairman of Emirates Holding and Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Zamil, Chairman of Al – Zamil Industrial Group.

Construction: Riad Kamal, Managing Director of Arabtec, Rami Alturki, CEO of Saudi Readymix and Dr. Ali Dayekh, President of Saudi Group Company for Construction Materials.

Financial Services: Abdul Monem Al Rashed, Chairman of Bank Aljazira, Faisal Al Mutawa, Chairman of Bayan Investment Co. , Alaa Erikat, Head of Retail and Wealth Management, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, and Abdul Aziz Al Subeaei, Board member of Mohammed and Abdullah Al Subeaei Investment Company.

Logistics and Transport: Fadi Ghandour, CEO of Aramex and Mohamed Kanoo, Director of Kanoo Group.

Technology, Media and Telecom: H.R.H. Abdul Aziz bin Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Chairmen of Atheeb Group, Faisal Al Bannai, CEO of Axiom Telecom and Sep Riahi, Former Business Development Director at Lastminute.com and Sony Pictures.

Education: Sunny Varkey, Chairman of GEMS and Ahmad Al Badi, Chairman of Belbadi Education.

Gulf Capital recently raised its entire capital in a heavily oversubscribed offering and is currently finalizing its incorporation process with the UAE Ministry of Economy and Planning. “Given its regional shareholding, unique Industry Advisory Board, strong deal flow pipeline, deep management team and best-in-class practice, Gulf Capital is poised to raise the bar in the regional private equity scene and position itself as one of the most dynamic and sophisticated regional investment firms,” concluded Mr. Al Darmaki.