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Gulf Capital named best private equity firm

Abu Dhabi, June 13, 2012

Gulf Capital, a leading alternative investment firm, was awarded the “Best Private Equity Firm in the Middle East” title for the second year in a row at the Banker Middle East Industry Awards 2012 yesterday (June 12) in Dubai.

The awards extravaganza witnessed an attendance of eminent industry experts and dignitaries from the GCC, Levant and around the world including Dr Nasser H Saidi, chief economist of the Dubai International Financial Centre Authority (DIFCA) and board member of the Hawkamah-Institute for Corporate Governance at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

The award was presented to Dr Karim El Solh, co-founder and chief executive officer of Gulf Capital, Richard Dallas, managing director Private Equity along with the Private Equity team of Gulf Capital by Saleh Al Akrabi, chairman of CPI Financial, and Adam Broom, chief operating officer, CPI Financial at the gala dinner held in Dubai.

Dr El Solh said: “We are extremely proud to be recognised as the leading Private Equity firm in the Middle East for two years in a row.”

“This award reflects our achievements in recent years in the private equity arena including our status as one of the most active investment firms with a string of acquisitions to our credit in the last year, the strong and sustained growth of our portfolio companies despite a very difficult economic environment, and our profitable and successful exits over the last year.”

“This award also recognises Gulf Capital's emergence as the premier regional alternative asset management firm with activities across the alternative asset classes including private equity, credit and mezzanine and real estate,” he added.

Gulf Capital concluded a number of transactions across its alternative asset classes in the past 12 months. During this period, the firm has announced a number of marquee acquisitions, placing it at the forefront of the private equity industry in the region.

These include Gulf Capital’s two recent transactions: the acquisition of an 82.7 per cent stake in SES, a leading provider of temporary power generation, and the acquisition of an 80 per cent stake in Abu Dhabi-based Reach Group, the leading contract staffing and temporary employment solutions provider for government entities.

Gulf Capital has also launched a $300 million Credit and Mezzanine Fund, the largest credit fund in the Middle East and Turkey, to meet the financing needs of fast growing companies across the region.

The credit fund is off to a positive start with a solid pipeline of transactions in growing and defensive sectors such as healthcare, education, consumer services, and oil & gas.

Recently, the fund announced the successful completion of its first two financing transactions for UAE-based SES FZCO and Turkey-based Orion Group for a total investment of $25 million and $20 million respectively.

Additionally, the real estate arm of Gulf Capital, Gulf Related, officially launched two major projects in the UAE and Saudi Arabia recently.

The firm’s 355,000 sq ft luxury retail destination in Abu Dhabi, The Galleria at Sowwah Square, is set to become the leading luxury retail destination in the capital city. This landmark project is developed in conjunction with Mubadala Development Company.

Gulf Capital and Gulf Related have also announced this month their formal entry into the Saudi Arabian real estate market and the launch of an ambitious SR1 billion ($266.6 million) investment programme in the residential real estate sector.

Organised by CPI Financial, the Banker Middle East Awards 2012 recognised both corporate and individual distinctions amongst top performers in the industry at an event that brought together more than 400 distinguished regional and global industry experts and decision-makers to honour and celebrate excellence in the banking and finance industry. – TradeArabia News Service




Tags: Dubai | Award | Gulf Capital | CPI Financial | Banker Middle East | Best Private Equity Firm |

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