Ahmad Bilal Lodhi

Founding member of Makeen Capital BSC(C), a firm providing investment and financial advisory services, and investment opportunities to high net worth individuals and corporates. I am responsible for business development and deal execution. Currently working on a UK based real estate transaction and advisory services for a public sector development project in Manama.

Reporting to the Head of Investment Banking, responsibilities include origination, screening and structuring transactions across the globe in various sectors such as education, real estate and industrial. Some of the key transactions at advanced stages are as follows;
 UAE based pharmaceutical company (USD 8 million): Managed the transaction team to prepare financial model, conducted valuation, carried out financial and legal due diligence, issued LOI and secured investors.
 Bahrain based commercial property (USD 45 million): Investment in a real estate opportunity through a fund structure, approval obtained from the CBB, secured debt financing and external legal & technical due diligence.
 A prime property in London: Set up a transaction structure, appointed external advisors such as legal and architects, set up developers’ team and presented to the Investment Committee.
 Member of the CEO team for the development of Bank’s business strategy.

Currently leading a sell side mandate for a large contracting company in Saudi Arabia and responsible for the entire divestment cycle including transaction structure, valuation, preparation of financial projections, private placement memorandum, investors presentation and managing due diligence process with external advisors.
 Responsible for post acquisition management of investments which includes a five star resort, a water park, a real estate development company and international school.
 Preparation of investment proposals and detailed analysis for new investment opportunities across different sectors such as logistics, real estate, education, food, hospitality, power and financial.
 Preparation of long term strategic plans and restructuring of existing portfolio companies.
 For a period of four months, I was also supervising the finance function of three investee companies in the area of cash management, budgeting, expenses and for the real estate company, management of capital contribution from sub-developers based on electrical infrastructure.

Origination of debt financing deals for Islamic endowment / Awqaf sector in the Far East in collaboration with local partners and government entities. Negotiated and executed MOUs for joint financing and business development. Also responsible for monitoring of private equity and strategic investments portfolio globally, due diligence of new investments, preparing investment reports and reporting to the Board. Detailed responsibilities are as follows:
 Developed a pipeline of debt financing deals worth US$ 125 million in Malaysia, Indonesia and New Zealand in real estate and agriculture sectors with a current focus on the Malaysian Awqaf market
 Negotiated and signed MOUs with banking and Awqaf entities in Malaysia to cooperate in business development and joint financing of Awqaf projects
 Preparation of the Bank’s quarterly Portfolio Performance Report for the Investment Committee and the Board
 Post investment management and independent oversight of Private Equityincluding strategic and proprietary investments and Asset Management investments with a portfolio size of US$500 million in the Middle East, US and Pakistan
 Managing exit from selected O&G and electronic manufacturing investments (total deal size US$135 million) which involves appointment and coordination with the selling investment banks, drafting of teasers and preparation of Information Memorandum
 Project Manager to establish a wholesale bank in Bahrain as part of Bank’s growth strategy for which the Bank raised U$300 million through private placement. Responsibilities included preparation of financial projections, business plans, information memorandum, shareholders agreement and license application package in liaison with external advisors and lawyers

Project manager for corporate finance and acquisition financing assignments. Responsibilities included preparation of financial projections, valuation reports and evaluation of ABC’s acquisition targets in the MENA region. Preparedand obtained creditapprovalsfor acquisition financing deals, drafted term sheets, negotiatedlegal agreements with clients and their lawyers, and coordinated with syndicate banks. Transactions included the following:
 Dubai International Capital’s LBO of a German alumina company - Acquisition financing of US$ 300 million
 Kuwait group’s acquistion of significant stake in a Bahrain based bank - Acquisition financing of US$ 200 million
 Other cross border acquisitions - Acquisition financing of US$ 560 million
 Financial projections and valuation for divestment of non-UAE business of a DFM listed company
 Obtaining preliminary approval for an Investment banking license in Saudi Arabia submitted to the CMA

Project manager for financial advisory assignments such as IPOs, rights issues, private placements, valuations and preparation of business plans for the following companies:
 Savola Group’s real estate company - Private placement of US$ 400 million
 Saudi Arabian Amiantit Company - Rights issue of US$ 113 million
 Saudi Cable Company - Rights issue of US$ 37 million
 Al Amlak Real Estate Development Company - Private placement of US$ 267 million
 Herfy Food Services Company (IPO)
 National Chemical Carriers Company (IPO)
 Al Ahlia Insurance Company - Valuation for IPO
 Project Manager for numerous valuations and feasibility studies encompassing various sectors including real estate, health, industrials, construction and contracting
 Investment Banking license for AFG - As a Team Leader, I was responsible for the preparation and submission of the application package and liaising with the CMA till final approval. The application package included valuation of AFG, business plan and all other required documentation

 Unilever Pakistan Limited (Employees Group) - Buy side advisory to acquire edible oil business unit.
 Aventis Limited - Sell side advisory for divestment of a pharmaceutical manufacturing site.
 TMS Group Ltd. (Mauritius) and STM Wireless Inc. (USA) - Registration of liaison office with the Board of Investment, Pakistan. Supervision of TMS monthly management accounts and budgets and reporting to the head office in Mauritius.
 Foreman Christian College - Business plan and financial projections for the transfer of the management of the college.
 Hospital and Medical University - Preparation of financial feasibility study for transfer of the management.
 Management accounting, budgeting and monthly European Anchor Practice Reporting for KPMG Lahore Office.
 Certain risk management procedures relating to Sarbanes-Oxley Act for KPMG’s prospective and existing clients

 Costing, profitability and breakeven analysis for the proposed branches and branches relocation proposals in coordination with Financial Control.
 Monthly profitability analysis for country wide branch banking products.
 Monthly and annual budgeting of country wide branches and variance analysis
 Development of process flow maps for all the functions of branch banking.
 Prepared the ‘Staff Training Manual’.
 Development of capacity plan of tellers for country wide branches