Chief Investment & Strategic Planning Officer
United Real Estate Company
Total years of experience :9 years, 2 Months
Key Deliverables:
• Reporting to the Vice Chairman & Group CEO and assuming the function of Chief Operating Officer & Strategic CFO of URC-Group;
o Leading the group strategic and financial plan
o Managing the total assets under URC’s management of around 3.5 Billion USD of development Projects, operating properties, operational subsidiaries, land bank, hotel investments. Overseeing the overall operation of the Operating Assets of the company enhancing the cash proceeds from all the underlying assets/investments to the holding company by achieving value creation through operational efficiencies and strategic/operational initiatives
o Managing the whole real estate development process and making sure that the targeted KPI’s are completely achieved upon delivery/post delivery (pricing and leasing strategies, project budget, investor’s returns, timeline…..)
o Achieving diversified source of funding (equity, bank loans, 200 Million USD 5-year bond for United Real Estate Company, mezzanine, project financing, structured funding……)
o Project lead on the establishment of a Kuwaiti REIT in collaboration with one of the reputable investment banks in the Mena Region; I will be appointed as the portfolio manager of the REIT
• Spearheaded and executed investment & divestment transactions of 1.5 billion USD for URC group of companies in the region. Instrumentally championed partnership and joint ventures establishments, proposed, and executed the suitable structures and efficiently nurtured business relationships across the global investment community. The successful ventures/partnerships reduced the company exposure. Established/acquired 2 new main lines of business to enhance efficiencies
o Established a regional F&B subsidiary (30M USD) & acquired building material Co. in various lines of business worth of 60M USD
o Grew the facility management business, by acquiring regional companies in UAE, Egypt, Lebanon & Oman
• Established the department by conducting competitive analysis the current Investment Portfolio, carrying out technical assessment of the portfolio and developing investment strategies while minimizing the investment risk & maximizing return
• Led the challenge of setting-up department procedures & standards as well as authoring company’s “Investment Policy Statement” IPS & investment strategy with full P&L accountability.
o Recruited the whole team - 6 investment/asset managers professionals to drive and direct the overall assets/investments of the company. Two of the team members were recognized as employees of the year (organized by Kipco Group) for two consecutive years 2017 & 2018
o The team lead the M&A & corporate finance activities at the corporate level (14 subsidiaries and regional offices). Preparing financial analysis and feasibilities of prospective new asset acquisition (companies, land developments etc.) or disposal of the company’s assets (subsidiaries, income generating properties, lands, operational companies) as well as the non-strategic investments portfolio of the company (stocks, bonds etc.)
o Reduced external advisory (business and financial) costs to the lowest with a proven track record of compiling structured recommendations to the GCEO/Board Executive Committee
• Handpicked to lead the largest two investments of the holding and managed its non-strategic investments with the accountability of driving the listing of one of the portfolio companies on the Moroccan Stock Exchange
• Steered origination and sourcing of investment targets, built a pipeline of possible opportunities. Mentored junior team members on the execution process, including conducting due diligence & structuring/negotiating investments
• Adroitly restructured the company debts and assets, enabling the company to-be debt free today
• Spearheaded and executed numerous various investments & divestments transactions of around 140 Million Euro
• Reported to the CEO- Investments Kipco Holding on investment opportunity assessments, structuring and financing processes and complex transactions