Khaled M. Al-Hourani

Highlights:
• Extended transaction advisory services to reputable corporate enterprises functioning in several industries and sectors including technology, real estate, hospitality, financial services, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, education and healthcare.
• Acquired extensive industry knowledge, skilled at conducting research, planning and executing projects with experience across Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Libya, the West Bank, Bahrain, and Lebanon.
• Prepared and delivered effective pitch decks, business proposals and presentations to prospective clients and creatively presented research findings (market, financial, legal statutory guidelines applicable in a region).
• Undertook feasibility studies to evaluate alternatives and risks in different business scenarios, initiated market assessment to understand viability of proposed business ideas and defined the scope of projects.
• Applied complex valuation techniques on various institutions and business units, independently built comprehensive financial models reliably capturing market and corporate assumptions.

Key Responsibilities:
Transaction Advisory Services:
• Enable decision-making through detailed analysis in the areas of capital structure & formation; ensure optimum utilization of monetary resources, support fund sourcing plans and improve accuracy of investment decisions.
• Facilitate strategy formulation to identify, address and mitigate risks involved in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, takeovers and in setting-up and commencement of operations for new business ventures.
• Participate in due diligence processes (buy-side and sell-side); validate business information to understand risks and implications of deals and precisely outline strategic aspects of transactions (financial, operational and commercial).
• Study annual reports and financial statements during the due diligence process, provide key inputs for commercial negotiations and deal pricing and perform financial analysis to provide reliable estimates and recommendations.
Business Consultancy:
• Leverage industry knowledge to support corporate deals across different sectors; highlight potential acquisition targets and buyers, and administer the negotiation process until deal closure.
• Identify the most suitable methods to fund business ventures / projects, suggest a cost-effective mix of equity and debt; create long-term value for clients through cash forecasting and cost reduction.
• Devise a roadmap for companies to optimize resource utilization, maintain liquidity, ensure effective reporting and encourage transparent communication with stakeholders.
• Lead feasibility and market studies, evaluate funding options available in terms of quality and cost, carry out financial analysis and conduct financial modelling.
Mergers and Acquisitions - Buy-Side and Sell-Side Advisory:
• Define the M&A strategy through careful analysis of financial statements, capital requirements, risk diversification goals and specifically highlight the creation of synergies through the deal.
• Draft and maintain documents including Investment Opportunity / Offering Memorandum (OM), Letter of Intent, Non-Disclosure Agreement, review and comment on Acquisition Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding.
• Ensure businesses function seamlessly with negligible financial and commercial implications after mergers and takeovers.

Key Assignments / Projects to Credit:
Business Advisory:
• Scrutinized the business position and financial condition of a regional manufacturing group (white goods) with assets exceeding USD 200 Million; oversaw debt restructuring to address cash-flow issues.
• Studied markets across Iraq for a global financial services & payments firm; conducted SWOT to present strategic findings on business opportunities, market size, competitor strengths and the prevailing regulatory environment; devised effective methods to help market penetration and brand establishment.

Highlights:
• Promoted 3 key programs - The MSME Framework, The Jordan Sustainable Energy Financing Facility and The Trade Facilitation Program.
• Handled due diligence (financial, operational, commercial) for the signing of MSME Framework agreements with banks, assisted in deal structuring, obtained internal approvals and negotiated with clients.
• Successfully closed negotiations and signed MSME Framework agreements with 3 banks - Cairo Amman Bank, Bank al Etihad, and Jordan Ahli Bank, and TFP agreements with 2 banks - Ahli Bank and Capital Bank.

Key Responsibilities:
• Assessed project proposals to ascertain the requirement of financial services and products as per business needs; participated in investment planning, risk management strategy and project-cycle implementation and review.
• Provided loans to banks and FIs in Jordan to facilitate further lending to MSMEs, additionally extended technical assistance to accelerate disbursement of loans to the MSME sector and support economic development.
• Coordinated with financial intermediaries, financial institutions and banking companies in Jordan to enable trade finance and guarantees; accumulated financial resources to fund approved projects.
• Studied profiles of banks and financial institutions in Jordan; monitored investments in projects to verify compliance with trade facilitation programs and economic development objectives.
• Prepared and submitted project progress reports to update stakeholders on project implementation, performance and use of allocated funds; conducted on-field visits, client discussions to develop data-backed reports.

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Key Assignments / Projects to Credit:
Business Advisory:
• As part of business expansion support, outlined the key elements of local and regional growth for a processed food manufacturing company in Jordan; developed a business plan to build internal and external stakeholder confidence.
• Drafted 10+ business plans for a renowned Saudi-based company in the agri-business sector; developed profit projections, defined funding requirements, identified competitor strengths and outlined marketing plans.
• Carried out financial modelling for SBUs of a conglomerate from the Oil & Gas sector operating in Erbil, Kurdistan; estimated cash flows, contributed to capital budgeting and generated forecasts to enable strategic planning.
• Analyzed and measured post-acquisition performance of a pharmaceutical manufacturing company in Algeria operating in the North African market.
• Handled buy-side due diligence of an insurance company in Jordan.
SME Advisory:
• Recommended strategies for SME growth through innovation, change management, business licensing and development of sustainable business models.
• Developed the financial model and the business plan for a technology start-up in Jordan to enable market entry, geographic expansion and growth, and raised funds.
• Applied quantitative methods to ascertain the accuracy of business valuation models and highlighted factors influencing valuation at investment holding companies of 2 VCs with 10+ SME investments primarily in the field of technology in the MENA region.
• Employed different valuation techniques to estimate the fair value of a PE’s holdings in local family business and investments in the F&B, consumer products, logistics, and clean energy sectors.
• Scrutinized the SME sector in Jordan as part of a 3-member team, held comprehensive discussions with entrepreneurs, executives at start-up incubation centers, outlined emerging trends in business and developed recommendation for SME growth.
Corporate Valuation and Business Modelling:
• Participated in the valuation of a real estate and land development company in Jordan holding high-value investments in Abdali Development Project and the King Abdulla Bin Abdul Aziz City.
• Oversaw divestiture in the form of a spin-off to improve performance of an SME-financing business unit of a micro-finance organization in Jordan.
• Examined the existing capital composition of SBUs (units in real estate, construction, ICT, automotive and healthcare) for a conglomerate in Iraq (assets valued at USD 1.4 Billion); recommended methods to raise additional capital, increase liquidity, minimize capital costs and ensure long-term solvency.
• Prepared the Information Memorandum for a phosphate mining company to enable private placement offering.
• Drafted an Investment Teaser and Information Memorandum for a vehicle financing company in Jordan for 100% equity stake sale; offered advisory on selection of suitable acquirers and established initial communication with prospective companies.
• In-charge of the valuation of a logistics company (using Guideline Companies Method) for multiple units operating across Europe, South East Asia, the GCC, the Middle East, and North Africa.
• Successfully handled valuation of Visa Jordan Card Services Company for 100% equity divestment.
• Oversaw valuation of a Consumer Financing company in Jordan using the Capitalized Excess Earnings Valuation Method (asset-based approach).
• Handled valuation of a consumer electronics distributor in Iraq for equity sale and assisted in executing and completing the transaction in time.

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Key Assignments / Projects to Credit:
Feasibility Reports - Studying Market and Financial Viability:
• Evaluated the feasibility of a key mixed-use development project of Al-Abdali Development Area in Amman, Jordan.
• Assessed market and financial feasibility of setting up a rehabilitation center and medical facility, an American University and Hospital, a banking company in Jordan, and leasing company in Saudi Arabia.
• Developed and submitted business feasibility reports (operational / market / financial) for a consumer financing company specializing in vehicle financing in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
• Led the comprehensive market and financial feasibility for the establishment of an American University in the West Bank, drafted the value proposition, recommended the faculty program offering, market sizing, pricing and positioning, assisted in designing marketing and operating strategy, and delivered a detailed financial model.