Patrick Karam, Investment Manager

Patrick Karam

Investment Manager

Suntrust Holding SAL

Location
Lebanon
Education
Diploma, Chartered Financial Analyst
Experience
26 years, 2 Months

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Work Experience

Total years of experience :26 years, 2 Months

Investment Manager at Suntrust Holding SAL
  • Lebanon - Beirut
  • My current job since September 2012

Suntrust is a Private Equity fund with a mandate to invest in a diversified portfolio in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
• Origination, assessment, acquisition and asset management of the fund’s investments.
• Search & attract new ideas & opportunities in different sectors.
• Lead and participate in the entire investment process.
• Manage the strategic investment planning.
• Manage all tasks relevant to opportunity identification, valuation, due diligence, financial modeling, business plans, business presentations, and the management and monitoring of the deals.
• Manage M&A processes for all relevant investments.
• Lead negotiations with considered targets to achieve the investment objectives.
• Conduct “deal structuring” for considered investments.
• Prepare feasibility studies for new start-up projects & prospective investments.
• Responsible for asset risk management portfolio (risks, impacts, mitigations, options, etc.).
• Prepare board-level reports, briefings, presentations, risks of various investment opportunities.
• Maintain and update all records of financial performance of all investments.

Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers
  • United Arab Emirates - Abu Dhabi
  • January 2007 to March 2012

Provided expertise in business valuations, feasibility studies, business plans, financial due diligence, financial modeling, financing analysis, and business case development.
• Consulting engagements included business valuations, feasibility studies, financial due diligence, and M&A analysis.
• Lead economy, industry, and financial analysis to analyze new market entries, growth opportunities, and new business ventures in oil and gas, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and real estate sectors.
• Developed financial models to evaluate acquisitions and new business initiatives contributing to expansion of operations in the UAE and the GCC.
• Developed economic insights reports in the context of business valuations and financial feasibilities.
• Prepared long-term financial forecasts, reviewed business cases, and performed financial analysis, aiding management in making business and financing decisions.
• Reporting on opportunities and risks, industry trends, and projected financial performance.
• Taught corporate finance, equity valuation, and financial statements analysis courses to professionals.

Finance Director at Le Cercle Hitti Holding SAL
  • Lebanon - Beirut
  • August 2004 to January 2007

Le Cercle Hitti is the sole distributor in Lebanon and some of the Levant region of premium brands such as Roche Bobois and Ligne Roset. A group of six companies providing products across the value chain, from design, to material fabrication and supply, to final installation.
• Supervised and prepared monthly financial statements, ratio analysis, social security, and tax reports.
• Reviewed operating results, analyzed variances, and identified actions to close gaps in profitability and growth objectives.
• Prepared budgets, monthly forecast updates, and business plans.
• Tracked key business and financial metrics, reviewed competitor information, benchmarked company’s financial plans, and prepared management reporting packages.
• Developed performance drivers, implemented new analytical tools, and prepared presentations that identified financial issues and supported timely strategic decision-making.
• Identified opportunities for process improvement and implemented changes to gain efficiencies.
• Directed activities of 8 staff in the finance department.

Financial Controller at Integra SAL and Al Balad Newspaper
  • United Arab Emirates - Abu Dhabi
  • July 2003 to July 2004

A group of advertising and publishing companies namely Al Waseet, Al Balad newspaper, Layalina Magazine with more than 500 employees. Integra sal is the publisher of Al Balad Newspaper. Integra prints, distributes, and sells the advertising space of Al Balad newspaper.
• Worked closely with the team that founded the newspaper and the publishing company.
• Prepared and supervised the preparation of financial statements on a monthly basis.
• Directed budgets and cost control.
• Monitored and analyzed monthly operating statements.
• Analyzed and interpreted financial data and recommended changes to improve the system and the financial performance.
• Ensured the organization’s adherence to income taxes, NSSF, VAT and other legal regulations.
• Directed activities of 8 staff in the finance department.

Credit Officer at Bank of Beirut sal
  • Lebanon - Beirut
  • January 2003 to June 2003

• Assessed loan requests for retail and corporate credit applications through cash flow analysis, credit analysis, interviews with applicants and checking application forms, references, and other information.
• Recommended approvals of credit applications within policy guidelines.
• Prepared papers setting out conditions and periods of loans, rates of repayment.

Financial Controller at Joint Venture Bouygues-Soltravo
  • Lebanon - Beirut
  • May 1996 to August 2001

Bouygues SA is a French industrial group listed on Euronext Paris exchange and is a blue chip in the CAC 40 stock market index. The company range of products and services covers public works and infrastructure construction and engineering, real estate development, media, telecommunications services.
Soltravo sal Lebanese company with presence in Lebanon and Saudi Arabia for over 30 years entered into a joint venture with Bouygues construction to execute construction projects mainly in foundations and geotechnical works for Solidere for the reconstruction of Down Town Beirut.
• Examined and recorded journal vouchers, payment requests, accounts payable, bank reconciliations, general ledger reconciliations, payroll and monitored current projects’ budgets.
• Generated monthly close of financial reports and prepared special management reports.
• Presented financial information to senior management.
• Developed the chart of accounts.
• Negotiated with suppliers and vendors to receive the most favorable payment and delivery terms.
• Ensured the organization’s adherence to income taxes, NSSF, and other legal regulations.
• Directed activities of 3 staff members in the finance department.

Education

Diploma, Chartered Financial Analyst
  • at CFA Institute
  • July 2006

Successfully completed all three levels and the required relevant work experience as of 2006.

Master's degree, MBA, Banking and Finance
  • at Holy Spirit Univiersity- USEK
  • June 2001
Master's degree, Masters, Accounting and Finance
  • at Lebanese University
  • June 1998
Bachelor's degree, Masters, Marketing and Management
  • at Lebanese University
  • June 1997
High school or equivalent, Baccalaureat, Math Section
  • at Freres Mont la Salle
  • June 1993

Specialties & Skills

Financial Feasibility Studies
Business Valuation
Corporate Finance
Investment Banking
Financial Reporting
MS Excel, Word, Powerpoint

Languages

Arabic
Expert
English
Expert
French
Expert

Memberships

CFA
  • Member
  • July 2006