** ***** ** ********** ** Investment Banking, Management Consulting, Strategy, PMO, and Operations in the Middle East with significant industry knowledge and extensive network in the financial, real estate, manufacturing, automotive, aviation, education, retail, healthcare, and distribution sectors. Well-rounded expertise in strategic planning, operations, business development, finance, due diligence, M&A, change management, restructuring, and turnarounds. Strong skill set (e.g. leadership, communication, team management, analytical) and a solid academic background.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Advisor Feb. 2022 – Present

Arthur D. Little – Consulting Firm Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Managed the development of a major PPP project for the Saudi Ministry of Health. Led the project’s implementation. Developed the business case as per the Implementation Regulations set by the National Committee for Privatization. Acquired all necessary approvals to proceed with the project. Set up the bidding process and conducted negotiations with the selected private company.

Executive Director April 2020 – Feb. 2022

$10KInvest Sarl – Investment & Advisory Firm Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Developed the Consulting and Investment Firm. Enhanced the firm’s Purpose, Cluster, and Methodologies. Defined all services offered and established partnerships with third parties to support the firm’s cost optimization services. Allocated resources. Developed the company’s policy and procedures. Implemented its digital marketing campaigns and ERP. Built its pipeline. Managed and executed projects.

Chief Operating Officer May 2018–March 2020

Swicorp SA – Investment Bank Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Led the bank’s shared services departments. Directed the growth and the non-revenue side of the bank. Developed and implement the bank’s strategy and its related initiatives. Headed the bank’s Transformation Program. Implemented board initiatives (ePMO) among all functions, offices, and third parties. Digitizing the firm. Outsourced HR (i.e. slashed costs by > 45% and boosted efficiency significantly). Changed all P&P manuals. Reduced operating costs by SR 3 million. Revamped third parties’ agreements. Rebuilt the management team. Established the risk function. Administered the long-term incentive program. Operated and enhance day-to-day operations, processes, and support functions. Coordinated operations between Swicorp offices worldwide. Bettered corporate governance and compliance. Enhanced marketing, social media, and public relations tasks.

CEO Advisor & PMO Director Oct. 2016 – Feb. 2018

Jabal Omar Development Co. – Real Estate Developer Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Established and managed the company’s Program Management Office (ePMO). Formulated and implemented strategic projects. Administered the company’s management as well as board committees. Advised the CEO though devising the strategy and its implementation plan, setting KPIs, analyzing reports and scorecards, assessing corporate and divisional performance, identifying risks, bringing solutions, creating new SBUs and subsidiaries, and budget development and monitoring.

Chief Strategy Officer Feb. 2010 - May 2016

Obeikan Investment Group – Manufacturing and Educational Group Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Developed the Group’s strategic plans, objectives, and initiatives. Rendered with the executive the corporate strategy into 3 to 5 years business plans, yearly budgets, and targeted KPIs. Designed and developed the operating models to restructure the Group’s subsidiaries to focus on core business, generating cash flows and profits, and maximizing shareholders’ value

Advised the CEO and the Board of Directors regarding matters related to business controls, strategy, growth, and governance. Led the investment and business development committees for the Group. Secretary of the Group’s ExCom and of the Group’s Board of Directors

Led the Group’s M&A and investment activities, adding up to more than SR 1.1 billion in investments. Built the investment pipeline. Assessed potential investment opportunities. Managed new ventures from inception to start-up and aligned them with the Group’s strategic plans. Negotiated legal terms with partners. Set partnership structures, and business models. Prepared one SBU for an IPO. Carried out valuations. Conducted due diligence on potential investment opportunities, including developing financial models to determine potential returns and required investments

Developed numerous real estate projects for the Group such as a 33-story tower, a 5 Stars hotel, and an 8,000 workers’ labour camp.

Produced a comprehensive budget preparation process based on in-depth analytical financial models for each of the 23 companies within the Group. Restructured and unified the Group’s reporting system

Created the Group’s dashboard and assigned functional KPIs. This resulted in better budget monitoring, continuous performance assessment, real-time reporting, and an exhaustive data warehouse

Proposed and monitored business development activities group-wide. Piloted new non-organic initiatives. Prepared and analyzed qualitative and quantitative reports. Proposed new changes and managed the change processes

Restructured the group’s SR 3 billion debt. Managed the Group’s SR 800 million loans with the Saudi Industrial Development Fund. Raised funding and sourced new financing alternatives

Optimized costs. Overall reductions attained 18% savings in two years, increasing the net profit margin by 2.4 points. Under my leadership procurement costs were reduced by SR 115 million, manufacturing overheads were reduced, overall capacity increased by 3.8%, and waste was capped at 2.3%

Provided guidance and leadership to all employees within the Strategic Planning and Business Development department. Ensured effective departmental performance through the team's selection, development, deployment, and motivation. Conducted quarterly performance appraisals. Recommended salary increases, rewards, and promotions. Ensured and mentored proper career growth for each team member

Group Board secretary and member of other subsidiaries’ Boards

Private Equity Director Jan. 2008 - Dec. 2009

Arab Bank Capital – Investment Bank Dubai, UAE

Actively participated in establishing the regional Private Equity practice within AB Capital - Arab Bank’s newly established investment bank. Determined strategic directions. Proposed and implemented initiatives

Set up the Bank’s first $200M PE fund. Liaised with legal counselors and regulatory entities. Established Special Purpose Vehicles. Developed the fund’s Private Placement Memorandum. Appointed the fund administrator company, audit firm, and advisors. Coordinated between Limited Partners and the founding General Partners. Formulated the fund’s structure and strategy. Recruited part of the team. Established the fund’s terms and policies

Arranged the Bank’s operating license in Saudi Arabia

Secured the fund’s seed money and conducted fundraising with private and institutional investors. Liaised with Limited Partners. Conducted roadshows

Responsible for origination, management of the deal team, and execution of transactions. Established relationships with intermediaries and supporting third parties such as lenders. Researched/acquired a comprehensive knowledge of the MENA’s main economic sectors. Sought potential target companies

Managed the deal execution process. Assessed and screened investment opportunities. Performed valuations and due diligence. Structured deal transactions. Presented to both investment and advising committees. Reported to the Board

Vice President Jan. 2007 - Oct. 2007

Abraaj Capital – Private Equity Firm Dubai, UAE

In addition to carrying out various administrative duties, actively participated in building the firm’s deal flow and negotiated transactions to a positive end. Board member and representative of Abraaj in one of its portfolio companies, a large regional oil and gas fabrication, shipbuilding, and vessel chartering group. Led the post-acquisition process, prepared the group’s 3 years strategy as well as its 100-day plan, and implemented all operational changes aiming to restructure the group and to better manage future growth.

Consultant Jan. 2005 – Feb. 2007

Booz Allen Hamilton – Management Consulting Firm Beirut, Lebanon

Accomplished several consulting assignments ranging from real estate development to aviation, edutainment, and regional strategy development. Also, managed the Program Management Office (PMO) for the transformation of major government authority in Saudi Arabia and its subsidiaries from a public institution to an independent entity.

Senior Manager Oct. 2003 - Oct. 2004

Ernst & Young – Management Consulting Firm Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Administratively: Directed a team of consultants and numerous internal initiatives. Mentored 4 consultants. Conducted performance evaluations (i.e. 360 degrees). Planned sales objectives and monitored quarterly sales achievements. Organized and attended training sessions. Professionally: Managed several engagements in different sectors and fields. Achieved SR 10.6 M in sales in 10 months. Quality reviewed reports of consultants. Developed the Transaction Advisory Services visibility strategy.

Managing Director Feb. 1998 - July 2003

BDA S.a.l. (Ford Lebanon) – Automotive Distributor Beirut, Lebanon

Directed a car agency with sales surpassing $14 million (up from $9M when took charge). Managed a team of 57 employees. In addition to the traditional management tasks:

Established a well-defined corporate governance set-up and a leaner organizational structure

Re-engineered and enhanced the finance and administrative functions. Formulated new and simpler internal policies, processes, and workflows as well as reporting and monitoring systems. Generated savings of $80k+ p.a.

Designed and implemented a fully integrated custom-made information system ERP to better coordinate between the organization’s SBUs which permitted to reduce among the workforce by 17% and boosted productivity

Overhauled all supplier agreements, terms and conditions as well as cost accounting measures

Initiated several change programs that resulted in considerable efficiency gains, e.g. tasks consolidations, personnel reductions, higher inventory turnover (52 instead of 88 days), shorter collection period (down to 34 days)

Generated multiyear cost reductions of more than $210k p.a. in labour costs, COGS, bank charges, procurement expenditures, and overhead expenses

Restructured the company’s debt. Subsequently, improved cash flows, reduced working capital requirements, enhanced EBITDA by 14% in less than 3 years, improved assets’ utilization, diversified financing sources, and implemented new financial products such as revolving LCs. Also, introduced new financial services such as leasing and prepaid maintenance coverage

Instituted an aggressive three-year sales strategy that achieved a 56% growth in sales to $14 million

Branch Managing Director Nov. 1996 - Jan. 1998

Senior Management Consultant Dec. 1994 - Nov. 1996

Management Consultant Oct. 1993 - Dec. 1994

Arthur D. Little Inc.- Management Consulting Firm Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Managed projects involving multi-office teams throughout the region. Managed 11 client accounts and 46 projects and studies. Clients were among the most prominent businessmen and corporations in the Middle East. Continuously trained in ADL methodologies, products, and analytical approaches. Also, managed the Beirut office:

Led a team of 9 highly qualified consultants. Assigned work schedules, plans, action steps, and tasks to case team members. Monitored the team’s performance and deliverables to clients

Managed clients’ relationships, projects’ budgets, and potential prospects

Completed several sales cycles from proposal to deal closure that added up to $1.8M in less than 15 months

Defined objectives and long-term development and product strategies

Performed day-to-day management tasks such as recruiting, performance evaluations, and accounting

EDUCATION

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA) McGill University

Major: International Business, Strategic Management, and Finance (June 1993) Montreal, Canada

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Northeastern University

Major: Management and Marketing (June 1990) Boston, USA

Top 1% of Class 1990 with a GPA of 3.9

National Dean’s List (the USA and Canada). Graduated with the highest honors: Summa Cum Laude

PERSONAL

US and Lebanese citizen

Fluent in Arabic, English, and French

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