Main Conference Day 1 - GT (Gulf Time, GMT+04:00)
With competition between the US and China, war between Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Gaza, along with boycotts and sanctions, how are these geopolitical divides being perceived by the world, and what are the consequences on business activity and investor sentiment in the Middle East? Discussing the implications of the imminent US elections on the regional and global economic landscape for the next four years. In what ways is climate risk affecting the market and how are businesses tackling this from a portfolio construction angle? Oil prices, interest and inflation rates – how is the GCC managing the pressures well and what’s the effect on market stability today? What’s in store for 2025?
- Yousef Gamal El-Din - Anchor, Stagespring
Which city is truly the capital of capital in the Middle East, and why? What are the hottest sectors and trends bringing the most revenue and excitement today? Is it better to be sector agnostic or specific? Debate on PE, VC, credit or infra: which is the standout asset class for the Middle East and what factors are contributing to its prominence?
- Ameera Khalid - Executive Director, Waha Capital
- Dr Karim El Solh - Co-Founder & CEO, Gulf Capital
- Walid Mansour - Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP)
- Yaser Moustafa - Head of Private Investments, Janus Henderson Emerging Markets Private Investments
- Muteb Al Shathri - Senior Director- MENA Investments, Public Investment Fund (PIF)
As Asian companies continue to expand globally, the Middle East presents a compelling opportunity for growth, strategic partnerships, and diversified investments. Leveraging advanced technologies, robust investment ecosystems, and deep market insights, Asian firms are uniquely positioned to drive innovation and economic diversification in the region. This also opens up significant opportunities for asset allocators, including sovereign wealth funds, private equity, and institutional investors, who can benefit from the economic transformation underway in the Middle East while mitigating regional risks through strategic cross-border investments. This fireside chat will explore the significance of Asian companies entering the Middle East market and how asset allocators can capitalize on these opportunities to generate compelling risk-adjusted returns and access new avenues for growth.
- Chetan Tailor - Managing Director, Co-Head of Investor Relations, Greenstone Equity Partners
- Cliff Chau - Managing Partner, ewpartners
- Abderahmane Fodil - Managing Partner, idiem Partners
What unique value creation strategies are businesses adopting to achieve a competitive advantage in today’s market? Discussing crucial tips for supporting portfolio companies. How to contribute to building an ecosystem that survives the good, the bad and the ugly through impactful talent management techniques. How is value truly quantified and what does the Middle East value most?
- Saima Jalal - Partner, Value Creation Services, Deloitte
- Michael Lints - Partner, Golden Gate Ventures
- Walid Faza - Partner & COO, MSA Novo
- Dr Ruchi Dana - Partner & Executive Board Member, DANA Group
An introduction: what differentiates independent sponsors from traditional private equity funds and how can their unique deal sourcing approach benefit LPs? What considerations should Middle East LPs prioritise when assessing opportunities in this nascent strategy? How is this method changing the overall private capital market?
- Akshay Arora - CEO, Euphoria Capital Partners
- Christiaan de Lint - Managing Partner, Headway Capital Partners
Are secondaries featured on the Middle East menu – why/why not? In what ways can co-investments serve as a risk mitigation opportunity? How are investors engaging in direct investments and why are they attractive? Discussing the ins, the outs, the hurdles and new possibilities.
- Chris Macbeth - Partner, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton
- Taimoor Labib - Founding Partner, Head of MENA & Chairman of Africa, Affirma Capital
- Anis Saif - Director, Principal Investments, Gulf Investment Corporation
- Edward Holdsworth - Managing Director, HarbourVest Partners
A select number of GPs will present their fund to a group of LPs, individually, in a closed-door setting.
Each GP will have 10 minutes to make their case, including time for audience Q&A.
These exclusive presentations are only open to pre-registered development finance institutions, endowments, foundations, insurance companies, pension funds and sovereign wealth funds, subject to qualification.
For GPs: to apply for pitching, please contact Marcia Brissett at marcia.brissett@informa.com
For LPs: to join, please contact Adrianna Moskal at adrianna.moskal@informa.com
- Alexandre Alfonsi - Managing Partner, Alternal
- Venkatesh Peddi - Managing Director, Chiratae Ventures
- Niklas Ponnert - Managing Director & Chief Strategy Officer, ewpartners
- Michael Burt - Managing Partner, Promethean Investments
How are ultra-high-net-worth retail channels reshaping the landscape of private markets investments in the Middle East? What implications does this trend have for deal pricing and competition with larger firms? How do retail investor strategies and return expectations differ from institutional investors? With recent regulatory changes and requirements, what key considerations should foreign asset managers keep in mind when working with UAE retail investors? |
Exposing the elephants in the room: gather around the table to candidly discuss interesting encounters, regulatory and geopolitical preoccupations and exactly how you worked around awkward situations. This session serves as a collaborative and respectful platform to exchange perspectives on the nuances of the Middle East investment landscape in a confidential and constructive environment.
Spaces are first-come, first-served. Run under the Chatham House Rule and closed to press.
LPs, to register, please contact adrianna.moskal@informa.com
GPs, to register, please contact munazzah.siddique@informa.com
- Rene Canezin - Managing Partner and Founder, Evolution Credit Partners Management
Is the debt hype still alive in the Middle East? How can banks and alternative lenders work together to maximise growth? Direct lending, distressed, mezzanine, special situations and more: with a plethora of opportunities in credit, which ones are turning the heads of the investors today? Islamic finance principles: delving into the intricacies of Sharia-compliant investment solutions across the asset class.
- Emma Crabtree - Group Chief Commercial Officer, IQ-EQ
- Jeffrey Lau - Partner & Head of Private Credit and Special Situations, Primavera Capital Group
- Jason Mehring - Managing Director, BlackRock
- Rashid Siddiqi - Founding Partner, Ruya Partners
- Ishpreet Singh Gandhi - Founder & Managing Partner, Stride Ventures
What sectors are different LP types from different regions zooming in and out on and what factors are swaying those preferences? How are Middle Eastern LPs balancing portfolio diversification and strategic alignment with state goals? What challenges are the LPs facing when it comes to the investment selection process and how can they be best addressed?International appetite: which destinations are capturing the most LP interest?
- Christiaan de Lint - Managing Partner, Headway Capital Partners
- Dr. Jörg Goschin - Co-CEO and Senior Managing Director, KfW Capital
- Jonathan Alden - SVP, Head of Investor Relations, Vintage
- Asif Khan - Chief Investment Officer, Astro Holding
- Scott B. Garfield - Senior Managing Director, Head of North America Private Equity, Manulife Investment Management
How are Middle Eastern family offices allocating capital and what are the next steps? Is technology replacing real estate as the premier investment opportunity, or are green finance and sustainable investments more prominent? What GP requirements are top on the FO priority list? Why are Asian and Middle Eastern family offices increasingly choosing other jurisdictions as a secondary base, and what benefits arise from this growing relationship? How are different family offices partnering, and how are governments facilitating such collaborations?
- Lixia Zhu - Managing Director, 76Columbus Family Office
- Dr Ruchi Dana - Partner & Executive Board Member, DANA Group
- Sean Daykin - Chief Investment Officer, Kanoo Global Investments, YBA Kanoo Group of Companies
- Eesha Khader - Principal, AKG Investment (Alkhadr)
Which top factor matters most when beginning to build relationships in the Middle East? An insight into the LP manager selection process: criteria and deterrents. Exploring cultural nuances: top tips for fund managers looking to cultivate a partnership that lasts through the toughest economic conditions.
- Alexandre Alfonsi - Managing Partner, Alternal
- Abderahmane Fodil - Managing Partner, idiem Partners