Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Strategic Group Chief Financial Officer with more than 20 years of international leadership experience across publicly listed companies, investment groups, multinational retailers and family-owned enterprises throughout the UK, Middle East, Asia and Europe. Currently serving as Group CFO of Mair Group PJSC, an ADX-listed investment company with approximately $600m revenue and $100m EBITDA. Successfully led the public listing of Mair Group after delivering the merger of four legacy entities, culminating in a $700m ADX Stock Exchange listing within eight months. Extensive experience across capital markets, IPOs, investor relations, M&A, corporate finance, treasury, refinancing, business transformation and value creation. Leading transactions from $50m to $500m, executing major divestments and restructurings, and partnering with Boards, shareholders, investors and lenders to drive sustainable growth. Career includes senior leadership roles with Mair Group PJSC, Al-Futtaim Group, McColl's Retail Group PLC and Tesco PLC. Core areas of expertise include: ▪ Transformation & Turnaround ▪ IPOs & Capital Markets ▪ M&A & Corporate Development ▪ Investor Relations ▪ Debt Raising & Refinancing ▪ Strategic Planning & Capital Allocation ▪ Commercial Real Estate ▪ Retail & Consumer Markets ▪ Treasury & Liquidity Management ▪ Governance, Risk & Audit Committee Leadership ▪ Board Advisory & Stakeholder Management ▪ ERP Implementation Passionate about building high-performing teams, creating shareholder value and supporting organisations through transformational growth.
Group CFO of an ADX-listed investment group with interests across grocery retail, commercial real estate, food production and manufacturing. Key achievements: • Led merger of four cooperative entities into a single listed company • Directed valuation, restructuring and IPO readiness activities supporting a $700m ADX listing. • Executed a $150m strategic divestment programme. • Led $300m balance sheet restructuring and debt optimisation. • Developed Board-approved five-year growth and M&A strategy. • Established Investor Relations, Treasury, Tax and Capital Allocation frameworks. • Built listed-company governance and reporting structures. • Led earnings presentations and investor communications. • Directed M&A activities ranging from $50m-$500m transaction value. • ERP implementation. Skills: IPOs, Capital Markets, Investor Relations, M&A, Corporate Finance, Treasury, Governance, Board Leadership
CFO of a $2.7bn retail platform operating across 11 countries throughout the Middle East and Asia. Key achievements: • Promoted from CFO Asia to CFO of the entire Retail Division. • Led strategic restructuring and turnaround programmes. • Directed portfolio disposals and business optimisation initiatives. • Supported acquisitions, investments and franchise expansion. • Delivered large-scale finance transformation programmes. • Led financial response and scenario planning during COVID-19. • Managed international finance teams exceeding 200 professionals. • Relocated and transformed finance operations across multiple markets. Skills: Retail Finance, Transformation, M&A, Business Restructuring, Commercial Finance, Leadership
Board-level finance leader for a London Stock Exchange-listed convenience retailer with approximately £1.2bn revenue. Key achievements: • Negotiated £200m acquisition financing facility. • Financial integration of c300 store acquired in the transaction. • Played a leading role in a £13m equity raise and Class 1 transaction. • Led refinancing and covenant restructuring programmes. • Delivered ERP implementation and finance transformation. • Led a finance organisation of approximately 140 professionals. Skills: Corporate Finance, Capital Raising, ERP Transformation, IR
Progressed through increasingly senior leadership roles across the UK, Ireland, Central Europe and Malaysia. Positions included: • Group Financial Controller – Tesco Malaysia • Head of Finance – UK Marketing & Finance Director, Tesco Freetime • Head of Finance – UK & Ireland Distribution • Head of Finance – Commercial, Tesco Ireland Selected achievements: • Led financial control of £1bn Tesco Malaysia business. • Implemented Malaysian GST across systems and supplier networks. • Managed £1bn annual UK marketing investment portfolio. • Supported £1.2bn logistics and distribution network expenditure. • Developed strategic pricing and margin initiatives in Ireland. • Standardised reporting across UK and Central Europe. • Business partnered Commercial teams, managed currency hedging positions in Treasury front office.