We serve all multisector entities in the Middle East, including sovereign wealth funds, private equity companies, diversified conglomerates, and family principals.
The Middle East is home to a large concentration of multisector investment companies, including sovereign wealth funds, private equity firms, and diversified conglomerates, many of them family-owned. These multisector investment entities contribute to the majority of their country’s value creation and growth, in terms of GDP, employment, and foreign direct investments. They typically own investments across asset classes such as operating companies, financial investments, real estate, and infrastructure; across sectors such as banking, construction, consumer, and manufacturing; and across geographies such as the GCC, other MENA countries, or globally.
Strategy& serves all multisector entities in the Middle East, including sovereign wealth funds, private equity companies, diversified conglomerates, and family principals.
We have extensive regional and global experience working with diversified entities on a wide range of topics, including investment strategy, corporate operating model, corporate finance, and governance. We also support the institutionalization of family-owned conglomerates as they evolve from family-focused entrepreneurial businesses to professional corporations that separate the business from family assets, services, and rights.
With deep insight into regional family businesses, conglomerates, and the investment market, our Arabic-speaking team of experienced professionals has served clients across the MENA region and Europe. Our collaborative approach with our clients enables us to develop tailor-made strategies and solutions.
Key trends
Sovereign
wealth funds
Multisector /
family-owned conglomerates
Private
equity companies
Family principals /
family office
As vehicles for long-term wealth maximization and/or economic development, regional sovereign wealth funds play a fundamental role in the regional and global investment landscape. Decades of budget surpluses have enabled these funds to amass large sums of capital which made them a relevant player on the global scene, a reality that has raised the attention – and often apprehension – of states that receive their investments, due to the potential mixing of financial and political agendas. As a result, regional funds are increasingly adopting global standards on governance and transparency to dispel any concerns. On the regional front, funds are refocusing on the region and are increasingly plugged in to the economic realities of their governing states, leading to a direct role in driving, shaping, or supporting their government in target sectors and flagship projects.
In this context, key trends for these funds include:
Defining/refining their mandate in light of the macroeconomic situation and existing ecosystem of sovereign vehicles
Aligning their investment strategy and themes with their country’s economic and development vision
Allocating a larger portion of their portfolio to direct investments with a more active investment approach
Developing an increased exposure to yielding investment asset classes such as infrastructure and real estate to offset low-yielding fixed income instruments
Adopting a global approach to investments across emerging and developed markets
Balancing economic development and financial return mandates
Setting up deal sourcing and co-investment partnerships/vehicles with other institutional investors
Developing best-in-class capabilities across the investment life cycle to maximize value creation by transferring knowledge from investment partners
Institutionalizing policies and processes (e.g., portfolio management) in line with best practices
Improving governance and transparency in line with best practices, such as Santiago principles
A backbone of the economy in the GCC, multisector and/or family-owned conglomerates contribute to a significant portion of economic activity and employment in the region. Today more than ever, such companies are facing a new reality as changes in the macroeconomic landscape are affecting the sectors their businesses operate in. These changes include a negative outlook in consumer spending, slowdown in B2B activity as government spending is curtailed, and greater competition as a result of more-open trade agreements and a tighter funding environment following the financial crises and resultant cautious bank lending.
In this context, key trends for these conglomerates include:
Focusing their portfolio on core activities where they can leverage their differentiated capabilities, while aiming to divest or turn around underperforming businesses
Expanding core operating businesses into new geographies or adjacent sectors while leveraging strategic and operational synergies
Rebalancing their asset class and sector exposure to avoid highly correlated investments that erode returns in times of economic softening
Developing partnerships and joint ventures with international industry leaders to set up or enhance operations in local markets
Monetizing investments and generating liquidity through minority sale of assets (e.g., to private equity firms) or listing a subsidiary
Redefining their corporate management role and level of involvement vis-à-vis portfolio companies
Developing best-practice functional capabilities at the holding level to aid the group and portfolio companies in executing core and support activities
Professionalizing corporate governance with formal committees, independent directors, and a detailed delegation of authority across the organization
Institutionalizing business activities by segregating them from family services and assets
Private equity’s contribution to the investment landscape in the region remains lower than in other emerging and mature markets. Although a more subdued economic environment has lowered valuation expectations, valuations remain full, deal volumes are flat, and exits are decreasing. Moreover, the industry is facing higher competition from sovereign investors who are more active in the regional landscape. Given the challenges of operating in this environment, international players – once interested in the region’s sustained growth – have scaled back their presence. Local players have also adjusted, with tier 2 general partners narrowing their strategy, or shifting to a deal-by-deal approach while tier 1 players remain active in fundraising and investing.
In this context, key trends for PE funds include:
Creating dedicated opportunity funds targeting specific sectors or geographies with deep industry capabilities
Expanding geographic scope to new emerging markets including Africa and South East Asia
Focusing on sustainable value creation from existing assets when exiting investments in the next five to seven years will be difficult
Strengthening corporate capabilities to improve portfolio management and value creation
Setting up co-investment partnerships with other PE players or institutional investors to improve deal-sourcing capabilities
Considering a wider range of funding sources including mezzanine and debt financing
Families today are operating in a very different environment from 10 years ago, particularly with the next generation coming of age and claiming their place in the family concerns. Businesses that were once led by a single principal owner are now facing a dilution of ownership and decision making that is further complicated by a divergence in views among generations. Such a setup is ripe for internal conflicts and deadlock if no clear governance framework has been instituted.
In this context, key trends for family principals include:
Enacting best-in-class corporate and family governance frameworks to address ownership and oversight challenges during transition to subsequent generations
Developing a family governance structure that maintains the family unity and balances the potentially divergent views of family members
Establishing formal family offices to provide various services to family members, including wealth management, concierge, education support, and philanthropy
Professionalizing the family service delivery model to optimize service levels at the lowest possible cost and increase the flexibility of the offering
Gaining alignment on a set of principles and values regarding family and ownership matters
Enforcing agreed-upon governance mechanisms despite local regulations that may not have the required flexibility
Identifying alternative sources of wealth creation beyond core businesses to maintain an acceptable level of income and wealth for a growing number of family members
Supporting next-generation development through education, entrepreneurship ventures, or employment opportunities
How we can help you
Corporate strategy/investment strategy
Mandate option evaluation and definition
Strategic growth options articulation (e.g., geographical, business line)
Investment landscape review and opportunities identification (e.g., themes, sectors)
Investment strategy definition including:
Investment focus (e.g., across asset classes, sectors, and geographies)
Capital allocation, portfolio structure, and risk management approach
Business model and financial forecasts
Investment-approach design across deal sourcing, value creation, and monetization
Investment guidelines definition across asset classes (direct investments, real estate, infrastructure)
Strategic target setting including financial forecasts and portfolio risk/return evolution
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Pan-Arab sovereign investment company portfolio turnaround
A Pan-Arab GCC-focused joint-stock company that conducts equity investments and wholesale lending engaged Strategy& to develop a five-year strategic business plan.
Multisector portfolio strategy for a new geography
Due to slowing growth in its core business and excessive exposure to the distribution of one brand, a leading MENA-region family conglomerate was searching for diversification opportunities.
Corporate strategy and governance model for family-owned conglomerate
A family-owned business that operates in the distribution business and manages investments wanted to review its corporate strategy and governance model.
Commercial due diligence for a leading regional private equity player
The private equity arm of a large international bank wanted to acquire a stake in a company dealing in the tissues and diapers markets in the MENA region.
Assessing investment opportunities in the GCC healthcare and education sectors
A UAE investment company conducting private equity investments in the GCC wanted an assessment of the opportunities in the healthcare and education sectors.
Family group constitution and shareholder agreement
A GCC-based family conglomerate welcoming the family’s second generation into the business ranks was experiencing discord and divergent interests among the beneficiaries.
- Pan-Arab sovereign investment company portfolio turnaround
A Pan-Arab GCC-focused joint-stock company that conducts equity investments and wholesale lending engaged Strategy& to develop a five-year strategic business plan.
- Multisector portfolio strategy for a new geography
Due to slowing growth in its core business and excessive exposure to the distribution of one brand, a leading MENA-region family conglomerate was searching for diversification opportunities.
- Corporate strategy and governance model for family-owned conglomerate
A family-owned business that operates in the distribution business and manages investments wanted to review its corporate strategy and governance model.
- Commercial due diligence for a leading regional private equity player
The private equity arm of a large international bank wanted to acquire a stake in a company dealing in the tissues and diapers markets in the MENA region.
- Assessing investment opportunities in the GCC healthcare and education sectors
A UAE investment company conducting private equity investments in the GCC wanted an assessment of the opportunities in the healthcare and education sectors.
- Family group constitution and shareholder agreement
A GCC-based family conglomerate welcoming the family’s second generation into the business ranks was experiencing discord and divergent interests among the beneficiaries.