Gulf Capital,
an Abu Dhabi-based private equity house, has begun a search for a
chief financial officer ahead of a planned initial public offering
and acquisition spree.The firm is
searching for candidates with experience in private equity,
investment banking and restructuring who have had international
exposure.
Following the hire, Gulf Capital, which invests in companies in the
Gulf Co-operation Council
and the Middle East and North Africa regions, plans to embark on an
acquisition trail after its flotation, which chief executive
Karim El Solh
said is scheduled for next year.
In March, the firm teamed up with Swiss bank
Credit Suisse
to help it build a presence in the Middle East and benefit from an
upturn in investment banking activity in the region.
A statement from Credit Suisse and Gulf Capital said they “will
commit a significant amount of investment capital to the alliance”.
Gulf Capital said companies in the region raised $10.5bn (€6.6bn)
from 83 offerings last year compared with $7.5bn in 2006.