Contact
Sohail Akhtar
www.linkedin.com/in/sohail- Head of Direct Investment at Dubai Islamic Bank
akhtar-40774575 (LinkedIn) United Arab Emirates

Summary
A mature, energetic and performance driven banker having
experience in multifarious role within the banking industry. Highly
motivated with strong analytical and problem solving ability. Capable
of multi-tasking and delivering under pressure. Unique skill set
includes:

1) Investment Analysis
2) Investment Management
3) Corporate Finance Advisory
4) Greenfield Project Management
5) Industrial Financing

With 20+ years of experience both within GCC and India, exposed
to dealing with people from diverse culture and have the ability to
manage the team successfully.

Experience
Dubai Islamic Bank Group
Head of Direct Investment
July 2008 - Present 
Dubai

Responsible to manage a portfolio of US$ 2.70 billion of equity investments

in diversified sectors like real estate, banking & financial services, aviation,
shipping, industries, public equities etc. spread across Middle East and
Europe. Oversee end to end investment management including developing
overall investment strategies, working with investee companies to create
shareholder value and engineering exits for investments. Represent DIB as
Director in the Board of 7 investee companies. Manage department with 7 staff
comprising investment professional and support staff.

• Successfully exited several investments valuing US$ 200 million.

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• Invested in capital call proposals of investee companies in various sectors for

the bank.
• Regular evaluation of performance review of investee companies in
consultation with respective management
• Coordinated restructuring like debt renegotiation, voluntary liquidation, layoff
in several structured investments
• Responsible for satisfactory conclusion of internal audit, statutory audit, MIS,
board presentation, management reporting etc. for the department.
• Oversee public equity program of the bank valuing US$ 340 million along
with trader.

Gulf Investment Corporation

Senior Investment Manager
May 2007 - June 2008 (1 year 2 months)
Kuwait

Responsible for development of Greenfield projects as well as acquisition of

industries in the sector of steel and petrochemical across GCC. Managed and
strategized existing portfolio companies to create value for the shareholder.

• Evaluated and initiated, as team member, development of an integrated

steel project costing US$ 1.3 billion in Bahrain. Work included appointment
of consultants, review of technical and market report, EPC review, JV
review, development of financial model, negotiation with commercial bank for
syndicated facility etc.
• Conducted comprehensive due diligence on the possible acquisition of rolling
mill valuing US$ 250 million in Saudi Arabia as forward integration of the
proposed integrated steel project and assisted in negotiating the offer price
with seller.
• Developed feasibility of proposed petrochemical project (BOPP) valuing
about US$ 100 million in Kuwait which included finalization of financial model,
review of market, technical reports and initiated implementation including
obtaining license, securing land and negotiating EPC supplier.
• Formulated strategy and managed operations, from controlling shareholder’s
perspective, of United Stainless Steel Company, a startup venture costing US
$ 300 million in Bahrain. Work also included management of relationship with
Commercial banks for the syndicated facility.

Gulf International Bank

Assistant Vice Preseident
January 2006 - April 2007 (1 year 4 months)

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Abu Dhabi

Provided advisory services to gulf based business houses in the field

of mergers, disposals & acquisitions, equity placements through private
placement & IPO, project & structured finance, etc.

• Led a private placement assignment for Masharie, Dubai Investments having

portfolio of industries all over UAE. Conducted due diligence of 15 companies
under the portfolio, finalized financial model and information memorandum for
investors.
• Assisted on assignment of raising equity through Initial Public Offerings of
Gulfar Contracting Company, Oman. IPO was launched in the third quarter of
2007. Work included due diligence, financial modeling, getting model audited
by E&Y, drafting prospectus etc.
• Worked on a private equity placement transaction for a Greenfield chemical
project being developed by an offshore company with interest in several
chemical industries in UAE, Egypt and Pakistan. Work involved due diligence
of Greenfield and existing industries, equity valuation and preparation of
investment memorandum etc.
• Assisted project finance advisory team for debt placement for Queenex
Tissue Paper, a tissue paper converting project in UAE.

Emirates Industrial Bank

Project Officer
August 1993 - December 2005 (12 years 5 months)
Abu Dhabi

Evaluated feasibility of new industrial project as well as for expansion of

existing operation for equity and debt investment. Dealt with over 120
industrial companies in UAE.

• Evaluated feasibility of new industrial project as well as for expansion of

existing operation for equity and debt investment.
• Dealt with over 120 industrial companies in UAE.
• Prepared investment proposals for debt and equity participation in some of
the major UAE companies like Alico, Interplast, Emirates Rawabi, Bildco, Liwa
Poultry Farm, etc.

The Industrial & Investment Corporation of UP Ltd

Finance Executive
February 1985 - July 1993 (8 years 6 months)
Lucknow, India

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Appraised and monitored the performance and risk profile of Corporate

accounts in relation to both debt as well as equity exposures.Conducted
diagnostic studies on portfolio companies with below average performance
and prepared and implemented rehabilitation packages for some of them.
Syndicated loans with commercial banks and financial institutions etc. on
behalf of customers

• Appraised and monitored the performance and risk profile of Corporate

accounts in relation to both debt as well as equity exposures
• Conducted diagnostic studies on portfolio companies with below average
performance and prepared and implemented rehabilitation packages for some
of them.
• Syndicated loans with commercial banks and financial institutions etc. on
behalf of customers

Education
Aligarh Muslim University
Master of Business Administration (MBA), Accounting and
Finance · (1982 - 1984)

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