Vision
Build successful, scalable and sustainable healthcare and education investment platforms in the MENA region and beyond.
Mission
To invest sustainably towards generating impact on society and creating value for our shareholders.
Values
Commitment
Empowerment
Partnership
Integrity
Ambition
Commitment
Empowerment
Partnership
Integrity
Ambition
Our Guiding Principles
Amanat’s strategic roadmap provides the business with a clear vision and action plan to deliver sustainable growth and increase total shareholder returns (TSR). Our strategy is based on a series of guiding principles aimed at generating value in both the short- and longer-term.
- Invest in healthcare and education and establish specialized platforms
- Establish majority positions in platforms with operational capability
- Grow earnings and improve key return metrics
- Deliver solid and sustainable returns to shareholders
- Drive long-term change across chosen sectors
Explore Our Platforms
Target Operating Model
Amanat’s target operating model is centered on building platforms from which to drive new organic and inorganic growth. More specifically, the Company’s large-scale, integrated platforms provide a solid base from which to complete new acquisitions, develop larger and more attractive companies for monetization, and create incremental value leveraging economies of scale and potential synergy extraction. Moreover, Amanat’s platform approach enables the Company to effectively expand AUMs, raise capital and leverage head office costs.
healthcare
Special Education and Care
The Special Education and Care (“SEC”) sector strengthens both Amanat’s Healthcare and Education platforms by expanding their reach to cater for people of determination. The SEC sector remains nascent in the region with significant gaps in the quality of service and access for people in need. These factors, along with increasing awareness, earlier diagnosis, and reduced social stigmas, provide strong underlying growth drivers for the sector. Amanat aims to lead the development of the SEC sector in the region with the goal of enhancing quality and outcomes for this segment of the population while creating a lasting and meaningful social impact on the communities we operate in.
Post-Acute Care
Post-acute care (PAC) refers to the continued post-hospitalization that provides care and rehabilitation services to patients recovering from surgery, chronic illness, mental illness, or disability. As the region’s aging population grows and lifestyle diseases become increasingly prevalent, countries around the GCC are having to confront with a widening gap between the demand for high-quality post-acute care services and their supply. To address this growing supply gap, governments across the region will look increasingly towards private players. Public-private partnerships in the PAC sub-sector are anticipated to grow in popularity over the coming years as governments work to diversify their healthcare budgets and optimize their specialized care offering.
Specialist Care
Investing in specialized healthcare allows investors to provide a more focused and tailored approach for patients, this is especially important for specific healthcare needs and the growing demand for quality healthcare services. Such specialty care aims to provide end-to-end holistic care including ENT, obstetrics & gynecology, dermatology & cosmetology, physiotherapy, dentistry, gastroenterology, orthopedics, while also providing internal medicine, and pediatrics services.
Others
On the healthcare front, we are taking part in the advancement of medial tourism and patient repatriation in the region, effectively leveraging our integrated healthcare platforms to offer high-quality specialized medical services that have the ability to compete with those offered by other emerging markets.
enabling platforms
Venture Capital
Our Venture Capital Platform allows us to invest in rapidly growing education and healthcare technology players that are changing the provision of conventional academia and healthcare. We aim to develop and establish partnerships with leading international providers whose business models are transferrable to the region and integrated to derive value and create a source of accelerated development and competitive differentiation.
education
Higher Education
In recent years, an increasingly conducive and supportive operating environment, coupled with the region’s solid demographic profile, has enabled the GCC’s higher education sector to be an attractive opportunity for regional and global investors. Higher education has generally shown a strong resiliency through the pandemic period, with some institutions enjoying a net benefit stemming from lower mobility coupled with willingness from students to seek additional degrees and take additional courses and credit hours. Government initiatives have been aimed at increasing quantity and quality of the higher education options available, fostering the development of the regional sector and limiting the need for outbound mobility. The UAE is rapidly strengthening its position as an international higher education hub, as testified by the material increase in international students witnessed in our higher education portfolio.
K-12
The demand for private investors in the K-12 sector in the region continues to grow as governments aim to increase private participation in education. This has been further reinforced by a young and growing population and an increasingly affluent middle-class looking to spend on high-quality education. With significant progress visible in countries such as the UAE, other regional economies, such as KSA, are stepping up their efforts with several transformative measures being implemented to grow the private sector’s participation in this space.
Special Education and Care
The Special Education and Care (“SEC”) sector strengthens both Amanat’s Healthcare and Education platforms by expanding their reach to cater for people of determination. The SEC sector remains nascent in the region with significant gaps in the quality of service and access for people in need. These factors, along with increasing awareness, earlier diagnosis, and reduced social stigmas, provide strong underlying growth drivers for the sector. Amanat aims to lead the development of the SEC sector in the region with the goal of enhancing quality and outcomes for this segment of the population while creating a lasting and meaningful social impact on the communities we operate in.
Venture Capital
Our Venture Capital Platform allows us to invest in rapidly growing education and healthcare technology players that are changing the provision of conventional academia and healthcare. We aim to develop and establish partnerships with leading international providers whose business models are transferrable to the region and integrated to derive value and create a source of accelerated development and competitive differentiation.
Social Infrastructure
Our Social Infrastructure Platform offers Amanat an opportunity to create a sizeable and diversified portfolio of real estate assets while providing sustainable long-term lease relationships for our portfolio companies.
The Amanat Value-Add
As an active investor, Amanat provides comprehensive and hands-on management for its investments, leveraging its knowledge and expertise to build them into market-leading operations. We approach value creation through our three-pronged approach covering corporate strategy, corporate finance and corporate governance.
Corporate Strategy
Amanat works closely with management teams across its portfolio to develop and implement organic and inorganic growth strategies. In parallel, the Company also focuses on enhancing operations, driving efficiencies and capitalizing on cross-asset integration whenever possible.
Corporate Strategy
Corporate Finance
As part of Amanat’s support with regards to corporate finance, the Company primarily works with platform companies to formulate efficient financial strategies comprising capital structure optimization and the support of funding requirements. For the Company, this also entails leading in the execution of opportunistic add-on and bolt-on acquisitions, joint ventures, and public-private partnerships (PPP).
Corporate Finance
Corporate Governance
Amanat views strong corporate governance frameworks as a key component in supporting a business long-term growth ambition. As such, the Company works closely with its investments to develop and implement sound decision-making frameworks and to establish best-in-class processes and policies across its assets.
Corporate Governance
Meet Our Team
Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil
Chairman
Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil
Dr. Shamsheer is the Chairman of Amanat Holdings PJSC (“Amanat”).
Dr. Shamsheer is a seasoned strategic investor with a comprehensive background in the healthcare sector. He has played a pivotal role in guiding two of his founded companies to public markets in Abu Dhabi in his entrepreneurial journey spanning over one-and-a-half decades. His expertise lies in recognizing market gaps and orchestrating the expansion of healthcare services to address them, solidifying his position as a leading investor in the largest healthcare companies in the MENA region and India.
Dr. Shamsheer works closely with UAE authorities to spearhead transformative initiatives with more significant national and global implications. His visionary concepts, energized by the dynamic milieu of the UAE, prove his appreciation for the nation that has served as the cradle for his innovative ideas. Driven by a deep-seated commitment to cultivating the next generation of leaders in the UAE, he actively engages in various programs to nurture their growth and development.
Dr. Shamsheer is the Founder and Chairman of Burjeel Holdings PJSC and a Member of the Board of Directors at Response Plus Holding PJSC (RPM).
In addition to his corporate responsibilities, he is dedicated to enhancing healthcare capabilities in the UAE and serves on several prestigious committees, including the UAE Medical Council, the International Health Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
Qualifications: Dr. Shamsheer has completed his medical training at Kasturba Medical College, India, after which he received additional specialty training in radiology.
Period served as a Board Member of the Company: Following his election at the General Assembly held on 20 November 2023.
Period served as Chairman of the Company: Following his election at the Board of Directors meeting held on 28 December 2023.
Mr. Abdulla Mohammed Alhosani
Vice Chairman
Mr. Abdulla Mohammed Alhosani
Mr. Abdulla is the Vice Chairman of Amanat Holdings PJSC (“Amanat”).
Mr. Abdulla is a highly seasoned banking professional from the United Arab Emirates, boasting an impressive 30 years of experience in the industry.
Throughout his journey, Mr. Abdulla has consistently demonstrated exceptional expertise and leadership within the development of the banking industry, including retail banking, commercial banking, business research, and quality assurance, contributing to the growth and advancement of the UAE’s banking sector. Mr. Abdulla has held key leadership positions in renowned banking institutions across the UAE, including National Bank of Abu Dhabi, First Gulf Bank, Commercial Bank of Dubai, Bank of Oman / Mashreq Bank.
In addition to his achievements in the banking sector, Mr. Abdulla has played a notable part in growing Al Salem Company Ltd as an investment firm in the UAE market.
Mr. Abdulla currently sits on several boards, including Ajman Bank, Union Insurance Company, and Gulf Cement Company.
Qualifications: Mr. Abdullah holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics from the United Arab Emirates University.
Period served as a Board Member of the Company: Following his election at the General Assembly held on 20 November 2023.
Period served as Vice Chairman of the Company: Following his election at the Board of Directors meeting held on 28 December 2023.
Mr. Hamad Abdulla Alshamsi
Board Director
Mr. Hamad Abdulla Alshamsi
Mr. Hamad is a Non-Executive Board Member at Amanat Holdings PJSC (“Amanat”)
Mr. Hamad is a UAE national businessman, with a wealth of experience that spans more than two decades, overseeing several businesses across multiple disciplines, including financial services and investments.
Mr. Hamad was the CEO of a Private Investment Company specialized in investments and real estate development projects.
He also currently serves as a Board member of Dubai Islamic Bank and Americana. In addition, Mr. Hamad was the Chairman of the Board of Directors at ADX, IHC, and Al Qudrah Holdings and Board Member at Etihad Airways, Finance House, and Al Hilal Bank.
Qualifications: Mr. Hamad holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from UAE University and an MBA majoring in finance and banking from the United States of America.
Period served as a Board Member of the Company: Following his election at the General Assembly held on 16 November 2017.
Dr. Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Aldhaheri
Board Director
Dr. Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Aldhaheri
Dr. Ali is a Non-Executive Board Member at Amanat Holdings PJSC (“Amanat”)
Dr. Ali has a proven track record spanning over two decades in both education and business. He has founded, launched, and managed several thriving business ventures in diverse sectors such as IT, education, tourism, and real estate. Moreover, Dr. Ali has been actively engaged in high-level government tourism and development strategies, MICE, and education management.
Currently, he holds several significant positions, including Chairman and Founder of Abu Dhabi University, Chairman and CEO of NEMA Education, Chairman of Cambridge Medical and Rehabilitation Center, Managing Director of Bin Harmal Group, and Chairman of Liwa Education and Magna Investments. Furthermore, he serves on the boards of various listed companies, including Chairman of Watania International Holding, Board member of Al Ramz Corporation, and previously the Vice Chairman of Amanat Holdings. Dr. Ali is also the First Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and a member of the Economic Cooperation Committee for Government and Private Sectors in Abu Dhabi.
Qualifications: Dr. Ali holds an MBA from the American University in Washington DC, USA, and a PhD from Durham University, United Kingdom.
Period served as a Board Member of the Company: Following his election at the General Assembly held on 15 November 2020.
Mrs. Sara Khalil Nooruddin
Board Director
Mrs. Sara Khalil Nooruddin
Mrs. Sara is a Non-Executive Board Member at Amanat Holdings PJSC (“Amanat”)
Mrs. Sara is the Deputy Chief Investment Officer at Osool, where she leads the Investment and Asset Allocation functions. Throughout her career, Mrs. Sara has demonstrated expertise in private investing, sourcing, evaluating, and monitoring fund managers and investment opportunities on a global scale. She has been at Osool Asset Management since 2013. Prior to joining Osool Asset Management, Mrs. Sara was a Private Equity Manager at Gulf International bank (GIB).
Mrs. Sara serves on the board of a London-based Real Estate Company, Ageila Capital Management, Amlak Real Estate Company, and Al Malaki Specialist Hospital.
Qualifications: Mrs. Sara holds a BBA with a concentration in finance from George Washington University, United States of America and she is a certified Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
Period served as a Board Member of the Company: Following her election at the General Assembly held on 8 August 2019.
H.E. Dhafer Sahmi Al Ahbabi
Board Director
H.E. Dhafer Sahmi Al Ahbabi
H.E. Dhafer is a Non-Executive Board Member at Amanat Holdings PJSC (“Amanat”)
H.E. Dhafer is an accomplished executive, investor, and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in managing investments by capitalizing on his sharp business acumen, technical expertise, interpersonal skills, and strategic mindset, among other attributes. He was instrumental in penetrating new markets and achieving unprecedented growth for the companies he had previously founded and managed.
H.E. Dhafer is currently the Chairman of Al Ramz Corporation PJSC. His previous appointments have been in the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority as a Board Member at First Gulf Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Invest Bank, Al Wathba Insurance, Aabar Investments, and Abu Dhabi University Holding Group.
Qualifications: H.E. Dhafer holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from United Arab Emirates University.
Period served as a Board Member of the Company: Following his election at the General Assembly held on 15 November 2020.
Mr. Omran Mohammedsaleh Alkhoori
Board Director
Mr. Omran Mohammedsaleh Alkhoori
Mr. Omran is a Non-Executive Board Member at Amanat Holdings PJSC (“Amanat”)
Mr. Omran is the leading face of innovation and change in the UAE’s private sector. With over two decades of experience spanning the healthcare and oil and gas industries, Mr. Omran’s strategic insights and decision-making prowess have been instrumental in steering organizations towards growth and innovation.
Mr. Omran’s robust educational and social foundation has equipped him with the knowledge and skills to drive impactful change. His career journey has not only been marked by personal success but also by a commitment to revitalizing the allure of the private sector for Emirati professionals, inspiring many with the opportunities and growth prospects within the healthcare industry.
Currently, Mr. Omran serves as the Chairman of Response Plus Holding PJSC (RPM), the largest pre-hospital medical services provider in the UAE and KSA. Additionally, he is a Member of the Board of Directors at Burjeel Holdings, Al Maryah Community Bank, and Aman Insurance Company. He also serves as the Chairman of Keita Catering LLC. Beyond his corporate engagements, Mr. Omran is deeply committed to societal advancement, serving as the Secretary General of the Union for Human Rights Association.
Qualifications: Mr. Omran holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Diploma in Science from Suffolk University in Boston, United State of America.
Period served as a Board Member of the Company: Following his election at the General Assembly held on 20 November 2023.
John Ireland
Chief Executive Officer
John Ireland
John Ireland is the Chief Executive Officer at Amanat.
John has a wealth of experience in the Healthcare and Education sectors. He initially joined Amanat in 2021 as its Chief Financial Officer.
John has over 20 years of experience in finance, strategy, and investment roles across a variety of industries including real estate, media, and entertainment.
Prior to joining Amanat, John served as the Chief Financial and Strategy Officer (CF&SO) of Qiddiya, Saudi Arabia’s capital for entertainment, sports and the arts. Before that, he was the (CF&SO) at DXB Entertainments from 2017 to 2020 and the CFO of Rotana Media Group from 2011 to 2017.
Earlier in his career, John worked across various investment, strategy and finance roles for News Corporation, based in London and covering Europe and Asia. He also worked as a Manager at Deloitte UK between 2005 and 2007.
John holds a Bachelor of Arts in business management from the University of Exeter and is a Qualified Chartered Accountant.
Fadi Habib
Head of Investments
Fadi Habib
Fadi currently holds the position of Head of Investments at Amanat.
Since joining Amanat in April 2015, Fadi has been instrumental in executing the Company’s mandate through evaluating investment opportunities and leading strategic initiatives at portfolio companies. He joined Amanat from Scotiabank Global Banking & Markets in Toronto, where he served as Senior Associate in Equity Research, covering publicly listed Canadian banks and insurance companies, the largest sector on the Toronto Stock Exchange with well over USD 300 bn in market cap.
In the role, Fadi was a key member of one of Canada’s top-rated research teams renowned for the publication of actionable and market-moving investment recommendations. Prior to that, Fadi held roles in Corporate Banking and Asset Management at some of Canada’s top financial institutions.
Fadi is a CFA charter holder and holds a BSc in Engineering with Honors from Queen’s University in Canada and an MBA from McMaster University in Canada.
Tessa Lee
General Counsel and Company Secretary
Tessa Lee
Tessa is the General Counsel and Company Secretary at Amanat.
Tessa Lee brings over 18 years of legal expertise (with 16 years in the UAE) and a rich background in governance, risk and compliance, corporate M&A, investments, real estate and capital markets specifically. She has previously held key in-house positions as General Counsel and Vice President of Legal, Risk & Compliance at Dubai World Trade Centre, Senior Vice President of Meraas Holding, and Board Company Secretary for Dubai Parks & Resorts PJSC; as well as private practice expertise from the Corporate & Financial Services sector within Clyde & Co Middle East.
Tessa has played a pivotal role in developing effective legal structures in multiple jurisdictions, leading complex legal negotiations and building effective compliance strategies. Her work has not only supported the strategic objectives of the organisations she has been part of but also fostered robust legal compliance practices whilst building strong relationships with key stakeholders in the region. Additionally, she is a Hawkamah-certified Board Secretary, further evidencing her commitment to excellence in corporate governance.
Anas Al Masri
Finance Director
Anas Al Masri
Anas is a Finance Director at Amanat.
Anas works closely with Amanat C-levels and is responsible for managing the Company’s financial activities, directions, planning, execution of strategic decisions and complex financial statements.
Anas brings more than 21 years of professional experience in Finance such as, financial reporting, treasury and cash management, consolidation, financial analyzing and budgeting.
Prior to joining Amanat, Anas Al Masri served as a Regional Finance Director at a prominent international corporation. He focused on enhancing and overseeing a high-performing finance department across 6 countries worldwide.
Anas holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, he is a certified Financial Controller and is well trained and highly knowledgeable of IFRS.
Nadim Salha
Investments Director
Nadim Salha
Nadim is an Investment Director at Amanat, covering Private Equity and Venture Capital Investments. He has overall 18 years of professional experience in the investment scene across the MENA & GCC regions.
Before joining Amanat, Nadim was Head of Investment at TAMM Investments, a privately owned investment group with a well-diversified portfolio of holdings across the GCC. Prior to that, Nadim was a Principal at B&Y Venture Partners, a Venture Capital firm investing in technology start-ups on a global level. Nadim has also worked in the Investment Banking department of Audi Capital – Bank Audi Group, where he was involved in the execution of numerous mergers and acquisitions as well as fund-raising transactions in the MENA region. In his early professional years, Nadim worked for PwC and Deloitte.
Nadim holds an MBA from INSEAD Business School, France, and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the St. Joseph University of Beirut, Lebanon.
Simone Rocco
Investments
Simone Rocco
Simone is part of the Investment Team, focusing on both new acquisitions as well as management of portfolio companies. Prior to joining Amanat in June 2019, Simone was part of the MENA investment banking team of Barclays in Dubai, working on multiple transactions across M&A, ECM, DCM and Leveraged Finance. Prior to that, he worked for UBS Investment Bank in London and for Vitale&Co., an independent financial advisory boutique firm based in Milan. He holds a MSc in International Finance from HEC Paris and a BSc in Economics and Finance from Bocconi University.
Jad El Hajj
Investments
Jad El Hajj
Jad is part of the Investment Team, focusing on both new acquisitions as well as management of the current portfolio companies. Prior to joining Amanat in October 2021, Jad was part of the Investment Banking team at Bemo Securitization SAL (the investment banking arm of Banque BEMO), working on multiple transactions across M&A, Private Corporate Debt, Fiduciary Lending and Asset-backed Securitization Funds. He holds a BSc in Physics from the American University of Beirut.
Matthew Siddle
Investments
Matthew Siddle
Matthew is part of the Investment Team; before joining Amanat, he worked with Mizuho Gulf Capital Partners in private equity in the consumer goods, retail, and logistics sectors and was actively involved in portfolio management.
Prior to that, he worked at Citigroup in London as an investment banking associate, where he was involved in deals across the TMT sectors. Matthew started his career working in assurance at EY in London.
Matthew is a qualified Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from the University of Bath in the United Kingdom.
Grigor Papazyan
Investments
Grigor Papazyan
Grigor is part of the Investment Team; before joining Amanat, he worked at VTB Capital, a leading investment banking group in Eastern Europe, where he worked on valuations, commercial due diligences, and investment strategies on multiple transactions across M&A, ECM, and leveraged finance.
Prior to that, he worked for EAC Partners, an independent financial advisory boutique firm based in Sydney, Australia.
Grigor holds an MSc in Finance from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, and a BSc in Business Administration from MGIMO University in Moscow, Russia.
Strategic Milestones
