Gulf Capital, one of the largest and most active alternative asset management firms in the Middle East, announced today that it is expanding and strengthening its executive team with the appointment of Sharaf F. Sharaf as a Managing Director in Gulf Credit Partners, the Firm’s private debt business.
Based in Dubai, Sharaf Sharaf will join as a Managing Director in Gulf Credit Partners, which provides mezzanine debt and structured capital to growing regional small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Dr. Karim El Solh, Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Capital, commented: “We are excited to welcome Sharaf to our leadership team as we continue to grow our business. Sharaf’s expertise and his deep knowledge of the private debt and mezzanine sectors in the Middle East will add tremendous value to Gulf Credit Partners. This appointment builds on the existing strength of our platform across our private equity and private debt businesses, as we keep expanding our investment capabilities and delivering value to our investors.”
Christopher Foll, Senior Managing Director, Private Debt at Gulf Capital, added: “I am delighted to welcome Sharaf to the team and look forward to leveraging his deep knowledge and strong relationships across the industry in the Middle East and North Africa. His proven track record in origination, deployment and structuring will be a valuable addition to the team and will support the further growth of our private debt and mezzanine business.”
Sharaf Sharaf stated: “I am incredibly excited to assume this new role and for the future of Gulf Credit Partners. We have an exceptionally talented team with a strong track record that is focused on making smart credit investments, ensuring strong and stable returns for our investors. I look forward to building further on this success with confidence and determination.”
Before joining Gulf Capital, Sharaf F. Sharaf was a leader in the mezzanine business at NBK Capital Partners where he was responsible for origination, investment selection, execution and portfolio monitoring. He commenced his career in 2001 in Canada, in corporate lending and project finance with The Bank of Nova Scotia, and subsequently in leveraged finance with BNP Paribas. He also worked at Investcorp in Bahrain.
Sharaf F. Sharaf was educated in the United States and received his Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia. He continued his studies at the University of San Diego where he received his Juris Doctorate, the highest professional degree in law in the United States and was admitted to the State Bar of California. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of San Diego.
