Today Awad Advisory announced that it has received final approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority to operate a category 4 licensed firm in the Dubai International Financial Centre. The firm is rebranding as Awad Capital Ltd. and has relocated its offices to Emirates Financial Towers. The move also marks the second year anniversary of Awad Advisory’s operations.
The firm also announced the formation of an Advisory Board that will support the management team in its growth plans. The Advisory Board is chaired by Dr Nasser Saidi and comprises Mr. Khamis Buharoon and Mr. Khalid Al Mannaei from the UAE, Mr. Fred Aubin from Canada and Mr. Omar Al Madhi from Saudi Arabia. The firm offers a broad range of strategic financial advisory services including: Sell-Side and Buy-side Mergers and Acquisitions Advisory, Corporate Finance Advisory, IPO and Debt Advisory, and Investment Advisory services.
Ziad Awad, CEO of Awad Capital, said: “We are pleased to be moving to the DIFC, which we see as the financial hub of a very broad region. We see ongoing growth in the regional financial markets and strong demand from our clients for personalized customer services over the very long term.” Mr. Andrew Gazitua, formerly Head of Corporate and Investment Banking for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa at Bank America Merrill Lynch has agreed to join the Board of Awad Advisory as the Senior Independent Director. Mr. Gazitua, who sits on a number of other banking boards, said: “I see significant interest by Middle Eastern clients in cross border opportunities in the Emerging Markets and I look forward to supporting the Awad Capital team in developing these prospects”. Dr. Nasser Saidi, Chairman of the Awad Capital Advisory Board, said: “Given the rapid economic development of the region, there is a growing need for financial advisory services by institutions of all sizes and geographies. We look forward to actively supporting the financial growth of the region and contribute to the development of the local and regional capital markets”