Growing platforms and strategic partnerships are generating growth
Having a vision of becoming the leading global Islamic investment bank is a bold statement. And when you’ve only been in existence for only three years operating on a regional landscape with some established players, such ambitions may be considered idealistic and overly ambitious.
But when you are the leading investment bank in the State of Qatar, and part of that country’s drive to create a world class financial services sector, visions and ambitions take on a whole new meaning.
Qatar is a country which will continue to generate vast amounts of surplus capital. No matter how much the country grows and how much you invest in Qatar, there will still be surplus capital to be re-invested. And when that wealth gets exported by institutions, corporations and high net worth individuals, QInvest is on hand to help with that investment process.
The converse is also true whereby QInvest can provide expertise to companies wanting to invest in Qatar and participate in the country’s phenomenal growth path fuelled by natural resources and some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the world – part of a strategy that remains at the top of the Government’s agenda.
Opening for business as recently as 2007 with authorised capital of $1bn, and now paid up capital of around $750m, with a talented team of over 130 professionals, QInvest is Qatar’s leading investment bank and widely regarded as one of the most progressive for innovatively looking ahead to create value for its clients.
Led by Chairman H.E. Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Bin Jabr Al Thani, and Chief Executive Officer, Shahzad Shahbaz, QInvest has created a world class investment banking capability operating under Sharia’a compliant structures, with the highest standards of governance and transparency.
Since inception, QInvest had substantial progress. Against a background of the challenging environment created by unprecedented global financial conditions, the firm has continued to build a strong platform supported by a solid partnerships to underpin long term growth whilst at the same time generate multiple revenue flows from a more diversified business model.
Based on a philosophy that “with trust comes sharing, through sharing comes partnership and through partnerships, value is created”, QInvest has wasted no time in creating a unique platform with strategic partnerships in the region and beyond. The platform offers a broad range of expertise which enables QInvest to deliver a high value service to clients, seamlessly covering advisory, financing and investment needs. The business lines include investment banking, investment management, brokerage and wealth management; with dedicated origination and placement teams.
To further strengthen its international reach, QInvest made two important strategic investments. The firm took a 47 percent stake in Panmure Gordon PLC in 2009 leveraging the experience and track record of the 130-year-old UK stockbroker/investment bank to forge ahead with plans to launch a pan-Middle East, institutionally focused Brokerage business before the end of 2010.
Complementing this, QInvest made a strategic investment in Ambit, a leading Investment Bank in India. The result - a unique footprint enabling client needs to be served across Investment Banking, Private and Public Equity investment, Wealth Management and Brokerage to meet significant demand for opportunities one of the world’s fastest growing economies, India.
Our business lines
Investment Banking
The team consists of seasoned professionals providing
expertise in all areas of financing and advisory
activities to corporate and institutional clients both
regionally and internationally. Working closely with
Origination & Coverage and Placement &
Distribution, the team delivers high quality execution to
QInvest clients. Investment banking areas of expertise
include:
» Mergers & Acquisitions
» Corporate Finance Advisory
» Equity Capital Markets
» Debt Capital Markets
» Leveraged Finance
» Real Estate Finance
» Asset and Liability Management
» Debt Restructuring
Investment Management
The firm’s investment business pursues opportunities across a broad range of asset classes with the objective of generating superior returns to the firm’s clients and shareholders. The business is developing selected investment products that can be offered to third party investors through funds and co-investment opportunities. The team originates investment ideas by leveraging QInvest’s local and global network of relationships and ensures best-in-class ideal execution through a focused team of experienced investment professionals.
Product expertise includes:
» Private Equity
» Listed Equities
» Pre-IPO
» PIPEs
» Equity Linked
»Mezzanine/ Subordinated Credit
» Sukuk
» Real Estate
Brokerage
QInvest is rolling out best-in-class brokerage that will deliver full service research, sales, trading and execution services across the QInvest geographic footprint. The business will leverage Panmure Gordon’s broad and deep expertise in brokerage and combine this with QInvest’s regional insight to create a market leader in the region.
The Brokerage line will deliver:
» High quality research-led execution
» Pan-GCC institutional platform
» Extended coverage to MENASA, Turkey and South-East Asia
regions
Wealth Management
The wealth management team is dedicated to offer a tailored service embracing clients’ total investment portfolios. The unit provides expertise in portfolio structuring, as well as an active advisory service, shaped around clients’ investment preferences and risk appetite.
Supported by cutting edge technology, areas of expertise
include:
» Multi Asset, Multi Manager Portfolio Advisory
» Portfolio Review, Analysis and Investment
Recommendations
» Fee and Service Provider Optimization and Due
Diligence
» Discretionary Portfolio Management
» Single Client and Family Office Fund Solutions
» Portfolio Restructuring, Disposal and Risk Overlays
Origination & Coverage
The Origination and Coverage team is dedicated to the sourcing of transactions across QInvest’s entire products and services suite. It is responsible for issuer client coverage, sourcing both investments and financing and advisory business opportunities across the geographies in which QInvest operates.
The team’s geographic coverage focuses on:
» Qatar
» GCC/ Middle East
» Africa
» Turkey
» South Asia
» South East Asia
Placement & Distribution
The Placement and Distribution business is dedicated to
connecting investors with high value investment
opportunities across its broad product range to match
their investment profile in terms of risk appetite, asset
class preference and time horizons. Placement and
Distribution works with a range of investor clients
including:
» Sovereign Wealth Funds
» Insurance Companies
» Pension Funds
» Banks / Corporates
» Asset Managers
» Family Offices
» High Net Worth Individuals
QInvest completed the process of broadening the firm’s core investment business to engage in not only direct private equity investment but additionally in listed equities and equity linked products, distressed assets, as well as selected credit investment opportunities. Progress has been made in increasing the proportion of revenue from 3rd party capital within its overall investment management activities, such as the introduction of managed portfolio accounts which is has attracted strong institutional interest and also the launch of the first Sharia’a compliant mezzanine shipping fund, a joint venture with ABN AMRO. Additionally, a number of new initiatives are in the pipeline.
On the investment banking front, QInvest has successfully
executed several mandates, notably acting:
1. sole financial advisor on behalf of Qatari Diar to
purchase the US Embassy in London
2. financial advisor on behalf of Qatar Navigation merger
with Qatar Shipping and Qatar Navigation
3. financial advisor on behalf of Qatar Islamic Bank on
development of a multipurpose mega mall that will be
developed in partnership with UAE based Al Futaim Group
4. lead manager and bookrunner on behalf of Qatar Islamic
Bank (QIB) for a debut US Dollar Reg S Sukuk transaction
QInvest has an enduring commitment to supporting the communities in which it operates. The firm has developed a programme of corporate social responsibility activities including funding a range of charitable, educational, social, cultural and sporting organizations and events; in addition to sponsoring conferences, seminars and other initiatives which support the growth of Sharia’a compliant financial services locally and across the region, and further enhance the status of the State of Qatar.
QInvest Creates Value for Clients - World Finance Magazine