Leverage in the Desert: The Birth of Private Equity in the Middle East (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781490552842)

Imtiaz Hydari studied Physics and Mathematics at University. He is a fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and of the Chartered Institute of Management UK After a brief period in Internal Audit of Philips Electronic Industries in the UK, he moved to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where he served 22 years with the Olayan Group of Companies and its diverse business portfolio in positions of Finance and Administration, General Management and in the last five years as the Group President. He represented the Group on the Boards of several Joint Venture enterprises with major multinationals and played a major role in the expansion and development of its business activities during that period. He returned to the UK in 1996 where he was involved in business consultancy and advisory work. Imtiaz moved to the Middle East in 1998 when he led the acquisition of Inchcape's regional business portfolio, regarded as a land mark transaction in the region. Following the acquisition he was responsible for the development and ultimate exit of the portfolio giving birth to Private Equity in the Middle East. He was a senior partner at Rasmala private equity and a founder partner of Abraaj Capital. In 2004 he set up HBG a boutique private equity firm. He is currently the Executive Vice Chairman of HBG and Chairman of Rasmala Investment Bank. Imtiaz is married with three grown up children and resides in Dubai. He is a keen sportsman and spends much of his time promoting various charitable causes."Leverage in the Desert" is his editorial debut.