Tamim Hamad Al Kawari (pictured), the CEO of QINVEST, Qatar’s leading private investment group and one of the region’s most prominent Islamic financial institutions, was named ‘Gamechanger of the Year’ in the Middle East and Africa category at the ACQ5 Global Awards 2018. The group also received awards for ‘Asset Management Advisory Firm of the Year’ in the Middle East & Africa and in Qatar, and ‘Sharia-compliant Advisory Firm of the Year’ in Qatar.
Al Kawari joined QINVEST as CEO in November 2012, launching the group’s new strategy a year later. In 2013, the new streamlined group, operating under three divisions, Investment Banking, Asset Management and Principal Investments — which focuses on Real Estate, Credit, and Equity Investments; all supported by a dedicated Client Coverage and Distribution team — turned a profit for the first time in three years. In 2014, QINVEST’s strong financial performance allowed the group to share profits with shareholders for the first time in five years. Since then, and despite regional headwinds and adverse macroeconomic conditions, QINVEST has continued to be profitable, increasing revenues and controlling costs.
The group has pioneered an extensive range of products and services in the market including QMAP, the world’s first open architecture Sharia’a-compliant managed account platform, and the QINVEST SQN fund series, which have provided consistent, compelling returns and allowed Qatari and regional investors to diversify their portfolios.
QINVEST has completed 24 transactions totalling $858 million with a weighted realised cash IRR of 15.5 percent since Al-Kawari’s appointment.
Under Al Kawari’s leadership, QINVEST has also made significant contributions to the wider Islamic finance industry and the community. This has included the support of prestigious universities, such as Paris Dauphine and Qatar University, and awareness raising of important causes such as the Annual Autism Outreach and Training Symposium, organized by the Child Development Center in Qatar.
Since 2006, the ACQ Global Awards have celebrated achievement, innovation and brilliance across the business and financial industries. The awards are governed by an independent nomination process, while winners are selected by industry peers.
QINVEST continues to invest selectively and prudently across different sectors and markets particularly in international real estate, murabaha and equity investments, and funds, allowing it to deliver sustainable value to clients and shareholders.