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Nikolas

Partner at Gulf Investor Circle Group / Superior Practices / OptiStructure / Pandas / Infinite Orbits

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Partner at Gulf Investor Circle Group / Superior Practices

Domain experience

Relevant Total Experience: 24 years

Seniority Level: Senior

Sector Experience: 

Communication Services Consumer Discretionary Consumer Staples Energy Financials FinTech Health Care Industrials Information Technology Materials Real Estate Utilities

Skills

Skilled in: Corporate Development, Due Diligence, Legal, Portfolio Services & Add-on M&A, Private Equity & Growth Capital, Sell-side M&A

Languages: English, French, Greek

Work Experience

Gulf Investor Circle Group / Superior Practices / OptiStructure / Pandas / Infinite Orbits

Partner

1/1/2011

 

- Now

• Specialization in Telco/Digital, AI, Circular Economy, Banking/Fintech, Mobile/Digital Marketing, Analytics, Tourism, Space and Energy • 29 investments, with average ROI of 35% and incremental revenue of 80m USD, 2 major exits • Setting up of 9 new businesses, 4 rep offices and 25 partnerships worldwide • Specialisation in Telco/Digital, AI, Circular Economy, banking/fintech, mobile marketing, analytics, digital marketing, space, energy and tourism • Nurturing relationships with C-suite executives and internal stakeholders to structure solutions for clients, addressing product market fit, cost modeling, deal shaping, and go-to-market strategies • Managing clients, investors, lawyers, consultants, VCs, PEs, investment banks and other financial institutions • Designing long term objectives, managing a team of 15 people, • Engaging in active business development of all subsidiaries and affiliate companies in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, focusing on Telco/Digital and Fintech • Cross-boarder transactions, Financing and Deal structuring, Fund raising and budgeting • Establishment and evaluation of local affiliates and representative offices • Successful market entry into Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Turkey, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malta, Singapore, Indonesia, Luxembourg, Greece, Croatia, Portugal, Cyprus, UK, Italy, France • Providing mentorship, strategy as Board Advisor / Board Member for Group and affiliate companies • Acting as Interim CEO on a number of ventures

Adaa Financial Services

Chief Executive Officer

1/10/2013

 

- 31/3/2016

• Managing the full set up of the business in the DIFC – DIFC approved • Client onboarding, hiring full team, business plan, compliance, KYC, go to market strategy, investment memo, risk analysis, AML • Setting up partnerships for custodian accounts, fund administration, auditors • Formulating policies, product portfolio, best practices, business continuity

Al-Rajhi Bank

Head of International Expansion and M&A

1/1/2009

 

- 31/12/2011

• Managing International Presence and Business Development of Al-Rajhi Bank, reporting to DCEO & GM Strategy, leading a team of 2 associate directors, 15 development & support and all International staff • Formulating International Strategy, analysing & evaluating key markets. Devising optimum entry strategies & prioritising country expansions • Actively leading business plan and budgeting formulation and coordinating product development, marketing, systems support and infrastructure activities for each country • Successful Greenfield entry into Kuwait and Jordan and advanced stages for key MENA region and Asian markets (like Turkey, UAE, Egypt, Indonesia, France and Pakistan) through greenfield and M&As • Coordinating all vital functions at Headquarters to develop & support International business including Retail, Corporate, Investment Banking, Insurance, Finance, IT, Treasury, HR, Risk, Admin, Marketing, Risk, Operations, Compliance, Audit and designing & restructuring the org. chart and communication lines to cater for the International needs of ARB • Establishing and entertaining fruitful relationships with Regulators, Central Banks, Legal firms, Consulting, Investment banks, Head hunters, Real estate, Audit firms and 3rd party vendors • Recruiting & inducting CEOs and key personnel for ARB's International Presence. Acting CEO for Kuwait and Jordan until final appointment and approval by regulators • Active support and leading direction to Malaysian operations with extended opportunities' analysis for the wider Asian market • Led three acquisition attempts in 2009 in different countries of interest with an avg. offer value of $1-1.5bn USD • Selected as one of the 12 top high potential future leaders of the bank for special training and development

Prudential Insurance & Asset Management

Regional Manager M&A & Strategic Planning APAC, MEAST

1/1/2007

 

- 31/12/2008

• In charge of M&A and strategic expansion both for insurance and asset management, focusing on the greater M. East region, N. Africa and Asia/Pacific. Close interaction with CEO and CFO both on local and global Heads level • Led one acquisition attempt of a Turkish financial institution and initiated the spinoff of a local Asian operation • Devised market entry strategies for MENA region (Egypt, Turkey) and supported expansion in Saudi Arabia • Coordinated with investment banks in order to identify potential acquisition targets (insurance/financial institutions) and expansion opportunities both in conventional and Islamic markets (Takaful) • Leading the analysis for competitors' M&A and JVs in order to devise a better informed strategy • Selected as one of 10 members for the company's executive leadership programme (Momentum) to receive special treatment, resources and training in a fast track to top executive management

EADS

Manager Corporate Strategy, Planning & M&A

1/1/2003

 

- 31/12/2006

• Formulated proposals for corporate & regional strategies and industrial JVs working close to EADS' top management for EADS' aeronautics product portfolio varying from Airbus to Eurofighter including Eurocopter, Astrium, Ariane Space, Galileo, ATR, Defense & Security Systems and Electronics, specializing in Russia, Italy, Greece, Africa and Eastern Europe • Identified & evaluated new business development, industrial co-operations and M&A deals • Prepared economic, political, defense and competitive market analysis & country profiles • Initiated a strategic proposal implemented by top management for the acquisition of 10% of the leading Russian aerospace company Irkut for $70m • Participated in new product developments through industrial cross-border cooperatives combining mostly aircrafts/drones and electronics through proposed partnerships

Lerbret SAS

Chartering Broker

1/1/2003

 

- 31/12/2003

• Introduced new partners & clients and recommended ships in successful fixtures • Negotiated major charter parties, exposed to freight determination techniques in a dynamic market techniques

Lagardere

Business Development Associate

1/1/2002

 

- 31/12/2003

• Established customers to sell advertising space and/or airtime for the Group's TV channels, Radio, Internet and Magazines (Elle, Paris Match) • Identified and capitalized on the opportunities related to the Olympic Games 2004 in Athens Greece supporting further advertising sales

Citi

M&A Financial Analyst

1/1/2001

 

- 31/12/2002

• Covered the Greek market specializing in the Aerospace, Media, Shipping and Gaming sectors • Active role in OPAP's (Leading Greek gaming company) EUR 1.3 billion international offering and listing on the Athens Exchange - one of the most successful international equity offerings from Greece • Supported major M&A transactions, financial pitches and books for client presentations, through corporate and market research, company assessment & pricing, comparative company analysis, stock and research reports evaluation

Accenture

Strategy and Business Architecture Analyst

1/1/2001

 

- 31/12/2001

• Supported the launch of an Italian bank in Greece. Business plan development, product design, profitability analysis, multi channel network strategy and authority levels framework building

SCHRODER SALOMON SMITH BARNEY

Summer Financial Analyst in the Investment Banking Technology, Media & Internet Team

1/1/2000

 

- 31/12/2000

• Produced the first and only Greek Internet market analysis that is routinely used with clients

Education

INSEAD

1/1/2006

 

- 31/12/2007

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

1/1/1998

 

- 31/12/2001

Athens College

1/1/1996

 

- 31/12/1998

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