History Founded in 1985 and incorporated in Luxembourg, the Group's early shareholders included Alex Brown & Sons, Banque Kleinwort Benson S.A., Kredietbank, S.A. Luxembourgeoise, BHF Bank Group, Arab Reinsurance Group, National Investments Co., and State Street Research and Management Co., as well as other institutional and individual investors in the Middle East. In 1996, members of the senior management team acquired the Group. Today, the Group's clients include many of its former shareholders, along with other institutions and individuals residing primarily in the Arabian Gulf. The Group acts as the lead investor in transactions, as well as a co-investor with other financial institutions. In addition, it provides advisory and investment banking services to its clients with respect to investments in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The Group’s Directors have accumulated significant investment, financing and mergers and acquisitions experience, and several of the Directors have held senior management positions in other organisations and operating companies. They have known each other and worked together for many years and have developed reputations, within their respective disciplines, for integrity, insight and professionalism