Ben Ganley Email & Phone Number

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Black Oaks specializes in Middle East corporate strategy, market advisory and capital market services; curating the formation, launch and market development of new ventures focusing in 5 core sectors: Financial Services | Fin & Prop Technology | Supply Chain & Logistics | Retail | Real Estate. Black Oaks fosters a culture willing to undertake ambitious and considered projects, to challenge the status quo and collaborate with a range of retained partners.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Represented a portfolio of 15 Islamic Sovereign Wealth Funds, Family Offices and Investment Companies domiciled in the UAE and KSA.Key responsibilities:- Restructure company to deliver sustainable, realizable returns to shareholders.- Design and deliver foundation for top-line growth and market diversification.- Secure equity and project partners to deliver growth opportunities across EMEA.- Design and recommend public markets platform.- Develop a corporate culture of ‘Winning Behaviours’.- Senior advisor to related shareholder Boards and Committees.Key achievements:- Reported year-on-year double digit Net Profit.- 4x growth in balance sheet via strengthening of underlying assets, optimized treasury and cashflow, and securing bankable project pipeline.- Issuance of annnualized 6% dividend during tenure.- Completed disposal of commercial assets to UAE public REIT with trailing forward sale of asset expansion program. - Secured and refinanced multiple rounds of Islamic project financing.- Transitioned financial reporting in advance of IFRS 16 and 17 compliance, and FTA [VAT] implementation. - Design & launch of new logo, on/offline brand collaterals and marketing platform.- Executed multiple JV agreements to co-develop ‘social infrastructure’ including healthcare, education, retail, affordable housing and logistics within EMEA.- Right sized the Company and implemented Balanced Scorecards to highlight, attract and retain key corporate skills and attributes.- Engaged AON Hewitt to design and implement company-wide compensation program, integrating monthly salary and benefits with short (1yr) and long term (3yr) incentive programs. - Rescheduled shareholder registry and updated MOA per CCL amendments including inclusion of Supervisory Board and Committees.

Kuwait

Direct advisory and support to Mr. Rafed Abdel Mohsen Bader Al Khorafi (Chairman) and the Al Khorafi Family Office.

Kuwait

Key responsibilities:- Support consortium proposal to acquire Liverpool Football Club and redevelop the stadium including integrated retail precinct, multi-family accommodation and rail connectivity to major transport hubs.- Restructure all active development contracts and bank facilities.- Design and implement public markets platform via London listing.- Design and implement group real estate strategy across EMEA.- Lead asset acquisitions via structured equity and M&A across EMEA.- Secure equity and project partners.- Senior advisor to related shareholder Boards and Committees.Key achievements: - Active member of the Liverpool FC bid team, securing Sharia compliant finance proposal sponsored by Malaysian, Kuwait, Bahrain and UK investor consortium. [Nb. bid was unsuccessful].- Listed RAK Real Estate Ltd [Q1,2009] on ICAP Securities (UK) [formerly Plus Markets] at USD 988MM.- Implemented a reverse takeover of Rafco Int’l Real Estate KSC by RAK Real Estate Ltd to support NAV and bolster share pricing per UK audit and FSA regulatory oversight.- Accessed European credit markets via the UK listing, with Société Générale and GE Capital preferred banks.- Restructured USD 20MM project financing with Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait.- Secured floating debt finance for project pipeline coverage at 60% LTV. - Secured USD 150MM contractor financing (client remaining borrower on record) with construction companies domiciled in US, UK, Korea and Kuwait.- Implemented ‘Buyer Export Credit’ via European and Asian government ‘Export Credit Guarantee’ programs.- Design and delivery of new projects including 32 level, premium commercial office tower, Al Sharq, Kuwait and premium 20 level hotel, office tower and retail precinct, Al Salmiya, Kuwait. - Secured and managed project pipeline including redevelopment of 21 Sq Km King Hussein Airbase, Mafraq, Jordan and step-in agreement to develop 44 level Hilton hotel, commercial office tower and retail precinct, Amman, Jordan.

London, United Kingdom

Develop, acquire and source social infrastructure and affordable housing projects across the United Kingdom.

London, United Kingdom

Key responsibilities: - Design and implement real estate strategy to increase and broaden client base.- Secure UK development pipeline and partners.- Represent and report monthly to the Investment Committee on all pre-development and construction programs.- Lead Asset and Facilities Management of UK residential portfolio (600 properties and multiple freeholds).- Lead real estate acquisitions and development joint ventures.- Lead project feasibility and due diligence; market research and reporting.- Restructure corporate marketing, sales and leasing programs.- Establish a real estate services framework to expand revenue channels.Key achievements:- Acquired, developed and brokered USD 570MM in UK real estate assets.- Broadened retained client base from 250 to 2,000 within 18 months.- Exceeded target 100 monthly residential property sales on multiple occasions. [Nb. Completed 87 residential property sales in a single day [under JV development with Bellway Homes, Wales].- Full redesign of brand, marketing collateral and lead generation platforms; new communication plan via online channels, seminars and direct mailing programs.- Launched an integrated client services framework, including acquisitions, legal, mortgage and leasing.- Implemented UK mortgage finance model to support residential investment sales.- Developed new European investor markets in preparation for IPO during 2008.- Originated Islamic finance Joint Venture with Ithmaar Bank.- Right sized the Company and implemented Balanced Scorecards to highlight, attract and retain key corporate skills and attributes. Increased staffing from 12 to 75 in 18 months.

Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia

Key responsibilities: - Officer in Charge of The Chase, a 1.8 SqKm masterplan with 1,200 residential homes connected to the Municipality city center via a protected, natural escarpment with bike paths and walking trails. Gross Development Value USD 160MM.- Officer in Charge of Fairway Waters, a 1.4 SqKm masterplan with 1,800 residential homes, 11 recreational lakes and 18-hole Championship golf course. Gross Development Value USD 240MM.- Managing Director of Delfin Realty [NT], a full service [Lend Lease] estate agency.Key achievements:- Design and delivery of a 3,000 residential home masterplan incorporating locally tailored retail, community services such as education and childcare facilities, petrol station, medical facilities and emergency services, and recreational facilities including 18-hole golf course, tennis courts and walking trails.- Restructured project engineering, procurement and construction programs to deliver project land subdivision stock, commercial and retail precincts and community assets.- Restructured in/external project teams and delivery per national Lend Lease strategy and targets.- Repositioned estate agency as residential and commercial agency of choice for masterplan residents and occupiers.- Redesigned marketing, sales and leasing programs.- Fostered regulatory and municipality relationships.- Integrated national governance methodology and policies within regional reporting framework.- Combined sales volume increased 50% and plot pricing by 30% within 24 months.

Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia

Key responsibilities:- Develop and reposition Casuarina Square, 45,000 Sqm regional shopping center with 220 tenants. Gross Development Value USD 275MM.Key achievements:- Designed and launched integrated Casuarina Square retail programs, significantly uplifting market share and center revenues.- Exceeded all national benchmarks and center KPI’s including:> Footfall/traffic, Moving Annual Turnover and monthly revenue data.> Critical tenancy profile; debtors list, marketing fund contributions and expenditure.> Vacancy rates and forward tenancy agreements.- Identified re-development and leasing opportunities per national retail strategy.- As member of the retail team, manage CapEx submissions on behalf of asset owner General Property Trust, tenant sinking fund, center redevelopment, retail planning, industry and government mandated infrastructure programs.

Darwin, Australia

Mandated by the 'big four' Australian banks to administer and liquidate property development, contracting and retail companies trading in default of bank finance covenants.

Bachelor Of Commerce - Bcom

Associate Diploma, Labor And Industrial Relations

High School Diploma