Mohammad Athar Email & Phone Number

Saudi Arabia

Abha, 'Asir, Saudi Arabia

Dubai Uae

I co-founded Markab Advisory in September 2010 as a boutique consulting house based in the UAE. Our philosophy is to provide life long and end-to-end consulting services. We have worked on over 50 projects in the last five years for public sector organizations, banks and financial institutions, private equity houses and SMEs. We have a core team based in Dubai and presence in Canada, Bahrain and Pakistan. We also have a network of global experts in oil and gas, petrochemicals, healthcare, education, PPP and public sector; who work with us on projects. We can proudly count RTA (Dubai), Qatar Financial Centre, NBK, ADIB, QNB, Aljomaih Group, Emerging Markets Partnership as our clients. At Markab we also incubate projects and so far we have established and rolled out two businesses. Our role in incubation pertains to business planning, fundraising, corporate governance and lifelong strategic support. Our retail platform JBC is now two years old and has over 15 retail establishments across UAE.Our second project is in the healthcare space, where we are developing a mental health rehabilitation centre in Abu Dhabi, in partnership with well-known investors, a global technical partner and a high profile UAE based strategic partner. The project is expected to be commissioned in second quarter of 2015.

Office Of His Excellency The Minister

Working in the office of His Excellency the Minister, I am engaged in various projects concerning economic research, policy formulation and analysis, and special projects. Key Projects:Establishing MEP’s Advisory Board of International Economic Experts and its Secretariat. The Board comprises of world-class economists and practitioners. Led selection of the board members, securing their memberships. Led preparing for the first meeting of the Advisory Board including agenda and content development, design and format of the meeting. Prepared key takeaways for the leadership on cross section of topics including broad economic philosophy, role of the public sector, labor markets, economic diversification and foreign direct investments. Development of Ministry’s strategy and operational plan. Economic model for Saudi Arabia’s future economic growth and development, backed by a distinctive economic philosophy and relevant benchmarks of economic transformation of comparable countries. National Public Policy Committee to assist the Kingdom’s leadership in developing and implementing economic policies.National Development Fund to oversee and enhance performance of Kingdom’s largest socioeconomic fundsPerformance evaluation of the Kingdom’s pension funds to supplement development of reforms in the national pension systemContent packs for the senior leadership for participating in the IMF/World Bank meetings and World Economic ForumPolicy white papers on critical topics of economic policies and transformation.

Saudi Arabia

Center for Strategic Development is a government linked socioeconomic think tank of Saudi Arabia. It is a recently established institution. Its objective is to conduct policy oriented research and advisory work. CSD is one of the key initiatives under the Kingdom's National Transformation Program. CSD has three main functional areas - Research and Policy, Knowledge Hub and Advisory Services. The think tank will be primarily serving the public sector and state owned entities in the Kingdom, though engagement with the private sector will be equally essential for the working of the Center. The Center has five distinct research programs linked to socioeconomic development agenda under the Saudi National Vision. These programs include national development strategies, labor markets and human capital development, national economy and competitiveness, social development and welfare, and natural resources and environment. The Advisory Services function in the think tank will be working closely with the public sector on specific projects and will have strong linkages with CSD's Research and Policy function and its research agenda.The Knowledge Hub is another critical function of the think tank. This function is responsible for integrating the knowledge capital in the Kingdom with specific focus on collating, analyzing and dissemenating policy oriented insights to facilitate the policy formulation activities.My role in the Center is to work with the leadership of the think tank on corporate development strategies and to also oversee the development and functioning of the Advisory services.

Manama, Bahrain

I was part of the founding team and one of the partners at the firm. My role was primarily to work as a transactor, however, I was also involved in strategic decision making. In addition, I was part of the management's investment committee, which was responsible for scanning and filtering investment opportunities, conducting initial due diligence on shortlisted transactions, preparing investment case and conducting detailed due diligence on selected transactions. The firm focused on infrastructure investments in Islamic Development Bank member countries. Manara Equity Partners closed three transactions including 10% equity stake in Air Asia X. The firm was supported by leading business groups from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Manama, Bahrain

Emerging Markets Partnership was the fund manager for USD730 million Islamic Development Bank Infrastructure Fund. I joined the firm as Investment Officer and later promoted to Deputy Director Investments. I was involved in scanning and analyzing investment opportunities.In addition to investment analysis work, I was extensively involved in developing EMP's new fund initiative focused on the energy sector.

Dubai, Uae

Part of the founding team of Start Consult, a boutique management consulting firm based in Dubai. During five years with Start, I was part of developing the firm's practice from a single client (a PE house which was also a shareholder in Start) to a multi-client and multi-territory outfit. Led over 40 projects in various sectors. First encounter with the VC and PE industry, where we became part of the evolution of PE industry in the region. Part of the team which structured management buyout of Dun and Bradstreet and rolled out its operations across the MENA region.

Karachi, Pakistan

Joined MCB Bank's Investment Banking Group immediately after getting out of college. I was part of a small yet very busy group, focusing on a wide range of project finance, syndications, IPO and private placements and transaction advisory activities. Participated in a number of high profile CF deals in Pakistan including USD 898 million GDR issue of Pakistan Telecommunication Company.During the last one year of my service, I was heading the Investment Banking Group. At the time, focus was primarily on project finance and syndications. I led a number of transactions and my clients included Pakistan Telecommunications, Karachi Electric Supply Corporation and some of the leading business groups in Pakistan.

Master In Finance, Finance, Investments, Private Equity, Corporate Finance

Completed a one year specialized program focusing on finance, accounting, equity valuation, fixed income and private equity. The program.

Master Of Business Administration (Mba), Finance And Investments

I completed a four year MBA program. I specialized in finance, investment management and strategic management.

Education record