Profile

Salim is a US qualified attorney who regularly represents clients in a broad range of commercial and corporate transactions, including private equity, venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, capital raises and joint ventures in the GCC with a focus on the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Salim’s client base includes private equity firms and strategic players, both regional and international as well as regional family conglomerates.

Prior to joining Hourani & Partners, Salim worked as an auditor in Deloitte’s Paris office, and as an associate in the New York office of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP.

Expertise
  • Private Equity
  • Venture Capital
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Corporate
  • Banking & Finance
Experience

Salim’s experience includes advising:

  • Investcorp Saudi Pre-IPO Growth Fund LP in connection with the acquisition of a majority stake in Nour Internet for Communication and Information Technology Company, one of Saudi Arabia’s largest pure-play providers of connectivity and information and communication technology
  • Aliph Capital, the Middle East’s first female led private equity firm, in its acquisition of The Pet Shop from Kasamar Holding. The Pet Shop runs retail stores, is the leading regional pet products e-commerce site and provides pet services from boarding to day care, training, relocation and grooming
  • Saudi Biotechnology Manufacturing Company and its shareholders in connection with the investment by, and secondary sale to, the Pharmaceutical Investment Company, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia
  • HyperPay in connection with its US$ 40 million capital raise from Mastercard and AB Ventures (through the conversion of a convertible note) and the secondary sale by some of HyperPay’s existing shareholders of a minority equity stake to an investment vehicle managed by Amwal Capital Partners
  • A consortium composed of Abdullah Al Othaim Markets Company, United Feed Manufacturing Company and Allana International Limited in the tender process and subsequent acquisition of the Fourth Milling Company in Saudi Arabia
  • Kamal Osman Jamjoom Group in its acquisition of The Body Shop, the exclusive distributors of The Body Shop and operators of The Body Shop retail stores within the United Arab Emirates
  • Amethis MENA Fund II in connection with its acquisition of a minority equity stake in Tarjama, the leading language technology and services provider in the MENA region
  • Rocket Internet in its € 150 million acquisition of Talabat one of the leading players in the attractive online food takeaway market in the Middle East, headquartered in Kuwait
  • Delivery Hero, the leading global online food ordering and delivery marketplace, in its acquisition of Carriage, a young and fast-growing food delivery platform, based in Kuwait and operating in the GCC
  • SellAnyCar, a leading Dubai-based online car trader in connection with its US$ 35 million capital raise from Sanabil Investments, Olayan Financing Company and Gulf Investment Corporation
  • Bank Muscat in connection with the sale of its Saudi Arabian subsidiary, Muscat Capital (now SICO Capital) to SICO through a share swap
  • The shareholders of SAFCO, a leading construction testing and inspection services company in Saudi Arabia, in the sale of 100% of their equity stake in SAFCO to Applus+, one of the world’s leading and most innovative companies in the testing, inspection and certification sector
  • The majority shareholders of Kudu, a leading Saudi Arabian fast-food chain, in the sale of a majority interest to TPG and Abraaj
  • The shareholders of Amo Hamza, a leading seafood casual dining chain in Saudi Arabia, in the sale of a minority interest to NBK Capital Equity Partners Fund II, a fund managed by NBK Capital Partners
  • Investcorp, a global provider and manager of alternative investment products, in connection with the auction process and subsequent acquisition of a minority equity stake in Al Borg Medical Laboratories, the leading private medical laboratory chain in the GCC
  • Al Borg Medical Laboratories, the leading private medical laboratory chain in the GCC, in its AED 184 million acquisition of Proficiency Healthcare Diagnostics, a leading independent diagnostics service provider in the UAE
  • Investcorp in connection with its acquisition of a minority equity stake in Theeb Rent a Car Company, one of Saudi Arabia’s leading car rental companies
  • Investcorp in connection with its acquisition of a minority equity stake in Leejam Sports Company J.S.C., Saudi Arabia’s leading health and fitness club management company
  • Investcorp in connection with its acquisition of a majority equity stake in NDT Corrosion Control Services from the Al Shuwayer Group
  • NDT Corrosion Control Services in connection with its acquisition of a majority equity stake in Hi-Tech Inspection Services LLC, Oman’s largest provider of industrial non-destructive testing and inspection services
Qualifications

Education

  • LLM, Columbia University, New York, USA
  • Masters in Management, ESCP, Paris, France
  • JD, Saint Joseph University, Lebanon

Admissions

  • New York State Bar Association, USA
  • Beirut Bar Association, Lebanon
  • Dubai Legal Affairs Department, UAE
Languages
  • Arabic
  • English
  • French