GC Influencers
Most Influential GCs - United Arab Emirates
Zahid Kamal of Fajr Capital
Zahid Kamal trained and began his career at Blake Morgan, a regional firm in the UK. He also practised as a senior lawyer at Ashurst in London and Dubai, where he acted as external counsel to Fajr Capital, a sovereign-backed investment firm. He joined the company in an in-house capacity as a managing director in 2011 and is credited for establishing and expanding the legal operations at the organisation, as well as for his hands-on approach to deal making. Kamal is a regular feature on complex M&A transactions throughout the region.
Sources say: “As a GC, he combines the in-house lawyer function with the commercial mindset very well,” adding: “He is highly regarded by the business team as an equal, as opposed to someone you just reel in for legal discussions.”
He is also a board member of various Fajr Capital portfolio companies and is a member of Emerging Markets Private Equity Association’s Middle East Council.