Established in 1999 in Bahrain, GFH Financial Group swiftly rose to prominence by offering innovative financial solutions for businesses and individuals alike. Transitioning to a Public Shareholding Company in 2004, GFH initially concentrated on real estate development and private equity within the GCC. Responding to evolving market dynamics and investor preferences, the firm adeptly shifted its focus towards a broader spectrum of investment banking services.

This strategic pivot, culminating in a rebranding in 2014, expanded GFH’s offerings to include investment management, asset management, commercial banking, and treasury and proprietary investments, marking its evolution from a bank to a comprehensive financial group, under the leadership of its CEO Hisham Alrayes for the past decade. Today, GFH stands as a formidable entity in the financial sector, recognized in Fortune 500’s Top 500 Arab Companies, and has extended its footprint globally with offices in Riyadh, Dubai and London, and subsidiaries in Europe and the US.

GFH’s resilience and growth are attributed to its agile adaptation to market changes while upholding core values of integrity and transparency. Throughout various economic cycles, including global financial downturns, GFH has maintained robust financial health and strict risk management, ensuring its sustained success and growth.

Now celebrated as one of Bahrain’s leading investment banks, GFH is lauded for its remarkable financial achievements and pivotal role in the nation’s economic development. Boasting a global team of experts and a rich portfolio exceeding US$21 billion in assets and funds under management, GFH is committed to innovation and excellence, continuing to meet the dynamic needs of its clients and contributing significantly to Bahrain and the broader region’s prosperity.

GFH’s astute asset management strategy spans continents, focusing on sustainable growth and geographical diversification.

GFH’s approach combines organic expansion with assertive inorganic growth through strategic acquisitions in North America and Europe. Robust due diligence and local expertise have facilitated seamless integration into these markets.

In 2023, GFH acquired Big Sky Asset Management, one of the United States’ leading asset managers in healthcare real estate. Prior to that, the Group acquired Roebuck, a pan-European logistics-focused platform, and SQ Asset Management, a US-based specialist living sector asset and property manager focused on student housing, currently the 6th largest manager of student housing in the US.

With agility and precision, GFH maneuvers through the complexities of international markets. The comprehensive suite of services offered spans multiple asset classes, yielding significant value for global investors. The result is a testament to GFH’s expertise in capturing cross-border investment opportunities.

GFH’s fiscal prowess is evidenced by the Group reaching a remarkable $21 billion in assets and funds under management by year-end 2023. Some of the Group’s recent financial highlights include:

• Exceeded benchmark returns in 2023, generating $102.68 million in net profit attributable to shareholders, a 14% increase from the previous year.
• Total income reached $362.03 million, marking a significant 21.58% growth.
• Recommended a total cash dividend of 6.2% on par value for 2023.
• Launched GFH Partners, its real estate-focused subsidiary to manage over $6 billion of the Group’s global real estate assets.
• Issued the first-ever green sukuk by a Bahraini entity.
• Became the first-ever corporation in the GCC to be listed across four main regional stock exchanges.
• Embarked on strategic partnerships with World Economic Forum and FII Institute, enabling us to actively participate in global economic discussions, contributing our expertise and insights in core investment sectors.

Our increasing profitability is a result of smart asset allocation and judicious investments, which solidifies GFH as a pillar of fiscal strength in the investment banking sector.

GFH’s strategic fund management and market analysis deliver exceptional value through nuanced investment solutions. With meticulous due diligence, agile execution, and proactive risk management, we navigate the volatile financial landscape and set the standard in investment banking. Investors recognize us for financial ingenuity and sophisticated wealth management, solidifying our legacy of fiscal excellence.

GFH’s investment approach is grounded in a dynamic investment philosophy backed by solid credentials and a keen focus on diversified asset allocation. This strategy is designed to adeptly navigate the challenges of an ever-changing macro environment while closely collaborating with our stakeholders to realistically meet their expectations;

1. Diversified Portfolio: The mixture of asset classes minimizes risk and maximizes ROI.
2. Strategic Acquisitions & Geographical Expansion: Targeted acquisitions in emerging and stable markets optimize exposure and returns, yielding significant capital gains.
3. Operational Efficiency: Streamlined operations enhance profitability and investor value.
4. Sustainable Practices: Focused ESG integration leads to long-term financial performance.
5. Innovative Products & Structuring: The introduction of pioneering financial products and tailoring financial instruments to market needs attracts lucrative opportunities.
6. Active Asset Management: Continual assessment and adjustment of assets enhance performance and long-term value.

Rigor in due diligence and the pursuit of operational excellence underpins GFH’s financial strategies. Professionalism and precision are the cornerstones of GFH’s dynamic approach to investment banking.

GFH Financial Group pioneers cutting-edge financial instruments, propelling Bahrain’s market forward.

• Green Sukuk: A trailblazing move towards sustainable finance, supporting environmentally-friendly projects.
• Sharia-Compliant Funds: Innovative solutions adhering to Islamic finance principles, attracting ethical investments.
• Private Credit Facilities: Tailored credit strategies offering alternative funding sources for investors and to capitalize on the elevated profit rate environment.
• Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): Structured investments in high-potential real estate, optimizing income and growth.

At GFH Financial Group, we believe that resilience in investment banking comes from strategic diversification across vibrant industries and robust markets. This drives us to identify and penetrate emerging sectors and geographic locales with growth potential, offering a safeguard against market volatility and the potential for superior returns. Our global footprint, with strategic investments in North America, Europe, and the GCC, reflects our foresight in harnessing value from diverse economic landscapes, fortifying our clients’ portfolios in an intricate and interconnected financial world.

GFH Financial Group’s agile strategy is evident through our diverse market presence. We target high-growth sectors, including healthcare, real estate, logistics, technology, and renewable energy, solidifying our reputation for identifying long-term trends. Our selective geographic expansion focuses on markets with compelling fiscal frameworks and conducive business climates. GFH has expanded from the Middle East and North Africa to the US, Europe, and the UK, capitalizing on emerging opportunities. We have also renewed our focus on the GCC region to seize opportunities from its economic growth and transformative national visions.

By mastering cross-sectoral and cross-regional opportunities, we pave the way for investors seeking diversified and resilient portfolios. This versatility keeps us at the forefront of Bahrain’s investment banking excellence.

Our real estate investment team, operating through GFH Partners Ltd., adopts a thematic investment philosophy aimed at capitalizing on market momentum in stable and defensive sectors. With close to US$800 million worth of transactions in 2023, GFH Partners utilizes the following approach:

1. Thematic Focus: Prioritizing sectors with inherent stability and solid tailwinds— living, logistics, industrial, and healthcare.
2. Geographic Expansion: Extending reach into high-potential markets — North America, UK, and GCC.
3. Capital Structure: Structuring investments for optimal risk-adjusted returns with moderate leverage.
4. Asset Manager Partnerships: Collaborating with top-tier asset managers to enhance investment value and bolster our thematic focus.
5. Co-Investment Model: Aligning our interests with our investors by co-investing in every opportunity.

Managing $6bn of real estate assets by the end of 2023, GFH Partners leverages favourable market trends to deliver attractive and sustainable financial outcomes. Furthermore, in line with the overall Group strategy, we expanded our investment offerings into the debt portion of the capital stack in real estate transactions to capitalize on the elevated profit rate environment.

Our expertise in real estate investment has also not gone unnoticed, with MEA Finance naming us the Best Real Estate Investment Firm in its annual awards. Resilient and calculated, GFH’s real estate investments are structured to thrive across economic cycles.

Our Private Equity team harnesses a comprehensive investment approach, engaging in a spectrum of activities including direct investments, co-investments, secondaries, strategic GP staking, buyouts, and Sharia-compliant private credit. GFH focuses on sectors that show resilience against economic downturns, aiming for investments that offer minimal downside risk and substantial upside potential. Our private equity strategy is built on:

1. Sectoral Focus: Concentrating on non-cyclical or downturn-resistant sectors to ensure investment stability, including healthcare, technology, consumer businesses and logistics.
2. Investment Spectrum: Engaging in a wide range of private equity activities to diversify opportunities and mitigate risk.
3. Underwriting Discipline: Implementing rigorous underwriting standards to safeguard capital and optimize returns, backed by our successful track record in Sharia-compliant structured equity and credit solutions.
4. Proprietary Sourcing: Leveraging our network to access unique investment opportunities not readily available on the open market.
5. Hands-on Value Creation: Actively contributing to the growth and efficiency of our portfolio companies from origination through to exit.

Our Private Equity team brings deep sector expertise and rigorous due diligence to our investment selection, both globally and across the GCC. By applying this multifaceted strategy, we aim to surpass investor expectations in capital preservation and return generation, positioning GFH’s investments to excel within any economic environment.

At GFH Financial Group, we are committed to ESG and sustainable development. Our strategy focuses on investments that generate economic returns while contributing to the well-being of our planet. We pioneer initiatives that align profitability with ecological and social stewardship. By aligning our investment focus with the United Nations SDGs, we address global challenges and foster inclusive growth, making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve.

• Environmental Stewardship: GFH issued Bahrain’s first-ever green sukuk, supporting eco-friendly projects and promoting green finance practices. Our investments in sustainable electrical infrastructure demonstrate our commitment to pioneering sustainable solutions with a strong ESG foundation.
• Healthcare Innovation: Through our dedicated healthcare platform Healian, we focus on strategic healthcare investments to enhance the quality and accessibility of medical services. This includes the acquisition of a major healthcare facility in Saudi Arabia and the establishment of a specialized center for prostate cancer treatment in Bahrain, utilizing state-of-the-art robotic-assisted surgery systems – the first of its kind in the region.
• Educational Empowerment: Through our K-12 education platform Britus Education, we’re redefining the educational landscape by integrating innovative technologies and learning solutions. We aim to equip the next generation with the knowledge and skills required to thrive in an ever-changing world, highlighting the transformative power of education.
• Community & Well-being: GFH’s sponsorship of the world-class Ironman triathlon in Bahrain, as well as our partnership with World Aquatics to establish the region’s first centre of excellence for aquatic sports here in Bahrain, align with our overall efforts to promote healthy lifestyles and support local and international sporting events that contribute to the social and economic vibrancy of Bahrain and beyond.

Most remarkably, 2023 marked the launch of Nuwah Foundation and its inaugural project NAFAS – a state-of-the-art rehabilitation center located in the Al Areen development in Bahrain. Established as an incubator for impactful humanitarian work, Nuwah fosters projects that enhance individual and community well-being in the MENA region, focusing on sustainable development and leveraging creative industries for social and economic advancement.

Nuwah exemplifies our commitment to positive and sustainable growth, empowering regional innovators and change-makers for a better future for all.

As GFH celebrates 25 years of industry leadership, our journey of strategic investments and contributions to Bahrain’s economy and the region at large underscores our position as the best investment bank in Bahrain. Our discerning investment strategies and commitment to innovation have shaped Bahrain’s economic landscape, establishing GFH as a cornerstone of the Gulf’s financial sector.