Bahrain’s Mumtalakat and Investcorp explore potential partnership in UK student housing

Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, chief executive officer of Mumtalakat.
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Updated 05 July 2023
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Bahrain’s Mumtalakat and Investcorp explore potential partnership in UK student housing

Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and Investcorp, a leading global alternative investment firm with an established presence in the UK and Bahrain, recently announced that they are discussing  establishing a joint platform dedicated to investing in and the management of UK student housing assets.

The announcement is part of a series of initiatives led by Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, who is currently on an official visit to the UK, to strengthen business ties between the United Kingdom and the Bahrain.

Under this potential initiative, Mumtalakat and Investcorp would look to jointly own a student housing-focused operating platform created by Investcorp. 

The platform, which manages the refurbishment and leasing of Investcorp’s Houses in Multiple Occupation assets in the UK and helps with their acquisition and underwriting, currently manages a portfolio of approximately 1,200 beds across Nottingham, Bristol, Exeter and Leeds. 

In a context of growing demand for housing from both domestic and international students in the UK, the platform’s ambition is to acquire an additional 700-1,000 beds annually over the next several years, growing into one of the largest operators of HMO student housing in the UK over time. 

Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, chief executive officer of Mumtalakat, said: “We continue to explore investment opportunities that will add value and grow our portfolio through strategic partnerships. By joining hands with Investcorp, we believe that we would be able to further establish a best-in-class investment platform that focuses on fulfilling the increasing demand in the UK for student housing.”

Rishi Kapoor, Investcorp’s co-chief executive officer, said: “We believe that there is a shortage of well-managed, well-maintained, and affordable student HMO assets in major UK university cities.”

Our platform seeks to provide a best-in-class service which benefits the students, parents, the university ecosystem and the towns and cities where we have assets, and we believe that it could be further enhanced by a potential partnership with Mumtalakat. A major component of our investment thesis is a significant upgrade of the asset fabric and improving on the ESG credentials of the assets.”


Saudi Arabia world’s safest and most attractive investment destination, says chairman of Sumou Holding

Updated 09 March 2026
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Saudi Arabia world’s safest and most attractive investment destination, says chairman of Sumou Holding

Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of the world’s safest and most attractive destinations for investment, supported by the strength and resilience of its economy, according to Ayed bin Farhan Al-Qahtani, chairman of Sumou Holding.

Al-Qahtani said the Kingdom’s economy has consistently demonstrated its ability to navigate global and regional crises. He noted that Saudi Arabia has historically adapted to challenging conditions and emerged stronger, thanks to prudent economic policies and effective governance, both of which have reinforced the market’s financial strength. Al-Qahtani added that Saudi Vision 2030 has reshaped the structure of the national economy by diversifying income sources and leveraging the country’s core strengths, creating a more flexible and sustainable economic environment capable of withstanding global volatility.

According to Al-Qahtani, business activity across Saudi Arabia continues to operate normally despite current global uncertainties, highlighting the adaptability and experience of Saudi companies across multiple sectors.

Sumou Holding currently manages an investment portfolio valued at about $10 billion. Al-Qahtani said that the group plans to expand its investments in the Kingdom while seeking to attract additional foreign capital through international partnerships and joint ventures.

The company is evaluating a range of new opportunities across key sectors and particularly in real estate, which Al-Qahtani described as one of the most secure and attractive investment sectors in the Saudi market amid rising demand for residential, commercial, and development projects.

Saudi Arabia’s property market has also undergone significant regulatory reforms aimed at boosting its appeal to international investors. A new foreign property ownership law, which came into effect in early 2026, allows non-Saudis — individuals and companies, residents and non-residents — to own residential, commercial, and agricultural properties across designated areas of the Kingdom.

The framework will increase capital inflows into the real estate sector while introducing specific ownership rules for the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, two markets Al-Qahtani said remain among the most secure and globally attractive for long-term investment.

Sumou Holding owns two companies listed on the Saudi Exchange: Sumou Real Estate Co. and Ader Real Estate Co.

Al-Qahtani added that the group’s international arm, Ader Global, is building partnerships with global investors and directing capital toward promising opportunities in the Saudi market, reinforcing the Kingdom’s role as a regional hub for investment and multinational companies.

With its strong regulatory framework, investment security, and continued government support for the private sector, Saudi Arabia is well positioned to attract further foreign capital in the coming years, Al-Qahtani said, cementing the country’s status as a leading global investment destination both today and in the future.