LuLu Retail wins ‘Best IPO in the Middle East’ award

The award was received by Saifee Rupawala, CEO; Prasad KK, CFO; and Nidhin Jose, group company secretary, at the EMEA Finance Achievement Awards ceremony in London.
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Updated 25 June 2025
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LuLu Retail wins ‘Best IPO in the Middle East’ award

LuLu Retail Holdings, the region’s leading full-line retailer, has been honored with the prestigious “Best IPO in the Middle East” award by EMEA Finance magazine. The recognition was presented at the annual EMEA Finance Achievement Awards 2024, held in London on June 22.

The accolade celebrates LuLu Retail’s landmark initial public offering, which successfully raised $1.7 billion in Q4 2024, and marked the company’s official listing on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. The IPO drew widespread investor interest and was one of the most anticipated public listings in the region, reinforcing strong market confidence in the group’s growth trajectory, financial resilience, and retail leadership.

The EMEA Finance Achievement Awards are regarded as a benchmark of excellence in capital markets across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Winners are selected by the editorial board from a pool of nominations submitted by investment banks, corporates, and market participants. The awards spotlight the most impactful and innovative financial transactions spanning IPOs, debt issuance, Islamic finance, structured deals, and mergers and acquisitions.

Saifee Rupawala, CEO of LuLu Retail Holdings, said: “We are truly honored to receive this award, which reflects the strength of our business, the commitment of our team, and the trust placed in us by our investors. The IPO marked a transformative chapter for LuLu Retail, and we remain committed to delivering long-term value and sustainable growth.”

 


Alfanar Engineering Services names Amer Al Ajmi CEO

Updated 26 December 2025
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Alfanar Engineering Services names Amer Al Ajmi CEO

Alfanar Engineering Services, a division of Alfanar Projects, has appointed Eng. Amer Al Ajmi as chief executive officer, signaling a new phase of growth and innovation for the company.

The appointment underscores Alfanar’s commitment to strengthening its role as a trusted partner in Saudi Arabia’s energy and infrastructure sectors.

Al Ajmi brings more than 25 years of experience in engineering, energy and international business. His vision focuses on engineering excellence, digital transformation and sustainability. Under his leadership, the company aims to expand its contribution to the Kingdom’s industrial and infrastructure development while supporting a more sustainable energy future.

Alfanar Engineering Services provides integrated technical solutions to the Kingdom’s energy, infrastructure, private and government sectors. Its core business lines include motor and generator repair and rewinding, power services, testing and calibration, and technical and engineering training.

The company maintains a strong presence through regional offices across major Saudi cities, supported by a 24/7 engineering team that ensures uninterrupted operations and service availability nationwide.

At the center of its operations is Alfanar Technical Services, one of the largest specialized facilities in the region for repair, rewinding and maintenance of electrical equipment, including transformers, generators and motors. The company serves energy, oil, petrochemical and mining industries, as well as critical infrastructure such as hotels, hospitals and public utilities.

Alfanar operates three advanced facilities in Jubail and Riyadh, covering more than 200,000 square meters, with an expansion underway in Yanbu to meet growing demand driven by the Kingdom’s industrial transformation.

“Leading Alfanar Engineering Services is both an honor and a responsibility,” Al Ajmi said. “Our focus is on building a sustainable and technologically advanced future where our people, innovation and expertise deliver long-term impact across every sector we serve.”