Thanks for reaching out.
Raised in Adelaide, South Australia, I am an Alumni and former Foundation Board member (2003 - 2005) of Charles Darwin University, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce. I commenced my career with Deloitte in Corporate Re-Organization and thereafter joined ASX listed Lend Lease Retail and Lend Lease Communities before relocating to the United Kingdom (UK) in 2005 to support the restructure and launch of two private equity firm’s targeting social infrastructure and affordable housing.
While with Lend Lease, 2000 – 2005, I was mandated to congruently re-structure two mixed use property developments with a Gross Development Value of USD 400MM encompassing 3,000 residential dwellings, 11 recreational lakes and 18-hole championship golf course across a 3.2 SqKm natural escarpment development site.
Between 2005 – 2008, my London based team and I acquired, developed and brokered USD 570MM in UK real estate assets, increasing our retained client base from 250 to 2,000 within 18 months and exceeding placement of 100 monthly residential property sales on multiple occasions, most notably, completing 87 residential property sales in a single day under JV development with Bellway Homes, Wales.
In 2008, my wife Kate and I relocated to the Middle East to commence a mandate with the distinguished Al Khorafi family office in Kuwait to support the acquisition of Liverpool Football Club. While unsuccessful with the bid I served the family for a further 6 years, listing RAK Real Estate in London on ICAP Securities for USD 988MM in Q1, 2009 while congruently completing a reverse takeover of Rafco International Real Estate KSC.
Since 2014 we have lived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) enjoying life in Abu Dhabi and Dubai with our 2 boys.
During this time, I have represented a portfolio of Islamic Sovereign Wealth Funds, Family Offices and Investment Firms domiciled in the UAE and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, consistently delivering year-on-year double digit growth with distribution of annualized dividends.
I have structured and executed commercial asset sales to UAE public REIT’s and (re)financed multiple rounds of Islamic project financing resulting in being awarded the prestigious Islamic Finance News award for “Most Innovative Deal of the Year” in 2019.
From a corporate perspective, for my clients, I have transitioned financial reporting in advance of IFRS 16 and 17 compliance and UAE Federal Tax Authority, Value Added Tax [VAT] implementation, rescheduled shareholder registry’s and updated MOA’s per UAE Commercial Companies Law. I have implemented Balanced Scorecards to highlight, attract and retain key corporate skills and attributes and designed company-wide compensation programs, integrating monthly salary and benefits with short (1yr STI) and long term (3yr LTI) incentive programs.
Launching in 2022, Black Oaks is my current focus, drawing on 15 years of service to distinguished clients with connected mandates between the Middle East, Europe and the United States.
Ben Ganley
FOUNDER & CEO, BLACK OAKS
Phone:
+971 (0)4 527 6560
Email:
Address:
Level 3 The Offices 3
One Central - World Trade Centre
Dubai United Arab Emirates
2022-CURRENT, UAE.
Founder & CEO.
BLACK OAKS.
Black Oaks provides corporate advisory and capital market services to support the formation, launch and market development of new ventures focusing in 5 core sectors:
Financial Services | Fin & Prop Technology | Supply Chain & Logistics | Retail | Real Estate.
Black Oaks portfolio equity investments:
Black Oaks Capital builds investment partnerships between founders and investors to identify, unlock and deliver strategic business development, investment and capital raising opportunities that achieve consistent revenue and asset value growth.
Black Oaks Capital is under formation at the Dubai International Financial Center for the purpose of managing a Venture Capital Fund regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority's Collective Investment Funds Regime.
2014-2022, UAE.
Chief Executive.
2008-2014, KUWAIT.
Senior Advisor to the Chairman.
2008-2014, KUWAIT.
Chief Executive.
2007-2008, UNITED KINGDOM.
Founder & CEO.
2003-2005, AUSTRALIA.
Project Director.
2000-2003, AUSTRALIA.
Asset Manager.
1998-2000, AUSTRALIA.
Analyst - Corporate Re-organization.
SOUQ EXTRA.
Represented a portfolio of Islamic Sovereign Wealth Funds, Family Offices and Investment Companies domiciled in the United Arab Emirates and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Restructure Sharia compliant group company to deliver sustainable, realizable returns to shareholders.
Design and deliver foundation for top-line growth and market diversification.
Secure equity and project partners to deliver growth opportunities across EMEA.
Design and recommend public markets platform.
Develop a corporate culture of ‘Winning Behaviours’.
Senior advisor to related shareholder Boards and Committees.
Active member of several direct and related Investment Committees, approving equity allocations for strategic, diversified investments in the US, UK, France, Italy and Brazil.
AL KHORAFI FAMILY.
Direct advisory and support to Mr. Rafed Abdel Mohsen Bader Al Khorafi (Chairman) and the Al Khorafi Family office.
Rafed’s father, Mr. Abdel Mohsen Bader Al Khorafi and a consortium of Kuwaiti investors founded National Bank of Kuwait (“NBK”) in 1952 under the vision of the Amir of Kuwait, His Highness Abdullah Al Salem Al Sabah.
Rafed’s uncle, Mr. Mohammed Abdulmohsin Al Kharafi, served as NBK Chairman from 1980 to 1992. As at FY21, NBK reported USD 98BN is assets.
RAK REAL ESTATE.
Represented the Al Khorafi family as major Shareholder.
Support consortium proposal to acquire Liverpool Football Club and redevelop the stadium including integrated retail precinct, multi-family accommodation and rail connectivity to major transport hubs.
Restructure all active development contracts and bank facilities.
Design and implement public markets platform via London listing.
Design and implement group real estate strategy across EMEA.
Lead asset acquisitions via structured equity and M&A across EMEA.
Secure equity and project partners.
Senior advisor to related shareholder Boards and Committees.
BRITISH PROPERTY GROUP.
Develop, acquire and source social infrastructure and affordable housing projects across the United Kingdom.
LEND LEASE.
Officer in Charge of The Chase, a 1.8 SqKm masterplan with 1,200 residential homes connected to the Municipality city center via a protected, natural escarpment with bike paths and walking trails. GDV USD 160MM.
Officer in Charge of Fairway Waters, a 1.4 SqKm masterplan with 1,800 residential homes, 11 recreational lakes and 18-hole Championship golf course. GDV USD 240MM.
Managing Director of Delfin Realty [NT], a full service estate agency.
LEND LEASE.
Re-develop and reposition Casuarina Square, 45,000 Sqm regional shopping center with 220 tenants. GDV USD 275MM.
DELOITTE.
Mandated by the 'big four' Australian banks to administer and liquidate property development, contracting and retail companies trading in default of bank finance covenants.
2001
CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY.
Bachelor of Commerce.
1996
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
Associate Diploma, Industrial Relations.
1991
PRINCE ALFRED COLLEGE.
High School Diploma.
2019
ISLAMIC FINANCE NEWS AWARDS.
Most Innovative Deal of the Year.
2019
GULF REAL ESTATE AWARDS.
Best Marketing Campaign.
Citizen.
Right of Abode.
Resident Visa.
Spousal Green
Card Application.
Australian Institute of Company Directors
Accredited Member #2469258.
Australian Property Institute
Accredited Member #5984.
Australian Marketing Institute
Accredited Member #28686.
Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
Accredited Member #1288108.
Project Management Institute
Accredited Member #1929028.
Institute of Directors, London
Member.
Mr. SALEH SAEED AHMED LOOTAH.
Member of the Executive Committee of the Dubai Economic Council.
Director, Dubai Islamic Bank 1996 - 2011.
Chairman of the Board Credit Committee at Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC 1996-2011.
H.E. MOHAMMED AL SHABANI.
Director General, His Highness the Dubai Ruler’s Court.
Managing Director, Investment Corporation of Dubai [USD 272BN in total assets].
Vice Chairman, Supreme Fiscal Committee of Dubai.
Member, Dubai’s Executive Council.
Chairman, Dubai Islamic Bank, Nakheel and Meydan City Corporation.
NATIONAL BONDS CORPORATION.
Sovereign Wealth Fund owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai.
DUBAI COOPERATIVE SOCIETY.
Established in 1972 as the first cooperative society in the UAE, Dubai Coop retains over 5,000 private and public GCC shareholders.
Mr. SALEH ABDULLA RASHED LOOTAH.
GCC Board Member for Harvard Business School.
SAEED AHMED LOOTAH & SONS GROUP.
Founder of Dubai Islamic Bank, second largest Islamic bank in the world.
Ranked 27th in Forbes Top 100 Arab Family Businesses in the Middle East.
Dr. AYEDH FARHAN AL QAHTANI.
Ranked 68th in Forbes Top 100 Arab Family Businesses in the Middle East.
Chairman, Sumou Holding (KSA) - subsidiary, Sumuo Real Estate, is listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) valued at USD 708MM as at Apr21.
Chairman, Tanami Holding (KSA), Musharaka Capital (KSA) and Dhahiat Sumuo Real Estate Development (KSA).
EMIRATES POST GROUP HOLDING.
100% owned by UAE Government.
Mr. MOHAMMAD AHMAD SAEED AL QASSIMI.
Vice Chairman, Al Dhabi Investment.
Director, Reem investments, Al Wifaq Finance and Sinogulf Investments.
ISMAIL AQIL ABDULRAHIM JANAHI.
Chairman, Abbasi Group, Al Wasl Investments and Bonyan Holding.
Let's Connect.
+971 (0)4 527 6560
Phone
Office
Level 3 The Offices 3
One Central - World Trade Centre
P.O. Box 9573 Dubai United Arab Emirates
© 2022 Black Oaks, all rIghts reserved. Black Oaks is a FZE Limited Liability Company registered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (License No: L-2210) and has its registered office at Level 3, The Offices 3 - One Central, Dubai World Trade Centre.