Swansea University has presented an honorary degree to giant of the global business world, His Excellency Ahmad Mohammed A Al Sayed.
The award was presented to His Excellency today (25 July) during the degree ceremony for the College of Engineering.
His Excellency Ahmad Al Sayed is the Minister of State and the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Free Zones Authority, Qatar, established to regulate and promote Foreign Direct Investment to Qatar and working to make Qatar a Global business hub. His role sees him encouraging not just inward investment but also businesses in Qatar to serve markets across the world
His Excellency has served as Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Investment Authority and Qatar Holding.He also served on the Supreme Council fo Economic Affairs and Investment and the award recognises his contribution to economic development in Qatar and around the world.
At the QIA he played a critical role in building, overseeing and managing the Qatar Sovereign Wealth Fund. During his tenure, he executed deals such as the Qatar Investment Authority/Qatar Holding’s investment in Credit Suisse and Barclays Bank. He also engineered the Merger of VW and Porsche as well as Xstrata and Glencore, managed the take-over of Songbird and Canary Wharf Group, and the acquisition of Harrods Group, Iberdrola Energy, Tiffany and Heathrow Airport.
He formed an alliance with Swansea University when representatives from the University visited Doha in 2015, and he has since been a keen promoter of the University within the wider business community.
On receiving his honorary award, His Excellency said: ““I am extremely grateful and honoured to have been awarded this Honorary Doctorate by Swansea University, and it is with the greatest pleasure that I accept it, not only for myself but on behalf of all those with whom I have worked.
“I regard it as a vote of support and recognition for our joint efforts in promoting the highest standards of education and work environment which Qatar has been proud to be a part of.
“As the former CEO of the Qatar Investment Authority and Qatar Holding LLC, I had the privilege of travelling to many countries, working with a large number of institutions, and through the investments we were able to make, contributing significantly to the economic development of those countries. Now, as Chairman of the Qatar Free Zones Authority, I am encouraging companies and institutions to invest in Qatar, and to create a sustainable economy for the next generation.
“Our universities play an important part in our future vision, nurturing talent and giving young people valuable skills to thrive.
“I have been delighted to be involved with Swansea University over the last few years, to witness its commitment to higher education, and I very much look forward to continuing our close ties in the future.”