Richard Catling

Saudi Arabia: Transformation of the Kingdom

Welcome to the Saudi Arabia focus edition of Law Update.

One of the key markets in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) that continues to lead from the front is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). As the largest country in the Middle East and the 18th largest economy in the world, the progress KSA continues to make is underpinned by its Vision 2030 that envisions developing the country as an investment powerhouse and hub that ultimately connects Asia, Europe, and Africa. Given Saudi Arabia’s significance to the regional economy, our team of experts have prepared a range of pertinent articles that provide insights into new laws, regulations, and the legal landscape in the Kingdom.

This edition will provide you with an up-to-date guide on matters such as; the framework issued by the Saudi Central Bank on IT governance, the anti-corruption landscape under Vision 2030; we also provide practical tips for dispute avoidance. This is only a snapshot; there are many more articles within the KSA focus section for you to read, which we hope you will find valuable and enjoyable.

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The leading law firm in the Middle East & North Africa region.

Richard Catling

Partner

Biography

Richard is experienced in many aspects of corporate work including domestic and international mergers and acquisitions in various industries, including health care, education, logistics, food and beverage, retail, etc, and reorganizations and joint ventures.

He also specialises in regional private equity and venture capital funding, with particular expertise in advising on investments in technology and media.

Richard has advised upon many UAE and regional M&A and joint venture transactions, including advising international companies on structuring options available to them that allow them to carry on business in Dubai and in the UAE.

Richard also specialises in advising regional high net worth individuals and family businesses on restructuring and, in particular, trust structuring, acting for some of the largest family companies in the Middle East and the wider MENA region on their deal and governance structures.

Richard is ranked as a Leading Individual in Legal 500 for Commercial, Corporate and M&A.

Recent Experience

Representing Gulf Medical Projects Company on the sale of the Al Zahra Hospital Group in Sharjah and the Northern Emirates of the UAE for USD 572 million.
Representing the a major multinational beverage company in a cross border acquisition of Aujan Industries Company in ten jurisdictions. The transaction value was USD 980 million.
Advising Empower District Cooling (Dubai government entity) on its USD 500 million acquisition of the Palm District Cooling business to form the largest district cooling operation in the world.
Representing a GCC banking institution in the purchase of the Movenpick Hotel at Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai Marina.
Acting for the investment arm of MBC Group in various separate instructions relating to MBC’s equity investments in early-stage companies in the media and technology industries in the MENA region.
Representing the lead investor in connection with the establishment of an investment company in the DIFC with a group of investors to raise USD 160 million in investment in Middle Eastern food businesses.