Gulf Capital, a leading thematic alternative investment firm in the GCC and Asia, announced today the appointment of Shantanu Mukerji as its first on-the-ground Private Equity Managing Director to head its newly opened office in Singapore. Mr. Mukerji will lead the Firm’s activities in Asia, looking at new private equity investments, bolt-on acquisitions and growth opportunities for existing portfolio companies as well as assisting on future exits and divestments. He brings more than 20 years of direct Southeast Asian experience, with senior leadership roles in private equity and the consumer and luxury sectors across Asia.

Dr. Karim El Solh, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Capital, said: “Asia has been at the heart of our cross-border expansion strategy for our portfolio companies over the last 15 years. Gulf Capital has closed to date over 14 bolt-on acquisitions, joint ventures and new markets expansions for our private equity portfolio companies. The unprecedented growth opportunities presented by the emergence of ‘Ascending Asia’ have never been greater. ‘Ascending Asia’ (from West to East Asia) is the engine of global growth over the next 30 years and the region’s GDP is projected to grow at 2.5x the GDP growth rate of Europe and 2x the growth rate of the US. Our global investors are keen to participate in this long-term growth and to increase their exposure to Asia. We are thrilled to open a new office in Singapore and to welcome Shantanu Mukerji to our private equity team at an exciting time of growth for Gulf Capital across Asia.”