Fahed Faisal Boodai (Arabic: فهد فيصل بودي) is a Kuwaiti entrepreneur. He is the Chairman and Co-founder of Gatehouse Financial Group and Gatehouse Bank.[1][2]
Fahed Boodai | |
|---|---|
| فهد فيصل بودي | |
| Born | Fahed Faisal Boodai |
| Alma mater | University of San Diego Loyola Marymount, MBA |
| Occupation | Investment banker |
Education
editBoodai received an MBA from the Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, and a bachelor's degree in International Business from the University of San Diego.[3][4]
War service
editIraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, when Boodai was 17. He joined the Kuwait armed forces in exile, and underwent basic training. Drawing on his fluency in English and Arabic, he went on to work with the US military as a translator.[5]
He was posted to military intelligence with the 18th Airborne Corps operating on the northern border of Saudi Arabia.[5]
After Kuwait was liberated by US-led coalition forces, he was given an officer rank and helped the US Army's host nation affairs unit foster relations with the Kuwaiti population.[5]
Boodai was awarded the US Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service to the US Army during Operation Desert Storm and the liberation of Kuwait.[5]
Career
editBoodai began his career as Deputy Manager – International Division of the Securities House, a publicly traded investment firm on the Kuwait stock exchange.[6] He held several roles over the years, working his way up to Vice Chairman and Chief Executive,[7] which he held until June 2023.
In 2002, Boodai founded Gatehouse Capital KSCC, a Kuwaiti investment firm, where he led strategic investments in student housing, single family rentals in the US and UK and over US$1.25 billion in US Light Industrial with Brennan Investment Group.[8] Boodai served as Chairman of the organisation from 2016 until June 2023.
In 2007, Boodai co-founded Gatehouse Bank,[9] where he led its restructuring and repositioning into real estate and wealth management in 2011, as well as subsequent restructuring into a digital challenger bank in 2017.[10] Under Boodai's leadership, Gatehouse raised its paid-up capital and secured investments from a sovereign wealth fund.[11]
In addition to his role as Chairman of Gatehouse Bank, Boodai has held the position of Chairman of Gatehouse Financial Group since 2015.[12]
Awards and Recognition
editIn October 2011, Boodai was recognised as one of the top 40 under 40 up-and-coming real estate superstars by Real Estate Forum.[5]
Boodai was presented with the Award for Business at the first Arabian Business London Awards in 2019.[13]
Personal Life
editBoodai is married to Sheikha Al-Zain Sabah Al-Naser Al-Sabah, who is the Ambassador of Kuwait to the United States as of March 2023. The couple have three children.[5]
References
edit- ^ "ABOUT US". gc.com.kw. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ^ "Our Board of Directors | About Gatehouse". Gatehouse Bank plc. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ^ "Board of Directors". Gatehouse Capital. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
- ^ "Fahed Faisal Boodai". Bloomberg. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f "From Desert Storm to disruptive banker: the life-changing events behind Fahed Boodai's success". The National. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ "Securities House". sh.com.kw. Retrieved 2024-11-22.
- ^ "Securities House". sh.com.kw. Retrieved 2024-11-22.
- ^ "Gatehouse Financial manages $3bn assets in US - Chairman". english.mubasher.info. 2019-05-08. Retrieved 2024-11-22.
- ^ "GATEHOUSE BANK PLC filing history - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 2024-11-22.
- ^ "Charles Haresnape's Gatehouse Bank in board reshuffle". www.mpamag.com. Retrieved 2024-11-22.
- ^ "KUNA : Gatehouse Bank to boost investment in UK property by آ£100 mln - Economics - 09/12/2015". www.kuna.net.kw. Retrieved 2024-11-22.
- ^ "BOARD OF DIRECTORS". gatehouse-group. Retrieved 2024-11-22.
- ^ Gatehouse (2019-06-30). "FAHED BOODAI RECEIVES AWARD FOR BUSINESS AT FIRST ARABIAN BUSINESS LONDON AWARDS". gatehouse-group. Retrieved 2024-11-18.