Lumina Capital Advisers Limited (LUMINA), the Dubai headquartered, specialist mid-market M&A firm, today announced the strategic appointment of John Martin St.Valery to the Board to support the firm’s services for UK inbound transactions. St. Valery’s addition to the board follows the appointment of Executive Chairman, Rick Pudner, ex-Emirates NBD Group CEO, in May 2018.
“John’s appointment significantly strengthens our linkage with trade organisations between the UK and the Middle East through the British Business Group, Department of International Trade, UK Export Finance and other organisations. I am delighted to welcome John to the board and work with him through this key phase in our growth” said Rick Pudner, Executive Chairman at Lumina.
Having founded Links Group – the region’s premier company formation and structuring specialists in 2002, John has been facilitating deal structuring for hundreds of foreign companies in the Middle East region, including, more recently, high profile clients in the education, technology, transportation and education sectors. Over 20 years in the region has given John a unique and unrivalled insight into the commercial opportunities available in the Middle East.
John Martin St.Valery commenting on his appointment said “Given the themes of Brexit, Saudi Vision 2030 and Dubai Expo 2020 preparations in full flow, these bilateral trade relations between the UK and the Middle East are of key importance to the future of UK companies. I am excited about working with the team at Lumina to further support our UK members and clients in this key strategic area”
According to Lumina’s recent “State of M&A” survey, 75% of target M&A activity outside the GCC involves UK and European companies. Significant transaction activity also continues in the inbound Private Equity and Corporate venturing space which is expected to drive most of the PE action in the region.