Al Habtoor shakes up senior execs ahead of IPO

Dubai conglomerate Al Habtoor Group announced on Wednesday a shake-up of its senior management team ahead of its proposed initial public offering (IPO).

Chairman Khalaf Al Habtoor said Mohammed Fadhel Al Mazrooei has been promoted to managing director and will report to the vice chairman and CEO.

Al Mazrooei will start his new role on October 1 and takes over from Maan Halabi, who has been appointed executive director of the Group in charge of all business units, Al Habtoor said in a statement.  

The statement added that KP Rajan is taking over as Group financial advisor from chief operating officer to focus on financial strategy. 

Sanjeev Agarwal will be in charge of the finance department in addition to his current responsibilities as director strategy & business development.

Al Habtoor said senior executives are undergoing rigorous leadership training programs within the UAE and abroad to develop their strengths and better prepare the Group for the future. 

Al Habtoor said: “We are a 21st century company with a strong mission and a bright future.

"I want my management team to understand their talents and help the organisation succeed with the right tools. The changes to the team are to enable the Group to reach our goals.” 

The Al Habtoor Group is a UAE-based conglomerate with interests in the construction, hotel, automotive, real estate, education, insurance and publishing sectors.

Earlier this month, Al Habtoor Group said it plans to raise up to $1.6bn in an IPO on the NASDAQ Dubai in March 2013.

The firm will use the funds to acquire five-star hotels in London and Paris, invest in agricultural land in Central and Eastern Europe and in private hospitals at home and abroad.