His Dubai-based firm has grown to become the largest private equity company in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia with capital of more than $1bn. It has raised about $7bn since its inception in 2002 and returned some $3bn to investors.

Following involvement in some important transactions in the region, Abraaj has been showered with a multitude of accolades and awards, including MENA region ‘PE Firm of the Year’ in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

In 2007, Abraaj was voted one of the 50 most admired companies in the Gulf.

In recognition of Naqvi’s impressive business acumen, he was designated a ‘New Asian Leader by the World Economic Forum’ (WEF) from 2003 to 2004. He is also a member of the Young Presidents Organisation (YPO), for which he was the Emirates’ chapter chairman from 2002 to 2003.

He is a member of numerous think tanks and policy groups, such as the WEF Arab Business Council, and is board member of the Pakistan Human Development Fund, the King Abdullah II Award for Youth Innovation & Achievement in Jordan and Dubai’s Education Endowment Fund.

In 2006, he was awarded the highest civilian honour in Pakistan, the Sitari-e-Imtiaz, by the republic’s president.

Educated at the London School of Economics, the 48-year-old Naqvi previously worked with Arthur Andersen, American Express Bank and The Cupola Group, which he founded in 1994.