Key Takeaways
- • Gaw Capital has established a physical office in Riyadh and appointed Khalid AlBihlal as Managing Director of Private Equity for Saudi Arabia, marking a strategic expansion into one of the Middle East's fastest-growing investment markets.
- • AlBihlal brings over 20 years of experience across private equity, venture capital, investment banking, real estate, and financial services, with prior roles at Saudi Venture Capital Company, Damanat, S&P Global Ratings, Swicorp, The Abraaj Group, and EFG Hermes.
- • The Saudi office launch follows Gaw Capital's earlier 2026 establishment of the GCC Tamkeen Fund, positioning Saudi Arabia as a key strategic market within the firm's broader Gulf Cooperation Council investment platform.
- • The appointment combines local on-the-ground infrastructure with executive expertise in regional relationships, enabling Gaw Capital to enhance capital sourcing, fundraising capabilities, and institutional partnerships within the Kingdom.
Summary
Gaw Capital, a multi-asset investment management firm based in Asia, has opened an office in Saudi Arabia and appointed Khalid AlBihlal as Managing Director of Private Equity for the country. AlBihlal, based in Riyadh, will lead the firm's fundraising and investment activities across alternative investments throughout Saudi Arabia. The move represents Gaw Capital's commitment to deepening its presence across the Gulf Cooperation Council and reflects the Kingdom's emergence as a strategic priority within the firm's regional investment strategy.
AlBihlal's appointment reflects substantial regional expertise and institutional credibility. With more than two decades of experience, he has held senior positions across multiple asset classes and geographies, including roles as Chief Business Development Officer at Saudi Venture Capital Company, where he managed strategic partnerships and contributed to strengthening Saudi Arabia's venture capital ecosystem. His background also includes tenures at Damanat (Saudi Mortgage Guarantee Services Company), S&P Global Ratings, Swicorp, The Abraaj Group, and EFG Hermes, with demonstrated expertise in fundraising, mergers and acquisitions advisory, and institutional investor relations.
The Saudi office launch follows Gaw Capital's establishment of the GCC Tamkeen Fund earlier in 2026, signaling a coordinated regional expansion strategy. By combining a dedicated local office with an executive possessing extensive Gulf relationships and transaction experience, Gaw Capital has constructed infrastructure designed to address three core objectives: sourcing investment opportunities, raising capital from institutional investors, and developing strategic partnerships within Saudi Arabia. The firm intends to continue expanding its investment activities across the broader GCC, with Saudi Arabia representing a cornerstone of its regional platform.
AlBihlal's appointment reflects substantial regional expertise and institutional credibility. With more than two decades of experience, he has held senior positions across multiple asset classes and geographies, including roles as Chief Business Development Officer at Saudi Venture Capital Company, where he managed strategic partnerships and contributed to strengthening Saudi Arabia's venture capital ecosystem. His background also includes tenures at Damanat (Saudi Mortgage Guarantee Services Company), S&P Global Ratings, Swicorp, The Abraaj Group, and EFG Hermes, with demonstrated expertise in fundraising, mergers and acquisitions advisory, and institutional investor relations.
The Saudi office launch follows Gaw Capital's establishment of the GCC Tamkeen Fund earlier in 2026, signaling a coordinated regional expansion strategy. By combining a dedicated local office with an executive possessing extensive Gulf relationships and transaction experience, Gaw Capital has constructed infrastructure designed to address three core objectives: sourcing investment opportunities, raising capital from institutional investors, and developing strategic partnerships within Saudi Arabia. The firm intends to continue expanding its investment activities across the broader GCC, with Saudi Arabia representing a cornerstone of its regional platform.
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