Ikhlaq gained 30 years of experience as a senior executive and consultant in the Oil & Gas industry, before making his first investment in 1999 and creating the concept for Hayaat Group. He has worked across the UK, GCC, South Asian and East African markets, acquiring significant experience and understanding of assessment of investment proposals.
His role within Hayaat Group is to work across the full investment process, from concept to implementation and strategic business development. He identifies M&A and JV deal opportunities, as well as turnkey initiatives.
During the course of his career, Ikhlaq has been the driving force in the creation of more than 20 businesses as a multi-disciplinary global entrepreneur. He has also advised high ranking executives at more than 80 major multinationals on a wide range of issues, from business development to turnaround activities. In addition, he has a specialist expertise in identifying niche and high network business opportunities in the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
Ikhlaq first came to the Gulf region in 1996 as the Head of Middle East operations of multinational engineering contractor Kvaerner, executing some of the largest projects in the Middle East, after holding a series of senior roles in the company’s UK and Norway operations, both on and offshore.
A Corporate Member of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), he is highly regarded as an authority in the Oil & Gas industry, and regularly publishes papers in the Chemical Engineering Journal.