Gulf Capital was voted the "Firm of the Year" in 2014 for the MENA region at the Private Equity International (PEI) annual global awards. Thousands of industry experts and peers from all over the world voted, with the winners selected from an annual shortlist of four worthy candidates per category. Emirati firm, Gulf Capital, based in Abu Dhabi, is one of the largest and most active alternative investment firms in the Middle East. The firm received the award for its achievements in the private equity arena, and its successful fundraising. "Over this last year, Gulf Capital has been investing actively in both the private equity and credit and mezzanine arenas, generating some of the best exists and returns in the industry," said Karim El-Solh,Gulf Capital's Chief Executive Officer. Private Equity International commented on Gulf Capital's performance, saying: "Having originally acquired an 80% stake in Gulf Marine Services for around $62m in 2007, in March Gulf Capital sold a 40% stake through an initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange, netting a return of 10x and returning its entire $530m second fund in the process. Gulf Capital followed this up with the partial exit of Water Company Metito, reaping a 3.5x return, and the raise of GC Partners III, which smashed its $550m cover to close on $750m in October."
