LUMINA Announces Key Board Appointment as it Targets Further UK Deal-Flow

LUMINA Announces Key Board Appointment as it Targets Further UK Deal-Flow

  • John Martin St. Valery, Chairman of the British Business Group, appointed to the Board

  • Appointment follows London-based Executive Chairman, Rick Pudner, leading the company's strategic expansion

  • LUMINA witnessing heightened deal activity from UK into the Middle East, particularly in the Private Equity and Corporate Venturing space

We are delighted to announce the strategic appointment of John Martin St. Valery to the Board to support the firm's services for UK inbound transactions. John's addition to the Board follows the appointment of Executive Chairman, Rick Pudner, ex-Emirates NBD Group CEO, in May 2018.

"John's appointment significantly strengthens our linkage with trade organisations between the UK and the Middle East through the British Business Group, Department of International Trade, UK Export Finance and other organisations. I am delighted to welcome John to the Board and work with him through this key phase in our growth." Rick Pudner, Executive Chairman

Having founded Links Group - the region's premier company formation and structuring specialists in 2002, John has been facilitating deal structuring for hundreds of foreign companies in the Middle East region, including, more recently, high profile clients in the education, technology, transportation and education sectors. Over 20 years in the region has given John a unique and unrivalled insight into the commercial opportunities available in the Middle East. 

John Martin St. Valery commenting on his appointment said "Given the themes of Brexit, Saudi Vision 2030 and Dubai Expo 2020 preparations in full flow, these bilateral trade relations between the UK and the Middle East are of key importance to the future of UK companies. I am excited about working with the team at LUMINA to further support our UK members and clients in this key strategic area.

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According to LUMINA's recent "State of Middle East M&A" survey, 75% of target M&A activity outside the GCC involves UK and European companies. Significant transaction activity also continues in the inbound Private Equity and Corporate Venturing space which is expected to drive most of the PE action in the region.

About LUMINA
LUMINA is a Dubai based, specialist mid-market Corporate Finance adviser, regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority, providing hands on M&A and funding advisory solutions throughout the Middle East. LUMINA maximises value for mid-market private companies in the Middle East by delivering innovative corporate finance solutions. LUMINA's senior team has over 70 years of regional experience and specialises in connecting inbound and outbound transactions between the UAE, KSA and the UK. 

About John Martin St. Valery
Having founded Links Group in 2002, John has been instrumental in helping hundreds of foreign companies to grow in the UAE. With 20 years in the Middle East he has a unique and unrivalled insight into the commercial opportunities available in the Middle East. 

Previously he held senior management roles with Citibank and Kodak which were preceded by an eight-year period with the Metropolitan Police in London. Today John advises many group companies at board level, particularly in the areas of entrepreneurship, corporate governance and business development.

John is also the current Chairman of Equiom Middle East and the Chairman of the British Business Group, Dubai & Northern Emirates.

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[email protected] / +971(0)4382-8900

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