Advisory Team
Dr. Amr Abdulwahab Attar
CEO
Dr. Amr Attar is the CEO of Capital Advisory Group. He is also the founder of Attar Corporation, a diverse Saudi-based trading and investment company, now part of Capital Advisory Group. Dr. Amr Attar began gradually but intentionally developing his circle of influence in the region at a relatively early stage in his career. Commencing his higher education in the UK, he earned his BSc in Economics at Nottingham University and an MSc in Finance at CASS Business School, City University, before continuing on to complete a PhD in Finance and Strategic Management at Brunel University. He subsequently became an advisor to the board of London-based Plurimi Capital and subsequently JAR Capital, assisting in the establishment of their Asset Management division, including alternative asset-backed structures for Real Estate and Aviation funds, among others.Upon his return to Saudi Arabia, Dr. Amr Attar began directing family investments and working with Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority on various mega-infrastructure projects, in addition to managing a portfolio of real estate investments located in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Spain, France and Switzerland.Now leading Capital Advisory Group, Dr. Amr Attar manages investments primarily in the Pharmaceutical, Technology, Real Estate, Food and Beverage distribution and Oil & Gas sectors.
Eng. Siraj Marghalani
Industrial and Technology Advisor
Siraj Marghalani is an advisor at Capital Advisory Group who specializes in the industrial and technology sectors. Eng. Siraj is the Co-Founder of Advanced Shields and Orient International Company Ltd. Eng. Siraj currently Occupies the position of Commercial Operations Leader for GE Oil & Gas covering Saudi, Bahrain & Kuwait. With over 7 years of experience as a Business Development Specialist for Fortune 500 Companies Expanding their Fleet Operations in the Middle East, He has experience building & operating Industrial business from Oil & Gas, Energy to Aerospace. Deep experience in structuring complicating deals (+100 Million USD). Siraj is one of the main Founders of OIC which specializes in Industrial Projects Development.Siraj is also a registered Certified Active Consultant Engineer in SPE & SCE. He holds a Bachelor Degree of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the American University of Sharjah.
Advisory Team – North America
Michael Decauni
North America Advisor
The founder of the Callian Capital Group, a Canadian based investment group and one of the main strategic partners to Capital Advisory Group, Michael Decauni, is known particularly for his problem-solving and mediation abilities. Mr. Decauni is sought when high level business issues require timely, innovative solutions, naturally including those of the Callian Family Office and its ultra high net worth clients throughout North America, Europe, Asia and the Gulf Countries. He is also actively engaged in providing general corporate advice to Canadian and international companies doing business in the Middle East. After many years in the region, Michael has extensive cross-cultural experience and is able to reach across the private and public sectors, as well as international borders, to make connections for his clients, introducing them to unique opportunities around the world. Throughout his career, both as a professional and then as an entrepreneur, he has been involved in large transactions with numerous prominent banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions. Michael has been able to attain a notable degree of success, translating into high rates of return for his clients and shareholders, as well as significant growth for his own enterprises. Michael holds a Business degree from York University, is an active participant in the Canadian political and Not-For-Profit sectors, and is an avid supporter of various Canadian and international charitable causes.
Advisory Team – China
Gordon Cheng
China Advisor
Mr. Cheng is the co-founder of G&S Capital, a key Capital Advisory Group partner and investment company that focuses on Chinese-Middle East and North Africa investment and business development. He is also the JV Partner and CEO to James Cameron JV in China, focusing on production of digital contents using most advanced technologies such as 3D used in films such as Avatar. Mr. Cheng is also the JV partner of DG China Clean Energy Fund, which is a USD500 million Fund set up between Deutsche Bank, his family and Tianjin Government, focusing on clean energy related investment across China. He is currently a Board Member，Investment Committee Member and Audit Committee Member of China Molybdenum Group, which is one of the largest SOE mining companies in China listed at the A share (Shanghai Listed) and H Share (HK Listed) markets, and has successfully acquired over USD5.2 billion dollar of top quality mining assets around the world over the past 3 years. Mr. Cheng is also on the Advisory Board of Poly LM Asset Management Group. He has also been the China Chief Representative to LaSalle Real Estate Fund (over USD45 billion global real estate funds in aggregate) as well as advising LaSalle Board and Global Executives on various strategic and investment directions in China. He has been the Senior Advisor to UNIDO (United Nations Institute for Management of Environment and Resources) in China, where he is involved in many climate change programs, including Energy Efficiencies, Electric Vehicles and Shale Gas. Mr. Cheng has been CFO and CIO (Chief Investment Officer) of China’s one of largest real estate companies, Sunshine100 Real Estate Group, where he has complete the complex restructuring, IPO as well as raising over RMB 8 billion in equity and debt for the company. Before joining Sunshine100 Group, Mr. Cheng has been the Senior Executive Vice President for Vimicro Corporation. He was in charge of the Finance, Investment, Strategic Development. Vimicro is the leading semiconductor design company based in China and Silicon Valley in US, focusing on design & development of advanced multimedia semiconductor chips, supplying to customers such as Apple and Samsung. He built a Board of Directors and Advisory Board, with reputable members such as Mr. Don Lucas (ex Oracle Chairman of Board) and Dr. Joseph Grundfest (ex U.S. SEC Commissioner)..Prior to joining Vimicro, he has worked for reputable global investment banks (JPMorgan and Credit Suisse) in US, HK and China where he has completed over US$55 billion of financings, investments, and M&A projects globally, covering energy, mining, telecommunication, technology, real estate and infrastructure sectors. Mr. Cheng and his family are well respected by senior leaders in China. His family has donated over 100 super size tanker ships to the Chinese Government in the 1970’s, which has helped to reshaped the Chinese shipping industry ever since.