Gulf Capital, an active alternative investment firm in the Middle East based in Abu Dhabi, won the ‘Firm of the Year’ honour at the Private Equity International annual global awards.

Voting was completed by thousands of industry experts and peers from all over the world, and winners were selected from an annual shortlist of four worthy candidates per category, said a statement.

The Private Equity International (PEI) long-standing awards are based on an industry poll and recognise those firms whose effort and ingenuity drive the sector, it said.

The awards are the only independent international industry awards voted for the industry, by the industry.

The firm’s remarkable achievements in the private equity arena, its outstanding track record in exists, its successful fundraising and the significant growth of its portfolio companies, firmly cemented Gulf Capital as the ‘Firm of the Year’ in the Middle East.

Dr Karim El Solh, chief executive officer, said: “It is gratifying to be voted by industry peers as the ‘Firm of the Year’ in 2014 for the Mena region. This international recognition reaffirms Gulf Capital’s regional leadership in private equity that was also recognised by Banker Middle East when the Firm won ‘Best Private Equity Firm’ in the Middle East Awards for 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

“Over this last year, Gulf Capital has been investing actively in both the private equity and credit and mezzanine arenas and generating some of the best exists and returns in the industry. 2015 started off with a strong momentum and we are looking forward to yet another productive year."

The Private Equity International magazine covers the industry with a team of specialist journalists in London, Hong Kong and New York City who share great knowledge of the financial trends and transactions that shape the industry. - TradeArabia News Service