Ali K. Shaikley

ALI SHAIKLEY has significant experience handling complex cross-border corporate, M&A, and equity capital market transactions across the Middle East, Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa. A trusted advisor, he represents large corporations, private equity sponsors, family offices, and other investors on mergers and acquisitions, IPOs/equity capital markets transactions, private equity and venture capital transactions, joint ventures, and general corporate and commercial advisory work.

Ali has earned notable awards and acknowledgement in numerous industry publications, including:

• A ranked lawyer in Capital Markets: Equity, Chambers Global, Middle East-wide (2023–2024).
• A ranked lawyer in Capital Markets: Equity (Expertise Based Abroad), Chambers Global, United Arab Emirates (2023–2024).
• A ranked lawyer in Corporate/M&A, Chambers Global, Middle East-wide (2024).
• A ranked lawyer in Corporate/M&A (Expertise Based Abroad), Chambers Global, United Arab Emirates (2023–2024).
• “Next Generation Partner” in Corporate M&A, The Legal 500, UAE, (2022). Sources remarked that “despite being an international lawyer, he is very locally aware and this mix of international and local is what makes the difference.”
• “Highly Regarded” in M&A and Equity Capital Markets, IFLR1000 (2022).

He is fluent in both written and spoken Arabic. Prior to joining Sidley, Ali was a partner at another global law firm.

Recent examples of Ali’s work include representing:

Equity Capital Markets

• DEWA on its US$6.1 billion IPO on the DFM, the largest ever IPO in the UAE.
• Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) on its IPO on the DFM.
• The underwriters on the IPO of BinDawood Holding on the Tadawul.
• Taleem Holdings on its IPO on the DFM.
• The underwriters on the IPO of Al Ansari Financial Services.
• The shareholder (Borealis) in connection with the IPO of Borouge on the ADX.
• Emirates NBD Capital Limited and EFG-Hermes UAE Limited on the initial public offering of shares of ENBD REIT (CEIC) Limited, a Shari’a-compliant REIT, and its listing on Nasdaq Dubai.
• ADES International Holding on its IPO on the London Stock Exchange. This was the first DIFC company to carry out a listing solely on the London Stock Exchange.

M&A/Private Equity

• Tahweel Integrated Company, a Saudi Arabian leader in the cast pallet-wrap stretch film market known for delivering tailored industrial solutions across Asia and Europe, on its SAR 3 billion business combination with Nile Investment Limited.
• A global investment firm on its joint venture with a global sovereign investor to invest in, and secure the supply of, strategic metals and minerals.
• A global technology company on numerous early stage investments and bolt-on acquisitions in the U.S. and Asia.
• Yellow Door Energy on the sale of a majority stake to a fund managed by private equity firm Actis.
• The Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC), a wholly- owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, on the acquisition of 35.43% stake in Olam Agri Holdings for SAR 4.65 billion.
• Zakher Marine International on its acquisition by ADNOC Logistics & Services (ADNOC L&S), the shipping and maritime logistics arm of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).
• HWH Investments in the acquisition by Lagardère Travel Retail of a majority interest in Creative Table Holdings Ltd.
• United Arab Chemical Carriers in its acquisition by United Overseas Group (by way of the first ever reverse triangular merger in the DIFC).
• Mumzworld, a UAE-based mother, baby and child e-commerce platform, on the sale of its business to a subsidiary of the Tamer Group.
• Goldilocks Investment Company in its business combination with Eshraq Investments.
• TruKKer, the MENA and Central Asia’s largest digital freight network, on its Series B and Series C fundraises.
• International Holding Company PJSC on its business combination with Pal Cooling Holding.
• Al Qudra Holding PJSC in its business combination with Al Tamouh Investments.
• United Al Saqer Group LLC on their subscription for US$70m of redeemable exchangeable preference shares in Hygienic Holding Group Ltd.
• NMC Health on its US$207m acquisition of Cosmesurge from Emirates Hospitals Group.
• A large international private equity fund on the acquisition of a majority interest in a UAE-based school group.
• The shareholders of Best Global Brands on the two-phased sale of the company to Distell (total transaction value of nearly US$600 million).
• A GCC sovereign wealth fund on the sale of its portfolio company in the financial services sector.
• Labregah Real Estate Company and Barwa Real Estate on the acquisition of US$5.3 billion of assets comprising major real estate projects, including Barwa City and Barwa Commercial Avenue, and a significant stake in Barwa Bank.

Some of the above matters were handled prior to joining Sidley.

Ali maintains an active pro bono practice, including having worked with organizations like the World Bank, and various charities active in the MENA region.