Vauban Group, a cyber security solutions provider based in Doha and London, this week launched a $100mn investment vehicle, Vauban Cyber Security (VCS), to acquire and grow technology companies in the UK and Qatar.
$70mn will be used to invest in companies, targeting under $10mn investments in businesses with established track records, management teams and certifications with cutting-edge technology.
The remainder will be used for organic growth to extend Vauban’s current offering and invest in research and development. Vauban will create research facilities in the UK and Qatar harnessing the best of British and Qatari technologies and talent.
The partnership with VCS, a Qatari company, was forged five months ago. Speaking to Gulf Times on the sidelines of the Qatar-UK Business & Investment Forum in London and Birmingham, Mitchell Scherr, CEO of Vauban Group, said the company intends to invest in both Qatar and UK cyber security, leveraging its backgrounds in software law and security.
Aaron Taylor of Stantec sees a lot of potential in Qatar.
“We are an international consultancy with an office in Qatar. We work extensively in the healthcare and education sectors. We are increasingly committed to the Qatari market.”
Neil Rami, chief executive, Marketing Birmingham, said solid relations with Qatar are being established.
“Birmingham is going through an extensive growth period at the moment. We are looking for investors in our real estate, healthcare and infrastructure. We will have two high speed stations – one at the airport and one at the city centre. The Qataris, with their major presence in London, understand the UK market and we have now started a dialogue with them around Birmingham and the wider Midlands. We anticipate significant investment announcements over the coming months.”
He added that there is also considerable interest among Birmingham companies for construction contracts in Qatar.
Peter Blackmore, head of Qatar office, Pinsent Masons, said he felt that currently there is inadequate investing in Qatar by UK businesses. “This conference will encourage people and the widening of the scope of the types of activities that you can carry out in the QFC is positive. Allowing more scope for 100% investment is good for Qatar.”
Dr Ramsay Richmond, executive manager, Innovation Centre, QMB Queen Mary Enterprises, specialises in assisting countries to retain their top science talent.
“We focus on using science incubators to prevent brain drain; to keep graduate populations, especially scientists, in their native countries. We want to build starting jobs for scientists. Qatar has a well-developed science park. I am from Queen Mary University – we have the biggest incubator in London. Linking VC capital to early opportunities is where I see potential.”
Neil Walker, international development director, Railway Industry Association (RIA), UK, listened with interest to the transportation and infrastructure presentation made by Abdulla Abdulaziz al-Subaie, managing director and CEO, Qatar Rail.
The RIA is the representative body for UK-based suppliers of equipment and services to the world-wide industry. It has around 200 member companies active across the whole range of railway supply
“There are great opportunities in Qatar,” Walker said.
Frank Edwards, workforce development director, Middle East, Pearson Education said, “We have long-term aspirations to work with Qatar. We worked on developing the National Qualifications Framework in Qatar in association with the Institute of Education in London. I note that Qatar feels that the UK should be doing more in the higher education sector. I think there are opportunities for greater collaboration in the higher education space. Qatar has attracted a lot of engagement from the US and Australia and it is a very competitive market. Having 100% ownership will definitely be an incentive to attract businesses which can feel confident that they can control what they are doing.”
John Kelly, vice-president, customers, Middle East, Rolls-Royce, said the key message that came across is about diversification of the economy. “We want to examine how we can collaborate to develop that mutually.” He said.
Rolls-Royce supplies engines for the Airbus A350-A340 fleet as well as A330 freighters.
From left: Mitchell Scherr, CEO Vauban Group; Stephen Phipson, head of Defence & Security Organisation of British Department for International Trade and Omar Bitar, general manager of Vauban Cyber Security in Doha at the Qatar-UK Business and Investment Forum in Birmingham on Tuesday.
