Recent Trends in Structuring for GCC Families – Riyadh

Faizal is a UK qualified lawyer and for many years has worked and advised, and is a trusted advisor to institutions, corporates and families across the Middle East, Africa and India. Faizal specialises in banking and finance and has advised corporates, family offices and families including on their international investment and holding structures.

Alastair is a partner at Stephenson Harwood and leads the private wealth and tax practice for the Middle East region, where he has been based for over a decade. He specialises in advising high-net worth individuals and families, family offices and trustees on global estate planning, tax efficient investment structures, asset protection and philanthropy. He has significant experience in advising business owners and families on their personal and business asset holding structures for optimal succession planning, family governance and tax purposes. He regularly advises international financial institutions in relation to the implications of the new UAE corporation tax in respect of their clients private holding structures (companies and trusts), as well as UAE family offices on UAE corporation tax relating to their domestic and international holding structures.

Dr. Abdulaziz Alrashid is the Manager of the Family Businesses ADR Program at the National Center for Family Businesses in Saudi Arabia. With an SJD from American University Washington College of Law and an LL.M from Georgetown University, Dr. Alrashid specializes in commercial law, arbitration, and dispute resolution. He has extensive experience advising on legal matters for both governmental and private entities, including the Saudi Central Bank and the Ministry of Human Resources. Dr. Alrashid also serves on various legal committees, contributes to academic research, and provides consultations in arbitration and internal auditing.

Ed is a partner of Mourant Ozannes (Jersey) LLP, and became a partner of the firm in 1996. He is also the Global Practice Leader of their award-winning International Trusts & Private Client team. The main focus of his practice is trusts holding private wealth, but Ed also has substantial experience of working with trust structures in the commercial sphere, such as pensions and unit trusts. A regular speaker at conferences in Jersey and beyond, Ed is also responsible for the Jersey chapters of several jurisdictional guides to trusts. In addition, he serves on industry working parties considering improvements to Jersey's trust and foundation legislation.

Ismael Hajjar is a UAE based partner specialising in international tax & wealth structuring, family office and private capital advisory. He started his career in Europe and has been serving international families for over 16 years. He relocated to the UAE in 2013 and is currently acting as a trusted advisor to a number of successful families across the Middle East region. He is leading PwC Tax and Legal service offering to private clients, entrepreneurial & royal families and family offices in helping them understand and manage their global affairs, overcome cross-border tax challenges and identify opportunities to achieve their family and business objectives. Prior to joining PwC, Ismael was acting as head of Private for another big four firm and was responsible for the design and execution of the overall firm strategy for private companies and their owners across all service lines.

James is an executive Director for Trident Trust in Jersey, with over 25 years’ of multi-jurisdictional experience in private wealth. He is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and holds an MBA with a specialisation in family enterprise, in particular focusing on effective family governance and succession.

Manal Salman is a seasoned legal expert with over 15 years of experience in banking, corporate law, sports, real estate, and entertainment. Based in Riyadh, she currently serves as the head of the Sports, Entertainment, and Sports Investment Department at the law firm of Majed Garoub. Her career highlights include drafting and reviewing complex corporate, commercial, and real estate contracts, as well as constituting companies across multiple sectors. Manal has played a pivotal role in implementing governance strategies for sports federations and empowering female athletes in Saudi Arabia’s evolving sports industry. She also advises family businesses, family offices, and next-generation leaders on legal consultations, governance, and succession matters. In real estate, Manal has facilitated the incorporation of diverse company structures and managed property-related legal issues. In banking, she has handled corporate financial agreements and regulatory compliance.

Hadeel has over 17 years of experience in indirect tax, finance, and accounting, initiating her career at Saudi Aramco. Her leadership in the 2016 VAT implementation at Aramco marked a significant stride in her career. She later expanded her expertise with the Big 4, working across the UK, UAE, and KSA. Recognized as the First Saudi Indirect Tax Partner in the KSA market, Hadeel’s professional journey represents a blend of pioneering achievements and leadership excellence. Currently, Hadeel is working at Deloitte as an Indirect Tax Partner in Riyadh. She also leads as the KSA Indirect Tax Controversy & Litigation Leader and acts as the KSA Talent Leader. She is charged with the oversight of the Riyadh office's indirect tax team, the KSA controversy team, and is at the helm of talent growth and development. Committed to championing Saudization and managing the TADARAB program for graduates, she is a crucial contributor to sculpting the future of professional services in the region.

Stephenson Harwood is an international law firm with over 1,300 professionals, including 200+ partners.

Our award-winning global private wealth team operates in key locations such as the UAE, London and Hong Kong, advising international expatriate families, sovereign families, family offices, entrepreneurs and financial institutions.

We specialise in complex international structuring, including trusts and foundations, particularly where family businesses or corporate structures are involved. Our team provides strategic advice on personal and business assets, including real estate, investment portfolios, art, yachts and jets, focusing on succession planning, family governance, and tax.

We also handle sensitive cross-border disputes, including family business conflicts and contested probate.

Clients come to us for our sector knowledge and experience, ‘can do’ approach, great service levels and attention to detail on implementation.  Our international reach and wealth of local knowledge ensures we deliver a seamless service that works for our clients wherever they’re located.