Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, Qatar’s former prime minister and architect of its assertive investment strategy, has been replaced as head of the country’s sovereign wealth fund, as the emirate accelerates its transition to a younger generation.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the new emir who took over after his father’s abdication last week, handed the top job at the Qatar Investment Authority to Ahmad Al Sayed, the 37-year-old lawyer who has been chief executive of Qatar Holding – the fund’s direct investment arm – for the past four years.
With $100bn in assets, Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund has built up an impressive portfolio with stakes in companies from Credit Suisse to Heathrow’s owner.