Abdul Aziz Bin Yagub Al Serkal

Abdul Aziz Bin Yagub Al Serkal is a prominent UAE investor and business leader with over two decades of experience in private equity, venture capital, and industrial investments. He currently serves as Managing Director of Masharie LLC, the private equity arm of Dubai Investments PJSC, and simultaneously holds the position of CEO - Industrial Platform at Dubai Investments, where he oversees a comprehensive portfolio of subsidiaries in the construction, building materials, and industrial sectors.

Al Serkal's academic foundation was built at the University of Southern California, where he earned his degree in Industrial and System Engineering. This technical education laid the groundwork for his career focused on industrial development and strategic investments in the manufacturing and infrastructure sectors across the UAE and broader GCC region.

Prior to joining Dubai Investments, Al Serkal spent 13 years at Emirates Industrial Bank, a federal government financial institution dedicated to supporting industrial development in the UAE. This experience provided him with deep insight into the country's industrial growth trajectory and the capital needs of emerging manufacturing and industrial businesses. His tenure at the bank positioned him at the intersection of government policy and private sector industrial expansion during a critical period of UAE economic diversification.

At Dubai Investments, Al Serkal has held several leadership positions over his career. He served as General Manager for six years, where he was responsible for industrial and overseas investments, followed by his appointment as CEO of Masharie LLC. In 2019, he was appointed CEO - Building Materials Platform, covering subsidiaries specializing in solar technologies, glass, aluminum, steel structures, and polystyrene insulation. Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in planning and executing major industrial projects and identifying high-potential investment opportunities across the Middle East.

Beyond his executive roles, Al Serkal is an active member of the UAE International Investors Council, where he contributes to initiatives aimed at enhancing international investment flows into and out of the Emirates. His expertise in cross-border industrial investments and his extensive network across GCC markets make him a valuable contributor to policy discussions around economic development and foreign direct investment.

As Managing Director of Masharie LLC, Abdul Aziz Al Serkal leads a private equity firm with a clear mandate: delivering superior value and returns through investments in strategic, high-potential, well-managed businesses across the UAE and GCC region. Established in 1998 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Dubai Investments PJSC, Masharie has built a reputation for active management, operational value creation, and strategic diversification.

Masharie's investment philosophy centers on direct equity partnerships in medium to large-scale companies operating in three core sectors: industrial, trading, and services. The firm seeks businesses with strong growth potential, defensible market positions, and capable management teams. Unlike pure financial investors, Masharie emphasizes active engagement post-investment, leveraging the Dubai Investments platform to enhance portfolio company operations, facilitate market expansion, and drive profitability improvements.

Core Sector Focus:

Investment Stage & Geography: Masharie invests across the capital structure, from seed-stage growth equity to mezzanine financing and management buyouts. The firm focuses primarily on UAE-based companies but has expanded into broader GCC markets including Saudi Arabia. The investment horizon is long-term, with exits timed strategically to maximize value rather than adhering to rigid fund timelines.

Value Creation Approach: Al Serkal's strategy emphasizes diversification, operational leverage, and strategic timing. Masharie portfolio companies benefit from access to Dubai Investments' extensive network, procurement scale, and cross-selling opportunities. The firm actively supports management teams in professionalization, financial planning, and expansion into new markets or product lines.

• Aluminum & Metal Manufacturing: Emirates Extrusion Factory, White Aluminium Extrusion, Gulf Metal Craft
• Electrical & Lighting: Lite-Tech Industries, Gulf Dynamic Switchgear
• Building Materials & Construction Services: Interior fit-outs, laboratory furniture
• Industrial Services: Document management, telecommunication systems integration
• Energy & Infrastructure: District cooling (Emicool)