AI Issue 12 2017

30 Acquisition International - December 2017 OAK Group Holdings is an international conglomerate of specialist services companies delivering Renewable Energy and Pipeline Infrastructure projects. Gareth R Brown, Group Chief Executive Officer gives us an insight into the success of the Recognised Leader in Renewable Energy Solutions in the Middle East 2017. AK Group is an end-to-end solutions provider, as well as a transaction and capital sourcing specialist. The company, has received industry recognition with consecutive annual awards for achieving value-add results through its delivery of energy utilities and infrastructure services, and solutions throughout the GCC. Regarding its clients, OAK Groupworks with O&G majors across the Middle East as well as Governments and Government Subsidiaries via long-term PPP Concession Agreements designed to provide environmental services as well as clean- energy by processing Waste-to-Energy. Gareth starts off by telling us what differentiates his firm from its competitors, before outlining what steps the company will take in order to achieve this. “Firstly, in separating ourselves out from the crowd, OAK Group’s strategy is to increase its ownership of revenue generating assets within the green-clean energy production space with particular focus on Government backed Public-Private-Partnerships. OAKGroup invests into theresearchanddevelopment of in-demand technologies with robust business planning which is underpinned by comprehensive feasibility analysis, identifying whether projects are bankable or not. Bankable projects which pass the OAK Group Acid Test are assured economic and commercial success and therefore typically attract serious investment interest. “Working towards achieving our mission, OAK Group employs highly trained and skilled. Local Nationals and British Field Engineers with International Accredited Degrees, Chartered in Engineering and Certified Project Managers and has developed Trademarked Technologies to specifically meet with clients’ needs as well as Patents pending on its in- demand and proven Intellectual Property.” Referring to the achievements of OAK Group, Gareth explains how it feels to be recognised with this award, how it feels, and what techniques the firm uses in order to maintain its high levels of success. “Fundamentally, OAK Group remains humbled to receive this award but it further reinforces OAK Group’s position within the market for this solution and bears testimony to the company’s strategy and drive towards bringing key thought led solutions to the market. “Within this ever evolving industry, OAK Group invests into the research and development of in-demand technologies with robust business planning which is Company: OAK Group Holdings Contact: Gareth R Brown, Group Chief Executive Officer Contact Email: [email protected] Address: PO Box 17169, Al Seef District, Kingdom of Bahrain Website: www.oakbh.com Big Business with a Big Future O 1712AI39 underpinned by comprehensive feasibility analysis.” Providing us with an overview of the industry, Gareth explains what external factors there are which may be affecting the industry, particularly highlighting the oil industry and its struggles. However, Gareth does hint at an upturn in fortunes for many companies. “OAK Group recognizes the fact that the depressed oil commodity index has had a challenging affect in the industry but it’s showing strong signs of an upturn recovery. However, this encourages innovation from Owners and Operators as they look to achieve Capital and Opex savings. OAK Group therefore sees this as opportunistic to be innovative with its services solutions. Governments in the GCC are looking to redress and balance their deficits and this has triggered a paradigm shift.” An exciting company to work for, Gareth provides us with an overview of the internal culture within OAK Group, describing how the staff are well equipped to provide the best possible service to its clients. “As a think-tank and technology based solutions provider, OAK Group encourages a collaborative working environment fostering creative, thriving thinkers. OAKGroup maintains a lean-team of experts with contrasting skills and experiences where it is important to respect each other’s different attributes and ways-of-thinking. There is no monocracy but value continually welcoming the contributions of all team members thereby creating an empowering culture which is healthy and fulfilling.” Looking ahead, there looks to be a very exciting future for OAK Group, as it remains focused on particular models which Gareth alludes to. There is a lot of positivity running through the team as they believe they have unearthed something special in terms of solutions. “Moving forward, OAK Group remains focused on introducing a Distributed Power Model to the Middle East converting landfilled-waste into Electricity. Such megawatt scale renewables approach will allow OAK Group to place investment funds into Project Companies, which in turn will generate revenue from the sale of clean electricity, direct to Governments around the region. OAKGroup is on target to construct the first waste-to-energy plant within the Kingdom of Bahrain scheduled for commissioning in Q3 2018. “Ultimately, we believe this is a game-changing solution and approach meeting the challenging economic conditions evident in the GCC today but will bring about enormous environmental and public health benefits.”