Amanat Holdings appoints Dr. Ali Bin Harmal Aldhaheri as new chairman

UAE—Amanat Holdings PJSC, a prominent healthcare and education investment company, has appointed Dr. Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Aldhaheri as its new Chairman of the Board of Directors.

The appointment was finalized during a board meeting held on February 12, 2026.

Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, who has led the company as Chairman since December 2023, will immediately step down from both his chairmanship and his position on the Board of Directors.

He plans to redirect his attention toward other business ventures and interests.

New chairman brings extensive experience

Dr. Ali has served as a board member of Amanat Holdings since November 2020, bringing more than twenty years of expertise in education and business development.

Throughout his career, he has founded, launched, and successfully managed multiple business ventures across various sectors, including education, tourism, and real estate.

Beyond his entrepreneurial achievements, Dr. Ali has played an active role in shaping high-level government strategies related to tourism development, sports initiatives, meetings and conventions (MICE), education management, investments, and international trade.

His diverse background positions him well to guide Amanat Holdings through its next phase of growth.

Outgoing chairman leaves strong legacy

Dr. Shamsheer departs the company after successfully executing a strategic vision focused on value creation and maximizing returns for shareholders.

Under his leadership, Amanat achieved significant financial milestones that strengthened the company’s position in the regional market.

In August 2025, the company sold its education real estate asset for AED 453 million (USD123.3 million), delivering an unlevered cash-on-cash multiple of 1.7 times the initial investment.

More recently, in December 2025, Amanat achieved another major success by listing its education business, Almasar Alshamil Education, on the Saudi Exchange.

This initial public offering raised SAR 599 million (USD 159.7 million) and generated a cash-on-cash multiple exceeding 2.2 times, with shares currently trading well above the original offer price.

Chairman’s vision for the future

Speaking about his appointment, Dr. Ali expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead Amanat Holdings.

He emphasized that serving as Chairman represents a significant privilege, particularly given his five-year tenure as a board member during which he witnessed the company’s transformation into the region’s leading listed healthcare and education enterprise.

Dr. Ali highlighted that Amanat’s subsidiaries now serve thousands of patients and students throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

He stressed that the company has simultaneously increased profitability while maintaining a rigorous focus on creating value and delivering returns to shareholders.

The new Chairman expressed confidence that Amanat’s clearly defined strategy will sustain these positive trends in the coming years.

He also extended his appreciation to Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil for his effective leadership during the past two years.

Diverse portfolio of leadership roles

Dr. Ali currently holds numerous influential positions across multiple sectors.

He serves as Chairman and Founder of Abu Dhabi University, Chairman and CEO of NEMA Education, Chairman of Cambridge Health Group, and Managing Director of Bin Harmal Group.

Additionally, he chairs both Liwa Education and Magna Investments.

His board memberships extend to several listed companies, including his role as Chairman of Watania International Holding.

Dr. Ali also serves as First Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He earned an MBA from the American University in Washington DC and holds a PhD from Durham University in the United Kingdom.