Banking & Finance
Goldman Banker Moving From Dubai to London in Latest Change to Mideast Lineup

(Bloomberg) — Goldman Sachs Group Inc. dealmaker Fabrice Francois is relocating from Dubai to London, people familiar with the matter said, in the latest change to the firm’s Middle East lineup.
Francois plans to move to the U.K. at the end of the summer, according to one of the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. He will join Goldman’s mid-market advisory franchise, known as the cross markets group, with a focus on private equity as well as technology, media and telecommunications dealmaking, the person said.
The banker, who was named a managing director in the firm’s most recent promotion round in November, moved to the Gulf in 2018 and worked on a number of financial sponsors deals.
It wasn’t immediately clear if Goldman plans to replace Francois in the Middle East. A representative for Goldman declined to comment.
The U.S. bank’s Middle East operation has seen a number of personnel changes in the last year, including the departure of regional investment-banking head Hazem Shawki for Credit Suisse Group AG. Goldman named Selma Hassan as Shawki’s replacement in September. Martin Weber, the bank’s financing head for the Middle East and North Africa, also departed late last year.
Saudi Focus
Goldman has been turning its attention in the Middle East to Saudi Arabia after the fallout from the 1MDB corruption scandal resulted in the bank losing out on some lucrative mandates in Abu Dhabi, once one of its key regional markets. Dealings with Qatar have become more complicated amid its diplomatic clashes with the kingdom.
Goldman Chiefs Court Saudis on Aramco IPO After 1MDB Fallout
The bank was a global coordinator on Saudi Aramco’s initial public offering and also worked on the oil giant’s acquisition of a majority stake in Saudi Basic Industries Corp. worth about $69 billion.
The cross markets group Francois is joining forms a central part of Goldman’s strategy to win more mergers and acquisitions business with smaller clients. He fills a vacancy left by the departure of Devin Wilde, who moved to New York for a position on the activism and shareholder advisory team, according to an April internal memo.
-
OER Magazines2 months ago
OER, July 25
-
Alamaliktistaad Magazines2 months ago
Al-Iktisaad, July 25
-
News2 months ago
OpenAI Strengthens ChatGPT’s Mental Health Safeguards Ahead of GPT-5 Launch
-
Energy2 months ago
SOHAR Port and Freezone Signs MoU to Develop Natural Hydrogen Value Chain in Oman
-
OER Magazines3 weeks ago
Dossier – ToP 25 Personalities 2025
-
Banking & Finance2 months ago
Strong Performance and Strategic Approach: ahlibank announces Its Financial Results for the First Half of 2025
-
Economy2 months ago
Najla Zuhair Al Jamali Appointed President of bp Oman
-
News1 month ago
Ooredoo Wins Silver Stevie® Award for Diversity and Inclusion Excellence