Expat power 50 list named

Expat power 50. A list of the most influential expatriates working within the GCC compiled by Arabian Business magazine was released yesterday.

The list, which is published on an annual basis, primarily features names from the banking industry, financial markets, media and marketing, retail industry and travel and transport and represents the most influential expats living and working in the region. Those, the magazine claim, “making the biggest difference to the region they now call home – business leaders who have come to the Gulf and are playing a huge role in helping shape its future”.

Qatar Holding’s mergers and acquisitions leader Anthony Armstrong was named as the most influential expat in the gulf by Arabian business magazine. The US born banker who works within the Qatar Investment Authority has been responsible for a number of major deals over the past year, including the buyout of luxury department store Harrods in the UK.

Gaining the title as the second most influential expat in the Gulf is Brit Aidan Birkett, the accountant responsible for restructuring the Dubai debt. In third place is Jean Paul Villan, head of strategy at Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.

“Looking at the new rankings nobody will be surprised to see fewer Westerners on this year’s list than made it in 2009. Nor can it be a shock that Dubai has less power players than it did twelve months ago – Dubai World’s $26bn debt default has set the emirate on the back foot and that is reflected in the diminished influence of some of its business leaders,” the magazine said.

Expat Power 50 (GCC) – A LOOK AT THE TOP 10

For the full Expat 50 list see http://www.arabianbusiness.com/expat-powerlist-2010/feature/594954

Read the full article: http://www.arabianbusiness.com/expat-powerlist-2010/feature/594954