Kuwaiti businessman Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi has acquired a three per cent holding in Italian luxury yacht manufacturer Ferretti Group, becoming a new minority shareholder at a time of heightened investor activity around the company.
The purchase was made through his private investment vehicle, BNK Holding KSCC, and adds a Middle Eastern investor to Ferretti’s shareholder base as the group faces potential changes in governance and ownership structure.
The investment comes a day after Czech investment group KKCG Maritime announced plans to significantly expand its position in the yacht builder through a voluntary partial tender offer valued at up to €182m. If completed, the move would raise KKCG Maritime’s ownership to just under 30 per cent and is accompanied by intentions to propose changes to Ferretti’s board of directors.
The acquisition by Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi is part of a “broader strategy to build a global portfolio focused on high-end assets and high-quality companies”, according to a press release.
BNK Holding operates across a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, automotive, retail, technology, construction, food and beverage, and industrial services. In Kuwait, the firm serves as the official importer and distributor for Volvo and Polestar vehicles and represents audio specialist Bang & Olufsen, alongside other international brands.
Al-Kharafi, a prominent figure in Kuwait’s corporate landscape, currently serves as chairman of Boursa Kuwait, the operator of the country’s stock exchange, and holds senior leadership roles at several major companies. These include his position as vice chairman and chief executive officer of telecommunications group Zain Group, as well as vice chairman of Gulf Cables. He is also a shareholder and board member of Coca-Cola Kuwait and sits on the Investment Advisory Board of Coutts Bank UK.
Ferretti Group is one of the most established names in the global yacht and superyacht market, overseeing a portfolio of brands that include Ferretti Yachts, Riva, Pershing, Custom Line, CRN and Wally.
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