Ahmad Heikal 

Ahmad Heikal is an Egyptian businessman. He is the founder and the Chairman of Qalaa Holdings, a leading investment holdings firm investing in Egypt and East Africa with 9.1 billion EGP (about 508 million), previously known as Citadel Capital. Prior to founding Qalaa Holdings, Heikal joined EFG Hermes in 1992 and was instrumental in transforming it into a leading investment bank in the Arab world. He studied at Stanford University where he held a Master’s degree and a PhD in Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management.

Heikal has implemented several successful direct investment deals, including co-founding the leading IT company in Egypt Raya Holding, and Egypt’s largest natural gas distribution company Genco. He also raised three rounds of financing for regional mobile telecommunications operator Orascom Telecom and led the IPOs of Orascom Construction Industries and Orascom Hotels, among other landmark transactions.Heikal's investments in the field of media and publishing are part of Tanweer company. According to the official website of Qalaa Holding, Tanweer has a large portfolio of investments including Dar Al Shorouk Publishing, Al Mal, Al Shorouk, and the Libraries of Diwan and Al Kateb.Tanweer aims to build a huge content base based on the integration of regional information products, publishing and distribution institutions of books, newspapers television programs, and the production and distribution of feature films and documentaries. Dar Al Shorouk co-founded the Time Code Office for production and artistic photography in cooperation with a group of the most efficient producers. Time Code works on the production of advertising materials, programs, television series and short films. Diwan Bookstore has emerged as Egypt's leading library chain since its opening in 2002. It currently has 13 branches throughout Cairo and Alexandria, and continues to expand through contracts with writers, publishers and many cultural centers at the local and regional levels. Diwan Library also has the distribution rights of five international music labels and the rights to distribute music CDs in the local market.