Interview with Al Faleh Educational Holding CEO Sheikha Anwar Bint Nawaf Al Thani

Under the leadership of its CEO, Sheikha Anwar bint Nawaf Al Thani, Al Faleh Educational Holding, has recently announced its move to the main market of the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE). This achievement underscores Al Faleh Educational Holding’s unwavering commitment to excellence in education and represents a significant accomplishment under the visionary guidance of Sheikha Anwar. A graduate from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in Management, Sheikha Anwar was named on the Dean’s list at the University of Minnesota for outstanding performance and academic excellence. She also completed her Master’s in Business Administration with commendation from the University of Aberdeen. Sheikha Anwar also founded Little Panda’s Kindergarten, a learning institution offering early years foundation stage for students in Doha.

The Peninsula had the opportunity to discuss Al Faleh Holding’s latest achievement with the great female CEO at its helm.

Al Faleh Holding, under the distinguished leadership of the CEO Sheikha Anwar bint Nawaf Al Thani, has amassed unparalleled success and a host of stellar achievements, which recently includes its groundbreaking move to the main market of the Qatar Stock Exchange, making it the first public company in the stock market with a female as a CEO. What is the significance of this achievement and how does it impact Al Faleh’s position moving forward? 

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak about Al Faleh Educational Holding. Our transition from the venture market to the main market has been an extraordinary one. While I am happy to announce that I will be the first female CEO of a publicly trading company in the main market, I must admit that this achievement would have not been possible without the efforts of all our stakeholders. I believe it is the collective efforts of our teachers, students, parents, staff, and everyone who is a part of the day-to-day at Al Faleh that has resulted in what I see as a collective win for the team. Moving ahead, it is my hope that listing in the main market will improve Al Faleh’s visibility and credibility among institutions and the investing public. I strongly believe our move to the main market demonstrates our ability and capacity to comply with the robust regulatory standards established by the Qatar Financial Markets Authority, which emphasize transparency in all aspects of our activities..

 Can you take us through the procedure of moving into the main market in the stock exchange, and what were the necessary undertakings that made it possible?

 The listing of shares of Al Faleh Educational Holding through the venture market took place over 2 years ago on (13.04.2021). The credit for that goes to our Chairperson H.E. Dr. Sheikha Aisha bint Faleh Al Thani. Relentless in her pursuit for continuous improvement, she spearheaded Al Faleh’s transformation from being a closely held private company to one that is now striving to reach greater heights.

Credit also goes to the Qatar Financial Markets Authority who have set up stringent regulations for companies seeking to list, making sure that the financial community is safeguarded. Following our entry into the venture market, our transfer to the main market has been a seamless path, achieved through hard work and unwavering commitment.

Going to the main market indicates that our resources, financials, and management expertise have sufficiently expanded to justify our transition.

Now that Al Faleh will commence trading on the main market, what opportunities do you hope it will bring to the company and how do you foresee its performance?

The transformation of our growth trajectory is at the front burner as we transfer to the main market. As for our investors and shareholders, I hope that our move will make them feel more confident about Al Faleh’s financial state and its organizational capabilities. In terms of performance, I hope to see a positive momentum when it comes to the trading volume and share price.

Will this significant accomplishment propel Al Faleh to expand further in the region, and internationally, and will it shape its upcoming projects and services?

I am glad that you have asked this question. We have kick started initiatives that will see Al Faleh expand internationally. Our Chairperson H.E. Dr. Sheikha Aisha bint Faleh Al Thani is very keen to replicate our success story both regionally and internationally. One of our strategic objectives is to provide innovative educational solutions that are continuously updated based on market demands and international standards. I truly believe that regional and international expansion are a cornerstone of this objective.

Al Faleh Educational Holding is a leading international group that provides highly reputable products and services within the education and higher education sector in Qatar. The Holding encompasses three schools, including Doha Academy and Doha International Kindergarten, all of which carry the hallmark of teaching excellence.  In addition, the Holding includes a top-ranked university that is also the first UK University to operate on a dedicated campus in Qatar, AFG College with the University of Aberdeen.

Al Faleh Educational Holding was proudly founded and is led by H.E. Dr. Sheikha Aisha bint Faleh Al Thani whose vision is to contribute to the education and development of Qatar’s future leaders in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.

In April 2021, the Holding was listed on the Venture Market of the Qatar Stock Exchange which is a great achievement. Al Faleh is the first woman-led Qatari company to go public and it is also the first Qatari educational institution to list on the stock market, both major milestones reached under the stewardship of H.E. Dr. Sheikha Aisha bint Faleh Al Thani.

Al Faleh Educational Holding proudly announces the successful completion of necessary procedures with the Qatar Stock Exchange, the Qatar Central Securities Depository, and other relevant authorities. These steps mark a significant milestone as the Holding prepares to transfer its listing to the main market of the Qatar Stock Exchange. The first trading day for Al Faleh Educational Holding’s shares on the Main Market took place this Sunday, January 28, 2024.