Badr Jafar
Encyclopedia
Badr Jafar is an Emirati business executive and entrepreneur based in the United Arab Emirates
(UAE). Educated in the UAE and United Kingdom, he is the President of Crescent Petroleum
and founder-Chief Executive Officer of Crescent Investments, the Crescent Group conglomerate's non-petroleum division. He is also the founder and the Chairperson of Gas Cities – a joint venture between Crescent Petroleum and Dana Gas
; Chairperson of Pearl Petroleum – a joint venture between Crescent Petroleum, Dana Gas, OMV
, and MOL Group; and Vice-Chairperson of Gulftainer Logistics. Jafar serves as a board member to Gama Aviation
(UK), Enshaa (a UAE real estate company), Abraaj Capital
(UAE), and GrowthGate Capital (Bahrain).
Badr is a recipient of the Young CEO award in 2009 and the Middle East's Energy CEO of the year award in 2010. In September 2010, Jafar launched the Pearl Initiative at the United Nations
headquarters in New York, an initiative in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Partnerships
to jointly promote corporate governance, accountability, transparency, and good corporate social responsibility
(CSR) practices within the Middle East. In March 2011, Badr was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum
.
in the United Kingdom, before going on to graduate from Cambridge University in engineering in 1999, followed by a Masters degree in fluid mechanics
with additional qualifications in astrophysics. In 1996, Harvard University
awarded Jafar the Harvard Book Award
. The Harvard Book Award is presented to students who "display excellence in scholarship and high character, combined with achievements in other fields." Besides degrees in engineering, Badr has a business degree from Cambridge Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge and currently chairs its Alumni Advisory Council.
, Anne Klein
, and Issey Miyake
. Badr established Collo Fashion that designed, manufactured and distributed neckwear. Collo Fashion grew quickly, and within a year, it sold clothing in 42 stores in 11 countries. Three years after its launch, Collo Fashion was sold to Asian distributors. Besides fashion, Badr established other business ventures, including high-end property development, aviation, and private equity. In 2002, Badr returned to Sharjah
to join the family-owned Crescent Business Development team. In 2005, he became Crescent's Business Development Director, and in 2007, he was named the Executive Director of Crescent Petroleum. In addition, Jafar is the founder of Full Moon Productions
– a movie production company, and one of the owners of EMJAG Digital Productions. The company, based in Los Angeles
, in a deal with Paramount Pictures
, created an internet mini-series called Circle of 8 where viewers could help decide the plot of the show. Full Moon Productions has also collaborated with a number of production companies in London and Los Angeles to develop content for films set in or themed on the Middle East and North Africa. In February 2011, Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey
announced plans to start a theatre academy in the Middle East together with Badr Jafar. The Middle East Theatre Academy would be joint project with the Kevin Spacey Foundation to provide a platform to nurture young actors, directors, and producers from the Middle East, and showcase their talent internationally.
Jafar currently serves as a Board member of the Emirates Chapter of the Young Presidents' Organization
, a global network of young chief executives. He is also on the Alumni Advisory Council of Cambridge Judge Business School and sits on its International Advisory Board. In January 2011, Cambridge Judge Business School, a community of over 5,000 members internationally, voted in Badr Jafar as Chair of its Alumni Council.
In 2009, Badr won the 'Young CEO of the Year' award for CEOs under 30. The CEO Middle East Awards recognize and reward industry leaders, high achievers and innovators from across the Middle East. The following year, in September 2010, he was named the 'Energy CEO of the Year' at CEO Middle East Awards.
In June 2010, New York's CITYarts, Inc.
honoured Badr with the Making a Difference through the Arts award for "his outstanding philanthropic leadership within the private sector, and in particular his commitment and support towards children’s rights.
In September 2010, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin
invited Jafar to join his council at the Sochi Economic Conference in Russia to represent Middle East businesses. Later that month, Jafar launched the Pearl Initiative at the United Nations
headquarters in New York — an initiative in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Partnerships
to jointly promote corporate governance, accountability, transparency, and good corporate social responsibility
(CSR) practices within the Middle East.
In March 2011, Badr was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum
. Around that time, Badr launched the Global Gumbo Group with music producer Quincy Jones
, to develop multimedia opportunities across all entertainment platforms, including music, film, television, publishing and digital applications, in the Middle East and North Africa.. On May 26, 2011, Badr Jafar and Quincy Jones jointly executive produced an Arabic charity single titled Tomorrow/Bokra to help raise money to finance educational arts, culture scholarships, and projects for children in the Middle East and North Africa.
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
(UAE). Educated in the UAE and United Kingdom, he is the President of Crescent Petroleum
Crescent Petroleum
Crescent Petroleum is a privately owned oil and gas company headquartered in the United Arab Emirates. It began operations in 1971 as the first independent and privately owned Middle Eastern petroleum company to engage in the acquisition, exploration and development of petroleum concessions. The...
and founder-Chief Executive Officer of Crescent Investments, the Crescent Group conglomerate's non-petroleum division. He is also the founder and the Chairperson of Gas Cities – a joint venture between Crescent Petroleum and Dana Gas
Dana Gas
Dana Gas is an independent gas company headquartered in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The largest private shareholder in Dana Gas is Crescent Petroleum....
; Chairperson of Pearl Petroleum – a joint venture between Crescent Petroleum, Dana Gas, OMV
OMV
OMV is Austria's largest oil-producing, refining and gas station operating company with important activities in other Central European countries...
, and MOL Group; and Vice-Chairperson of Gulftainer Logistics. Jafar serves as a board member to Gama Aviation
Gama Aviation
Gama Aviation Limited is an executive airline based at Farnborough Airport in the United Kingdom. It operates business jet aircraft for charter, as well as offering aircraft management services worldwide....
(UK), Enshaa (a UAE real estate company), Abraaj Capital
Abraaj Capital
Abraaj Capital is among the world's 50-biggest private equity groups, and invests in the growing Middle East, North Africa and South Asia region, a region also known as MENASA. Abraaj manages about $6.6 billion of funds and stakes in about two dozen companies, including some of the best known in...
(UAE), and GrowthGate Capital (Bahrain).
Badr is a recipient of the Young CEO award in 2009 and the Middle East's Energy CEO of the year award in 2010. In September 2010, Jafar launched the Pearl Initiative at the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
headquarters in New York, an initiative in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Partnerships
United Nations Office for Partnerships
The United Nations Office for Partnerships serves as a gateway for partnership opportunities with the United Nations family. It promotes new collaborations and alliances in furtherance of the Millennium Development Goals and provides support to new initiatives of the Secretary-General...
to jointly promote corporate governance, accountability, transparency, and good corporate social responsibility
Corporate social responsibility
Corporate social responsibility is a form of corporate self-regulation integrated into a business model...
(CSR) practices within the Middle East. In March 2011, Badr was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum
World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum is a Swiss non-profit foundation, based in Cologny, Geneva, best known for its annual meeting in Davos, a mountain resort in Graubünden, in the eastern Alps region of Switzerland....
.
Early life
Badr was born in the northern Emirate of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, and lived there until the age of 15, when he entered Eton CollegeEton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
in the United Kingdom, before going on to graduate from Cambridge University in engineering in 1999, followed by a Masters degree in fluid mechanics
Fluid mechanics
Fluid mechanics is the study of fluids and the forces on them. Fluid mechanics can be divided into fluid statics, the study of fluids at rest; fluid kinematics, the study of fluids in motion; and fluid dynamics, the study of the effect of forces on fluid motion...
with additional qualifications in astrophysics. In 1996, Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
awarded Jafar the Harvard Book Award
Harvard Book Award
The Harvard Book Award is an award given out by the alumni of Harvard University to the top-performing student in 11th/12th grade reading classes in 1,900 "selected" high schools. The award has been in existence since 1910....
. The Harvard Book Award is presented to students who "display excellence in scholarship and high character, combined with achievements in other fields." Besides degrees in engineering, Badr has a business degree from Cambridge Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge and currently chairs its Alumni Advisory Council.
Work
After graduation, Jafar forayed into the fashion industry spending time in London, New York and Italy to learn the business. He was assisted by Tomio Taki, a Japanese textile magnate and one-time owner of Donna KaranDonna Karan
Donna Karan is an American fashion designer and the creator of the Donna Karan New York and DKNY clothing labels.-Early life:...
, Anne Klein
Anne Klein
Anne Klein was an American fashion designer who founded her own women's sportswear and apparel label.-Biography:Anne Klein was born as Hannah Golofski in a Jewish family in Brooklyn, New York on August 3, 1923...
, and Issey Miyake
Issey Miyake
is a Japanese fashion designer. He is known for his technology-driven clothing designs, exhibitions and fragrances.-Life and career:Miyake was born 22 April 1938 in Hiroshima, Japan. As a seven year-old, he witnessed and survived the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. He studied...
. Badr established Collo Fashion that designed, manufactured and distributed neckwear. Collo Fashion grew quickly, and within a year, it sold clothing in 42 stores in 11 countries. Three years after its launch, Collo Fashion was sold to Asian distributors. Besides fashion, Badr established other business ventures, including high-end property development, aviation, and private equity. In 2002, Badr returned to Sharjah
Sharjah (city)
Sharjah is the third largest and most populous city in the United Arab Emirates. It is located along the southern coast of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula.Sharjah is the seat of government of the emirate of Sharjah...
to join the family-owned Crescent Business Development team. In 2005, he became Crescent's Business Development Director, and in 2007, he was named the Executive Director of Crescent Petroleum. In addition, Jafar is the founder of Full Moon Productions
Full Moon Productions
Full Moon Productions is a record company started in May 1991 by Jon "Thorns" Jamshid from Lakeland, Florida. After releasing the first issue of Petrified 'zine, Thorns decided to sign several black metal bands which included Burzum, Hades , Algaion, Nåstrond and Vlad Tepes...
– a movie production company, and one of the owners of EMJAG Digital Productions. The company, based in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, in a deal with Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
, created an internet mini-series called Circle of 8 where viewers could help decide the plot of the show. Full Moon Productions has also collaborated with a number of production companies in London and Los Angeles to develop content for films set in or themed on the Middle East and North Africa. In February 2011, Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey
Kevin Spacey
Kevin Spacey, CBE is an American actor, director, screenwriter, producer, and crooner. He grew up in California, and began his career as a stage actor during the 1980s, before being cast in supporting roles in film and television...
announced plans to start a theatre academy in the Middle East together with Badr Jafar. The Middle East Theatre Academy would be joint project with the Kevin Spacey Foundation to provide a platform to nurture young actors, directors, and producers from the Middle East, and showcase their talent internationally.
Jafar currently serves as a Board member of the Emirates Chapter of the Young Presidents' Organization
Young Presidents' Organization
The Young Presidents’ Organization is a global network of young chief executives. With approximately 18,000 members in more than 100 countries, YPO and its graduate organization, WPO share a founding mission: Better Leaders Through Education and Idea Exchange....
, a global network of young chief executives. He is also on the Alumni Advisory Council of Cambridge Judge Business School and sits on its International Advisory Board. In January 2011, Cambridge Judge Business School, a community of over 5,000 members internationally, voted in Badr Jafar as Chair of its Alumni Council.
In 2009, Badr won the 'Young CEO of the Year' award for CEOs under 30. The CEO Middle East Awards recognize and reward industry leaders, high achievers and innovators from across the Middle East. The following year, in September 2010, he was named the 'Energy CEO of the Year' at CEO Middle East Awards.
In June 2010, New York's CITYarts, Inc.
CITYarts, Inc.
CITYarts, Inc. is a nonprofit public arts and education organization founded in 1968, and then re-founded with a name change and new mission in 1989 when Tsipi Ben-Haim reopened the organization's closed doors. CITYarts brings together children and youth with professional artists to create public art...
honoured Badr with the Making a Difference through the Arts award for "his outstanding philanthropic leadership within the private sector, and in particular his commitment and support towards children’s rights.
In September 2010, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin served as the second President of the Russian Federation and is the current Prime Minister of Russia, as well as chairman of United Russia and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Union of Russia and Belarus. He became acting President on 31 December 1999, when...
invited Jafar to join his council at the Sochi Economic Conference in Russia to represent Middle East businesses. Later that month, Jafar launched the Pearl Initiative at the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
headquarters in New York — an initiative in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Partnerships
United Nations Office for Partnerships
The United Nations Office for Partnerships serves as a gateway for partnership opportunities with the United Nations family. It promotes new collaborations and alliances in furtherance of the Millennium Development Goals and provides support to new initiatives of the Secretary-General...
to jointly promote corporate governance, accountability, transparency, and good corporate social responsibility
Corporate social responsibility
Corporate social responsibility is a form of corporate self-regulation integrated into a business model...
(CSR) practices within the Middle East.
In March 2011, Badr was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum
World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum is a Swiss non-profit foundation, based in Cologny, Geneva, best known for its annual meeting in Davos, a mountain resort in Graubünden, in the eastern Alps region of Switzerland....
. Around that time, Badr launched the Global Gumbo Group with music producer Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones
Quincy Delightt Jones, Jr. is an American record producer and musician. A conductor, musical arranger, film composer, television producer, and trumpeter. His career spans five decades in the entertainment industry and a record 79 Grammy Award nominations, 27 Grammys, including a Grammy Legend...
, to develop multimedia opportunities across all entertainment platforms, including music, film, television, publishing and digital applications, in the Middle East and North Africa.. On May 26, 2011, Badr Jafar and Quincy Jones jointly executive produced an Arabic charity single titled Tomorrow/Bokra to help raise money to finance educational arts, culture scholarships, and projects for children in the Middle East and North Africa.