Shirish Saraf Image

Founder & Vice Chairman Samena Capital

  • London, UK
  • Samena Capital
Shirish Saraf is the Founder & Vice Chairman of Samena Capital and Chairman of the Investment Committee. Samena's investments include bloom Hotels
Shirish Saraf

Professional Experience

Experience & Expertise That Define Leadership

Samena Capital
Founder & Vice Chairman at Samena Capital
  • May 2008
  • London, UK, UK

Achievements at this Role

  • Samena Capital is an investment group focusing on the SAMENA region which comprises the Subcontinent, Asia, Middle East and North Africa. Samena currently manages total capital commitments of US$1 billion and has made in excess of 60 investments, across two primary investment strategies, private equity and credit.
The Abraaj Group
Co-Founder & Managing Director at The Abraaj Group
  • Jan 2002
  • Dubai, AE, AE

Achievements at this Role

  • Saraf co-founded Abraaj Capital which was a pioneer in frontier markets and now one of the largest private equity firms operating in global growth markets. Saraf made a planned and successful exit for personal reasons, fortuitously just before the financial crisis.
ANZ Investment Bank
Director, Capital Markets at ANZ Investment Bank
  • Jan 1991 - Jan 1994
  • New Zealand, New Zealand

Achievements at this Role

  • ANZ is a financial brand and New Zealand's largest company based on profits and assets
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Virtus Medical Holdings
Board Member at Virtus Medical Holdings
  • Jan 2018
  • Hong Kong,, HK

Achievements at this Role

  • Virtus Medical Holdings, is a private medical provider built on a unique doctor partnership model. The company is the result of a merger of medical practices from 40 doctors, coupled with the financial backing of about US$83m from Samena Capital and Cenova Capital, as well as a group of specialist doctors and management engaged in the company.
bloom Hotel Group
Board Member at bloom Hotel Group
  • Jan 1990
  • Delhi, IN

Achievements at this Role

  • With hotels in New Delhi, Goa, Rishikesh, Gurgaon and Bangalore, bloom hotels offers affordable micro-rooms for travellers wanting good value, simple, clean and comfortable accommodation.
Company Logo
Vice Chairman & Chairman, Audit Committee at RAK Ceramics
  • Jun 2014 - Oct 2016
  • Ras Al-Khaimah, AE

Achievements at this Role

  • RAK Ceramics is one of the world's largest brands of ceramics, floor tiles and sanitary ware, with bases in India, Bangladesh, UAE, China and Iran. Since Samena's landmark investment RAK has seen strong growth and Samena aims to put the company amongst the top 5 ceramics players in India by 2020.
Softlogic Holdings plc
Board Member at Softlogic Holdings plc
  • Jan 2018
  • Colombo, LK

Achievements at this Role

  • Samena took a substantial stake in Softlogic, which is one of the largest conglomerates in Sri Lanka, with leading businesses in healthcare, consumer and retail.
Tejas Networks
Non-Executive Additional Director at Tejas Networks
  • Aug 2016
  • Bengaluru, IN, IN

Achievements at this Role

  • Tejas Networks has emerged as a leading name in the global optical networking equipment market today. Tejas successfully listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange less than ten months after Samena Special Situations Fund invested.
Dynamatic Technologies Limited
Board Member at Dynamatic Technologies Limited
  • Nov 2016
  • Bengaluru, IN

Achievements at this Role

  • Dynamatic Technologies Limited is a global business which designs and builds highly engineered products for Automotive, Aeronautic, Hydraulic and Security applications.
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Education & Achievements

A World-Class Academic Journey Paired with Real-World Impact

London School of Economics
London School of Economics
  • Jan 1986 - Mar 2026

BSc Economics and International Trade & Development

  • Bsc
Charterhouse School
Charterhouse School
  • Jun 1982 - Mar 2026

Moments That Matter

A Shirish Saraf’s career path in photos

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Media & Insights

Amplifying Expertise Through Media

Articles
media
"Softlogic announces plans to raise Rs.7bn via private placement, rights"
Secondary

Shirish Saraf

Founder & Vice Chairman Samena Capital

  • London, UK
  • Samena Capital
Shirish Saraf
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