Publication
Creating a Narrative from Numbers
https://www.toptal.com/management-consultants/business-plan-writers/business-plan-narrative
Ali is currently unavailable
Ali Al-Suhail
Verified Expert in Management Consulting
Management Consulting Expert
London, United Kingdom
Toptal member since August 5, 2019
Bio
Ali has advised on equity transactions amounting to USD $3 billion involving startups, mid-market companies, and private equity firms in various industries including healthcare, retail, and telecom. He holds CFA and CAIA designations and is currently pursuing his MBA at London Business School. Ali joined Toptal to advise clients on matters relating to corporate finance, M&A, fundraising, and business analytics.
Career Highlights
Venture Builder
Zero 1
Education Highlights
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
London Business School
Bachelor's Degree
American University of Sharjah
Certification Highlights
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
CFA Institute
Certified Alternative Investment Analyst
CAIA Association
Case Studies
Investment Opportunity
ValuationM&A (Buy-side)M&A ModelingLeveraged Buyout ModelingLeveraged Buyout (LBO)Deal Analysis+ 5 more
Ethnic Focused Online Grocery Store (Redacted)
Pitch DecksPitch BooksFundraising
Industry Expertise
- Venture Capital & Private Equity
- Healthcare Services
- Hospitality
- Manufacturing
- Retail
- Telecommunications
- Freight & Logistics Services
- eCommerce
Other Expertise
- eCommerce
- Fundraising
- Market Research
- Middle East
- Valuation
Work Experience
Finance Expert
2020 - 2020
Middle East-based Accelerator (via Toptal)
- Worked closely with the accelerator's startups to identify key metrics to track and created business plans to reflect the progression of those metrics.
- Built complex financial models for each of the startups that helped founders better understand the financial aspects of their offerings.
- Advised on the content and structure of the fundraising phase of the program.
Focus areas: Financial Modeling, Fundraising Consultant, Fundraising, Early-stage Startups, Startups
Finance Expert
2019 - 2020
Ojonimi Bako (via Toptal)
- Built a path to revenue financial model for an online grocery business in Saudi Arabia.
- Provided detailed market research on the online grocery landscape in the Middle East.
- Provided recommendations on the best operating model to adopt including an analysis of each model's strengths and weaknesses.
Focus areas: Financial Modeling
Associate
2019 - 2019
DAI Capital
- Led the investment analysis for a potential target in the EdTech space in West Africa; the analysis included a detailed investment memorandum, market research, and a financial model.
- Managed the development of a services based joint venture concept in the real estate space focused on providing public services in West Africa.
- Advised on the potential acquisition a financial services firm that operates across Africa.
- Supported recruitment efforts and devised a training program for new joiners to the firm.
Focus areas: Financial Modeling, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Venture Capital, Corporate, Social Impact, Startups, Africa, Capitalization Tables
Venture Builder
2019 - 2019
Zero 1
- Managed a US $2 million fundraising effort for a newly established startup in the insurance technology sector, which involved building pitch decks, market sizing, and identifying potential investors.
- Built a detailed business plan and unit economics model as part of the fundraising process.
- Led a number of strategic initiatives for one of the firm's ventures around financial reporting and KPI monitoring.
- Developed a fintech startup concept within the personal finance space as a corporate venture.
- Developed a fintech startup concept within the SME banking space.
Focus areas: Financial Modeling, Customer Lifetime Value (CLV), Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC), Operational Finance, Venture Funding, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Capitalization Tables
Senior Associate, Mergers and Acquisitions Advisory
2016 - 2018
EY
- Led day-to-day execution of M&A transactions across diversified industries in the MENA region.
- Managed marketing of transactions, due diligence processes, financial model development, business plan analysis, and negotiations.
- Identified significant value creation potential (US $10 million) through detailed valuation and business plan analysis for a telecom company on the acquisition of a US $80 million internet service provider.
- Co-led the acquisition of an online fashion retail company by a large real estate group within a very tight timeline from identification to signing the sales and purchase agreement.
- Devised and executed an acquisition strategy for a large healthcare conglomerate to establish an integrated healthcare platform in Saudi Arabia (approximate value of US $800 million) and co-led a subsequent primary capital raising engagement to fund further acquisitions.
Focus areas: Financial Modeling, Free Cash Flow (FCF), Funding Process, Fundraising, Fund Structure, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
Associate, Valuation, and Business Modeling
2014 - 2016
EY
- Built complex financial models and used a range of valuation techniques (income and market approaches) to provide business valuation advisory services to clients.
- Executed the valuation of a US $200 million family office portfolio, focused on minority investments in high-risk countries such as Egypt and Yemen.
- Prepared a feasibility study for a leading UAE-based holding company on establishing a water bottling company in Abu Dhabi; the study included interviews and visits to competitors' locations.
- Managed the valuation of a US $500 million portfolio of a Saudi conglomerate as part of restructuring efforts by the company, resulting in EY being awarded an additional contract amounting to US $3 million.
- Built a comprehensive business plan as part of a fundraising engagement for a leading infrastructure construction company in Kenya.
- Collaborated with EY Ghana and a French technical advisor in preparing a feasibility study for the construction of a new airport city in Sierra Leone.
Focus areas: Transaction Modeling, Financial Modeling, Equity Valuation, DCF Valuation, Valuation Modeling, Valuation
Associate Auditor, Assurance
2012 - 2014
EY
- Provided audit services to clients across multiple sectors including private equity, manufacturing, construction, financial services, and pharmaceuticals.
- Developed process flowcharts for clients and provided management recommendations based on risks and gap analysis of each process.
- Advised the CFO of a regional manufacturer on improving inventory and receivables controls resulting in US $100,000 of cost savings.
- Served as the on-site audit team leader of a publicly listed company and presented the audit report to the audit committee and board of directors.
- Developed an in-house management reporting package for a newly established joint venture.
Focus areas: Financial Modeling, Management, Audits, Control Audits
Other Experience
Education
2018 - 2020
Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Entrepreneurial Management and Private Equity
London Business School - London
2006 - 2011
Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics
American University of Sharjah - United Arab Emirates
Certifications
JUNE 2016 - PRESENT
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
CFA Institute
JANUARY 2014 - PRESENT
Certified Alternative Investment Analyst
CAIA Association
Skills
Finance
Financial Modeling, Market Research, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Valuation, Fundraising, Budgeting, Seed Fundraising, Startup Funding, Risk, Venture Funding, Operational Finance, Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC), Customer Lifetime Value (CLV), Fund Structure, Funding Process, Free Cash Flow (FCF), Valuation Modeling, DCF Valuation, Equity Valuation, Transaction Modeling, Control Audits, Pricing, M&A (Sell-side), M&A Modeling, Deal Advisory, Forecasting, P&L Forecasting, M&A (Buy-side), Leveraged Buyout Modeling, Deal Analysis, Investment Briefs, Capital Raising
Output Software
Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel 2016, Apple Keynote, Office 365, Google Sheets
Data & Analysis Software
Capital IQ, Tableau, R
Industry Expertise
Retail & Wholesale, Telecommunications, Industrial & Manufacturing, Logistics, Early-stage Startups, Healthcare, Hospitality, Venture Capital
Geographic Expertise
Africa, EMEA, Middle East, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Iraq
Other
Pitch Decks, Modeling, Excel Modeling, Market Research & Analysis, SaaS, Fundraising Consultant, Market Sizing, Fractional CFO, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), eCommerce, Healthcare Services, Marketing Research & Analysis, Capitalization Tables, Audits, Management, Startups, Social Impact, Corporate, Slack, Business Planning, Transaction Advisory, Advisory, Board Presentations, Leveraged Buyout (LBO), Value Analysis, Investment Ideas, Market Trends, Investment Cases, Pitch Preparation, Pitch Presentations, Pitch Books
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