Rakan is a Partner in our Corporate and Equity Capital Markets practice in Riyadh.

He has developed a broad corporate and commercial practice across a range of sectors with experience in IPOs, public and private M&A, capital alterations, joint ventures, corporate, reorganisations and various other legal and regulatory matters.

Rakan has advised on a number of landmark IPOs and M&A transactions in Saudi and constantly advises local and international clients on corporate and regulatory matters.

Relevant experience

Rakan’s experience includes advising:

• BAAN Holding Group Co. on its acquisition of 86 residential units and three major hotels in a single capital increase.
• ACWA Power on its landmark USD 1.9 billion rights issue.
• HSBC on the transfer of Jahez from the Parallel Market to Tadawul’s Main Market.
• A listed company on its negotiated sale of approximately 5% in another listed company as a block trade.
• The Public Investment Fund on its SAR 2.83 billion acquisition of a 25% stake in Emaar, The Economic City through a debt-for-equity conversion.
• National Commercial Bank and Samba in relation to their statutory merger.
• The Public Investment Fund on the acquisition of a 65% stake in Sela Sports Company.
• MBC Group on its IPO and listing on Tadawul’s Main Market, including its group restructuring and readiness process.
• Derayah Financial Company on the landmark IPO of a Saudi capital market institution and its listing on Tadawul’s Main Market.
• Saudi Tadawul Group Company on its landmark IPO and listing on Tadawul’s Main Market.
• Americana Restaurants on its first-of-its-kind IPO and dual listing on ADX and Tadawul.
• SNB Capital and EFG Hermes as underwriters in Nice One’s IPO.
• ADES Holding on its landmark USD 1.2 billion IPO and listing on Tadawul’s Main Market.
• SAL Saudi Logistics Services Co. on its IPO and listing on Tadawul’s Main Market.
• Power and Water Utility Company for Jubail and Yanbu (Marafiq) on its IPO and listing on Tadawul’s Main Market.
• ACWA Power on its USD 1.2 billion landmark IPO and USD 10.9 billion listing on Tadawul’s Main Market.
• The underwriters on the Rule 144A IPO of Arabian Centers.
• The Public Investment Fund, as selling shareholder, on the IPOs of Saudi Tadawul Group Company, Elm and ADES Holding.
• Government-owned companies in relation to the acquisition of corporate and real estate assets, establishment of subsidiaries and corporate governance matters.
• A seller in a vendor due diligence exercise for the sale of three telecommunications companies.
• A number of international and Saudi companies on matters covering Foreign Investment Law, Employment Law, Companies Law, Agency Law and Competition Law.
• Clients on foreign investment, liquidation, directors’ liabilities and the reorganisation of companies’ share capital.

Awards and recognition

• Rakan Kawar has been provided the accolade of “Rising Star” in Saudi Arabia.
  IFLR 1000 - 2025
• “A strong team including Rakan Kawar supported on one of the Kingdom’s landmark IPOs, reflecting the firm’s depth in capital markets.”
  LD Media 2024

Career & Qualifications:

• AS&H Clifford Chance, Partner, 2025 – present
• AS&H Clifford Chance, Counsel, 2024 – 2025
• AS&H Clifford Chance, Senior Associate, 2021 – 2024
• AS&H Clifford Chance, Associate, 2017 – 2021
• Ali Sharif Zu’bi Advocates & Legal Consultants, Associate – 2016 – 2017
• Ali Sharif Zu’bi Advocates & Legal Consultants, Advocate Trainee – 2013 – 2016

Education:

• University of Exeter, LLB – 2013