About Us

Who We Are

At Balqis Capital, we combine global experience with personal access. Our team has spent decades navigating private markets, structuring investments and building lasting partnerships. Find out more about us and meet the people behind the strategy – professionals who believe in transparency, strong relationships and delivering real value to our investors and partners across the UK, US, Middle East and Asia.

Meet The Team

Our Role

The Role of Balqis Capital

Balqis Capital is a market leader in sourcing private credit opportunities. From bespoke lending deals across emerging markets to highly structured corporate finance solutions in established economies, the firm provides access to transactions that would otherwise be unavailable to most investors.

Balqis acts not only as a capital connector, but also as a trusted due diligence partner – evaluating borrowers, structuring deals and providing ongoing risk oversight. This combination of insight and access to opportunities through its trusted network is invaluable.

Our Flagship Product

The Balqis Capital Bond

The Balqis Capital Bond (10.25% Fixed Income Series) earns a 10.25% per annum fixed return for investors. It provides access to a diversified portfolio of secured private credit investments. Unlike many single-asset credit products, our bond is designed with downside protection in mind, combining multiple strategies to balance risk and generate consistent performance.

Highlights include:

Pre-IPO equity investments, acquired at offer price, with built-in equity uplift - focused on London Stock Exchange-AIM listings.

Regulated Jersey M&A Fund, led by a former PwC M&A accountant who worked for Goldman Sachs, offering premium access to deal-driven opportunities.

Exposure across private debt and structured equity, with asset-backed security.

Rigorous underwriting and risk controls led by a team with over 30 years’ experience in global private markets.

Learn More

Our Team

Meet The Team

Laura Mann

Founder & CEO

Based in Dubai, Laura leads the strategic direction and growth of Balqis Capital. With a background in finance, international business and private markets, she founded the firm to provide professional investors with structured access to secured private credit opportunities across global jurisdictions.

Simon Garland

Business Development Executive – Europe

With 25 years in global finance, Simon leads our institutional engagement—building trusted relationships with investors, advisers, and strategic partners across key markets.

Adam Vollans

Technical Director

Adam joined Balqis Capital to support the firm’s growing private client division. With a background in engineering and ten years in the international pension sector, culminating in a Head of Investments role, he combines technical insight with a strong focus on client relationships.

Alan Graham

Sales Director – UAE

Drawing on over 20 years’ experience in client relationship management, Alan leads business development and client engagement across the UAE, focusing on tailored service and long-term partnerships.

Shoeb Saher

Legal Consultant

Shoeb is a UAE-based legal consultant with 20 years’ experience, specialising in corporate law, M&A, and commercial contracts, with deep regional and international exposure.

Kseniia Podkaminna

Administrative Assistant

Kseniia supports the daily operations of Balqis Capital, assisting with administrative support and accounts, key supplier and client documentation, and serving as the central point of contact for internal and external stakeholders to ensure the smooth running of our business activities.

Arron Lilley

Global Client Liaison

Arron plays a central role in connecting Balqis Capital with new investors and strategic partners worldwide. He also oversees the firm’s sponsorship and event campaigns, ensuring strong brand visibility and engagement across key global markets. His focus is on building relationships that drive growth and long-term value.

Henry Cruz

Business Development Executive – Europe

Henry is responsible for expanding Balqis Capital’s investor and agent network across Europe. He focuses on building strategic relationships and identifying new opportunities to support the firm’s growth across key European markets.

David McCracken

Legal Consultant and Board Member

David is a corporate and commercial lawyer with extensive experience advising high- growth companies and supporting listings on the London Stock Exchange. Holding an MBA alongside his legal qualifications, he combines regulatory expertise with commercial acumen to guide firms through the complex legal and strategic challenges of going public.

Helen Barklam

Marketing Communications Manager

With over 25 years’ experience in writing, PR, marketing and communications, Helen leads brand strategy and stakeholder engagement at Balqis Capital. She supports the firm’s growth through targeted messaging, content development and social media positioning across global markets.

Pete Wild

Investment Advisor & Board Member

A chartered accountant and former PwC adviser, Pete specialises in corporate finance and MA. He has delivered finance education for Goldman Sachs’ GS10k programme at Oxford University, mentoring more than 1,000 high-growth companies, many of which now serve as his investment network. Pete is also a director at Exilium Ventures, an IPO consultancy that has helped two companies list on the London Stock Exchange in 2025.

Mary Trimithiotou

Chief Financial Officer

Responsible for the delivery and oversight of the Balqis Capital Bond, Mary brings over 25 years’ expertise in finance, board-level leadership, and regulatory compliance.