In a world of perpetual movement, with political and economic changes combined with environmental challenges, Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani is sparking dialogue on the past, present and future of Qatar and beyond.
The Luxury Network Magazine Qatar Edition meets with the leader at the helm of Al Faisal Holding on the ground of the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Museum for a private tour whilst sharing his vision for his country.
Culture and Education
Why did you choose to venture into the education sector with schools and Stenden University in Qatar?
My interest in education and attracting leading educational institutions to my country began in the 80s, when, with the rise and prosperity of our country it became necessary to invest in education.
I consider it my national duty to help the government in developing the quality of education, so we do not view it as a profitable sector for our Group. In the beginning, we approached a number of international educational institutions. After thorough study, we established Gulf
English School in 1993, which offers the British curriculum in addition to the Arabic language and Islamic studies.
The beginnings were modest in a simple building for the elementary grades, but now the school has been able to expand for all levels. We have more than one branch, the buildings are developed and include the best facilities with modern educational tools. At the beginning of the current century, we partnered with the University of Stenden, a prestigious university in the Netherlands specializing in tourism and hospitality. Over its twenty years in Qatar, the University has graduated a constellation of students who work in the local tourism and hospitality sector, which has witnessed significant growth during the past two decades.
The museum is clearly your passion and it has become a staple institution in Qatar. Tell us more about why you chose to share your private collection and what are you hoping to accomplish through it?
Art and culture are the soul of a nation, they give us insights of the past and help us understand the present while preparing a better future for the next generation. Walking in the alley of a museum should be thought-provoking, allowing the visitor to learn, to question themselves
and the world around them leaving an imprint in their minds. My love for history and collecting heritage collectibles began when I was young. My father, may his soul rest in peace, was keen to develop this hobby by taking me with him during his travels visiting museums and ancient cities. In my youth, I began collecting various pieces of my personal belongings, or that of my family. I then went on to collect things belonging to my clan and then everything that expresses the traditions and heritage of the people of Qatar and the Gulf region. As the size of my group increased, people became more interested and started asking about it. In the beginning, the collection was located in my private “majlis” and available only to those who wanted to see it. With the passage of time, I noticed a great interest from people, so I decided to display it in a private museum, which was expanded in several stages. The existing artifacts are very diverse and not limited to a specific civilization or culture, so every person who visits the museum finds something that he relates to. The museum is open to the public to enhance awareness of the culture and heritage in Qatar.
A Family Business
With a strong hold on hospitality and real estate, how do you approach new opportunities?
We always select the opportunities very carefully and have a specialized team studying the feasibility of any project we intend to embark on. As for real estate, there are a number of main factors that we look at; starting with the location and then the quality of the property and its field of development to improve the operational process. After that comes the architectural design and beauty of the building. All of these factors are fundamental.
What do you take into consideration before moving forward with a new project?
When we look into a new project, we carefully study the opportunity in front of us, the added value that this opportunity provides to the Company and the compatibility of this opportunity with our current activities in order to achieve integration. I believe that new projects, whether they are a product or a service, must be unique and innovative, offering a high level of quality. This way we gain the “first mover” advantage in the market, by meeting the needs of the market and providing something new and unprecedented, keeping in mind the constant development and update of what these projects offer.
How does the Al Faisal Group function as far as family is concerned?
Fortunately, there is a great interest from my children in the Company’s business and today, family members participate in developing Company business strategies and planning to implement these strategies. We have just finished developing a 10- year strategy that requires each sector of the Company to operate as a separate entity, with its own board of directors, each containing executive members and family members, in addition to executive management. This strategy would set the rules for current and future investments across all sectors in which we operate. This strategy would also reflect the aspirations of our shareholders for future generations. Finally, it provides a clear framework for corporate governance that clarifies the role of the parent Company and the sectors in which it operates and the implications for subsidiary companies.
How will the end of the blockade play out for Al Faisal Holding?
I think that we, at Al Faisal Holding, were able to overcome this crisis and mitigate its effects as much as possible, by finding alternative supply chains and establishing economic relations with other friendly countries. However, the Gulf reconciliation means a lot to us, as this means more recovery in the supply chains on which we previously relied on and in the lines of mobility that were disrupted by the blockade.
With a diverse portfolio locally and internationally, what are the future projects of the group?
We are striving to create long-term added value for all stakeholders and to meet shareholders’ aspirations. Through the continuous development of our products and services and identifying growth opportunities – in the seven sectors in which we operate – that are in line with the quality standards that we have set since the establishment of the Company. Our strength lies in the fact that we adopt a hands-on approach right down to the inception of a new project during the whole process using our methods and expertise. It is this strength that sets us apart. Unlike many other large international groups, we don’t just settle, we take ownership and create our own opportunities. The difference here is an important one: it’s a genuine entrepreneurial philosophy, one of strength, one that stands out. In overseeing the entire process ourselves, we can be confident of meeting the commitments we make to our partners. It is also a fantastic human adventure bringing together people from all backgrounds, cultures and origins. We celebrate this diversity of energies and endorse inclusivity. It is one of our core values and we are proud of it. It is our company, the company we are building day after day. Together for Qatar and from Qatar to the world.