London-Dubai: 21 Oct 2008 - Jasper Capital Limited, a leading provider of corporate finance, asset management, advisory and consultancy services in the Gulf region, today announces that it has appointed Diala Saadeh as Head, Corporate Communications.  

Diala has over nine years of experience in media and financial communications within the Middle East. Before joining Jasper, she managed communications, B2B and PR for many of Dubai's most influential financial firms and investment arms under the Dubai Holding group.  She also handled the communications and PR for the launch of a global UAE-based Islamic bank and had worked as a media advisor for the bank's senior management, providing strategic consultations on media relations and reputation management.

Diala brings with her experience in the Corporate Social Responsibility; she developed and led the launch of a major national CSR project for a leading Dubai-based consumer finance firm in co-operation with Dubai Roads and Transport Authority and other governmental bodies.

Prior to this, Diala spent over seven years in print and TV journalism. She was a Reuters Gulf Correspondent, covering the GCC financial markets as well as regional politics and developments of the energy sector. Her work involved editing and writing market-moving stories and newsbreaks on acquisitions, major investments, stocks, IPOs, foreign exchange, oil and commodities.

During her six-year career with Reuters, she reported on world top stories from Palestine, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Jordan and the UK. In 2002, she set up Reuters' Arabic Service desk in Jerusalem.

Previously, Diala worked as television correspondent for the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBC) from 2000-2001. During her career as a journalist, she interviewed heads of states, key politicians and business leaders.  More recently in PR, she had built up relationships with leading financial leaders in the MENA region.

She holds a Master of Science in Media and Communications from the London School of Economics.

Jason Peers, Group Chief Executive of Jasper Capital Group said: "We are delighted to welcome Diala into Jasper. She has a great breadth of experience in the region which will bring real value to Jasper, its partners and its clients."

Diala Saadeh, Head of Corporate Communications, Jasper Capital commented:

"I am excited to be joining such a dynamic firm and professional team of experts. Jasper Capital Group has an exceptional network and experience across the GCC and it has been in constant growth since it was established. I look forward to supporting Jasper's ambitions in the GCC and internationally."

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About the Jasper Capital Group
The Jasper Capital Group is a leading provider of corporate finance, asset management, advisory and consultancy services in the Gulf region. The Jasper Capital Group provides its clients with traditional merchant banking services through its Jasper Consult, Jasper Asset Management and Jasper Corporate Finance subsidiaries and real estate solutions through its separate joint venture with Strutt & Parker of the United Kingdom.

© Press Release 2008