GENERATIONAL TIES

The Kingdom of Bahrain is home to several families that are engaged in various business sectors. Among them is the Al Arayedh family, which is known for their enterprising efforts across generations that have made a lasting impact. Over time, the family has grown and diversified their activities with investments in countries across borders, including the UK.

“Our history with the UK goes a long way with members of our family not only investing and trading with businesses based in the UK, but pursuing their education in the Kingdom too. In fact, it started with my grandfather, the honourable Mansoor Al Arayedh, who used to deal with jewellers in the UK. He would be entrusted with providing them with pearls and dealt with them for diamonds and other precious stones settings for high-end jewellery,” narrates Chairman of Al Arayedh Group Holding, Nasser Al Arayedh.

His father, Mohamed Jameel Al Arayedh, pursued his education at Millfield School in the UK in 1948. “Given his pioneering nature and business roots, he then imported materials from the UK and established in Bahrain what would be the first fresh dairy factory in the Arabian Gulf region,” he says.

As for Mr. Nasser Al Arayedh, who also did his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the UK, his business started with the import of cleaning chemicals for commercial and industrial use, followed by the establishment of a training centre with UK-certified courses. “Currently our connection with the UK is through investments for which we have representatives in London who are responsible for long-term strategies,” he says.

The family’s various businesses have now been merged under the banner of Al Arayedh Group Holding (AAGH), which was officially formed in 2008. “We operate in several sectors including trade and investments, real estate and travel and tourism. Hence, it took us five years to structure all these family assets under this wing which manages them collectively,” he explains. “By doing so, we have been able to examine our assets in order to diversify and increase our investments.”

The company’s board consists of Mr. Al Arayedh, Deputy Chairman Maryam Al Arayedh and Director Jehan Al Arayedh, in addition to three other executives who are selected on a periodical basis. “Our primary areas of business are now real estate and investment, both local and international,” he states.

Sharing his thoughts on the UK’s business sector, he concludes: “The United Kingdom has long been known for their products, which may have changed over time but are known for their exceptional quality – a key reason for which they have maintained their global position. Furthermore, there’s no denying that the country is also a leader in the education sector. It is a rule of law for us to invest in countries where there is not only investment protection, but unique and sought-after brands. As our business continues to grow in the years to come, I look forward to continuing our dealings with the Kingdom and wish them the very best under the rule of King Charles III.”

Al Ansari Group has had a storied history of over 100 years having been established in the year 1904 when the late Abdul Karim Ahmed Al-Ansari established his family business with a small shop in the old town of Muharraq in Bahrain.

At the time, the business sold products ranging from groceries to hardware, laying a sound foundation for a business that was to grow and diversify. Al-Ansari Industries, formerly known as The Bahrain Bedding Factory, was set up with the know-how shared by the famous Silentnight Mattresses, UK – a company that was owned by Tom and Joan Clarke which started in 1946 as Clarke’s Mattresses Ltd. The group now trades in lighting fittings, accessories, switches, sockets, branded fashion goods (partner of Gucci in Bahrain), and has a significant presence in the real estate sector.

In 1970, Al-Ansari Lighting Company was established in Bahrain. “We consider ourselves the pioneer in the lighting field, having served the local market, GCC and beyond for over 50 years. It has always been our objective to not only be the undisputed leader in the field of lighting, but also to establish an unmatched reputation for reliability and friendly service,” explains Al-Ansari Group Chairman, Abduljalil A.K. Ahmed Al-Ansari.

Today, Al-Ansari Lighting Company offers several outstanding products with innovative designs from renowned brands. This includes German brands - Bega, Glashutte Limburg and Staff Zumtobel, Italian brands - Targetti Spa, Duralamp and Surya Srl, and UK brands - R.Hamilton Ltd., IBL, ACDC, Orbik and Chelsom Lighting.