Karim Awad has served as Group CEO of EFG Hermes since 2013, overseeing its transformation from a MENA-focused investment bank into a frontier markets financial solutions provider. Under his leadership, the firm has expanded significantly across diverse geographies and product offerings. In September 2024, EFG Hermes announced plans to advise on four initial public offerings (IPOs) on the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul) by year-end. Additionally, the company is working on two more IPOs for the Saudi market, slated for the first quarter of 2025, further expanding its regional footprint.