In 2017, Arif Naqvi and The Abraaj Group were on the brink of changing the world of private equity. Abraaj was a pioneer of a new model of impact investing built on the idea that making money and doing good are not mutually exclusive. It had helped transform communities and companies across the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Latin America by investing in healthcare, education and clean energy, and in 2017 it was on the threshold of closing a new fund that would provide $6 billion worth of investment to these emerging markets. But then it all came crashing down. On 10 April 2019, after landing at London Heathrow, Naqvi was arrested on fraud charges. He is facing extradition to the United States and a potential prison sentence of up to 291 years if he is found guilty. The dominant media narrative has painted Naqvi as a thief and fraudster, the so-called key man in an organised criminal conspiracy. But in this explosive new book, which is based on extensive research and interviews with key players, Brian Brivati discovers that things are not quite what they seem and finds that in this case of alleged fraud there is actually no money missing. Icarus explores how Abraaj found itself caught in the middle of a geopolitical war between the United States and China and when it would not bow to the whims of these global behemoths, economic hitmen tried to wipe it out.

About the Author
Dr Brian Brivati was professor of contemporary history, human rights and life writing at Kingston University until 2009, when he left to become director of the John Smith Memorial Trust and implement capacity building programmes for the UN and for the UK government globally. He combines projects in international development with writing. His most recent book was The Last Optimist in Baghdad and his previous publications include biographies of Hugh Gaitskell and Lord Goodman. He has written extensively on international politics, conflict and post-conflict recovery. He blogs at the Charlwood Review: charlwood-review.com.

Reviews
"If Abraaj had been allowed to sell its shares in K-Electric to Shanghai Electric, Arif Naqvi would be a free man today. There is more here than meets the eye. How and why was this deal blocked? This book sets out to answer those questions." - Shahid Abbasi, former Prime Minister of Pakistan "Doing good and making money should not be incompatible. Arif Naqvi was the leading advocate of how to use private equity to make a difference and his life and achievements deserve a scholarly and balanced assessment to counter the tabloid headlines. Icarus, based on an astonishing depth of research, provides just that." - David Charters, former diplomat turned investment banker and businessman and co-founder of the Beacon Prize for Philanthropy "Brian Brivati is one of the country's most interesting thinkers on international affairs. He is always challenging and his conclusions never predictable." Martin Bright, formerly political editor of the New Statesman and the Jewish Chronicle, his 2003 scoop formed the basis for the film Official Secrets



Book Information
ISBN 9781785907180
Author Brian Brivati
Format Hardback
Page Count 368
Imprint Biteback Publishing
Publisher Biteback Publishing