INTERVIEW: Dan Balmer on steering Aston Martin beyond Bond in the Middle East

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Dan Balmer
Updated 17 November 2018
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INTERVIEW: Dan Balmer on steering Aston Martin beyond Bond in the Middle East

  • The Middle East will be a key market for the iconic UK car maker’s second century, says regional chief Dan Balmer
  • Aston has been around for more than 100 years, but has embarked on an ambitious “second-century strategy” under group CEO Andy Palmer

The name is Balmer. Dan Balmer.

The new president of Middle East business for Aston Martin Lagonda, the iconic British car maker beloved by James Bond, is grateful for the glamorous legacy of the fictional super-spy, but also conscious of the need to move on.

“We’ve been with Bond for 50 years, and he has been a real asset for us. But we have a team internally called ‘Beyond Bond.’ If we want to grow the brand audience, into the family and female markets, we have to look beyond the cars that Bond drives,” said Balmer.

That move away from some aspects of Aston’s heritage is reflected across the whole company. Aston has been around for more than 100 years, but has embarked on an ambitious “second-century strategy” under group CEO Andy Palmer.

The company that is emerging will be different, a luxury brand rather than a mere maker of fast boys’ toys; it will be increasingly global, with the Middle East playing a central role; and it will — hopefully — be sustainable, in both a financial and environmental sense.




British actor Roger Moore stands beside an Aston Martin car during a 'James Bond photocall' at Bletchley Park in Milton Keynes, on October 17, 2008. (AFP)

Palmer’s strategy is to steer the group away from the boom-and-bust cycle — it went bankrupt seven times in its first century. He pulled off an essential part of that strategy with an initial public offering (IPO) on the London Stock Exchange last month, which valued the company at $5.6 billion.

Aston will continue to make fast cars, but they will increasingly be more fuel efficient and even electric; and it will put its name to other luxury merchandise — plans for apartments and speed boats are well advanced. Next on the luxury list of Aston-branded items are submarines and vertical take-off aircraft.

Bond, with his love of both the high life and high-tech gadgetry, would probably approve of the strategy. “We’re not hawking the brand around — you won’t see us doing aftershaves and umbrellas. But customers want to buy our cars because they want to buy into beauty, and we’re stretching that now into other areas,” Balmer said.

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BIO: 

BORN 

1976 Southampton, UK.

EDUCATION

Design technician apprentice, Rover Group.


CAREER

•BMW design engineer.

•Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, general manager in Asia-Pacific. 

•Aston Martin Lagonda, president for the UK and
South Africa.

•Aston Martin Lagonda, president for the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey.

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He knows a thing or two about luxury marketing and car design, having previously worked for Rolls-Royce in Asia, based out of Singapore. But now the challenge is to extend the Aston business in the Middle East in a new division within the global set up — covering the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (MENAT).

Reflecting Aston’s traditional regional business hub in the region, he will be based in the UAE, but the headquarters has been moved from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, where the MENAT HQ was officially inaugurated last week.

Balmer feels that Dubai’s reputation for flash glamor is “a thing of the past,” but also believes that the UAE capital is more in tune with the Aston image. “Aston has an understated elegance and that is also how we feel about Abu Dhabi. It is the capital, recognized as the center of the financial scene, the big decisions are made here, and with Yas Island (the venue for the big Formula 1 Grand Prix later this month) it is a great location for motor sports.”




The Aston Martin DB10, built exclusively for the James Bond film "Spectre," is displayed at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show in Los Angeles, California, November 19, 2015. (AFP)

Track racing is still a big thing for Aston, not least because many of its cars are too fast to be driven flat out on roads, but also because it helps the company maintain its high-speed image against competitors such as Ferrari and Lamborghini, the UAE’s sports cars of choice.

Under the second-century strategy, Aston can offer the DB11, the DBS (“a boot in a suit” says Balmer), the Vantage and the Valkyrie as its “overtly aggressive” cars to rival the Italians, and will also soon begin to produce a range of mid-engined cars to take on the likes of Porsche and Mercedes.

Saudi Arabia is big on collectors’ cars, like our Vulcan. But we need to grow the brand.

 

“We are breaking out of our conservative shell. These are track-based products, but meant to be driven on the road, true sports cars,” Balmer said.

But the really radical product is yet to come, and will figure prominently on Middle East roads when it arrives, some time in 2020. Aston has hitherto held off entering the SUV market, which is the fastest-growing sector in the world’s biggest markets, like the US and China.

The DBX is a luxury SUV, a bit bigger than most on the roads now, with five doors and elegant lines. It is aimed at the upmarket family market, and seems a natural fit for the Middle East, which has been SUV-crazy for decades. 

Balmer thinks it will become Aston’s biggest seller in the region. “We just have not had the offering in that segment before, but in the Middle East a majority of luxury car buyers would be SUV, with sports cars a weekend plaything,” he said.




In this file photo, an Aston Martin DB5 is displayed as part of an exhibition dedicated to James Bond at the main hall of La Vilette in Paris. (AFP)

He is relishing the prospect of unleashing the DBX on Saudi Arabia. Aston has been in the Kingdom a long time, with a long-standing partner the Hajji Husein Alireza group and showrooms in Jeddah and (more recently) Riyadh, to be followed by an outlet in Alkhobar.

But Saudi Arabia has not lived up to the potential of its big wealthy population. It ranks behind the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar, roughly alongside Turkey in Aston’s regional sales rankings.

“Saudi Arabia has more opportunity for us. Because of the sheer weight of wealthy individuals it means there are more people who will buy our cars there. Saudi Arabia is big on collectors’ cars, like our Vulcan, and the other beautiful cars we produce like Vanquish and DBS. But we need to grow the brand,” Balmer said.

 

 

“We need to do an education job in Saudi Arabia, both in terms of what Aston stands for in the market and the new products as well. I think Saudis will go for the idea of DBX, and that’s where the key focus will be for us.”

He believes the Saudi market is perhaps more conservative than the UAE in terms of colors and models, but there is potentially a far bigger market among Saudi nationals than Emiratis.

Saudis buy Rolls-Royce cars in big numbers, and having worked for the leader in motoring luxury Balmer appreciates the difference between marketing Rolls and Aston. “They differ in the customer type. Aston buyers tend to be really into their cars. They are ‘petrol heads’ but also discerning.

“Rolls customers know their cars too, and might have an Aston in the garage as well, but they’re buying a Rolls-Royce as more a statement purpose — for business use, or a reward in life. An Aston is more a purchase of emotion and desire,” he said. Whether as a reward or out of emotion, buying an Aston is a considerable outlay. The average price ticket is around $175,000, and such an impulse purchase could easily be put off if personal economic circumstances took a downturn.

In the Middle East, where economies are tied to the oil price, that makes Aston subject to the vagaries of the global crude market. “What’s happening in the region is that governments are diversifying away from oil. (Saudi Arabia’s reform program) Vision 2030, for example, is a big change and good news for us. It will eventually take the volatility away from the macro economic environment. But we will always be dependent to some degree on global economic forces. China now drives the rest of the world in many respects,” Balmer said.

The IPO was an opportunity for Aston’s long-term backers — financial institutions from Italy and Kuwait — to realize some profits on their investments. The share sale raised no new money for expensive research and development, which some analysts criticized.

“There was no massive cash injection because all our new projects were already invested. And we’re making profits. But the IPO secures the long-term future of the company,” Balmer said.

In difficult global markets, the shares have been trading below the issue price since day one, but recently two big investment institutions — Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs — put them on the “buy” list. If they achieve sufficient value to be included in the main FTSE 100 list, Aston will be the first car company for 30 years to be on the UK’s main trading board.

That would be something of a triumph for Palmer and the second-century strategy, but Aston has another finishing line in sight before that: The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. “We’ve got a number of things planned around the race, not least winning it,” Balmer said.


PIF’s AviLease to acquire up to 77 Airbus jets in expansion drive


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PIF’s AviLease to acquire up to 77 Airbus jets in expansion drive


  • Order marks first direct deal with Airbus as PIF-owned lessor targets global growth

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund-owned AviLease has signed a deal to purchase up to 77 Airbus aircraft, further expanding its next-generation, fuel-efficient fleet to meet rising global demand across passenger and cargo operations.

The agreement, announced at the Paris Air Show, includes 55 A320neo Family aircraft and 22 A350F freighters, with deliveries scheduled through 2033, according to a press release.

This marks AviLease’s first direct order with Airbus. The move aligns with the goals of the Saudi Aviation Strategy, which targets a rise in annual passenger capacity to 330 million and cargo throughput to 4.5 million tonnes by 2030, while enhancing the Kingdom’s status as a regional aviation hub.

“This dual order reinforces AviLease’s credentials as a leading lessor, and it demonstrates the broad appeal of our products among lessors and their airline customers,” said Benoit de Saint-Exupéry, executive vice president of sales for Airbus Commercial Aircraft.

Edward O’Byrne, CEO of AviLease, said: “We are proud to establish an Airbus order book, strengthening our position as a full-service, investment grade global lessor. The addition of these latest generation aircraft enhances our ability to offer modern, fuel-efficient fleet solutions to our airline partners in Saudi Arabia and around the world.”

The A350F freighters were selected following consultations with local stakeholders and will support Saudi Arabia’s expanding air cargo requirements. O’Byrne noted that AviLease has secured delivery slots in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals.

“We thank our local partners and Airbus for the strong long-term partnership we have established and look forward to placing these aircraft across our valued customer base,” he said.

The A350F, according to Airbus, offers at least 20 percent lower fuel consumption, improved loading capabilities, and extended range.

The new order follows AviLease’s purchase of 30 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in May—its first direct deal with a manufacturer—bringing its total new aircraft orders within two months to 107.

“In less than two months, AviLease has signed two major deals, reflecting its long-term ambition to become a top 10 global player in aircraft leasing and to strengthen its position as a national champion,” said Fahad Al-Saif, chairman of AviLease.

As of March 31, AviLease had a portfolio of 200 aircraft leased to 48 airlines around the world.

In April, the firm secured a $1.5 billion unsecured revolving credit facility to support its global expansion. The three-year facility attracted commitments from 20 international banks, including eight new lenders from Europe, Asia, and North America.

The company holds investment-grade ratings of Baa2 (stable) from Moody’s Ratings and BBB (stable) from Fitch Ratings.


OPEC sees solid 2nd-half of 2025 for world economy, trims 2026 supply

Updated 45 min 28 sec ago
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OPEC sees solid 2nd-half of 2025 for world economy, trims 2026 supply

LONDON/MOSCOW: OPEC said on Monday it expected the global economy to remain resilient in the second half of this year despite concerns about trade conflicts and trimmed its forecast for growth in oil supply from producers outside the wider OPEC+ group in 2026.

In a monthly report, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries left its forecasts for global oil demand growth unchanged in 2025 and 2026, after reductions in April, saying the economic outlook was robust despite trade concerns.

“The global economy has outperformed expectations so far in the first half of 2025,” OPEC said in the report.

“This strong base from the first half of 2025 is anticipated to provide support and sufficient momentum into a sound second half of 2025. However, the growth trend is expected to moderate slightly on a quarterly basis.”

OPEC also said supply from countries outside the Declaration of Cooperation — the formal name for OPEC+ — will rise by about 730,000 barrels per day in 2026, down 70,000 bpd from last month’s forecast.

Lower supply growth from outside OPEC+, which groups the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries plus Russia and other allies, would make it easier for the wider group to balance the market. Rapid growth from US shale and from other countries has weighed on prices in recent years. (


PIF earns perfect score on Global SWF Index 

Updated 52 min 18 sec ago
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PIF earns perfect score on Global SWF Index 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund earned a perfect score in the 2025 Global SWF Index, ranking it among just nine sovereign wealth funds worldwide for top governance, sustainability, and resilience.

The report from the sovereign investor benchmarking firm evaluates 200 of the world’s largest state-owned investment institutions across 25 indicators.

PIF’s flawless score this year marks a major milestone in its institutional development, following steady progress from 92 percent in 2023 to 96 percent in 2024. In contrast, the Saudi fund scored just 28 percent in 2020, according to Global SWF data.

In 2025, only nine sovereign investors globally achieved a full 100 percent score. Of those, three were based in the Europe–Middle East–Africa region: PIF, Ireland’s National Treasury Management Agency, and Nigeria’s Sovereign Investment Authority. 

The Saudi fund led the group within EMEA and was the only Middle Eastern institution to reach a perfect score.

The 2024 report described PIF as “continuing to lead the charge,” highlighting that the fund voluntarily publishes an allocation and impact report as well as a self-assessment aligned with the Santiago Principles — despite not being a member of the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds.

PIF’s sustainability strategy operates within the Kingdom’s broader drive for spending efficiency, a theme highlighted in a March analysis by PwC and Consultancy ME. 

The report noted that public funds, anchored by institutions like PIF, are now being redirected toward high-impact sectors such as healthcare, tourism, and logistics, as well as artificial intelligence, combining fiscal prudence with strategic vision.

Moreover, a Strategy& whitepaper outlined how the nation is investing heavily in its energy transition — targeting approximately $235 billion toward renewables by 2030 and embedding efficiency mandates for state utilities — to support its net-zero ambitions and long-term economic resilience.

This alignment of sustainable investment and cost discipline reinforces PIF’s role in delivering value-driven transformation in line with Vision 2030.

The fund’s elevation to the top tier was driven by enhanced climate-risk disclosures, the launch of a dedicated sustainability report, strengthened board oversight, and the implementation of comprehensive business continuity frameworks.

These changes helped it secure full marks in all 25 areas of the GSR Scoreboard — 10 for governance, 10 for sustainability, and 5 for resilience.

With over $925 billion in assets under management, PIF is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, investing across strategic sectors, including tourism and logistics, as well as AI and renewable energy. Its strong transparency credentials and environmental, social and governance alignment have helped it build trust with global partners and signal its readiness for large-scale cross-border investment.

According to the 2024 PIF Effect report, the fund’s strategic projects, ranging from green bond issuances to renewable energy infrastructure, have generated a significant impact throughout Saudi Arabia and the world, enhancing local job creation, technology transfer, and environmental outcomes.

A February analysis by Consultancy ME underscored how the Kingdom’s broader focus on “spending efficiency is driving growth and building resilience,” with PIF playing a central role by prioritizing cost-effective, high-impact initiatives aligned with Vision 2030 objectives.

The full 2025 GSR report will be released on July 1.


Saudi Arabia advances net-zero goal with landmark carbon credit deal

Updated 16 June 2025
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Saudi Arabia advances net-zero goal with landmark carbon credit deal

RIYADH: More than 30 million tonnes of high-integrity carbon credits are set to be delivered by 2030 under an agreement aimed at supporting Saudi Arabia’s net-zero ambitions.

The long-term deal was signed between ENOWA — NEOM’s energy and water subsidiary — and the Voluntary Carbon Market Co., a unit of the Public Investment Fund.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the credits will be sourced from global climate action projects, primarily in the Global South, with the first batch scheduled for delivery via the market platform in December.

This agreement is a key step in the Kingdom’s efforts to build a scalable voluntary carbon market, and will enable ENOWA to offset its current emissions as it develops renewable infrastructure to power NEOM’s future sectors and projects.

The deal also contributes to Saudi Arabia’s broader goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060 through the development of a robust carbon trading infrastructure focused on high-quality credits and meaningful climate impact.

“The long-term agreement with ENOWA aims to facilitate the delivery of more than 30 million tonnes of carbon credits by 2030. It represents a key milestone in the Kingdom’s journey to drive growth in global voluntary carbon markets,” said Riham El-Gizy, CEO of the Voluntary Carbon Market Co.

“As ENOWA develops an advanced renewable and clean energy system to power NEOM’s sectors and projects, this agreement will help it offset its current emissions and lay the foundation for long-term clean energy infrastructure,” she added.

VCM, which was established in October 2022 by PIF and the Saudi Tadawul Group, is 80 percent owned by the sovereign wealth fund. It operates a comprehensive ecosystem that includes an investment fund for climate mitigation projects, a carbon credit trading platform, and advisory services to support emissions reductions.

The global voluntary carbon market is projected to expand significantly, from an estimated $2 billion in 2020 to around $250 billion by 2050.

El-Gizy highlighted that the agreement also supports climate projects in the Global South by providing essential financing guarantees, helping developers plan with more certainty.

“To reach global net-zero emissions, climate-friendly projects that reduce or remove carbon from the atmosphere not only need funding but enhanced credibility,” she said.

Jens Madrian, acting CEO of ENOWA, emphasized the importance of the partnership for NEOM’s sustainability goals.

“ENOWA is working to meet NEOM’s energy needs sustainably. Over the past two years, we have acquired high-integrity carbon credits from the Voluntary Carbon Market auctions, and we are pleased to be the first company in the Kingdom to sign a long-term, large-scale agreement with the market,” he said.

The VCM launched Saudi Arabia’s first voluntary carbon credit trading platform on Nov. 12, 2024. The system offers secure transactions, price discovery tools, and access to carbon credit project data — forming the backbone of the Kingdom’s entry into the global market.

Integrated with international registries, the platform also supports Shariah-compliant infrastructure and includes features such as auctions, quote requests, and over-the-counter trading. A spot trading market is expected to launch in 2025.

ENOWA has previously participated in carbon credit auctions held in Saudi Arabia in 2022 and Kenya in 2023. These efforts align with NEOM’s wider objectives of building a sustainable urban model, fostering economic diversification, and improving quality of life.


Egypt’s annual inflation rises to 16.8% in May

Updated 57 min 22 sec ago
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Egypt’s annual inflation rises to 16.8% in May

  • Analysis pointed to a renewed uptick in food prices and challenging base effects
  • Increase influenced by rising prices of pharmaceutical products and fresh fruits

RIYADH: Egypt’s annual urban headline inflation rate rose to 16.8 percent in May, up from 13.9 percent in April, driven primarily by continued non-food price pressures, according to official data.

Released by the Central Bank of Egypt, the analysis pointed to a renewed uptick in food prices and challenging base effects, as the same period last year saw negative inflation.

These inflation trends come as Egypt’s broader economic landscape continues to be shaped by both domestic and global pressures. The government is navigating a delicate recovery amid external shocks, ongoing structural reforms, and efforts to manage public debt. Despite signs of resilience in credit and growth, inflation remains a key concern for both policymakers and households.

This backdrop helps explain Moody’s February decision to affirm Egypt’s Caa1 long-term foreign and local currency ratings with a positive outlook, citing improved prospects for debt servicing.

It also aligns with the country’s reported real gross domestic product growth of 3.9 percent in the first half of the current fiscal year, a signal of economic resilience, according to Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly in May.

The newly released CBE report said: “The increase was particularly influenced by rising prices of pharmaceutical products and fresh fruits. Additionally, a moderate rise in inland transportation costs contributed to overall inflation, reflecting the second-round effects of April’s fuel price hike.”

It added: “Similarly, annual core inflation accelerated to 13.1 percent in May 2025 from 10.4 percent in April 2025. This increase reflects higher monthly core inflation, registering 1.6 percent in May 2025 compared to 1.2 percent in April 2025, as well as unfavorable base effects compared to the negative 0.8 percent recorded in May 2024.”

According to the financial institution, core inflation is a version of the headline consumer price index that removes the effects of short-term price shocks, allowing for a clearer view of long-term inflation trends by focusing only on stable, ongoing price changes rather than temporary fluctuations.

The report further indicated that monthly core inflation dynamics in May were influenced by rising prices in both food and non-food categories, such as engine oil, restaurant and cafe services, local transport, and housing rents. Seasonal effects linked to Eid Al-Adha also contributed, particularly with increased costs for Hajj and Umrah, clothing, and meat.

“Monthly core inflation recorded 1.6 percent in May 2025, reflecting the impact of previously mentioned changes in core CPI items. Retail items and services contributed to monthly core inflation by 0.74 and 0.68 percentage points, respectively, while core food contributed 0.22 percentage points,” the report said.

It also revealed that monthly urban headline inflation rose to 1.9 percent in May, up from 1.3 percent in April, primarily fueled by ongoing price pressures, along with increases in volatile food prices and public services such as inland transport and health care.

“Likewise, annual rural headline inflation increased to 16.2 percent in May 2025, compared with 13.1 percent in April 2025, with annual nationwide headline inflation rising to 16.5 percent in May 2025 from 13.5 percent in April 2025,” the CBE report said.

In May, Madbouly said that the country is preparing to transition away from its current economic reform program with the International Monetary Fund, which is scheduled to conclude by late 2026 or early 2027.

He said at the time that the government is developing a long-term national economic strategy that will extend to 2030, focusing on sustaining growth without relying on international institutions, according to an official release. 

The remarks come as Egypt works to stabilize an economy that has been strained by record inflation, a weakening currency, and rising debt. In recent years, the government has implemented reforms aimed at unlocking external financing, attracting Gulf-backed investments, and completing a record sale of state assets.