General-Counsel-of-the-Year

(L-R): Awards host Shadia Bseiso; Khalid Khan; Nasser Khasawneh, Middle East managing partner, Eversheds Sutherland 

Finalists: Nasser Al-Taweel, Qatar Financial Centre Authority; Clint Hermes, Sidra Medical and Research Center (Highly Commended); Dr. Zaid Mahayni, SEDCO Holding; Firas Oggar, Al Ghurair Investment; Souhayel Tayeb, Commercial Bank of Dubai.

Oman-based Zubair Corporation's chief legal officer Khalid Khan scooped the award for general counsel of the year for leading his team in a number of high-profile deals across the group's 60-odd business units in the GCC region.

Khan provided key legal support for Zubair's rapid expansion in the oil and gas sector through the purchase of a minority stake in Aminex and the takeover of another oil and gas operator in Oman, while helping it win an exploration and production contract for a major hydrocarbon block in the country.

Khan was involved in negotiating agreements to purchase 75% of a bottled mineral water business in Qatar to build on the group's existing water businesses in Oman and the UAE. And he also negotiated a deal with external counsel to get a discounted and monthly-capped rate for a residential property and marina construction project, ensuring the group secured the specialist expertise it needed without having to worry about any surprise legal bills.

As well as mentoring a young Omani lawyer, Khan also finds the time to provide regular and free legal advice and assistance to startups, as part of Zubair's CSR programme to help small and medium-sized businesses.