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Draft:Abdulla Al-Humaidi

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Dr Abdulla Al-Humaidi (born January 1986)[1] is a Kuwaiti businessman known for ownership of Ebbsfleet United F.C. and his investments in various ventures, including the troubled London Resort project in Kent, England.[2] He has recently faced financial difficulties, culminating in his declaration of bankruptcy in 2023.[3]

Background

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Abdulla Al-Humaidi graduated with a Masters in business administration (MBA) from the University of Leicester. He also studied medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland.[4]

Career

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KEH Group

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In 2008, Al-Humaidi founded the Kuwaiti European Holding (KEH) Group. The KEH Group acts as the international assets holding company for Abdulla Al-Humaidi's family and focuses on the financial services, leisure, and real estate sectors.[4]

London Resort Project

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Al-Humaidi became a key backer and served as director of London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH), the entity behind a proposed £2.5 billion theme park situated in Kent, through KEH Group. This project aimed to rival major global theme parks but has encountered numerous obstacles since its inception in 2012.[3]

After "endless delays and uncertainy" with the project, in 2022, the Conservative MP for Dartford, Gareth Johnson, withdrew his support for the project saying "Enough is enough. Sadly, I have lost confidence in the ability of London Resort Company Holdings to build this theme park in a way that would enhance Dartford."[5]

LRCH underwent restructuring through a company voluntary agreement (CVA) in April 2023.[6] Al-Humaidi said in December 2023, that he had resigned from the London Resort board in 2022. [7] US media giant Paramount Global is suing LRCH to reclaim $13.5 million in unpaid fees following a failed partnership.[8]

Ebbsfleet United F.C.

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In 2013 Al-Humaidi invested in the local non-league football team, Ebbsfleet United via his company KEH Group. By 2017, he cleared the club of £600,000 in debt, carried out repairs to a leaky roof, and spent £5 million on a new stand.[9]

In February 2019, it was reported that there was an ongoing pay dispute between Ebbsfleet United and its player. The players released a joint statement claiming they had only been paid on time once in 12 months, that they had unknowingly paid matches earlier in the season without the right medical insurance in place, and that pension payments had not been made.[10] In response, Al-Humaidi claimed that the funds were delayed because of compliance checks in Kuwait.[11]

Following his bankruptcy, Al-Humaidi resigned from his directorships, including those related to Ebbsfleet United with his cousin replacing him as chairman on the club's board.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "Abdulla Mohammed Saleh AL HUMAIDI personal appointments". Find and update company information. GOV.UK. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  2. ^ Halloran, Paul (28 February 2024). "The financial woes of Abdullah Al-Humaidi". EU Reporter. Archived from the original on 28 February 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  3. ^ a b Barr, Luke (23 December 2023). "Kuwaiti tycoon behind 'Dartford Disneyland' declared bankrupt". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  4. ^ a b Torkildson, Adam (10 November 2021). "Abdulla Al Humaidi: Getting to Know the Kuwaiti Business Giant". ValueWalk. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  5. ^ "London Resort: Dartford MP Gareth Johnson withdraws support". BBC News. 16 March 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  6. ^ Makwana, Riya (21 March 2023). "'Dartford Disneyland' calls in administrators after Kent theme park plan collapses". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Major backer quits London Resort board". Kent Online. 15 March 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  8. ^ "London's £2.5 Billion Disney-Style Theme Park Sued by Paramount". Bloomberg.com. 8 November 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  9. ^ United, Gregor Robertson visits Ebbsfleet (30 July 2024). "Abdulla al-Humaidi aiming for League breakthrough with Ebbsfleet United". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  10. ^ "'We've not been paid again'". Kent Online. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Ebbsfleet United deny player allegations over late wages". BBC Sport. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2024.