According to a recent report from the Athletic, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, a potential future owner of Manchester United, has been characterized as a person who is hard to gauge during board meetings.
The Qatari banker is considered the leading candidate to replace the Glazer family as the club’s owners, although INEOS chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe is also in the running.
Jassim’s background and intentions remain largely unknown, as he emerged unexpectedly in February to launch his bid for the club.
During the presentation hosted by United at Old Trafford, potential owner Sheikh Jassim was absent and instead sent representatives from his Nine Two Foundation.
Jassim has maintained a low profile, except for submitting improved offers to acquire the club from the Glazer family. Should Jassim emerge as the preferred bidder over Jim Ratcliffe, United fans will be curious to observe his conduct.
According to The Athletic, Jassim demonstrated a rapid learning curve in a previous position as a non-independent director at Credit Suisse.
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Initially reserved, he soon became actively involved, posing insightful questions. Additionally, Jassim showcased fluency in both English and Arabic, effortlessly switching between the two languages during meetings.
The Qatari banker’s attitude in board meetings has been described as “difficult to read.” Despite chairing meetings, he would sometimes appear disinterested in the discussions and make conflicting statements within the same session, suggesting a lack of attention.
The Athletic described him as:
“It was not uncommon to see him cross his legs, look away from the table and, once again, start puffing on a cigar.”
Cultural differences have been attributed to this behaviour, as Qatari board meetings are more ceremonial compared to Western counterparts.
While some perceived him as distracted, Jassim demonstrated a genuine interest in details and commercial matters. He had a tendency to invite a select group of executives to exclusive male-only sitting rooms, where discreet business discussions took place.
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Being invited to these meetings was seen as an acceptance into Jassim’s inner circle. The banker is often described by his associates as reserved and guarded.
In addition, Jassim has been known to have a habit of smoking during meetings, whether it be cigarettes or cigars. This reputation has been observed in various companies where he has held senior positions or served as chairman.
Furthermore, when Jassim lost interest in the discussions, he would often light up a cigar. The most interesting fact is that Jassim’s presence and words commanded attention due to his membership in the royal family.
