Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani was born on January 10, 1959 and tops the list of Qatar's richest people with an estimated fortune of USD4.46 billion. He also has extensive investments in the finance and investment sectors, according to Goodreturns (New Zealand's financial adviser news centre).
He served as Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar until June 26, 2013, when he was succeeded by Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani as Prime Minister and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani as Minister of Foreign Affairs. On April 3, 2007, the then-Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, appointed him Prime Minister following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani.
He has held several other positions, including chairing the boards of directors of major companies and institutions such as Qatar Airways, the Qatar Investment Authority, Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, and The Pearl Project. Combining political acumen with economic influence, Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani is credited with playing a major role in Qatar's economic successes and is considered by some to be the architect of Qatari policy.
Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani also served as Minister of Foreign Affairs for more than 20 years. Al Thani resides in Doha and owns approximately 3 percent of Deutsche Bank through Paramount Services Holdings. Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani was widely popular in Qatar and the Middle East, serving as his country's official representative, with the public praising his political achievements.
During Hamad bin Jassim’s tenure as Prime Minister, he spearheaded a bold investment strategy, with Qatar investing billions of dollars in global companies such as Barclays and Volkswagen (This was through Qatar Holdings, the investment arm of the Qatar Investment Authority or the QIA). Statistics indicate that Qatar's sovereign wealth fund (QIA) under bin Jassim’s supervision grew from $65 billion in 2013 to more than $450 billion in 2023, achieving an annual return of more than 10 percent.
In June 2014, Hamad bin Jassim acquired an 80 percent stake in Heritage Oil, which was listed as a London exploration and production company. At the same time, he was listed as a counsellor at the Qatari embassy in London, thus enjoying legal immunity under the 1961 Vienna Convention. Article 42 of this convention stipulates, "a diplomat shall not engage in any professional or commercial activity in the receiving state for personal gain," thus preventing him from acquiring commercial gains. Therefore, on April 30, 2014, the £924 million stake was transferred to a wholly owned subsidiary of Al Mirqab Financial, a private investment company in Luxembourg owned by Hamad and his family. Hamad's lawyers assert that the company's presence in London is not sufficient evidence that Article 42 was violated.
Hamad reportedly purchased an international bank in Luxembourg in 2011, called Quintet Private Bank, and entrusted European bankers through Precision Capital, making it one of the largest banking groups in Luxembourg. The bank has been designated as a Significant Institution since the entry into force of European Banking Supervision in late 2014, and as a consequence is directly supervised by the European Central Bank , according to Wikipedia.
According to a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Hamad also owned a 3.05 percent stake in Deutsche Bank on August 20, 2015, through Paramount Services Holdings Limited. Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar, also acquired a 3.05 percent stake on August 20, 2015, through Supreme Universal Holdings, a portion of which was held by Hamad bin Jassim. In addition, Hamad bin Jassim owns a 436-foot luxury yacht, valued at approximately $300 million.
1982-1989: He served as Director of the Office of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture.
On July 18, 1989, he became Minister of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture.
On May 14, 1990, he was assigned the responsibilities of the Ministry of Electricity and Water for two years, in addition to his duties as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture.
He oversaw numerous successful projects and advanced the agricultural sector.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Qatar Electricity and Water Company.
Chairman of the Central Municipal Council.
Chairman of the Special Amiri Projects Office.
Member of the Board of Directors of Qatar Petroleum.
Member of the Supreme Council for Planning.
On September 1, 1992, he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs.
He retained his position as Minister of Foreign Affairs in various cabinet formations in July 1995, October 1996, and January 1999.
On September 16, 2003, he was appointed First Deputy Prime Minister while
retaining his position as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Member of the Defense Council, established in 1996.
Member of the Permanent Constitution Drafting Committee, formed in 1999.
Member of the Ruling Family Council, established in 2000.
Member of the Supreme Council for the Investment of State Reserves, established in 2000.
Member of the Urban Planning and Development Authority.
Member of the Public Works Authority.
Member of the Supreme Coordination and Follow-up Committee.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company.