Samih Sawiris
Samih Sawiris | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 28, 1957 Sohag, Egypt |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, investor |
| Known for | Executive chairman and CEO of Orascom Development Holding AG |
Samih Onsi Sawiris (, ; born 28 January 1957) is a businessman and investor of Egyptian-Montenegrin descent, recognized as a billionaire. He is the second son of Onsi Sawiris, with siblings Naguib and Nassef Sawiris. Previously, he held the positions of executive chairman and CEO at Orascom Development Holding AG.
By 2015, his wealth was appraised at approximately US$850 million, placing him as the 26th wealthiest individual in Africa.
Education and career
Hailing from Sohag, Egypt, Sawiris completed an Engineering Diploma in Engineering Management at Technische Universität Berlin in 1980. He initially launched the National Marine Boat Factory before founding Orascom Projects for Touristic Development in 1996 and Orascom Hotels and Development in 1998; these entities later combined to create Orascom Development Holding AG. He maintained the roles of CEO and chairman until December 2021, when he relinquished these responsibilities to his son. Throughout his tenure, the company focused on developing resort destinations in both Egypt and Switzerland.
In 2011, Sawiris became a shareholder with a 12.5% ownership stake in Swiss football club FC Luzern. He further expanded his portfolio in 2017 by investing in Bidroom, an online hotel booking service operating on a membership model.
Through his Raiffeisen Touristik (RT) Group, Sawiris took over Thomas Cook Germany in December 2019, building on his earlier acquisition of a 74.9% interest in RT back in 2014.
In December 2021, Sawiris officially handed over his chairman role at Orascom Development Holding to his son, Naguib Samih Sawiris.
Personal life
Sawiris became a Montenegrin citizen in 2011. He practices the Coptic Christian faith.