Early Life
Mohamed Mansour was born in Alexandria, Egypt, in January 1948, into a prominent business family. The Mansour Group, founded by his father Loutfy Mansour in 1952, was a major cotton trading company. However, the family faced adversity when the company's assets were nationalized in 1965. Despite this setback, Mansour pursued his education in the United States, earning a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from North Carolina State University in 1968 and an MBA from Auburn University in 1971.
Rise to Success
After graduating, Mansour taught at Auburn University until 1973. He then returned to Egypt to work in the family business. Following his father's death in 1976, he took over the leadership of the Mansour Group. Under his guidance, the group expanded significantly, establishing partnerships with major US companies and securing exclusive distribution rights for Caterpillar equipment and General Motors vehicles. The Mansour Group grew into a multinational conglomerate with operations in over 100 countries.
Key Business Strategies
Mansour's leadership style focuses on empowering top management teams, which has been critical in transforming the local company into a global business with multinational exposure. His strategic vision led to diversification across various sectors, including automotive, retail, financial services, and real estate. The establishment of Man Capital, a private investment arm, in London in 2010 further enhanced the group's financial strategies. Mansour's ability to navigate economic cycles and adapt to regional challenges has been instrumental in the group's enduring success.
Philanthropy
Mansour is also known for his philanthropic efforts, supporting various causes including education and healthcare. He has donated to the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom. Moreover, Mansour's commitment to sustainability is demonstrated by his investments in green projects, including electric vehicles and renewable energy initiatives. His family is developing a green housing project west of Cairo, which aims to be the first city in the Middle East and North Africa built in accordance with the UN's SDGs.