LICENSED DUBAI TRADING ESTABLISHMENT AND CORPORATE FINANCE SPECILAIST
23 Group originates, structures and executes international commodity trading and corporate finance transactions through an established network of producers, buyers, financial institutions, institutional investors, sovereign and strategic partners
Middle East - Africa - Asia - United Kingdom - Europe - North/South America
ABOUT US
A Licensed Dubai trading house serving Commodities Globally and Corporate Finance.
Headquartered in Dubai, 23 Group is a licensed United Arab Emirates establishment trading refined oil products, agriculture and metal commodities internationally. We operate at the intersection of institutional discipline and merchant agility — connecting refineries, buyers and logistics partners across the world’s most demanding markets. Alongside this, we provide specialism in Corporate Finance.
Integrity
Transparent dealings anchored in trust and disciplined execution.
Compliance
KYC / AML aligned procedures on every transaction.
Reliability
Consistent supply through vetted refineries and shipping partners.
Global Reach
Ship-to-ship and CIF delivery to major ports worldwide for all commodities and where required FOB/FCA on metals.
OUR PRINCIPLES
Built on Relationships
Relationships are at the heart of our business.
We believe successful international transactions are built on trust, alignment and long-term relationships.
We work with a select international network including:
Sovereign and institutional partners
Banks and financial institutions
Institutional investors and private capital
Commodity producers and refineries
International buyers and offtakers
Trading houses
Family offices
Leading international law firms
Professional and technical advisers
OUR EXPERTISE
OUR BUSINESS
Commercial Brokerage
Principal physical commodity trading and commercial brokerage across selected international markets.
Corporate Finance
Bespoke corporate, structured, asset-backed and trade-finance solutions delivered through our international capital network.
OUR METHODOLOGY
Institutional Approach. Entrepreneurial Execution.
23 Group combines the agility and relationships of a boutique business with an institutional approach to structuring, diligence and execution.
Where appropriate, transactions are developed alongside independent legal counsel, financial advisers, valuers, technical consultants and other specialist professionals.
This approach provides counterparties with clarity over structure, independent professional oversight and confidence throughout the transaction lifecycle.
01 Originate
Identify opportunities through our proprietary international network.
02 Structure
Develop commercially viable transaction structures with the appropriate financial, legal and professional input.
03 Coordinate
Bring together counterparties, capital providers, advisers and execution partners.
04 Execute
Manage the transaction through documentation, diligence and completion.
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR COMMODITIES
Oil & Gas
Metals
Agriculture
LEADERSHIP
Guided by Visionary Leadership
Executive Chairman
Muhammad Manan
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Muhammad Manan is Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of 23 Group, bringing more than three decades of senior executive and international commercial experience across corporate finance, investment, commodities, hospitality, real estate, infrastructure and strategic business development. With Saudi family heritage and an extensive career spanning the United Kingdom, the Middle East and international markets, he has established a distinguished network of commercial, institutional and sovereign relationships.
Throughout his career, Muhammad has held senior executive and board-level positions across international hospitality, property and investment businesses, with responsibility for major hotel portfolios, property assets, business restructuring and large-scale operations. His broader commercial experience includes corporate finance, energy and international commodities, with involvement in transactions valued at billions of dollars across oil and gas, precious and ferrous metals, and refined sugar.
Muhammad also serves as Chief Executive Officer of 100 Global Ventures, operating in strategic partnership with Bin Zayed Group. At 23 Group, he provides strategic leadership across international relationships, structured finance and commodities, leveraging established relationships with producers, investors, financial institutions and sovereign-linked counterparties to originate opportunities, develop strategic partnerships and support the execution of complex international transactions.
Chief Executive Officer
George Mason
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
George Mason is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of 23 Group, with a background spanning institutional finance, corporate finance, structured transactions, commodities and cross-border execution. He has extensive experience originating, structuring and facilitating financing transactions across sectors and jurisdictions.
George began his career at Deloitte London, where he spent five years in audit and developed expertise in financial reporting, governance, risk management and institutional controls. He subsequently founded his own finance and consultancy business, advising on corporate finance and structured financing, including the management buyout of Defected Records, involving more than £40 million of private equity and debt financing and a US$50 million structured revolving credit facility. He subsequently joined Defected’s Executive Board as Finance Director.
Following a successful business exit in 2025, George founded 23 Group, combining his corporate finance and transaction structuring expertise with an established network across banking, investment and commercial markets. His activities span structured finance, asset-backed financing, commodities, energy and oil & gas, with transactions extending into the multi-billion-dollar range.
Principal Partner
Sir Philip Cabana
London, United Kingdom
Sir Philip Steven Cabana serves as Non-Executive Chairman of 23 Group, bringing more than five decades of international business experience across finance, commodities, oil & gas, infrastructure, investment and strategic development. His career has spanned complex international markets across the Middle East, Asia, Europe and the Americas.
Throughout his career, Sir Philip has held senior chairman, board and advisory positions across international businesses and investment organisations. His experience encompasses commodity and energy markets, international finance, infrastructure development, mergers and acquisitions, investment funding and strategic cross-border partnerships. He has worked extensively with private-sector organisations, governments, international institutions and strategic partners. Sir Philip is Chairman of the Board of Global Energy Holdings and Director of Mergers & Acquisitions and International Business Development, supporting major international energy, infrastructure and strategic-resource opportunities.
A defining feature of Sir Philip’s career is his extensive international network across government, institutional, commercial and investment circles. Through his associated commercial interests, commodity allocations and opportunities across oil & gas, energy products, ferrous metals and refined sugar have been made available to 23 Group.
Chief Controls Officer
Hasham Hussain
London, United Kingdom
Hasham brings more than 11 years of experience across the UK and European banking sectors, having held senior positions including Governance & Framework Lead and Project Manager within Tier 1 financial institutions. His experience spans regulatory governance, risk management, compliance, assurance and strategic project delivery.
Throughout his career, Hasham has developed and reviewed regulatory policies, frameworks and standards, while leading initiatives designed to strengthen governance and mitigate organisational risk. He has also overseen compliance, assurance and audit reporting, ensuring alignment with applicable UK and European regulatory requirements and institutional standards.
Hasham combines strong technical expertise with practical experience in managing complex regulatory and governance programmes within highly regulated financial environments. His background in banking and finance, together with his experience across leading financial institutions, provides a strong foundation for supporting robust governance, risk management and regulatory frameworks across 23 Group’s activities. He holds a First-Class Honours degree in Banking and Finance.
Board Advisory
H.E. Sheikh Midhat Kamil Kidwai
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
H.E. Sheikh Midhat Kamil Kidwai is a British-born business leader, qualified civil engineer and graduate of a Harvard management programme. Since 2008, he has held senior responsibilities within Bin Zayed Group, applying a strong governance framework and disciplined operating practices across oil & gas, real estate, construction, manufacturing and financial services.
Throughout his career, Sheikh Midhat has focused on strengthening organisational performance, operational efficiency and sustainable growth across complex, multi-sector environments. His experience encompasses strategic development, operational management, financial oversight, structured problem-solving and the implementation of best-practice governance frameworks.
Recognised for his experience in business transformation and execution, Sheikh Midhat combines strategic leadership with a hands-on approach to team development, operational improvement and performance management. His ability to navigate complex challenges, strengthen institutional resilience and drive disciplined execution supports the continued development and performance of Bin Zayed Group and its wider international business interests.
Board Advisory
Dr. Wanderley Silva Dos Santos
Brazil
Wanderley brings a unique background spanning law, international mediation, theology, agriculture and sugar production, having built his career through diverse professional experiences in Brazil. Born in 1962 in a small village in western Brazil, he moved to São Paulo at nine.
Throughout his career, Wanderley has gained experience across legal, judicial and commercial environments. After serving in the Brazilian Army, he pursued higher education while working in roles, qualifying as a lawyer. He became an international mediation judge and has adjudicated hundreds of cases. His academic background also includes Theology and Christianity, in which he holds doctoral qualifications.
Alongside his legal career, Wanderley has developed experience in agriculture and agribusiness. Through investment, he acquired extensive land for cattle farming and cultivating sugar cane, soybeans and corn. His enterprise is a significant Brazilian sugar producer supplying international markets. His combination of legal expertise, mediation experience, academic qualifications and entrepreneurial leadership provides a foundation for supporting commercial, agricultural and business activities.
COMMERCIAL BROKERAGE
Connecting Global Supply with International Demand
23 Group originates and executes physical commodity transactions through relationships with producers, suppliers, traders, buyers and institutional counterparties across international markets.
PRINCIPAL TRADING
Buying and reselling as principal.
Where appropriate, 23 Group purchases commodities as principal and resells them to international wholesale buyers and offtakers. This includes:
- International back-to-back trading
- Import and export
- Re-export
- Wholesale distribution
- Structured supply agreements
- Long-term offtake arrangements
COMMERCIAL BROKERAGE
Where acting as principal is not appropriate.
23 Group can act as a commercial intermediary, introducing qualified counterparties and coordinating transactions through execution.
Our international relationships enable us to connect credible supply and demand while maintaining a disciplined approach to counterparty verification and transaction structure.
TRANSACTION EXECUTION
Depending on the mandate, our role can incorporate:
Supplier and buyer origination
Counterparty due dilligence
Commercial negotiations
Transactions structuring
Contract negotiations
Trade Finance
Inspection and verification
Logistics coordination
Legal documentation
Completion
CORPORATE FINANCE
Capital through relationships. Confidence through structure.
23 Group provides bespoke financing solutions to companies, asset owners, investors and entrepreneurs.
Our international network provides access to institutional investors, banks, private credit funds, family offices and strategic capital partners.
Rather than simply introducing capital, we work with clients to originate, structure, coordinate and execute financing transactions from initial assessment through completion.
FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS
Bespoke capital for every transaction
Structured Finance
Bespoke capital structures for complex corporate and asset-backed transactions.
Trade Finance
Financing solutions supporting international commodity and commercial transactions.
Asset-Backed Finance
Capital secured against qualifying real-world assets.
Real Estate Finance
Financing for investment property, development and complex real-estate transactions.
Project Finance
Capital solutions for infrastructure and selected international projects.
Private Credit
Senior, mezzanine and bespoke debt financing.
Aquisition & Growth Finance
Capital supporting acquisitions, expansion, working capital and strategic transactions.
Capital Raising
Debt and equity capital sourced through our international institutional and private-capital network.
STRCTURED FOR EXECUTION
Every Transaction is different
We work alongside the client’s existing advisers or introduce appropriate legal, financial and specialist professional partners where required.
This multidisciplinary approach provides investors, lenders and borrowers with a clear and professionally managed path toward completion.
Oil and Gas
A full-spectrum energy portfolio. Global Reach
Refined fuels, petrochemical feedstocks and industrial products — contracted to international specifications and delivered on trusted commercial terms under Dubai Commercial Licence No. 2531352.
EN590 Diesel
Ultra-low-sulphur diesel (10 ppm), STS & CIF delivery, priced per MT.
LPG - Propane / Butane
Liquefied Petroleum Gas – hydrocarbon fuel.
Sulfur (Granules & Lumps or Powdered)
Graunular Lumps grilled in jumbo bags or bulk. Powdered produced by sublimation.
Gasoline 92 / 95 RON
Reformate-blended motor gasoline meeting Euro-V specifications.
Jet A-1 Aviation Fuel
Kerosene-type jet fuel meeting DEF STAN 91-091 / ASTM D1655.
LNG
Liquefied Natural Gas cooled to liquid form, made from Methane (CH₄).
Fuel Grade Petcoke
Petroleum coke for cement, power generation and industrial fuel.
Crude Oil
Barah Medium/Heavy, ESPO or CPC Blend Crude Oil.
Light & Heavy Naphtha
Petrochemical & Gasoline feedstock for reformers, steam crackers and blending.
+ more… Please contact the desk for full list of oil and gas products.
Global Reach
From Dubai to the World's Ports
Serving international buyers across Europe, the Americas and Asia via trusted STS and CIF delivery chains.
Agriculture
A full-spectrum agriculture portfolio. Global Reach
White refine sugar cane ICUMSA 45, raw brown sugar600-1200 ICUMSA and more agriculture products — contracted to international specifications and delivered on trusted commercial terms under Dubai Commercial Licence No. 2531352.
White Refined Sugar Cane ICUMSA 45
White refined sugar ICUMSA-45 is a most highly refined form of sugar.
Brown Sugar ICUMSA 600-1200
ICUMSA 600-1200 is produced after the first crystallization of sugar cane.
Soybean GMO-Brazil
Soybean is a very versatile legume and is used in many feed and food applications.
Yellow Corn GMO Human Consumption-Brazil
We offer a variety of corn e.g. identity-preserved, organic and non-GMO options.
Yellow Corn GMO Animal Feed-Brazil
Best suited for processing and feedstock or cattle and poultry.
Frozen Chicken Paws
Grade A
Frozen Chicken Feet
Grade A
Frozen Chicken Wings
Grade A
+ more… Please contact the desk for full specifications on our agriculture products.
Sugar Market and Our Position
23 Group Position
23 Group has transformed its strategic location into one of the greatest commercial advantages in global trade. Situated between Asia, Europe and Africa, 23 Group in the emirate has become a logistics platform where commodities are imported, processed, financed and redistributed with remarkable efficiency.
Market
Sugar on CME
23 Group has built an ecosystem capable of multiplying the commercial value of agricultural commodities after they leave their country of origin. Brazil grows the sugar. 23 Group expands its commercial reach.
Above is the the bio rhythm of sugar for the next few months on the mercantile CME.
https://www.cmegroup.com/
Strategic Posiitioning
Our price and position
The market price for Brazilian refined sugar (ICUMSA 45) landed in Dubai generally ranges between $530 and $600 per metric ton (MT), depending on whether it is a CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) delivery or an OTG (On The Ground / Spot) purchase from local UAE.
https://mellocommodity.com.br/brazilian-sugar-exporters-dubai-middle-east/
Metals
A full-spectrum metals portfolio. Global Reach
Precious and inferior metals products — contracted to international specifications and delivered on trusted commercial terms under Dubai Commercial Licence No. 2531352.
Copper Cathodes
Purity > 99.97 to 99.99
Copper Concentrate
Available CIF/FOB/FCA.
Gold
Gold Bullion available on request with verified sellers.
Steel
Structural plates, coils, billets, rebar at request.
Nickel
Nickel cathode, powder, briquet or ferronickel.
Aluminium
Raw ingots, sheets, coils, or extrusions.
Chrome
Chrome Concentrate and Chrome Ore available at request.
Maganese
Maganese Ore available at request.
Tin
Pure Tin (99.99%):
Bauxite
A sedimentary rock that serves as the primary ore for producing aluminium.
Cobalt
Cathodes, Sulfate, or Hydroxide.
Ferrochrome Alloy
Grades: High Carbon (HC), (MC), Low Carbon (LC), and Charge Chrome.
Silver
Premium Silver Bullion.
Tungsten
Tungsten Ore and Tungsten Concentrate.
Ore
Iron Ore, Lead-Zinc Ore Tin Ore, Copper Ore, Sulphur Ore
+ more… Please contact the desk for full specifications on our metal products.
COMPLIANCE AND LICENSING
Institutional Discipline Verifiable Trusts
Licensed UAE Establishment
Dubai Commercial Licence No. 2531352.01 Register No.2531352
KYC / AML Aligned Procedures
Every counterparty and transaction is screened under KYC / AML aligned procedures with standardised ICPO / FCO / SPA documentation and proof-of-product / delivery evidence.
Our Strategic Partners
Contact
Speak to our Trading Desk
Address
Meydan Grandstand, 6th floor, Meydan Road, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, U.A.E.
Management@23group.ae