Quick Facts
Biography
Laith Gaith Pharaon is a global hospitality entrepreneur and real estate property developer with interests in Asia, Europe, North America and Latin America.
Earlier in his career, he competed on the offshore and F1 powerboat racing circuit for several years, where he achieved great success.
Early life
Laith Pharaon was born September 7, 1968 in London, UK to Ghaith Pharaon. Educated in Switzerland, he completed his studies in the United States, where he graduated from the University of Southern California.
Career
Pharaon is founder and chief executive officer of Orca Holding, an international investment holding company based in Valetta (Malta), with affiliated companies in several countries and with offices in Miami (U.S.), in Barcelona (Spain), and in Singapore (Singapore).
The company’s current hospitality investments include Amari Havodda Maldives, several projects with Soho House in Spain, and luxury residential projects in Miami, Florida. Orca Holding’s past investments include Hyatt, Four Seasons, and Six Senses branded projects.
Professional Boat Racing
From 1995 to 2006, Laith Pharaon competed on an international level in Class 1 offshore powerboat racing. He was inducted in the American Power Boat Association (APBA) Hall of Champions, the highest honor for the sport, in 1996. Among his career wins were four Formula 1 World Championship (F1) races: U.S. Championship (1996); European and World titles (1997); Pole Position World Title (1998).
Titles:
- 2000 - 17th F1 World Championship
- 1998 - Class 1 Pole Position World Champion
- 1997 - Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) Class 1 World Championship
- World Offshore Championship (WOC) races entered: 22
- WOC races won: 4
- St. Petersburg 1997
- 1996 - US National Offshore Champion
- World Record of most consecutive wins: 10
- 1996 - Super Boat RacingWorld Champion
Personal life
Laith Pharaon has his home in Punta del Este (Uruguay), and spends most of his time travelling between Barcelona (Spain), Miami (U.S.) and Singapore (Singapore), among other countries in Asia. He is fluent in English, French, Spanish and Italian.