Staff Interview Series: Welcoming Raheef Shaar

Thursday, 23 April 2026

Raheef Shaar joins Bluebox as an Analyst, bringing with him a strong foundation in finance built across some highly regarded institutions. Having studied Finance and Accounting at the American University of Beirut, gained early experience at PwC, and spent two years at Citi rotating across Corporate Banking and Treasury between Beirut and Dubai, Raheef moved to London to complete his MSc in Finance at Imperial College. It was there that his interest in M&A took shape, drawn to the blend of analytical rigour and client work that defines the discipline. We sat down with him to find out more about his journey, what brought him to Bluebox, and what life looks like outside the office.

Can you tell us a bit about your background and the journey that led you to Bluebox?


I studied Finance and Accounting at AUB in Lebanon, and at the time I wasn’t fully sure where I wanted to take my career, so I explored different paths through internships, including roles in public sector offices and at PwC. I then joined Citi through their Emerging Markets graduate program, where I spent two years rotating across Corporate Banking and Treasury between Beirut and Dubai, gaining strong exposure to clients, credit analysis, and financial markets . After that, I moved to London to pursue my MSc in Finance at Imperial College, and during the program I became really drawn to the M&A process, from working with clients to the deal execution and analysis side, which ultimately led me to join Bluebox last week.

What drew you to corporate finance, and M&A in particular?

What really drew me to corporate finance and M&A specifically is the combination of analytical work and human interaction, you are not only building models and analyzing companies but also working closely with clients, understanding their goals, and helping them make major strategic decisions. I enjoy that balance between technical finance skills and communication, as well as the exposure to different industries and situations, and the opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals all aligned on delivering the best outcome for the client.

What made Bluebox stand out when you were exploring opportunities?

During the interview process, what stood out the most to me was the people, meeting the team and hearing about their experiences made a strong impression, and I could see how engaged and passionate everyone was about the work they do. The firm’s track record and the quality of deals were also important, but what really convinced me was the culture, how driven the team is, and how aligned everyone is around the firm’s goals and delivering strong outcomes for clients.

What has surprised you most about the role since joining?

What surprised me the most is how supportive the team is at all levels, and how quickly you are included in projects from day one. There is a lot of trust and openness, where you are encouraged to take on tasks and at the same time always have people available to guide you. Also the variety of clients and situations the firm works on is very interesting, and I’ve noticed how willing everyone is to take time to explain things and help you learn continuously.

What does a typical day look like for you at the moment, and what are you most enjoying?

A typical day usually starts with a quick catch up on what was done the previous day and what needs to be prioritized, then working through tasks across different projects, whether it’s analysis, preparing materials, or supporting deliverables. There is a lot of collaboration within the team, constantly updating each other on progress, alongside internal discussions or client meetings when needed. I also spend time learning new tools and understanding how the team improves processes. What I enjoy most is the pace of the work and the exposure, every day feels different and you are always learning something new.

Outside of work, what are you passionate about? Is there anything new you’ve taken up recently?

Outside of work, I’m really into running, especially running along the Thames, and I try to explore new parks around London while doing that. I also enjoy traveling, whether around the UK or Europe with friends or family. Recently I’ve been spending more time reading history, particularly Middle Eastern history, and I’m currently reading about Saladin and the 10th and 11th century in the region .

 

Rapid Fire

  • Coffee or tea? Coffee
  • Early bird or night owl? Night owl
  • Favourite cuisine? Lebanese
  • City break or beach holiday? City break
  • What’s on your playlist or currently on your watchlist? Fauda on Netflix
quote marks icon

Testimonials