DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – March 11, 2026 – AIR Limited (“AIR” or the “Company”), the global leader in hookah and pioneer in advanced inhalation technologies, today announced the appointment of Gaurav Jain as Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Strategy, effective April 1, 2026. Mr. Jain will report directly to Stuart Brazier, Chief Executive Officer of AIR.
Mr. Jain joins AIR after a distinguished tenure at Barclays, having built a reputation for exceptional analytical rigor and deep industry insight in the Global Tobacco sector. Since 2020, he has been the #1 ranked tobacco analyst in the Institutional Investor Europe poll. At Barclays, Mr. Jain also led coverage of other sectors besides tobacco, such as Chemicals and Paper & Packaging, and has previously led on EU Small & Mid Cap and Cannabis. He has 23 years of glaobal investing experience, split equally between the buy side and sell side, across London, Mumbai and New York and is a prolific investor in both public and private markets.
In his new role, Mr. Jain will be responsible for leading AIR’s global investor relations strategy, strengthening engagement with shareholders, analysts, and the broader investment community. He will also drive the company’s long-term corporate strategy, including competitive and market insights, portfolio evaluation, and strategic planning, while shaping AIR’s external narrative to reinforce its performance, priorities, and long-term value creation agenda. In addition, he will partner closely with the Executive Committee and Board to deliver high-impact strategic analysis and market intelligence.
Commenting on the appointment, Stuart Brazier, Chief Executive Officer of AIR, said:
“Gaurav brings a rare combination of capital markets expertise, strategic insight, and deep category knowledge. As we move toward our planned US listing, his leadership will be instrumental in elevating our engagement with the investment community and sharpening our strategic positioning. We are delighted to welcome him to AIR.”
Mr. Jain’s appointment underscores AIR’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team as it advances its growth strategy and prepares for the next phase of its development as a public company.
Background Information on AIR’s Business Combination
On Nov. 7, 2025, AIR and Cantor Equity Partners III, Inc. (Nasdaq: CAEP) (“CAEP”), a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by an affiliate of Cantor Fitzgerald, announced that they entered into a definitive business combination agreement for a proposed business combination (the “Proposed Business Combination”) that, upon closing, will result in the combined company AIR Global PLC (“AIR Global”) becoming publicly listed on the Nasdaq in the United States under the ticker symbol “AIIR.”
The transaction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions.
Additional information about the Proposed Business Combination, including a copy of the Business Combination Agreement, are available in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed by CAEP with the SEC and available at www.sec.gov.
About AIR
Launched in 1999 and headquartered in Dubai, AIR is a global innovation leader in social inhalation, with a multinational presence in over 90 markets worldwide. Its portfolio of companies and assets includes Al Fakher, the world’s leading hookah brand; Hookah.com, North America’s number one B2B e-commerce platform for hookah and shisha by market share; and OOKA, a highly innovative charcoal-free shisha device, among others. AIR’s science program, conducted in partnership with independent accredited laboratories, enables the development of innovative products that combine centuries of tradition with cutting-edge technology to minimize harm and maximize enjoyment for millions around the world.
For more information, please visit https://air.global/.
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