We are principals first. Founded by Wasee Panah and Franco Macri, Blackwood Group invests alongside clients and partners, bringing a long‑term perspective to complex ventures. Free from short‑term exit pressures, we focus on durable value creation across Energy, Oil & Gas and Mining — while remaining flexible on industry adjacencies where we can add distinctive value.
Our team has managed proprietary investment vehicles and worked with specialized funds focused on energy and communications. We operate globally, combining candid advice, deep sector insight, and on‑the‑ground execution.
Wasee Panah — Co‑Founder & Managing Partner
Wasee Panah is a strategic executive, advisor, deal architect and Lobbyist with deep experience in natural resources, infrastructure, security and frontier markets. As Co‑Founder of Blackwood Group, he leads origination, consortium building and complex negotiations in Energy, Oil & Gas and Mining across Asia, Africa and Latin America. He also heads Blackwood’s consultancy and lobbying practice.
Selected highlights:
• Lead partner/consultant and chief negotiator for an Indian consortium on a cross‑border resources transaction linked to the Hajigak iron‑ore development in Afghanistan, biggest iron-ore mine in the world.
• Structured risk‑aware financing frameworks in collaboration with arranging banks and export credit agencies.
• Led strategic partnerships and EPC selection across West Africa and South America, aligning incentives and de‑risking delivery.
Franco Macri — Co‑Founder (In Memoriam)
Franco Macri (1930–2019) was a renowned Italian‑Argentine industrialist and entrepreneur, father of Argentine President Mauricio Macri, whose business interests spanned construction, infrastructure, telecommunications, automotive and real estate. As Co‑Founder of Blackwood Group, his legacy of large‑scale project delivery and global partnerships shaped the firm’s principal‑led investment philosophy. His industrial network and discipline in executing challenging, high‑impact projects continue to form Blackwood’s approach.