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AIR appoints IR head as it advances CAEP merger (CAEP)

Filing Impact
(High)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
425

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

AIR Holdings Ltd. announced the appointment of Gaurav Jain as Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Strategy, effective April 1, 2026. The hire is positioned to lead global investor relations and corporate strategy as AIR advances a planned Nasdaq listing via a proposed business combination with Cantor Equity Partners III.

The filing reiterates the Business Combination Agreement signed on November 7, 2025 and states the transaction is expected to complete in the first half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Positive

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Negative

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Insights

Hire appears timed to support a U.S. listing and investor outreach ahead of the proposed Nasdaq transaction.

Appointing an experienced sell‑side analyst to lead investor relations signals a deliberate move to professionalize communications before the proposed Nasdaq listing. The filing links the role explicitly to preparations for the business combination and U.S. listing.

Key dependencies are regulatory approvals and the Registration Statement filing; timing is tied to the first half of 2026 closing expectation. Subsequent filings will show how investor communications and the proxy process are coordinated.

Appointment combines capital markets expertise with strategic planning responsibilities.

The new VP will lead long‑term corporate strategy, market insights, portfolio evaluation, and external narrative work. The filing states he will partner with the Executive Committee and Board to produce strategic analysis supporting the public listing process.

Material outcomes depend on disclosed milestones: the Registration Statement, shareholder approvals, and other customary closing conditions. Further disclosures in the proxy/prospectus will clarify strategic priorities and expected benefits.

Filed by AIR Holdings Ltd.

pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933

and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12

under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


 

Subject Companies: AIR Limited

Cantor Equity Partners III, Inc., Commission File No. 001-42716

Date: March 12, 2026


 

As previously disclosed, on November 7, 2025, Cantor Equity Partners III, Inc. (“CAEP”), a Cayman Islands exempted company, and AIR Limited, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of Jersey (“AIR”), entered into a Business Combination Agreement (the “Business Combination Agreement”), with AIR Holdings Limited, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of Jersey (“Pubco”), Genesis Cayman Merger Sub Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“Cayman Merger Sub”), and Genesis Jersey Merger Sub Limited, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of Jersey (“Jersey Merger Sub”).



On March 11, 2026, AIR Limited issued the following press release announcing the appointment of Gaurav Jain as Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Strategy.


 

AIR Appoints Gaurav Jain as Vice President, Investor Relations, and Corporate Strategy

 

Appointment strengthens capital markets engagement and strategic positioning ahead of planned US listing

 

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 global 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, 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/.



Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “future,” “intend,” “may,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “project,” “should,” “strategy,” “will,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” “would” and similar expressions (including the negative versions of such words or expressions).



Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements relating to, among other things, the anticipated timing and completion of the Proposed Business Combination; AIR Global’s proposed Nasdaq listing; the ability to satisfy closing conditions, obtain required shareholder and regulatory approvals, and meet applicable listing standards; the expected structure of the Proposed Business Combination and potential adjustments thereto; anticipated benefits of the Proposed Business Combination to AIR, CAEP and AIR Global; AIR’s growth strategy, market expansion plans, product innovation pipeline and commercialization efforts (including with respect to OOKA and other new technologies); partnerships and go-to-market initiatives; and market size, share and adoption trends. These statements are based on management’s current expectations. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause AIR Global’s or AIR’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this press release, including, but not limited to, the occurrence of any


event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Proposed Business Combination (including as a result of a termination of the Business Combination Agreement and/or any related agreements between the relevant parties); the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against AIR Global, CAEP or AIR, any of their subsidiaries or others following the announcement of the Proposed Business Combination; the inability to complete the Proposed Business Combination due to the failure to obtain the necessary shareholder approvals or to satisfy other conditions to closing; changes to the proposed structure of the Proposed Business Combination that may be required or appropriate as a result of applicable laws or regulations; the decision by the SEC to deem effective the registration statement on Form F-4 intended to be filed with the SEC by AIR and AIR Global (the “Registration Statement”); the ability to meet the Nasdaq Stock Market listing standards upon closing of the Proposed Business Combination and admission of AIR Global for trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market; the risk that the Proposed Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations of AIR as a result of the announcement and consummation of the Proposed Business Combination; the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of AIR to grow, retain its management and key employees; costs related to the Proposed Business Combination; changes in applicable laws or regulations; and other risks and uncertainties expected to be set forth in the Registration Statement. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which AIR, CAEP and AIR Global cannot predict with accuracy and some of which neither AIR, CAEP nor AIR Global might even anticipate. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date of this release. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and AIR, CAEP and AIR Global do not assume any obligation to and do not intend to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after such date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by U.S. federal securities laws. The inclusion of any statement in this communication does not constitute an admission by CAEP, AIR or AIR Global or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material.

 

No assurances can be made that the parties will successfully close the Proposed Business Combination or close the Proposed Business Combination on the timeframe currently contemplated. The Proposed Business Combination is subject to the filing with the SEC, and effectiveness, of the Registration Statement, as well as other regulatory approvals and customary conditions to closing.



The foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of the final prospectus of CAEP dated as of June 25, 2025 and filed by CAEP with the SEC on June 26, 2025, CAEP’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, CAEP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Registration Statement that will be filed by AIR Global and AIR and the proxy statement/prospectus contained therein, and other documents filed by CAEP and AIR Global from time to time with the SEC. These filings do or will identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that CAEP, AIR and AIR Global do not presently know or that CAEP, AIR and AIR Global currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements.



Important Information for Investors and Shareholders



AIR Global and AIR intend to file the Registration Statement with the SEC, which will include a preliminary proxy statement of CAEP and a prospectus of AIR Global in connection with the Proposed Business Combination. The definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents will be mailed to shareholders of CAEP as of a record date to be established for voting on the Proposed Business Combination. SHAREHOLDERS OF CAEP AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES ARE URGED TO READ, WHEN AVAILABLE, THE PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT, AND AMENDMENTS THERETO, AND THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT IN CONNECTION


WITH CAEP’S SOLICITATION OF PROXIES FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF ITS SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED BUSINESS COMBINATION BECAUSE THESE DOCUMENTS WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT CAEP, AIR, AIR GLOBAL AND THE PROPOSED BUSINESS COMBINATION. Shareholders will also be able to obtain copies of the Registration Statement and the proxy statement/prospectus, without charge, once available, on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to Cantor Equity Partners III, Inc., 110 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022, email: CantorEquityPartners@cantor.com and to AIR Global, Festival Office Tower, Dubai Festival City, 7th Floor, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, email: investor@air.global.



Participants in the Solicitation



CAEP, AIR, AIR Global and their respective directors and executive officers and certain of their shareholders may be deemed under SEC rules to be participants in the solicitation of proxies of CAEP shareholders in connection with the Proposed Business Combination. A list of the names of such persons, and information regarding their interests in the Proposed Business Combination and their ownership of CAEP’s securities are, or will be, contained in CAEP’s filings with the SEC, including CAEP’s prospectus filed on June 26, 2025. Additional information regarding the interests of the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from CAEP’s shareholders in connection with the Proposed Business Combination, including the names and interests of CAEP’s, AIR Global’s and AIR’s directors and executive officers, will be set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus, which is expected to be filed by AIR Global, AIR and CAEP, as applicable, with the SEC. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents as described above.



No Offer or Solicitation



This press release and the information contained herein are for informational purposes only and shall not constitute a solicitation of a proxy, consent, or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the Proposed Business Combination or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any states or jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Investors should consult with their counsel as to the applicable requirements for a purchaser to avail itself of any exemption under the Securities Act.



Contact:



Investor and Media Relations

ICR AIRglobal@icrinc.com
 


 


 

 

 


FAQ

What role was announced in AIR's filing and when does it take effect?

AIR appointed Gaurav Jain as Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Strategy, effective April 1, 2026. The filing states he will report to the CEO and lead investor relations, strategic planning, and market intelligence efforts globally.

How does this hire relate to AIR's proposed transaction with CAEP (Nasdaq: CAEP)?

The filing links the appointment to preparations for the proposed business combination with Cantor Equity Partners III signed on November 7, 2025. The hire is described as strengthening capital markets engagement ahead of the planned Nasdaq listing.

When is the Proposed Business Combination expected to close according to the filing?

The filing states the transaction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2026, conditioned on regulatory approvals, shareholder votes, and customary closing conditions described in the Business Combination Agreement.

Will AIR be publicly listed and under what ticker if the deal closes?

If the Proposed Business Combination closes, the combined company will be listed on Nasdaq under the ticker AIIR, as stated in the filing. The timing depends on the Registration Statement and other required approvals.

Where can investors find more information about the Proposed Business Combination?

The filing directs investors to CAEP’s SEC filings and the Registration Statement and proxy/prospectus when filed; it also provides links and contact emails for Cantor Equity Partners and AIR Global for free copies of documents.
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