Yassir Zenagui joined Mohammed VI's private office in 2011 after two years as Minister of Tourism. A former City trader, Zenagui, who is 46 and has French and Moroccan nationality, has since established himself as one of the sovereign's key advisers.

More particularly, he has charge of the wealthy Wessal fund, which has the job of investing capital from friendly Gulf monarchies in huge tourist accommodation projects. At the same time, he has become a major investor in the tourist sector in his own right as he supervises the establishment of the Ritz-Carlton hotel chain in Morocco.

Maghreb Confidential has mapped out his sphere of influence. In it, he juggles with his private interests and public responsibilities without any undue concern, while his brothers and former City colleagues play key roles.