Mr. Salah has over three decades of banking experience, having started his career at Emirates NBD Group in 1989. He has a solid background in operating businesses and managing risks, having worked in senior managerial roles including head of branches and Head of Corporate Banking Unit , as EVP, Head of Corporate Banking Group, Emirates NBD and most recently as CEO of Emirates Islamic Bank.
Mr. Salah is a seasoned corporate banker with extensive experience across corporate clients and distribution management, creating and driving strategy on behalf of clients in several geographies and industries across the bank’s presence countries.
He holds Board level positions in several Financial Institutions (FIs) and non-banking FIs in the UAE, including Director of Emirates NBD Capital (EMCAP) and EFS; Emirates NBD Properties, and Emirates NBD Securities. He was also a member of the Boards of the National General Insurance Company and Al Nasr Sports Club.
Educated in the USA and having worked in multicultural environments, Mr. Salah has a keen understanding of cultures and traditions, which is key to being a team player.
Mr. Salah holds a degree in Business Administration from The American University.
Mr. Fawaz has over 19 years of experience in the retail banking, investment banking, investment placement, private equity (multisector) and real estate property development. He represented companies on several boards as the Chairman and board member of various multi-million dollar companies including real estate development, private equity, healthcare, pharmaceutical and energy companies. He joined FEB in 2014 and was primarily responsible for the Operation, Strategy of the bank and business line: day to day over-all operations, business development and Investors relations including the Bank’s shareholders at a COO capacity. Currently he is the CEO of FEB AQAR the real estate subsidiary of First Energy Bank.
Prior to joining FEB, Fawaz was the Managing Director of Takamul Capital in Bahrain. Prior to Takamul, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Investment House (ADIH) and previously contributed in the establishment of Kuwait Finance House-Bahrain under different departments.
Fawaz holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The Citadel, Military College of South Carolina, USA.
The Head of Operations, Mr. Mohamed Jasim Jamsheer has more than 13 years of diverse experience in the Banking Industry and more than 10 years experience in Banking Operations.
Mohamed Joined First Energy Bank in 2008. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from New York Institute of Technology, Bahrain, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Information Systems from Strayer University, Washington DC, USA.
Mohamed has completed several certificates and professional courses in the areas of Banking, AML, and Operations.
Prior to joining FEB, Mohamed has previously worked in the Ministry of Defense for 5 years.
Ali Al Mehri, A Bahraini National, has over 18 years’ work experience between the Oil & Gas industry and the Banking industry. Ali started his career working at the Bahrain Petroleum Company BAPCO where he was responsible for producing profit/cost analysis reports to the management of the company as well as reporting on the performance of company (KPIs) to its parent the National Oil and Gas Authority. In 2008, Ali shifted his career to the Banking industry where he joined Gulf Finance House and was assigned the task of establishing as well as reporting on the Bank’s Balanced Scorecard. Subsequently, Ali joined First Energy Bank’s placement team where he was able to establish fruitful relationships with HNWI from Qatar, KSA and the UAE. Moreover, Ali then shifted to the Financial Institutions section in the Treasury Department, where he was entrusted with establishing a network of banks/ financial institutions relationships for the bank. Ali gained extensive knowledge in relationship management as well as experience in AML, KYC and documentation. Ali holds a M.Sc. in Financial Markets & Institutions from Boston University USA and a B.Sc. in Accounting from Bentley College, USA. Furthermore, Ali completed several professional courses on Islamic Banking, Treasury Products, AML, Performance Management, Corporate Governance, and Compliance.
Hana brings to First Energy Bank over 16 years of regulatory, banking and finance experience. Prior to joining First Energy Bank, she was the Head of Compliance and AML at Ithmaar Bank where she established and developed the compliance function. Hana worked for over 12 years at the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) and the latest position occupied was the Head of Islamic Retail Banking Supervision where she was responsible for supervising Islamic Banks licensees. During her employment with the CBB, Hana was a member in several committees of the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB), an international standard-setting organization for the Islamic financial sector. She also chaired the AML and Compliance Committee of Bahrain Associate of Banks during the period between 2017 and 2018.
Ms. Hana holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) form the University of Strathclyde Business School, United Kingdom. She also holds a BSc in Banking and Finance from the University of Bahrain. Hana is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), awarded by the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (ACAMS).
Salman Buheji is the Acting Head of Risk Management responsible for the implementation of the Bank’s enterprise risk framework, policies and procedures. Salman has over 10 years of experience in Risk Management, Investment Banking and Financial Services Consulting. Prior to joining First Energy Bank, he worked with a leading global Risk Management Advisory firm on multiple engagements with Leading Banks throughout the GCC and the Middle East. Salman holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance and Management) from Curtin University, Australia and completed multiple certificates and courses in the field of Risk Management and Banking / Financial Services.
Nafeesa Ismail brings a wealth of legal knowledge to First Energy Bank, with over 14 years of experience across various legal fields, ranging from Banking and Finance, Corporate and Investment Banking, Structured Trade and Commodity Finance, Structured Finance, Islamic Finance and Mergers and Acquisitions.
Ms. Nafeesa started her legal career at one of the leading law firms in South Africa (Webber Wentzel – associated with Linklaters) before joining one of the largest multinational banks in Africa – Standard Bank, where she was appointed to grow the Corporate and Investment Banking Division for Africa. At Standard Bank, Nafeesa held a senior management role overseeing legal transactions across 16 different jurisdictions in Africa, London and Dubai and was involved with managing complex, cross-border transactions.
Prior to joining First Energy Bank, Nafeesa held a senior legal manager position with BNP Paribas, based in their Bahrain office. At BNP Paribas, Nafeesa had overall responsibility for the BNP Paribas South African operations, as well as key involvement with their London and Middle-East operations, spanning across Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar.
Nafeesa holds a Bachelors degree in Law (LLB) and is admitted as a qualified Attorney and Notary Public in the High Court of South Africa.
Noly Lakshman is responsible for the accounting, financial planning and analysis, stakeholder reporting including regulatory reporting for the group and its subsidiaries. Noly has 20 years of work experience in Banking, Auditing and Financial control. Prior to his appointment at First Energy Bank, he worked with Doha Bank, Qatar and Auditing firm in Saudi Arabia.
Noly is a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, Fellow Certified Management Accountant (FCMA) from the Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka and holds a Master’s in Business Finance from the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
Dr. Abdalnasr has over 19 years of experience in the financial advisory field. He is the General Director of the Libya Enterprise for Small and Medium Enterprises and has held this position since 2013. Other current roles include being a Member of Staff at the Accounting Department / Faculty of Economics in the University of Misrata, being a Participating Member in the British Accounting and Finance Association (BFAA), and Auditor and Member of the Association of Chartered Accountants of Libya.
His previous experience includes holding multiple board positions for Libyan entities such as the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), The Islamic Solidarity fund for Development (ISFD), and The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIE). Dr. Abdalnasr was also the advisor to the Minister of Economy in Libya from 2012-2018.
An accomplished leader in integrating European businesses into the emerging Middle East market, Dr. Saif Abugulal, Ph.D., has driven client revenue and profitability in the oil and gas sector for over 12 years. A Certified Project Manager with a doctorate degree in Government and International Affairs – focused specifically on the Middle East – Dr. Abugulal specializes in launching, expanding, and growing European businesses in the Middle East, with expertise in high-level business development, project management, supply chain management, logistics, and procurement. In the highly relationship-driven Middle East business culture, Dr. Abugulal leverages a vast Middle East social-business network with deep, respected family roots and a network of global business relationships.
Dr. Abugulal’s early career began at the University of Newcastle Upon-Tyne in the UK, where he delivered lectures and tutored students on Oil and Security, Middle East Politics, as well as Market and International Relations. He then transitioned to a consulting role with Laureate Education, Inc., aiding clients in over 95 countries in business development solutions.
In 2005, Dr. Abugulal was hired at Saudi Aramco Overseas Company BV, which owns, operates, and develops all energy resources based in Saudi Arabia. He progressed quickly through project management and leadership roles, driving efficient management of oil and gas projects, logistics, supply chain, expediting and procurement. He drove record 95% on-time delivery (OTD) and on-time Technical & Inventory refinery shutdowns (T&Is).
In 2014, Dr. Abugulal joined Stahl-Electromach as the General Manager for Saudi Arabia, where he spearheaded the company expansion into the new Saudi Arabia market and established the Stahl-Electromach brand as a new Saudi entity.
Dr. Abugulal also established, manages, and continues to grow Key2MiddleEast Ltd., a consulting business that connects European companies with opportunities to expand their efforts in the Middle East.
Dr. Abugulal also currently serves as General Manager for the Middle East for GIS International, a leading global procurement service provider for multinational, multisite companies.
Dr. Abugulal completed his Ph.D. at the University of Durham in the UK. He has a Master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Durham and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Webster University in the U.S.
Dr. Abugulal completed an English Language Certificate from the University of East Anglia in the UK and an English Language Diploma from the British Academy of English.
Dr. Jacob Kalkman is Chief Investment Officer at Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company, focusing on SOEs in Aviation, Healthcare, Media, Tourism, Real Estate, Technology and Financial Services. He joined ADDH in April 2019.
Before that, Dr. Jacob was Managing Partner and Global Head of the Energy & Utilities Practice at Arthur D. Little, the world’s first management consulting firm. Dr. Jacob has more than 25 years of Consulting and Private Equity experience in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Dr. Jacob obtained his masters (1989) and PhD (1993) in Physics and Mathematics from Utrecht University in the Netherlands. After obtaining his PhD, he worked as postdoctoral researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America.
Dr. Jacob started his consulting career in 1994 with McKinsey & Company in Amsterdam, where he became partner in 2000. Since his early career, he focused on energy clients, both in Utilities and Oil & Gas. Since 2002, he worked in Asia and the Middle East, based out of Manila, Singapore, Bahrain and Dubai.
From mid-2007 until early 2011, Dr. Jacob worked at Arcapita Bank, where he was Head of Infrastructure Investments for Asia and the Middle East. During that time, Dr. Jacob made the firm’s first investment into China in renewables and invested in infrastructure assets in the GCC. In 2011, Dr. Jacob returned to management consulting.
Dr. Jacob lives with his wife, son and two daughters in the UAE.
Mr. Al Suwaidi, a national of the United Arab Emirates, with over 17 years’ experience in Economics, Energy & Social Affairs. He started his career in February 2002 with Zakum Development Company (ZADCO) as Contracts & Procurements Engineer in the commercial department. In November 2004 he joined Mubadala Development Company, Abu Dhabi as Assets Management Analyst in the Corporate & Finance Affairs.
Currently Mr. Al Al Suwaidi is the Director of Economic and Energy Affairs in the Executive Affairs Authority in Abu Dhabi.
Mr. Al Suwaidi holds a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), IACVA, 2007 & Bachelor of Sciences, International Economics from Suffolk University, Boston, MA, USA (2001) and a Master of Strategic and Security Studies from The National Defense College, Abu Dhabi, UAE (2016-2017).
Mr. Adel Al Jabr holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Leicester – UK. He graduated as an Electrical Engineer from the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals -KSA in 1990. After graduating, Mr. Al Jabr worked for Saudi Aramco, in which he progressed through various departments over 18 years until he reached the position of Financial Planning Director of the Information Technology department.
Mr. Al Jabr is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Al Jabr Holding Company, a group of Saudi local & MENA region leading companies in the automobile field (Kia), real estate, food and beverages, household appliances and laundries. He is also the General Manager of Al Jabr General Contracting Company, a leading company in the field of electronic and mechanical business in KSA. Mr. Al Jabr is also the General Manager of Golden Chip, a leading company in the field of smart cards and plastic cards industry in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region. Mr. Al Jabr has more than 28 years of work experience.
Dr. Ali has over 17 years of experience in financial and business administration. He started his career in October 2002 with Aljufra University as a member of teaching staff in Faculty of Economics. In January 2012, Dr. Ali became the Dean of Faculty of Business Administration in University of Sirt. In 2012 he joined The Libyan Academy as a Head of the Doctoral program. At the end of the same year, he became the CEO of the Libyan company for finance and leasing, a subsidiary of the Economic and Social Development Fund. In 2013 he held many important posts such as Board Member of the Libyan Investment Authority and the Libyan Academy.
Dr. Ali holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from University of Tripoli, Libya (1998), Master of Financial Planning from Planning Institute of Higher Studies, Tripoli, Libya (2002), and PhD in Financial Management from The Arab Academy for Financial Sciences, Amman Jordan (2009).
Mr. Matar Mohamed Al Blooshi has over 23 years of experience in the financial and fund management industries. Beginning his career in 1992 with the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates as a Dealer in the Treasury department, he joined Abu Dhabi Investment Company as a Portfolio Manager in 1995. In 1998, he joined First Gulf Bank as the Head of Treasury & Investment, moving to National Bank of Abu Dhabi in 2001 as Head of Foreign Exchange and Commodities. In February 2005, Mr. Matar Al Blooshi became the Head of Domestic Capital Market Group and the General Manager of Abu Dhabi Financial Services (a subsidiary of National Bank of Abu Dhabi) and was given the title of Senior Manager, Asset Management Group in October 2006.
Mr. Matar Al Blooshi is Chief Investment Officer at Das Holding LLC, a member of the Board of Directors of Al Salam Bank-Bahrain, Etisalat Misr and Chairman of Maalem Holdings in Bahrain.
Mr. Matar Al Blooshi holds a BA in Banking & Financial Management from University of Arkansas, US.
Mr. Zayed Al-Amin is a Bahraini Businessman has more than 21 years of experience in the finance and investment sectors, and he is currently the Managing Director of A. R. Al-Amin Investments.
He currently holds a board membership in the following companies:
Mr. Al-Amin holds a Postgraduate Degree in Finance and Investment from London School of Business & Finance, UK.
SAYACORP CAPITAL Ltd was established in 2017 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of SAYACORP B.C.S (C)
SAYACORP CAPITAL, located in Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC) offer corporate finance and investment banking services.
Established in 2016, SAYACORP AQAR (“AQAR”) is the wholly-owned Real Estate subsidiary of SAYACORP W.L.L. Its offices are located in Bahrain Financial Harbour West Tower.
AQAR is the real estate and property development arm of SAYACORP; its mission includes:
1. The development and management of a mixed use (office and hospitality) tower located at the Bahrain Financial Harbour.
2. Deploying capital and developing real estate investments in the MENA region
3. Providing technical engineering, consultation and support in all SAYACORP real estate business activities.
4. Providing facility and property management to all SAYACORP properties.
AQAR aims to play a leading role in the real estate sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the MENA region.
