Ahmed Kareem El Kenzi
Director, BTD International Fund House - LuxembourgAhmed Kareem EL Kenzi, a chartered accountant from Ordre des Experts Comptables, Paris, serves as the director at BTD Luxembourg. He holds a certificate in hedge funds and alternative investment funds from Institut de Formation Bancaire Luxembourg, along with the Diploma in Accounts and Management from Paris and a Master’s degree in accounting, control and audit. With 14 years of experience, he has made significant contributions to the audit, private equity and alternative investment fund sectors.
Ahmed’s career includes roles such as audit senior manager at EY Luxembourg, director of client services at Vistar Luxembourg and country manager/board member at Ebury Partners Luxembourg. Currently, he oversees operations as the director at BTD Luxembourg.
Throughout his career, Ahmed has demonstrated expertise in financial management and regulatory compliance. He possesses a keen understanding of international finance and has successfully navigated complex financial landscapes. His leadership roles have allowed him to develop strong client relationships and drive business growth. Ahmed’s commitment to excellence and continuous learning has positioned him as a respected figure in the financial industry.
Ali Allawala
Head Islamic Banking - UAE and Head Wealth and Retail Banking – Group Islamic Banking, Standard Chartered SaadiqMohammad Ali Allawala Head of Islamic Banking UAE, & Head Wealth and Retail Banking – Group Islamic Banking
Mohammad Ali Allawala has 25-plus years of global experience, having worked in the UAE, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan. Mohammad Ali is currently working as the head of Islamic banking in the UAE as well as managing Standard Chartered’s global Islamic wealth and retail banking business covering the UAE, Pakistan, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Indonesia and Brunei.
Previously, Mohammad Ali has performed senior management roles including CEO at Standard Chartered Saadiq in Malaysia; head of retail banking at Samba Pakistan; and cards business/portfolio manager at Samba Saudi Arabia and Citibank Egypt. He has extensive experience in launching new markets, business transformation, product management, distribution, digital banking, wealth management and marketing. As an advocate of fintech, sustainable finance and financial inclusion, Mohammad Ali has launched programs across geographies to create value in the Islamic finance ecosystem. His team has been recognized with multiple global and country awards such as ‘Best Islamic Retail Banking Group’, ‘Best Digital Islamic Bank’ and ‘Best Islamic Consumer Banker in Pakistan’. He is passionate about people development and is a certified master life coach of neuro linguistic programming. Ali has an MBA from the Institute of Business Administration, Karachi, Pakistan.
Anita Wieja-Caruba
Associate Director, Policy and Legal, Dubai Financial Services AuthorityAnita Wieja-Caruba is an associate director at the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and has been with the company for close to eight years. During this time, as part of its Strategy, Policy and Risk Division, she has been instrumental in implementing various international standards in the Dubai International Financial Centre, including the Financial Stability Board (FSB) Recovery and Resolution Framework and the Basel III reforms. She also works on subjects such as benchmark reforms, client assets protection, equivalence with EU rules, sustainable finance, insolvency law, derivatives and netting and compliance framework.
Prior to joining the DFSA, Anita worked at the European Commission as an advisor to Commissioner Michel Barnier on a package of financial reforms following the global financial crisis.
Anita qualified as a finance lawyer in the City of London (King & Wood Mallesons, ex SJ Berwin), following which she worked at BNP Paribas CIB advising on various aspects of the bank’s structured finance transactions. She holds degrees from BPP Law School (UK), University of Cambridge (UK), College of Europe (Belgium) and University of Silesia (Poland).
Arsalan Tariq
Partner and Head of Banking and Finance, BSA LawArsalan Tariq is a partner and head of banking, based between the Dubai and Muscat offices. Practicing since 2009, Arsalan specializes in Islamic and conventional finance, bilateral and syndicated project finance, acquisition finance, Islamic product development, cross-border financing and financial restructuring. His main focus of work is acting for financial institutions, banks, investment companies, other finance companies and borrowers on banking and finance matters.
Arsalan also advises various industry sectors on private equity investments, power projects, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, real estate and hospitality matters. He often represents blue-chip clients, who need advice on commercial agency law, company law and competition law matters. Arsalan regularly issues legal advice and opinions on free zone rules, employment laws, securities law, insurance law and foreign investment law matters.
Arsalan regularly advises clients in Oman. He is a barrister-at-law and has been called to the Bar of England and Wales at Lincoln’s Inn, UK. He also holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of London, UK and has completed his Bar Vocation Training Course from City University in London.
Aruna Narayanan
Founder and Chief Impact Enabler, Real Impact SolutionsAruna Narayanan is a seasoned sustainability advocate and strategic thinker, dedicated to fostering prosperity through environmental stewardship and human empowerment. With over two decades of diverse experience spanning sustainability, ESG, circular economy and corporate social responsibility, she has consistently delivered impactful results. Aruna’s leadership roles in renowned organizations such as Dulsco, Accenture and PureCircle Holdings have honed her ability to guide companies and clients on transformative sustainability journeys, benefiting multiple stakeholders.
Fahd Chaudhry
Director, Client Coverage MENA, CIS and Turkey, S&P Dow Jones IndicesFahd Chaudhry is the director of client coverage for the Middle East and North Africa, the Commonwealth of Independent States and Turkiye at S&P Dow Jones Indices (S&P DJI). He joined S&P DJI in 2010 and is based in Dubai, UAE. In his role, he works to develop the passive market in his regions and works closely with clients to innovate, strategize and design products that serve the local markets across asset classes. Fahd has extensive experience in capital markets, as well as commodity and fixed income markets, strategy, product development, marketing and selling passive solutions. Prior to joining S&P DJI, Fahd held multiple roles in the financial sector in various countries, which included trading and business development in Dubai, London, the US and Iran. Fahd holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts in Boston.
Frederik Wijsenbeek
Partner and Chief Investment Officer, Ethos InvestFrederik Wijsenbeek is a partner and chief investment officer of Ethos Invest. He joined Ethos in 2023 with 25 years of experience in private equity, private credit, real estate and special situations investing across North America and Europe. Frederik has deep expertise in sourcing, structuring and executing complex transactions as well as building and leading teams of investment professionals. He has a long and successful track record of growing and developing alternative asset management platforms.
Frederik was a senior member of investment teams responsible for investing more than US$5 billion on behalf of blue-chip institutional and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) investors across multiple geographies and sectors. Before joining Ethos, Frederik worked at Morgan Stanley Investment Management for a decade.
Prior to Morgan Stanley, Frederik was a director and the head of direct private equity in Europe for the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, a leading global pension fund with US$250 billion of assets under management and a partner at Bregal Capital, a EUR2 billion (US$2.13 billion) private equity fund investing on behalf of the UHNW Brenninkmeijer family. Frederik earned a Bachelor of Arts degree (with university distinction) from Stanford University and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School.
Hakan Ozyon
CEO, Hejaz Financial ServicesHakan Ozyon is a seasoned business expert known for leading innovative strategies and nurturing talent. His dedication to excellence has enabled him to optimize all aspects of business management. He is adept at unlocking potential, promoting growth and increasing revenue. Hakan has deep ties in both the Islamic and broader Australian communities, enhancing business operations and setting corporate goals. With over 30 years of experience in business, he is a strategic visionary with a knack for building relationships, particularly in competitive areas. His role as CEO involves setting strategic paths and forming financial alliances. Notably, he has spent a decade transforming visions into pioneering Islamic financial services. Respected globally for his business acumen.
Husam Abdel Al
Senior Director, Origination and Head of Sustainable Finance, Investment Banking, MashreqHusam Abdel Al heads Mashreq’s Sustainable Finance team. Husam works with Mashreq’s clients to provide structuring and advisory services for sustainable finance solutions to support them in accelerating their sustainability transition.
Husam has over 15 years of experience in loan origination, structuring, underwriting and distribution across the MENA region. He has closed numerous transactions for clients in multiple sectors, including sovereigns, energy, industrials, real estate and financials.
Husam holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, completed the Leading Sustainable Corporation Programme certificate from the University of Oxford Said Business School and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Florida State University. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst charterholder.
Dr John Sandwick
General Manager, Safa Investment ServicesDr John A. Sandwick is a recognized pioneer in Islamic finance. He created the first application of the Modern Portfolio Theory in the context of global portfolio allocations with Shariah certification. He is also noted for organizing innovative domestic and international Sukuk (Islamic bonds), the world’s first global Sukuk fund, a Sukuk participation certificate and the first-ever mid-market Sukuk facility in Saudi Arabia. Dr John served as a visiting professor of finance at Al Yamamah University in Riyadh, and a former instructor in the Graduate School of Finance at University Paris-Dauphine. He frequently taught Master Classes on Islamic finance for groups including central banks, pension funds, family offices and treasuries.
Dr John’s most recent publications on Islamic finance include a popular article in the Journal of Asset Management. He has a Master’s degree in development banking from American University in Washington DC, and a doctorate in business administration from Grenoble Ecole de Management in France. He previously worked at the private banking units of Deutsche Bank (Suisse), Credit Suisse and Encore Management (in association with UBS). He is currently a corporate finance and asset management consultant for Saudi families and businesses.
Khalid Howladar
Chairman, MRHB DeFiKhalid Howladar is the chairman of MRHB DeFi, the world’s first ethical and faith-based decentralized finance platform. In addition, Khalid is an active innovation angel, advisor and board member for a diverse mix of fintech, crypto, edtech and Islamic economy start-ups through his firm Acreditus Partners. Lastly, he is the senior managing director and head of credit and Sukuk for RJ Fleming & Co, the boutique merchant banking advisory of the Fleming family.
With a rare confluence of financial, tech, social and faith-driven perspectives, Khalid is a recognized authority in his fields and has addressed investors worldwide and audiences at the World Bank, IMF, European Central Bank and Institute of International Finance.
Khalid gained industry prominence from his 15 years at Moody’s Investors Service in London and Dubai culminating as both the global head of Islamic finance and the head of the GCC banking team.
Khalid’s most prominent start-up role was as angel and later chairman of Small Pharma, a pioneering psychedelic UK biotech that successfully made the transition from start-up to a public 2021 listing on the TSXV Canada during his board leadership.
Luma Saqqaf
Director - Middle East, Africa, India, UN Principles for Responsible InvestmentLuma Saqqaf is the director of Middle East, Africa and India for the UNPRI Principles of Responsible Investment (UNPRI) and is a recognized sustainability and sustainable finance thought leader. Prior to joining UNPRI, Luma drew on three decades at the forefront of finance, Islamic finance, sustainability, entrepreneurship and investment in MENA and Europe to advise corporates, financial institutions, funds and asset managers on sustainable finance and transition strategies. Luma’s work also focused on the creation of a sustainable finance ecosystem in the MENA region through close collaboration with regulators, financial markets and other market stakeholders in the MENA refion on sustainable finance initiatives and regulations, including the recent UAE Green and Sustainability-linked Bonds and Sukuk Regulations of 2023.
A former finance partner and global head of the Islamic Finance Group at Linklaters, Luma is a pioneer in the development of the capital markets and ground-breaking capital and financial market transactions across the MENA region and globally, in particular in Islamic finance.
Luma is a regular speaker on sustainability and Islamic sustainable finance topics and is a regular contributor to finance and sustainability sector publications.
Mariam Veronica Abu Bakkar Seddek
Director, Group Head Institutional and Islamic Asset Management, Kenanga InvestorsMariam Veronica Abu Bakkar Seddek is currently the director and group head of institutional and Islamic asset management at Kenanga Investors where she is responsible for driving both the institutional and Islamic asset management businesses of Kenanga Investors Group. Since 2014, her main role is to grow both the conventional and Islamic businesses by acquiring, retaining and servicing the company’s clients ranging from government-linked companies, government agencies, multinational corporations, corporate clients and high-net-worth individuals, among others.
Mariam has over 20 years of extensive experience in the areas of asset management, unit trust and audit. Her work experience includes at the Securities Commission Malaysia and her experiences in the UK as well as in one of the top asset management companies in Malaysia. She is a Capital Market Services Representative’s License holder and she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from University of Wales Cardiff, UK in 1998.
Oliver Agha
Professional Associate, Outer Temple ChambersOliver Agha is a lawyer admitted to the New York Bar who trained at Fulbright & Jaworski (now Norton Rose Fulbright) in the US and has experience of working in Asia (including in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing) and over 20 years in the MENAT region (UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman) including in complex cross-border transactions in excess of US$50 billion. He has been a senior partner/lawyer with top US and English firms and is the managing (and founding) partner of Agha & Co (an award-winning law firm with a speciality in Islamic law) and whose practice focuses on the interplay of Islamic law (Saudi Arabia, UAE) and common law.
Oliver is also a professional associate at the Outer Temple Chamber of Barristers. He was the first western-trained large law firm lawyer to serve on the board of AAOIFI.
Oliver has served as an expert witness on nuanced Islamic law disputes and is a monthly columnist at Islamic Finance news (one of the leading Islamic laws/news publication platforms) with a column titled ‘The Islamic Legal Opinion.’
Oliver von Wolff
Founder and CEO, Helion CapitalOliver von Wolff is a venture capitalist and venture builder with experience in architecture and establishing regulated and unregulated investment products. He is the co-founder and CEO of Helion Ventures, a Dubai International Financial Centre-licensed investment company for early-stage tokens and fintech-blockchain companies.
Previously, Olive was the co-founder and managing director of Crypto Oasis and the managing director of the MENA region for CV Labs and CVVC Switzerland, an early-stage venture capital investor and blockchain ecosystem builder, headquartered in Dubai. He was also group CFO and an equity partner of a global crypto asset management and blockchain-focused venture capital group and managing director of a joint venture with a stock listed equity company on the Xetra Frankfurt exchange.
Oliver has over 15 years in management experience, as CFO and co-founder responsible for different start-ups and management buyouts. He has a proven track record in company transformations in different industries and is well connected in Dubai and the GCC region.
Oliver holds an MBA in international management, degrees in economics and business and attended New York University to study international corporate finance.
Paula Tavangar
Chief Investment Officer, Injaz CapitalPaula Tavangar, the chief investment officer at Injaz Capital, is a seasoned entrepreneur with a strong background in venture capital and quantitative strategies. She co-founded Genesis Capital LATAM and Wethaq, an Islamic fintech start-up. Paula’s diverse expertise led her to serve on the World Business Angels Forum Global Startup Committee. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in international finance and a Master of Science degree in financial engineering.
Prasad Dhake
Manager, Markets, Strategy and Risk, Dubai Financial Services AuthorityPrasad Dhake is an integral member of the Markets, Strategy and Risk (MSR) team at the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), where he spearheads the review and listing applications of securities within the Dubai International Financial Centre. Since joining the leading regulator in 2022, Prasad has been responsible for managing and optimizing the various functions of the Listing Authority within MSR, a task which aims to drive efficiency, while maintaining robust regulations in alignment with global standards. Prior to joining the DFSA, Prasad worked at the Securities and Exchange Board of India as part of the Corporate Finance Department. Managing various IPOs worth an approximate US$20 billion, he also oversaw corporate actions including mergers/demergers. Prasad holds a postgraduate degree in management from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad as well as a Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from Mumbai University.
Razvan Dumitrescu
Sustainable Finance Director, Emirates NBD CapitalRazvan Dumitrescu is the head of sustainable finance at Emirates NBD Capital and facilitates labeled transactions while benefiting from a global remit. Previously, he was a principal with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and was involved in various milestone transactions in emerging Europe, Greece and Turkiye. On the advisory side, Razvan contributed to a pan-Baltic capital market via a commercial paper, SME IPO Fund (CMDAF), sustainable finance strategy, MSCI single regional index classification, as well as supporting capital market access for state-owned enterprises. He also represented the EBRD at the European Commission led Technical Expert Stakeholder Group. Prior to that, Razvan worked for Erste Group and Deutsche Bank (Amsterdam).
Razvan holds a Master of Science degree from RSM and is an alumnus of the Aspen Programme and University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.
Saleh Al-Tamami
Co-Founder and CEO, MamunSaleh Al Tamami is a seasoned entrepreneur with a remarkable track record of success in various industries. As a co-founder of Mamun, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role as CEO.
Saleh’s entrepreneurial journey began with the establishment of TAMNET, an information technology and business consulting firm, where he demonstrated his visionary leadership by effectively managing operations and driving growth. Recognizing opportunities beyond the realm of technology, Saleh ventured into the car detailing industry with the launch of KOST, successfully positioning the brand as a prominent player in the market.
Prior to embarking on his entrepreneurial endeavors, Saleh honed his legal acumen as a senior commercial and litigation paralegal at SALegal, a prestigious law firm in Oman. This experience equipped him with a deep understanding of legal intricacies, providing invaluable insights into business operations and strategic decision-making.
At Mamun, Saleh’s role as co-founder and CEO allows him to pursue his passion at the convergence of finance, people and technology. He is a visionary leader committed to developing multi-stakeholder products that foster win-win-win outcomes for all parties involved. With an unwavering dedication to excellence, Saleh is instrumental in driving Mamun’s growth, innovation and success in the finance industry.
Dr Scott Levy
CEO, Yasaar CapitalDr Scott Levy is CEO of Yasaar Capital and managing director of Al Waseelah, an award-winning Shariah compliant Sukuk issuance platform which includes structuring, arranging, originating and listing Sukuk. Al Waseelah was established in 2017 as a tech-savvy and cost-effective way to create Shariah compliant financial instruments, democratizing the process for issuers and investors. Al Waseelah provides flexible and quick-to-market solutions for green and sustainable businesses, financial institutions, asset managers, corporations and family offices. The company’s focus is on Islamic liquidity management and offering a diverse range of investment opportunities and is committed to thought leadership in the sector through IFN and International Islamic Financial Market. Al Waseelah is leading the way in integrating ESG/SDG principles into Sukuk, and offers Shariah compliant products like XTCC, which is the world’s first exchange-traded high-quality carbon credit investment sourced from verified renewable energy. Dr Scott is a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of International Bankers and the Worshipful Company of Musicians, a member of Lincoln’s Inn and a senior member of Wolfson College, Cambridge.
Shah Fahad
Deputy Director-General, BTD International Fund HouseShah Fahad earned a Bachelor of Science degree (Honors) in Islamic economics from the International Islamic University, Islamabad. He received his Master of Science/Master of Philosophy degrees in Islamic banking and finance from the University of Management and Technology, Lahore, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Islamic economics and finance at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, Turkiye (thesis final stage).
Shah Fahad has substantially contributed to the Islamic banking industry over the past 18 years. He has worked as a Shariah compliance officer (Askari Islamic Bank-Pakistan), head of Islamic banking window (Ghazanfar Bank-Afghanistan), vice-president-head of Islamic product development (Islamic Bank of Thailand) and chief of Islamic banking (formerly Bakhtar Bank and now Islamic Bank of Afghanistan), with the additional responsibility of project manager for the conversion of a conventional bank into a fully-fledged (existing Islamic Bank of Afghanistan) Islamic bank. He also worked as the department head of product management and Shariah structuring in MCB Islamic Bank.
Shah Fahad has served the Islamic banking industry in different countries, starting from native country Pakistan, then Afghanistan and Thailand and is now currently working as the deputy director-general of Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA region) at Bait al Tamweel al Dawli – International Fund House at the head office in Istanbul, Turkiye.
Sharifatul Hanizah Said Ali
Executive Director, Islamic Capital Market Development, Securities Commission MalaysiaSharifatul Hanizah is the executive director of Islamic capital market development of the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC). She leads a team that facilitates the developmental and operational initiatives for Malaysia’s Islamic capital market (ICM). This encompasses initiatives through the deepening and broadening of ICM products and services to further strengthen Malaysia’s position as a global hub for ICM as well reviews of industry proposals and Shariah status for listed/pre-IPO securities.
Sharifatul has extensive and diverse experience of over 30 years in the fields of investment analysis, portfolio management, equity trading and unit trust while serving in various organizations such as Permodalan Nasional (PNB), RHB Investment Management and Muamalat Invest. During her tenure in PNB and RHB, Sharifatul’s board experience was vast, spanning consumer goods, technology and manufacturing companies. She served on the boards of exchange-listed and private companies as a nominee director for PNB and RHB.
Prior to joining the SC in August 2019, Sharifatul was CEO of SIDC, the learning and development arm of the SC. She is a fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, a certified financial planner, an Islamic financial planner and a fellow of the Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia.
Umair Javed
Chief Business Officer, FassetUmair Javed is the chief business officer responsible for product, engineering and growth at Fasset. Having studied in the UK (LSE, Oxford) and the US (Grinnell College), Umair started his career in investment banking with Goldman Sachs in its technology, media and telecoms M&A and corporate finance advisory practice in New York and London. Umair thereafter worked in finance for over 15 years, including stints at CPP Investment Board, Lehman Brothers (acquired by Nomura), Merrill Lynch (acquired by Bank of America) and Citi before moving to Singapore to work as the chief strategy officer for Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing artificial intelligence (AI)-driven enterprise software company Advance AI (www.advance.ai) and Buy Now Pay Later business Atome (www.atome.sg) — both owned by Advance Intelligence Group (www.advancegroup.com). At the time Umair joined, Advance was a Series B funded start-up with less than 500 employees having raised US$100 million in capital. During his time, the company raised US$700 million and grew to just under 2,000 full-time equivalents with a market presence in 14 countries worldwide.
Zakaria Karkouri
Executive Director - Structuring and Product Development, First Abu Dhabi BankZakaria Karkouri is currently the executive director of structuring and product development at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) in Dubai. Previously, he held the position of executive director of structured solutions sales at FAB. Prior to this, Zakaria spent 12 years as the head of structured products and derivatives at Noor Bank in Dubai. Before that, he was the director of structuring, rates and foreign exchange derivatives sales at Standard Chartered Bank, where he was responsible for the Middle East and North Africa structured business for financial institutions, providing customized solutions for clients’ asset and liability requirements across G7 and emerging market currencies.
Zohaib Patel
Managing Partner, Tenami CapitalZohaib Patel is the managing partner of Tenami Capital — a Dubai-based venture capital investment manager pioneering non-dilutive growth equity investing. He started his career with HSBC Amanah in London and was a founding member of Dubai-based Fajr Capital, a leading regional private equity investment firm, covering principal investments and portfolio management for over a decade. Since leaving private equity in 2017, he co-founded Falcon Network, a MEASA-focused angel investor syndicate which invested across seven markets, prior to co-founding Tenami Capital in 2021. Zohaib graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Trinity College, Cambridge.