GFH - Key Persons
Ahmed Jamsheer is the Head of Treasury, where he is responsible for overseeing the Group's corporate liquidity, investments, cash flow and debt financing. He brings to his role more than 12 years of diverse experience in finance and investments as well as asset management, alternative investments, derivatives, debt financing, private equity and real estate. Most recently, prior to joining the Group in 2016, he spent six years at Promoseven Holdings as Head of Investments, Capital Markets & Finance, managing the company with an annual turnover of US$1 billion. Previously, he held other senior management roles in finance and investment at Fortuna Company and Golden Bull Asset Management Company, among others.
Ahmed holds a Master of Science in Finance with high distinction and a Bachelor of Science in Finance with honours from Bentley University, Waltham, MA, U.S.
Baha Al-Marzooq, Chief of Internal Audit, supports the Group's strategic success by ensuring a systematic and disciplined approach to internal control, risk management and governance processes; reporting to the Board Audit & Risk Committee to maintain the internal audit function independency from the Group's management.
Baha has more than two decades of auditing and banking experience, and for the last few years has supported the Group's recovery efforts that were remarkably concluded with total income above US$500 million.
Prior to joining the Group, Baha worked with Ernst & Young (EY) - Bahrain, one of the ‘Big Four' global auditing firms, as Manager in the Assurance Services during which he also served in other regional offices of EY such as Kuwait, Qatar and Houston Texas - USA. During his tenor with EY, Baha was in charge of auditing a number of clients from different sectors namely Islamic Banks, Conventional Banks, Investment funds, Insurance, Oil & Gas, Hospitality and Government sectors.
He holds a B.Sc. in Accounting from Bahrain University and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) California, USA in 2001. He holds an Executive MBA from the University of Bahrain in addition to a number of specialized professional qualifications including, Certified Internal Auditor, Chartered Global Management Accountant and has a Certification in Risk Management Assurance. He has also participated in several technical, business and leadership programs and lately completed the Senior Executive Leadership Program from Harvard Business School.
Job Titles:
- Corporate Secretary
- Head of Sharia'a & Corporate Secretary
As Head of Sharia'a and Corporate Secretary at GFH, Dr. Mohamed Abdulsalam supervises all Group transactions to ensure they are conducted in compliance and in accordance with the teachings of Islamic Sharia. Furthermore, Dr. Abdulsalam assumes the fiduciary duty of maintaining all records, meetings and minutes of GFH's Board and its committees in addition to moderating meetings, and managing all record keeping activities for GFH's project companies.
He joined the Group in 2006 with 18 years of Sharia experience. Prior to GFH, Dr. Abdulsalam worked with other Islamic financial institutions in Bahrain. He was a Sharia Auditor at Kuwait Finance House (KFH) and an Internal Auditor at Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB).
Dr. Abdulsalam obtained his bachelor's degree in Islamic Accounting in 2003 from Al-Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud University. He also holds an MBA in Accounting and Financial Control and a Ph.D. in Accounting from the United States, California. He has also pursued additional qualifications including a Masters of Sharia and Accounting Standards from AAOIFI, courses in Sharia Control Fatwa for Islamic banks as well as successfully completing the third module of the International Arbitration Certificate from Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution (BCDR-AAA) in 2014.
Passionate about his field, Dr. Abdulsalam regularly attends specialized courses covering topics such as: Sharia Auditing, Sharia Standards, Sharia Products and many others in order to expand his knowledge of Islamic finance on an ongoing basis.
Job Titles:
- Senior Executive Director
- Senior Executive Director ( Eastern Province & Jeddah Markets )
Ebrahim Alshaibeh is a Senior Executive Director in the Placement & Relationship Management team, responsible for the Eastern Province & Jeddah markets. Prior to that, he was the Chief Business Development Officer in the Group's subsidiary, GFH Properties.
Ebrahim also served 5 years in Omniyat, a Dubai based Real Estate Development Company which developed high end offices, residences and hotels in Dubai. In addition, he spent most of his professional career as an Investment Banker with approximately 12 years of experience.
Job Titles:
- Vice Chairman
- Head of Middle East & Africa at Aberdeen Standard Investments
Edris Al-Rafi is the Head of Middle East & Africa at Aberdeen Standard Investments and prior to that he served as Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Holding LLC. Edris has held various senior leadership roles such as the Chief Commercial Officer at Meraas Holding and the Head of UAE at Goldman Sachs. He joined Goldman Sachs in 2008 to manage Sovereign Wealth Funds, UAE Commercial Banks & large UAE corporate clients including GREs for Investment Banking and Securities businesses. Before that, he served as General Manager at First Gulf Bank and he was also on the Board of Noor Bank PJSC & Emaar Industries & Investments (Pvt) JSC. Mr. Al-Rafi has more than 20 years of experience in investment banking, private equity, hospitality and real estate development. Edris holds a Finance degree.
Fatema Kamal is the CEO at Britus Education. She has played an instrumental role in the operational transformation of the British School of Bahrain and other education assets in GFH's portfolio.
Fatema has 18 years of working experience and a strong track record of sourcing, structuring, advising and managing private equity. She has in depth field experience in the financial sector specializing in investment structuring, strategic and organizational planning, tax structuring oversight, Sharia product structuring, joint venture negotiation, business development and project management.
Prior to joining GFH, Fatema was holding the position of Senior Executive Director of Investment Banking in Global Banking Corporation BSC. She also worked as an auditor with KPMG Bahrain.
Fatema holds a master's degree with honors in Business Administration from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom, and a bachelor's degree in Accounting with honors from the University of Bahrain. Fatema is also a qualified and licensed CPA from The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and CIA from The Institute of Internal Auditors.
Hammad Younas - Chief Investment Officer
Job Titles:
- Chief Investment Officer
- Chief Investment Officer - Private Equity
Hammad Younas is the Chief Investment Officer - Private Equity and leads the overall investment business of the Group including Private Equity, Corporate Investment and Asset Management. Hammad has more than 20 years of experience in corporate finance, investment banking, private equity, real estate, and asset management, and throughout his career he has led various regional and cross-border transactions in MENA, US, Europe and South Asia across multiple sectors and asset classes. His transaction experience includes mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, listings, secondary offerings, private placements and debt raising. In addition, he is a growth strategy and business development expert.
Prior to joining GFH in 2016, Hammad was a Partner at Ernst & Young MENA and their Transaction Advisory Leader for Bahrain. He was also the CEO of Ernst & Young Corporate Finance, Bahrain. Hammad spent more than 13 years with Ernst & Young advising a wide range of clients including financial institutions, sovereign wealth funds, private equity and real estate investment firms, governments, family businesses and high net worth individuals on their investment, capital raising, performance improvement, restructuring and strategy.
Hammad is a CFA charter holder from the CFA Institute USA, an ACCA from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants of the UK, and ACA from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan.
Job Titles:
- Acting Head of Legal
- Solicitor of England
Hamza Saleem is the Acting Head of Legal at the GFH Financial Group. He is responsible for providing the Group and its project companies with legal advice and support across a wide range of general, corporate, commercial, financial and regulatory matters. Hamza comes to the role with over thirteen years of legal experience as it applies to transactions involving mergers, acquisitions and related corporate matters as well as in the provision of regulated financial services and the development of banking products and services.
Prior to joining GFH in 2021, Hamza most recently spent 11 years at Zu'bi & Partners (formerly, Qays H. Zu'bi) as a Senior Associate and has previously worked at two of Pakistan's tier-1 law firms, where he focused on banking, finance and corporate and commercial law.
Hamza is a Solicitor of England and Wales and was previously called to the bar as a Barrister-at-law at the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn, having undertaken the BVC from the University of the West of England and an LL.B. (Honours) from the University of London.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Group CEO
- Member of the Board
Hisham Alrayes is leading the Group forward towards its vision of becoming the region's most prominent, diversified financial Group, and one that provides a remarkable platform for delivering superior Wealth Management, Commercial Banking and Asset Management services. With over 23 years of experience, Hisham brings extensive expertise and banking knowledge to the Group and was instrumental in driving the development and execution of the Group's regional and international investment strategy. Hisham currently chairs and holds a number of directorships in financial, Industrial and real estate companies including Esterad Investment Company, Khaleeji Commercial Bank, GFH Capital and Infracorp.
Hisham holds a Master's degree with honors in Business Administration from the University of DePaul, Chicago (USA), and a Bachelor's degree in Engineering with honors from the University of Bahrain. In 2021, Hisham was ranked ‘One of the top listed CEOs' in CEO Today Middle East Awards, ‘Best CEO in Investment Banking Sector-Bahrain 2021' from the Global Economics. And during 2020, Hisham received ‘Banker of the Year' in the MEA Finance Awards 2020 in recognition of his role in steering the Group's diversification strategy which has seen the Group expand its business lines and geographic reach, while remaining resilient in the face of unprecedented market conditions. He was also ranked one of the top CEOs in Financial Services & Investments in 2019, and named ‘Investment Bank CEO of the Year' at CEO Middle East 2019.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director ( UAE & Oman Markets )
- Executive Director in the Placement & Relationship Management Team
Khaled Basri is an Executive Director in the Placement & Relationship Management team at GFH Financial Group. He is responsible for implementing the Group's investment relationship management and marketing strategies and the meeting of targets for the sale of the Group's products and services. He focuses primarily on identifying, establishing and maintaining strong relationships with prospective and existing clients in the UAE and Oman markets. Khaled brings nearly two decades of regional and international experience in finance and investment to the role across both conventional and Islamic markets.
Prior to joining GFH in 2018, Khaled served most recently as an Executive Director and Member of the Investment Committee at ADCORP where he oversaw client relationships and worked in close collaboration with the Investment Department in sourcing, structuring and the analysis of deals. Previously, he was a Senior Vice President, Client Coverage & Investment Banking at ADS Securities and a Senior Manager of Investments at Baniyas Investment & Development Company. Khaled has also held a number of other investment roles at European Islamic Investment Bank Plc and Esterad Investment Company BSC.
Khaled is a Chartered Financial Analyst and holds an Undergraduate (Honours) Degree from Northumbria University, Newcastle in Management (Newcastle Business School).
Job Titles:
- Head of Compliance and AML
Mariam Jowhary joined the Group in late 2019 as Head of Compliance and AML, responsible for establishing and maintaining a robust and effective compliance and corporate governance framework across the Group that complies with regulatory requirements and industry legislation. She works closely with the CEO and other members of the Group's executive management and reports independently to the Board Audit & Risk Committee.
Mariam is also responsible for ensuring compliance with the rules and regulations of the CBB, the Bahrain Bourse, the Dubai Financial Market, the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority, the Boursa Kuwait and the Kuwaiti Capital Markets Authority. Leveraging 16 years of professional experience, she has significant expertise in the field of compliance and has previously worked with Central Bank of Bahrain for more than 14 years. She holds a B.Sc. in Banking and Finance (with honors degree) from the University of Bahrain, Advanced Islamic Banking Diploma from BIBF, as well as APRM & CIPA Certifications.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director ( Kuwait Market )
Mr. Mazin AlGhareeb is an Executive Director of Placement, handling the Kuwait market.
He brings to his role more than 22 years of experience in investment and retail banking, corporate finance, and capital markets and is currently responsible for overseeing the placement of the Group's financial products and investments in Kuwait and for the management of GFH's relationships with HNWI and institutional investors. Mr. AlGhareeb is also currently a Board Member of Gulf Holding Company, a real-estate development subsidiary of GFH, and formally served as a board member representing GFH Group Gulf North Africa, Injazat Technology Fund, and Bashaer Equity Fund.
Having joined the Group in 2010, he has served GFH and its wholly owned investment-banking subsidiary, GFH Capital, in a number of senior capacities. This includes Head of Capital Markets and Executive Director in the placement & wealth management department. He was also Group Head of Treasury & Capital Markets between 2013 and 2018.
Previously, Mr. AlGhareeb was Regional Head of Wealth Management at GBCORP, worked in Corporate Relationship Management at Shamil Bank (Formally Faisal Islamic Bank) and began his career in 1999 with HSBC Bank Middle East. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Saint Edward's University in Texas, USA.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Executive Director ( Riyadh Market )
Mohamed Al Tamimi is an Executive Director in the Placement & Relationship Management team, responsible for the Riyadh Market. He brings to his role more than 15 years of experience in the investment banking and retail banking sectors.
Prior to joining GFH Financial Group, Mohamed held a position as Investment Advisor in Takaud Savings and Pensions, as well as positions in Ithmaar Bank and HSBC Bank.
Mohamed holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Financial Services from Bradford University in the United Kingdom. Mohamed is also a certified Series 7 license holder, with expertise in securities trading, wealth management, investment risk and equity.
Job Titles:
- Head of Placement Management, Placement & Relationship Management, Head of Qatar Market
Mohammed Abdulmalik, Head of Placement Management, Placement & Relationship Management, and Head of Qatar Market, shapes and implements placement strategies and develops business models designed to capitalize on current market dynamics and potentials. In addition to managing the placement function of the Group, he is currently a Board Member of Capital Real Estate Projects and Sheffield Private School.
A well-versed investment banker, Mohammed brings 22 years of industry experience, having held a number of roles both within GFH, where he leveraged his extensive network of HNWI, FI's and Sovereign Wealth Funds to market Group products and services and contribute to the investment placement business. Prior to joining the Group, he held a number of roles in financial control and auditing with Arthur Anderson, Ernst & Young, and HSBC. He holds a B.Sc. in Accounting from the University of Bahrain.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director and Co - Founder of Pinnacle W.L.L
- Member of the Independent Director
Mr. Ali Murad is the Managing Director and Co-Founder of Pinnacle W.L.L., Bahrain. He also serves as a board member in several companies including EAT App, Wavepoint Publishing W.L.L and Alareen Holding Company.
Throughout the 19 years of experience in his career, Mr. Murad occupied several positions in the banking sectors before he moved into the private sector. He commenced his banking career at Arab Banking Corporation where he remained for five years. During this time, he held the position of credit analyst of ABC Islamic Bank EC, money market dealer and thereafter, as a deputy manager of the Treasury and Marketable Securities Department. Mr. Murad then joined Unicorn Investment Bank (now, Bank Alkhair) in the Investment Development and Distribution Department and later First Energy Bank as a director in Investment Placement, where he placed numerous financial products and services to high-net-worth individuals, governments and quasi-governmental Organizations, publicly listed and unlisted companies, as well as private banking clients. Mr. Murad was part of the investment team, where he also worked on tailoring customized investment products catering to the tough market conditions at the time. In 2010, Mr. Murad embarked in a career in the private sector and founded Pinnacle W.L.L. as a holding company for stakes in various sectors including technology, music publishing, real estate to name a few. He continues to explore, review and monitor active and potential investments both regionally and internationally.
Mr. Murad holds a Bachelor of Science and Business Administration in Marketing from Suffolk University, Boston, Massachusetts.
Mr. Bhaskar Mehta is Chief Risk Officer at the GFH Financial Group, where he brings to his role more than a decade of experience in risk management in the financial services industry, including both private investment and the public markets across the Middle East and other emerging markets. As Chief Risk Officer, he is responsible for the development and implementation of strategies and frameworks that effectively manage all risks associated with the Group's various functions - including Credit, Market, Liquidity and Operational Risk. He serves in several of the Group's executive management level committees, and reports independently to the Board Audit & Risk Committee.
Prior to joining the Group, he most recently has served as Head of Risk & Portfolio Analytics at Waha Capital in Abu Dhabi, where he was in charge of developing and managing all aspects of governance and risk across the business and its investments.
Previously, Mr. Mehta was at UBS, India acting as a Senior Associate in the Risk Management Department after having worked at the firm as a Research Associate, Fixed Income & Currency Structuring. He began his career as a Programmer Analyst, BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) Vertical, at Cognizant Technology Solutions, India.
Mr. Mehta is FRM (Financial Risk Management) Certified - GARP and holds an MBA - Finance & International Business, IMT Ghaziabad (India). He also holds an International Diploma in Governance, Risk & Compliance from ICA (International Compliance Association), and has completed the Risk Management for Corporate Leaders program delivered by Harvard Business School Executive Education.
Job Titles:
- Investment and Portfolio Manager at Darwish Bin Ahmed & Sons
- Member of the Independent Director
Mr. Darwish Al Ketbi is a highly motivated, analytical and focused young professional with built-up expertise on stock market with in-depth knowledge on alternative investments, structured products, and sophisticated trading strategies.
Mr. Darwish Al Ketbi is the Investment and Portfolio Manager at Darwish Bin Ahmed & Sons, a board member at Union Properties PJSC - Dubai and Darwish Cybertech India Private Limited - India. He holds Bachelor degree of Science in Business Major in Finance from Zayed University in Abu Dhabi.
Over the past nine years, Mr. Al Ketbi gained vast experience in managing investments, real estate, corporate finance, placement, treasury, modelling and valuation of investment opportunities and monitoring and managing portfolios. With his experience and enthusiasm, Mr. Darwish is expected to add value to GFH's progressive growth and transformation.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Independent Director
- Senior Vice President of Finance and Investment at Tamimi Holding
Holding a BSc. in Marketing from California State University in Los Angeles, Mr. Fawaz Al Tamimi is the Senior Vice President of Finance and Investment at Tamimi Holding with 11 years of working experience.
Mr. Al Tamimi is a Board member at Tamimi Group, Gulf Islamic Investment Company, Specialized Industrial Casting Company, Kingdom Holding Gulf Union Insurance, and Tamimi Markets, amongst others.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- CEO of Wafra International Investment Company
Mr. Ghazi Al Hajeri is the CEO of Wafra International Investment Company, a Kuwait-based asset management company with $7BN in AUM. Bringing 21 years of experience to his role, he is in charge of overall corporate direction and proprietary investments, Mr Al Hajeri leads the company's transformational growth strategy. Prior to that, Mr Al Hajeri occupied the role of deputy CEO at Touristic Enterprises Co., an entity owned by the Kuwait Investment Authority and the oldest and largest provider of recreation and entertainment in the State of Kuwait. Mr. Al Hajeri was responsible for the group's facility operations and development.
Mr. Ghazi Al Hajeri held the position of Managing Director for Wafra InterVest Corp. He established Wafra's regional office in 2007 and remained its Regional Director until 2017. Mr. Al Hajeri was responsible for firm's regional business strategy and product development and served as a corporate liaison with the firm's largest clients.
Mr. Ghazi Al Hajeri was responsible for directing the firm's largest client relationships. He devised strategic plans to grow the firm's expansion in assets from $7 billion to $20 billion in a period of 10 years. Mr. Al Hajeri managed complex projects for sovereign wealth and pension clients that included asset allocation, business development and investment planning.
Mr. Al Hajeri was a member of the Alternative Investments Division Investment Committee and responsible for reviewing and monitoring external investment managers while directing departmental strategy at Wafra Investment Advisory Group in New York from 2000 - 2006.
Mr. Al Hajeri holds a Bachelor degree in Science in Business Administration from the University of Denver.
Muneera Isa, Head of Human Resources (HR), manages employee strategies, recruitment, development and retention, career progression, and performance management. In addition to compliance, policy making and the overall implementation of HR regulations.
Muneera is a seasoned HR professional, bringing over 17 years of experience to the Group having worked with regional and international financial institutions in the Kingdom of Bahrain including Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, Capivest and BNP Paribas.
She holds a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature from the University of Bahrain, a CIPD Level 5 Diploma in Human Resource Management from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), and a Master's Certificate in Human Resource Management from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Executive Director ( Bahrain Market )
Osama Alharam is an Executive Director, Placement & Relationship Management for GFH, where he is primarily responsible for bringing the Group's unique investment opportunities and managing ongoing relationships with institutional and high net worth clients in the Bahrain market. He brings more than 20 years of diverse experience in investments, strategy and management to his role. Prior to joining GFH, he was a Principle for the Kuwait market with Arcapita for over 11 years, managing the firm's placements and relationships.
Previously, he held senior roles Saudi Bahraini Transport Co & Bahrain Limo, AlBassam Group of Companies and PricewaterhouseCoopers, Bahrain & Saudi Arabia.
Osama holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration & Marketing Analysis from Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado.
Job Titles:
- Head of Information Technology
Osama Janahi is the Head of Information Technology. He has more than 20 year of experience with an exceptional business understanding and excellent project management skills, who provides leadership, vision, direction, and management to the entire IT department including application, development, and infrastructure teams. Responsible for anticipating future needs and delivering enhanced solutions across all departments and subsidiaries. Customer-orientated and capable of driving change through tracking, vetting and implementing creative and modern technology solutions that is relevant to the industry, security, efficiency and the business. A strong believer that IT should partner with business to improve productivity and efficiency of the organization.
Mr. Janahi holds a B.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of Bahrain along with other IT technical and non-IT professional certification like CISA, ITIL, Oracle, and others. He has some specific banking business and accounting knowledge which he gained through his work in Al Baraka Bank and Arthur Anderson.
Pietro de Libero is Chief Legal Officer at GFH, where he is responsible for the Group's legal activities relating to all general corporate, commercial and financing matters as well as managing relationships with external local and international counsel on issues pertaining to regulation, compliance and litigation.
He is a seasoned lawyer with more than two decades of experience in Europe and the GCC managing, coordinating and executing complex multi-jurisdictional M&A transactions, negotiating joint venture agreements, advising on company law and coordinating intra-group reorganisations.
Prior to joining GFH, Pietro spent 22 years at Baker McKenzie. He began his carrier at the firm's offices in Milan, where he became a partner in 2007. He then relocated to Baker McKenzie's Dubai office, where he served as a partner between 2013 and 2022. During his tenure at the firm, he was a leading member of Baker McKenzie's Corporate and M&A practice and led the UAE's competition law practice.
Pietro graduated summa cum laude from the Law School at Universita' degli Studi di Milano. He is admitted to practice law in England and Wales, Dubai and Italy.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Non - Executive Director
Rashid Nasser Sraiya Al Kaabi is a member of the Board of Directors at Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) and Chairman of the industry committee at QCCI.
With over 20 years of experience, Rashid has become one of the most outstanding and youngest Qatari Businessmen to achieve an esteemed reputation both nationally and internationally. His business career started in 1995 and by 2019, he has managed to expand the business well into new horizons. With his keen expertise new businesses have been launched across Qatar, USA, United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, Turkey, UAE and Oman across all 5 sectors of Al Sraiya Holding's engineering, hospitality, industrial, trading, education and general services groups.
Rashid believes administrative and legitimate expertise are essential for the success of a business. Smart, reliable, profitable and consistent business decisions are the outcome of Rashid's eye for business opportunities, expertise in negotiations, wealth of knowledge, integrity, values, and a drive for a better future.
As a visionary business man, Rashid is always on the lookout for future business opportunities that will enlarge the Group's portfolio. As a vivid man of values, the importance of family owned and managed companies is held high as he believes they play a major role in managing private economic enterprises in Qatar, the Gulf region, and beyond. Family owned businesses adhere to the quality of administrative and financial systems compatible with the standards of transparency and responsibility towards society, as a family is towards itself. It is the family company that guarantees survival and sustainability across time because of the shared appreciation of the journey of noble success through dedication, inspiration, innovation, virtue, and wisdom.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Chairman of the Industry Committee
Rashid Nasser Sraiya Al Kaabi is a member of the Board of Directors at Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) and Chairman of the industry committee at QCCI.
With over 20 years of experience, Rashid has become one of the most outstanding and youngest Qatari Businessmen to achieve an esteemed reputation both nationally and internationally. His business career started in 1995 and by 2019, he has managed to expand the business well into new horizons. With his keen expertise new businesses have been launched across Qatar, USA, United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, Turkey, UAE and Oman across all 5 sectors of Al Sraiya Holding's engineering, hospitality, industrial, trading, education and general services groups.
Rashid believes administrative and legitimate expertise are essential for the success of a business. Smart, reliable, profitable and consistent business decisions are the outcome of Rashid's eye for business opportunities, expertise in negotiations, wealth of knowledge, integrity, values, and a drive for a better future.
As a visionary business man, Rashid is always on the lookout for future business opportunities that will enlarge the Group's portfolio. As a vivid man of values, the importance of family owned and managed companies is held high as he believes they play a major role in managing private economic enterprises in Qatar, the Gulf region, and beyond. Family owned businesses adhere to the quality of administrative and financial systems compatible with the standards of transparency and responsibility towards society, as a family is towards itself. It is the family company that guarantees survival and sustainability across time because of the shared appreciation of the journey of noble success through dedication, inspiration, innovation, virtue, and wisdom.
Job Titles:
- CEO GFH Capital S.a. & Group Chief Placement Officer, Placement & Relationship Management
- CEO of GFH Capital S.a
Razi Almerbati is the CEO of GFH Capital S.A. and the Group Chief Placement Officer, Placement & Relationship Management at GFH Financial Group. He brings to his role more than 15 years of experience in the banking and finance sector including a significant track record in Islamic investments and advisory. His areas of expertise include private banking and wealth management as well as private equity.
Prior to joining GFH, Razi most recently served as Head of Investment Development & Distribution for the GCC region at The First Investor in Qatar, a subsidiary of Barwa Bank. Prior to that, he was Regional Director of the Investment Advisory Group of Abu Dhabi Investment House.
Razi currently holds Board Memberships in the following Companies:
Esterad Investment Company
Global Banking Corporation
Falcon Cement Company
A key player in the strategic management of the Group's core operational functions, Salah Sharif, Chief Operating Officer of GFH, is also responsible for ensuring the highest standards of operational excellence across the Group and its Special Purpose Vehicles and Project Companies. He has more than 30 years of regional and international exposure to conventional and Islamic banking and finance, with experience across commercial and wholesale banking and in industrial and infrastructure advisory sectors. In addition to his executive role at the Group, Salah also serves on a number of investee company boards. He is the Chairman of Falcon Cement Company, Vice Chairman of Infracorp and Vice Chairman of Gulf Holding Company, and a Board Member of Khaleeji Commercial Bank, GBCorp and CapCorp.
Prior to his current role in GFH, Salah was seconded as the CEO of Cemena Holding Company (CHC), an industrial subsidiary of the Group, one of the largest cement holding companies in the MENA region. Previously, he held a number of senior roles in leading, global financial institutions, including American Express and Standard Chartered Bank where he held key executive positions.
Salah holds an MBA from the University of South Wales, UK. And most recently, he completed the Senior Executive Leadership Program offered by Harvard Business School, Boston, USA.
Salem Patel - Chief Investment Officer
Job Titles:
- Chief Investment Officer
- Chief Investment Officer - Debt and Capital Markets, Asset Management
Salem Patel is Chief Investment Officer - Debt & Capital Markets, Asset Management for GFH Financial Group. He is responsible for managing the bank's proprietary assets as well as clients investments in equity and fixed income funds. Salem is also a member of the bank's Management Investment Committee and ALCO. He brings over 20 years of extensive local and international financial industry experience to the Group having previously worked in the Financial Services Division with Accenture in London and prior to this as a Financial Analyst with LongView Partners, London. Salem began his career working in Equity Research at UBS and Societe Generale.
Salem currently holds a number of Directorships including Falcon Cement Company and Roebuck Asset Management. He graduated from the City University Business School in London with a B.S.C (Hons) in Business Studies specializing in Finance and has obtained a number of certifications including: the Islamic Finance Qualification (IFQ) and the Securities and Futures Authorities Registered Representative (SFA). He has also passed all three levels of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program and recently completed the Senior Executive Leadership Program at Harvard Business School.
Suryanarayanan Hariharan, Chief Financial Officer, works closely with the Group's executive management team and is responsible for the accounting, financial planning and analysis, and stakeholder reporting, including regulatory reporting, for the Group and its owned subsidiaries. Surya has more than 16 years' experience in stakeholder reporting, audit services, business process improvement and transition and risk advisory. Prior to his appointment at GFH, he was the Head of Finance for a private equity venture in Abu Dhabi backed by sovereign wealth funds and ultra high net worth individuals. Previous to this he was in audit services and real estate domain at KPMG in both Bahrain and Qatar, and Pricewaterhouse Coopers in India.
He holds a bachelor's degree in Commerce from the University of Mumbai, India, and is a Chartered Accountant (CA) from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, and a Certified Management Accountant, USA.
Job Titles:
- Complaint Handling Officer