Akber Khan
Al Rayan Investment
Senior Director - Asset Management
Akber has more than 20 years of experience in the investment industry. Since 2009, he has headed up asset management at Doha-based, Al Rayan Investment (ARI). Akber is responsible for more than $1 billion of assets invested in Sharia-compliant, Gulf listed equities and global sukuk. Prior to ARI, Akber was a Director at Deutsche Bank in London where he spent more than 11 years in European and emerging market equities in trading and research roles.
At ARI, Akber manages Al Rayan GCC Fund, one of the largest Sharia-compliant GCC funds. He also oversees the Qatar Stock Exchange-listed, Al Rayan Qatar ETF (QATR), the world’s second largest, Sharia-compliant, equity ETF.
Akber graduated from University College London having read History and Economics. He has lived in Doha, Dubai, Frankfurt, Karachi and London.
Al Rayan Investment
Senior Director - Asset Management
Akber has more than 20 years of experience in the investment industry. Since 2009, he has headed up asset management at Doha-based, Al Rayan Investment (ARI). Akber is responsible for more than $1 billion of assets invested in Sharia-compliant, Gulf listed equities and global sukuk. Prior to ARI, Akber was a Director at Deutsche Bank in London where he spent more than 11 years in European and emerging market equities in trading and research roles.
At ARI, Akber manages Al Rayan GCC Fund, one of the largest Sharia-compliant GCC funds. He also oversees the Qatar Stock Exchange-listed, Al Rayan Qatar ETF (QATR), the world’s second largest, Sharia-compliant, equity ETF.
Akber graduated from University College London having read History and Economics. He has lived in Doha, Dubai, Frankfurt, Karachi and London.
Arshad Khan
Arabian Bourse
CEO
Arshad Khan has diverse expertise in the complete financial markets eco-system and the technology behind it. Being at the helm of several financial exchanges, from inception, he has detailed insight in setting-up and managing large financial exchanges. With 23 years of experience out of which 17 years in the gulf countries, he established strong business relations with regional financial institutions and regulatory authorities.
As a Board Member of the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange and its’ clearing corporation for 5 years, Arshad was part of the core team that established the exchange in a record time of 12 months from conceptualisation to its launch in 2005. Before that he played key role in the establishment of the Multi Commodity Exchange of India in 2003. MCX has become one of the largest commodities derivatives exchanges in the world. In 2008, Arshad established Bahrain Financial Exchange regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain.
Currently, he is the Co-founder & CEO of Arabian Bourse Limited. which is a pioneering virtual assets MTF and custodian based in the Abu Dhabi Global Market, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Additionally, if that wasn't enough, Arshad has created 3 unicorns to date with his core team
Arabian Bourse
CEO
Arshad Khan has diverse expertise in the complete financial markets eco-system and the technology behind it. Being at the helm of several financial exchanges, from inception, he has detailed insight in setting-up and managing large financial exchanges. With 23 years of experience out of which 17 years in the gulf countries, he established strong business relations with regional financial institutions and regulatory authorities.
As a Board Member of the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange and its’ clearing corporation for 5 years, Arshad was part of the core team that established the exchange in a record time of 12 months from conceptualisation to its launch in 2005. Before that he played key role in the establishment of the Multi Commodity Exchange of India in 2003. MCX has become one of the largest commodities derivatives exchanges in the world. In 2008, Arshad established Bahrain Financial Exchange regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain.
Currently, he is the Co-founder & CEO of Arabian Bourse Limited. which is a pioneering virtual assets MTF and custodian based in the Abu Dhabi Global Market, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Additionally, if that wasn't enough, Arshad has created 3 unicorns to date with his core team
Kevjn Lim
IHS Markit
Principal Research Analyst
Dr. Lim is the MENA lead for Iran, offering clients geostrategic, domestic political and security risk advice and forecasts in this context. He also provides analytical products and bespoke briefings on Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Iraq and Syria. In independent capacity, he has written for a range of publications and research institutions, and consults for a number of governments' foreign ministries. Dr. Lim was a former delegate with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) with postings in the Palestinian West Bank, Sudan's Darfur region, Iraq, Gaddhafi's Libya and Afghanistan, handling issues linked to the protection of the civilian population in the context of International Humanitarian Law, and networking with non-state actors and armed militias. He earned his Ph.D. in international relations and MA in security studies, both from Tel Aviv University, as well as a BA (Hons First Class) in political science and Middle East studies from the University of Melbourne. Dr. Lim is fluent in Arabic, Hebrew, Mandarin, Persian, French, Italian and Spanish, and casually conversant in Romanian and Turkish. He also contributes commentary to both print and broadcast media outlets.
IHS Markit
Principal Research Analyst
Dr. Lim is the MENA lead for Iran, offering clients geostrategic, domestic political and security risk advice and forecasts in this context. He also provides analytical products and bespoke briefings on Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Iraq and Syria. In independent capacity, he has written for a range of publications and research institutions, and consults for a number of governments' foreign ministries. Dr. Lim was a former delegate with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) with postings in the Palestinian West Bank, Sudan's Darfur region, Iraq, Gaddhafi's Libya and Afghanistan, handling issues linked to the protection of the civilian population in the context of International Humanitarian Law, and networking with non-state actors and armed militias. He earned his Ph.D. in international relations and MA in security studies, both from Tel Aviv University, as well as a BA (Hons First Class) in political science and Middle East studies from the University of Melbourne. Dr. Lim is fluent in Arabic, Hebrew, Mandarin, Persian, French, Italian and Spanish, and casually conversant in Romanian and Turkish. He also contributes commentary to both print and broadcast media outlets.
Anna Lundberg
SEB
Network and Counterparty Relationship Manager
SEB
Network and Counterparty Relationship Manager
Jim Micklethwaite
Thomas Murray
Director - Head of Operations
Jim manages the Global Network Management (‘GNM’) division at TM and has over 26 years in the financial services industry. His responsibilities include running a team of 25 analysts and network managers who track custodian and market practice in 104 markets and assess risks in over 300 custodians, 145 CSDs and 27 CCPs worldwide. Jim is a subject matter expert on post-trade infrastructure and has led various strategic consulting projects on market infrastructure. Previously, Jim was a senior analyst within TM Network Management evaluating and selecting local and global custodians for clients as well as supporting a variety of consultancy engagements. Prior to joining TM in 1995, he was at Taylor Nelson Sofres as a Project Supervisor in their Financial division.
Thomas Murray
Director - Head of Operations
Jim manages the Global Network Management (‘GNM’) division at TM and has over 26 years in the financial services industry. His responsibilities include running a team of 25 analysts and network managers who track custodian and market practice in 104 markets and assess risks in over 300 custodians, 145 CSDs and 27 CCPs worldwide. Jim is a subject matter expert on post-trade infrastructure and has led various strategic consulting projects on market infrastructure. Previously, Jim was a senior analyst within TM Network Management evaluating and selecting local and global custodians for clients as well as supporting a variety of consultancy engagements. Prior to joining TM in 1995, he was at Taylor Nelson Sofres as a Project Supervisor in their Financial division.
Ahmad Naseer
First Abu Dhabi Bank
Managing Director, Head of UAE Securities Services & Product Development
Ahmad is a seasoned Securities Services professional, with over 20 years’ experience, 10 of which have been in the Middle East. He is a member of the UAE Securities & Commodities Authority (SCA) Technical Committee, which is Chaired by the CEO of SCA. Ahmad has been driving change with the local CSDs and SCA, as a key participant, contributing to major market regulations and services such as the launch of the DVP proposition, NIN splitting and SLB regulations in the UAE. Ahmad is also a key member of the UAE Custodian Forum, representing FAB, and relaying the voice of the client to the markets and regulators. In his current role, Ahmad is at the forefront of the systems replacement initiative at FAB SS, as well as managing the network team’s expansion into the GCC & Egypt.
Ahmad joined FAB in 2014 from Citibank North America, where he was SVP Group Operations Securities & Funds Services, jointly holding the positions of Head of US Settlements & Head of NAM SLB Operations. Prior to moving to the US, Ahmad held roles HSBC Securities Services UAE as the Head of Client Services, and the Head of Securities Services Pakistan for SCB.
First Abu Dhabi Bank
Managing Director, Head of UAE Securities Services & Product Development
Ahmad is a seasoned Securities Services professional, with over 20 years’ experience, 10 of which have been in the Middle East. He is a member of the UAE Securities & Commodities Authority (SCA) Technical Committee, which is Chaired by the CEO of SCA. Ahmad has been driving change with the local CSDs and SCA, as a key participant, contributing to major market regulations and services such as the launch of the DVP proposition, NIN splitting and SLB regulations in the UAE. Ahmad is also a key member of the UAE Custodian Forum, representing FAB, and relaying the voice of the client to the markets and regulators. In his current role, Ahmad is at the forefront of the systems replacement initiative at FAB SS, as well as managing the network team’s expansion into the GCC & Egypt.
Ahmad joined FAB in 2014 from Citibank North America, where he was SVP Group Operations Securities & Funds Services, jointly holding the positions of Head of US Settlements & Head of NAM SLB Operations. Prior to moving to the US, Ahmad held roles HSBC Securities Services UAE as the Head of Client Services, and the Head of Securities Services Pakistan for SCB.
Robert Patalano
OECD
Head of the Financial Markets Division
OECD
Head of the Financial Markets Division
Hany Samir
National Bank of Egypt
Head of Custody & Securities Services
Hany started his career with Citibank, whereby he moved into different positions within the Organization ranging from Head of Broker Dealers, Securities Country Manager, and left the organization as Cluster Head for Middle East, North Africa & Pakistan. Under his remit, the three Markets of the U.A.E. were open, along with Morocco and Nigeria. In 2009, he joined National Bank of Abu Dhabi ( First Abu Dhabi Bank), where he started the journey of establishing Industry Standard Custody proposition, whereby the three markets of the U.A.E. were open, worked closely with the regulators and Market Infrastructures for securing “Emerging Markets status” from MSCI and drafted along with the team, the developments needed for a “Developed Markets status”. Also, he extended the proposition to include Middle East & North Africa region, along with International Markets ranging from South Korea, Malaysia & U.S.A. and secured the First Custody & Securities lending & borrowing license in the U.A.E.
In 2018, he joined National Bank of Egypt, with revamping the operating model and extending the Custody to both Regional & International Markets. During his tenure, both local & International book has significantly increased since his joining.
National Bank of Egypt
Head of Custody & Securities Services
Hany started his career with Citibank, whereby he moved into different positions within the Organization ranging from Head of Broker Dealers, Securities Country Manager, and left the organization as Cluster Head for Middle East, North Africa & Pakistan. Under his remit, the three Markets of the U.A.E. were open, along with Morocco and Nigeria. In 2009, he joined National Bank of Abu Dhabi ( First Abu Dhabi Bank), where he started the journey of establishing Industry Standard Custody proposition, whereby the three markets of the U.A.E. were open, worked closely with the regulators and Market Infrastructures for securing “Emerging Markets status” from MSCI and drafted along with the team, the developments needed for a “Developed Markets status”. Also, he extended the proposition to include Middle East & North Africa region, along with International Markets ranging from South Korea, Malaysia & U.S.A. and secured the First Custody & Securities lending & borrowing license in the U.A.E.
In 2018, he joined National Bank of Egypt, with revamping the operating model and extending the Custody to both Regional & International Markets. During his tenure, both local & International book has significantly increased since his joining.
Konstantin Saroyan
FEAS
Secretary General
Dr. Konstantin Saroyan is a Secretary General of the Federation of Euro-Asian Stock Exchanges, where he manages the multi-cultural environment of a variety of member stock exchanges and central securities depositories covering Europe, Asia and Mediterranean Basin. As a Board Member of Armenian Institute of Directors Konstantin is contributing his energy and knowledge for the development of corporate governance in the region.
Konstantin is a Co-Founder of Investment Bankers Club in Armenia and Board Member of the Fund for Rural Economic Development of Armenia.
Konstantin holds a Doctor of Economics degree and is an adjunct Professor at French University of Armenia Foundation.
FEAS
Secretary General
Dr. Konstantin Saroyan is a Secretary General of the Federation of Euro-Asian Stock Exchanges, where he manages the multi-cultural environment of a variety of member stock exchanges and central securities depositories covering Europe, Asia and Mediterranean Basin. As a Board Member of Armenian Institute of Directors Konstantin is contributing his energy and knowledge for the development of corporate governance in the region.
Konstantin is a Co-Founder of Investment Bankers Club in Armenia and Board Member of the Fund for Rural Economic Development of Armenia.
Konstantin holds a Doctor of Economics degree and is an adjunct Professor at French University of Armenia Foundation.
Chirdeep Singh
Citi
Director, Global Head of Distributed Ledger Technologies, Securities Services
Chirdeep is the head of DLT within Securities Services. His focus has been on leading the DLT strategy for Securities Services and build out the products roadmap for the portfolio within the business.
Chirdeep has over 20 years’ experience in leading strategic decision making and execution of projects in the areas of AI, Big Data, distributed systems, mobile ad-hoc networks and most recently in Distributed Ledger Technologies.
Prior to joining Citibank, Chirdeep headed data programs and DLT at the Digital Catapult in London and later founded Ocean Protocol, and for the first two years steered its strategy and product development.
Chirdeep has a Masters in Distributed Systems from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland, and is a Chevening Fellow, CSEL entrepreneurship graduate from London Business School.
Citi
Director, Global Head of Distributed Ledger Technologies, Securities Services
Chirdeep is the head of DLT within Securities Services. His focus has been on leading the DLT strategy for Securities Services and build out the products roadmap for the portfolio within the business.
Chirdeep has over 20 years’ experience in leading strategic decision making and execution of projects in the areas of AI, Big Data, distributed systems, mobile ad-hoc networks and most recently in Distributed Ledger Technologies.
Prior to joining Citibank, Chirdeep headed data programs and DLT at the Digital Catapult in London and later founded Ocean Protocol, and for the first two years steered its strategy and product development.
Chirdeep has a Masters in Distributed Systems from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland, and is a Chevening Fellow, CSEL entrepreneurship graduate from London Business School.
Geoff Spindler
RBC Investor & Treasury Services
European Head of Network Management
As Head of Market Infrastructure, Geoff works to leverage RBC's strategic agent relationships with their regional partner banks enhancing their custody and market services products across the MENA region. Geoff represents RBC I&TS in market working groups providing intelligence to support their regulatory and product agenda.
Geoff joined RBC in 2015 and has a career of over 26 years within Financial Services covering various Operational and Product roles. Geoff holds a BA (Hons) degree in European Administration
RBC Investor & Treasury Services
European Head of Network Management
As Head of Market Infrastructure, Geoff works to leverage RBC's strategic agent relationships with their regional partner banks enhancing their custody and market services products across the MENA region. Geoff represents RBC I&TS in market working groups providing intelligence to support their regulatory and product agenda.
Geoff joined RBC in 2015 and has a career of over 26 years within Financial Services covering various Operational and Product roles. Geoff holds a BA (Hons) degree in European Administration
Grant Taylor
Credit Suisse
Network Manager - EMEA
Grant is a Network Manager for Credit Suisse covering more than 30 markets across EMEA. He has been in this role for 15 years and prior to that had 7 years within Credit Suisse Investment Banking Operations in a variety of roles.
Credit Suisse
Network Manager - EMEA
Grant is a Network Manager for Credit Suisse covering more than 30 markets across EMEA. He has been in this role for 15 years and prior to that had 7 years within Credit Suisse Investment Banking Operations in a variety of roles.
Gunsel Topbas
Citi
MD
Gunsel is responsible for Citi’s Securities Services business across EMEA Emerging markets, covering Middle East, Africa, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Pakistan.
Gunsel joined Citi in 2005 and has since held several senior positions within the securities services and direct custody and clearing business. Prior to joining Citi, Gunsel was the International Department Head at Borsa Istanbul group.
With more than 25 years of experience across the capital markets industry, Gunsel works closely with stock exchanges, central counterparty clearing Houses (CCPs), central securities depositories (CSDs), and regulatory institutions as part of the regional capital market development and implementation of best practices. He currently represents Citi at AMEDA (Association of Middle East and Africa CSDs) as associate member.
Citi
MD
Gunsel is responsible for Citi’s Securities Services business across EMEA Emerging markets, covering Middle East, Africa, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Pakistan.
Gunsel joined Citi in 2005 and has since held several senior positions within the securities services and direct custody and clearing business. Prior to joining Citi, Gunsel was the International Department Head at Borsa Istanbul group.
With more than 25 years of experience across the capital markets industry, Gunsel works closely with stock exchanges, central counterparty clearing Houses (CCPs), central securities depositories (CSDs), and regulatory institutions as part of the regional capital market development and implementation of best practices. He currently represents Citi at AMEDA (Association of Middle East and Africa CSDs) as associate member.
Fabian Vandenreydt
Greenomy
Chief Strategy Officer
Fabian Vandenreydt is Belgian and has over 25 years of experience in capital markets post-trade, payments, market infrastructures, corporate innovation, market management & strategic partnership development. He is the owner at FabianVDR Advisory Services, a boutique advisory with a focus on market structures, governance, business & operational models and strategic partnerships for digital transformation & corporate innovation. In addition to a number of other roles, he is Innovation Ecosystem Advisor to Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the international financial centre with a focus on fintech, capital markets and VCs.
Greenomy
Chief Strategy Officer
Fabian Vandenreydt is Belgian and has over 25 years of experience in capital markets post-trade, payments, market infrastructures, corporate innovation, market management & strategic partnership development. He is the owner at FabianVDR Advisory Services, a boutique advisory with a focus on market structures, governance, business & operational models and strategic partnerships for digital transformation & corporate innovation. In addition to a number of other roles, he is Innovation Ecosystem Advisor to Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the international financial centre with a focus on fintech, capital markets and VCs.
Daniel van Dongen
DFSA
Senior Manager, Markets
Daniel van Dongen is a Senior Manager in the Markets division of the Dubai Financial Services Authority. Over the past two decades, Daniel has worked in various capital markets roles, in private practice as a lawyer and in government for financial services regulators.
Daniel joined the DFSA in 2013 from the Dutch financial services regulator (AFM) where he worked as in-house legal counsel and as securities offering supervisor. Before that, Daniel was a corporate and securities lawyer in the New York and London offices of Clifford Chance, in their US Securities Group and with the Dutch law firm Houthoff Buruma, in their securities, corporate and M&A practice.
Daniel is recognised as an expert in securities regulation, in particular equity, corporate governance, listed funds, crypto related financial instruments and SME financing through the capital markets. He was also involved in the drawing up of the new DFSA regime for Digital Assets, the first part of which, for the issuance and trading of Investment Tokens, came into force just now, on 25 October 2021.
DFSA
Senior Manager, Markets
Daniel van Dongen is a Senior Manager in the Markets division of the Dubai Financial Services Authority. Over the past two decades, Daniel has worked in various capital markets roles, in private practice as a lawyer and in government for financial services regulators.
Daniel joined the DFSA in 2013 from the Dutch financial services regulator (AFM) where he worked as in-house legal counsel and as securities offering supervisor. Before that, Daniel was a corporate and securities lawyer in the New York and London offices of Clifford Chance, in their US Securities Group and with the Dutch law firm Houthoff Buruma, in their securities, corporate and M&A practice.
Daniel is recognised as an expert in securities regulation, in particular equity, corporate governance, listed funds, crypto related financial instruments and SME financing through the capital markets. He was also involved in the drawing up of the new DFSA regime for Digital Assets, the first part of which, for the issuance and trading of Investment Tokens, came into force just now, on 25 October 2021.
Rawad Zeineddine
J.P. Morgan
Securities Network Manager
Rawad has worked in the Financial Services Industry for over 13 years. Rawad is currently covering the Middle East markets, providing market intelligence, procurement and network management services to internal lines of business.
Prior to that Rawad has held a number of roles with HSBC, specializing in Direct Custody and clearing, and Credit Management in Lebanon and United Arab Emirates.
Rawad holds a Master’s degree in Banking from Saint Joseph University in Lebanon.
J.P. Morgan
Securities Network Manager
Rawad has worked in the Financial Services Industry for over 13 years. Rawad is currently covering the Middle East markets, providing market intelligence, procurement and network management services to internal lines of business.
Prior to that Rawad has held a number of roles with HSBC, specializing in Direct Custody and clearing, and Credit Management in Lebanon and United Arab Emirates.
Rawad holds a Master’s degree in Banking from Saint Joseph University in Lebanon.