Could you provide a brief journey of how you arrived where you are today?
I started my career as a finance officer at Chevron Oil Company, which instilled the genesis of my interest in business and finance. I then trialed managing a family business for three great learning years before I went to the UK to pursue postgraduate studies which lasted for a good 10 years plus, and has become a life-changing endeavor.
However, my personal career highlights stem from balancing two things: a passion for business research and the desire to carry the fruits of research and learning into practice. I had the privilege of being trained into business research at the London School of Economics between 1995-2000. In the latter part of my stay in the UK, I worked for a second tier and medium-sized business advisory firm in London advising Middle Eastern entrepreneurs and high net worth clients on their businesses in Europe and investment portfolios.
Another landmark point of my career was when I embarked into academia in the UAE. I was an associate professor of finance at several universities in the UAE and I had a hand in the dynamic business and financial development that took place in the UAE and elsewhere in the Gulf. In 2006, I moved back to the industry and joined the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), working for the DIFC’s Exchange – currently NASDAQ Dubai. In early 2010, I relocated to Bahrain and joined Deloitte ME’s Islamic Finance Group and led the Deloitte IFKC.
What does your role involve?
I lead inspirational thought leadership initiatives in Islamic finance at Deloitte ME which effectively entails building strategic partnerships with industry stakeholders both regionally and internationally.
What is your greatest achievement to date?
Sharing Islamic finance knowledge, through the training of finance and banking professionals in the region; and contributing to ‘intellectual knowledge dialogue’ with industry stakeholders to promote and educate market participants about leading practices and professional excellence.
Which of your products / services deliver the best results?
Firstly, our core product – the Islamic finance thought leadership reports which embed Deloitte proven skills, capabilities, methodologies and approach in business and financial strategy. Secondly, our bespoke capacity building programs in Islamic finance which are designed to enable clients achieve their aims.
What are the strengths of your business?
Our commitment to clients, and the diversity of our core team of advisors’. Most importantly Deloitte’s regional commitment to deploy global capabilities to deliver service excellence in the region.
What are the factors contributing to the success of your company?
The seasoned leadership of the firm who have built strong business relations and delivered quality services for over 85 years in the region. Their passion for diversity of people, ethics in business and community support ensured that our firm delivers the timely appropriate advice.
What are the obstacles faced in running your business today?
The lack of the adequate appreciation and support from some industry stakeholders — required to build a research culture in the region and in the industry. Clearly, this widens the gap between industry practices and leading internationally-accepted practices. However, what we would like to see is more homogenous support and generosity, from all the industry stakeholders, in order to build an enabled Islamic finance research and knowledge sharing culture that benefit all.
Where do you see the Islamic finance industry in the next five years?
One would like to see the industry building a more rigorous integrated regulatory system supported by harmonized global leading practices and industry standards. Equally true, to see the industry tapping more into real economy and commodities and assisting indigenous industries and local communities build their lives for a better future and welfare.
Name one thing you would like to see change in the world of Islamic finance.
I would like to see Islamic finance empowering young entrepreneurs to build their business, communities and create greater impact on the society. Hence, to see Islamic finance expand financial access in communities underserved by conventional finance and to develop an integrated economic society.