Farah Foustok
Lazard Asset Management
CEO, Middle East
Lazard Asset Management
CEO, Middle East
Michael Grifferty
The Gulf Capital Market Association
President
Michael Grifferty founded and leads The Gulf Capital Market Association (formerly known as The Gulf Bond and Sukuk Association) the industry association representing the Arabian Gulf debt and equity markets. The GCMA is composed of the region’s leading banks, law firms, issuers, ratings agencies and service providers and plays a leading role on all major matters concerning development of capital markets in the region.
Previously, Michael served as advisor for the US Treasury on sovereign debt and bond markets, advising over forty countries and regional organizations. He has also consulted extensively for the International Monetary Fund and Arab Monetary Fund.
Prior to his international career, Mr. Grifferty was a senior vice president at Government Finance Associates, providing problem-solving financial advisory services to US state and local governments. He has degrees from New York University and Georgetown University in Public Finance and International Relations, respectively. A native English speaker, Michael speaks French and Russian
The Gulf Capital Market Association
President
Michael Grifferty founded and leads The Gulf Capital Market Association (formerly known as The Gulf Bond and Sukuk Association) the industry association representing the Arabian Gulf debt and equity markets. The GCMA is composed of the region’s leading banks, law firms, issuers, ratings agencies and service providers and plays a leading role on all major matters concerning development of capital markets in the region.
Previously, Michael served as advisor for the US Treasury on sovereign debt and bond markets, advising over forty countries and regional organizations. He has also consulted extensively for the International Monetary Fund and Arab Monetary Fund.
Prior to his international career, Mr. Grifferty was a senior vice president at Government Finance Associates, providing problem-solving financial advisory services to US state and local governments. He has degrees from New York University and Georgetown University in Public Finance and International Relations, respectively. A native English speaker, Michael speaks French and Russian
Hammad Izz-Hamid
Deutsche Bank
Head of Securities Services Middle East & Africa
Hammad Izz-Hamid - is the head of the Securities Services business within the Corporate Bank for the Middle East and Africa region at Deutsche Bank.
Hammad began his career with Deutsche Bank in 1997 in Karachi, Pakistan and has worked in client and business management roles, as well as operations and risk functions within Securities Services at Deutsche Bank.
Hammad graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of Karachi and a master’s degree in Business Administration from the Institute of Business Administration, Karachi.
Deutsche Bank
Head of Securities Services Middle East & Africa
Hammad Izz-Hamid - is the head of the Securities Services business within the Corporate Bank for the Middle East and Africa region at Deutsche Bank.
Hammad began his career with Deutsche Bank in 1997 in Karachi, Pakistan and has worked in client and business management roles, as well as operations and risk functions within Securities Services at Deutsche Bank.
Hammad graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of Karachi and a master’s degree in Business Administration from the Institute of Business Administration, Karachi.
Maroun Jalkh
Azimut
CEO
Azimut
CEO
Edward Jones
The Network Forum Ltd.
MD
With over 23 years in the securities services and investment management industry, Edward set up The Network Forum together with Andrew Barman in 2017 and is mainly responsible for the commercial side of the organisation. Prior to The Network Forum, he was Head Of Sales & Business Development at a major media organisation, with a personal focus on mutual funds, securities services and private equity, and has also served as an independent advisor to a number of different organisations in financial media, recruitment and industry support.
The Network Forum Ltd.
MD
With over 23 years in the securities services and investment management industry, Edward set up The Network Forum together with Andrew Barman in 2017 and is mainly responsible for the commercial side of the organisation. Prior to The Network Forum, he was Head Of Sales & Business Development at a major media organisation, with a personal focus on mutual funds, securities services and private equity, and has also served as an independent advisor to a number of different organisations in financial media, recruitment and industry support.
Rainer Kasch
First Abu Dhabi Bank
Head of KSA Securities Services
Rainer Kasch, is the Head of Securities Services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He is responsible for global bank intermediary clients, providing access to the Saudi post-trade securities market through FAB’s direct membership of the local depositary, EDAA. Kasch will also have oversight of FAB’s local client relationships in Saudi Arabia and continue to develop solutions to support the increasing complexity of these institutional investors that invest both in Saudi and across the globe. He has about 25 years of securities services experience with Deutsche Bank and Standard Chartered. He spent more than a decade at Standard Chartered, most recently as Global Head of Network Management.
First Abu Dhabi Bank
Head of KSA Securities Services
Rainer Kasch, is the Head of Securities Services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He is responsible for global bank intermediary clients, providing access to the Saudi post-trade securities market through FAB’s direct membership of the local depositary, EDAA. Kasch will also have oversight of FAB’s local client relationships in Saudi Arabia and continue to develop solutions to support the increasing complexity of these institutional investors that invest both in Saudi and across the globe. He has about 25 years of securities services experience with Deutsche Bank and Standard Chartered. He spent more than a decade at Standard Chartered, most recently as Global Head of Network Management.
Johannes Kaske
Metaco
Global Head, Business Solutions & Presales
Johannes leads the Global Business Solutions & Presales Group at METACO – the leading provider of digital asset technology and infrastructure to Top Tier financial institutions.
His professional background spans consulting and guiding banks, wealth management institutions, internet platform companies as well as policymakers to navigate their interaction with blockchain and digital assets.
He is also an entrepreneur, co-founding several startups in the past. Johannes holds a B.Sc. from Universität Passau in Accounting, Finance and Taxation and a M.Sc. from ESADE Business School in International Management.
Metaco
Global Head, Business Solutions & Presales
Johannes leads the Global Business Solutions & Presales Group at METACO – the leading provider of digital asset technology and infrastructure to Top Tier financial institutions.
His professional background spans consulting and guiding banks, wealth management institutions, internet platform companies as well as policymakers to navigate their interaction with blockchain and digital assets.
He is also an entrepreneur, co-founding several startups in the past. Johannes holds a B.Sc. from Universität Passau in Accounting, Finance and Taxation and a M.Sc. from ESADE Business School in International Management.
Ahmed Kassem
The Bank of New York Mellon
Network Manager
Ahmed comes with a total experience of 17 years in the UAE. He started his career in the financial service industry with EFG Hermes, one of the leading brokers in Middle East, as an account officer. In July 2009 Ahmed moved into the custody space with Citibank UAE DCC as operation officer. During his time with Citi he worked on major infrastructure projects such as the launch of Direct custody Kuwait in 2011, Bahrain in 2011, MENA Global custody in 2012 and Direct custody Saudi Arabia in 2019. His last designation in Citibank was as Deputy Head for the Middle East securities services operations. In August 2021 moved to BNYM as part of the Market Management team looking over the Middle East markets. In this role he is at the crossroads between product and network management, translating market change into new services for clients
The Bank of New York Mellon
Network Manager
Ahmed comes with a total experience of 17 years in the UAE. He started his career in the financial service industry with EFG Hermes, one of the leading brokers in Middle East, as an account officer. In July 2009 Ahmed moved into the custody space with Citibank UAE DCC as operation officer. During his time with Citi he worked on major infrastructure projects such as the launch of Direct custody Kuwait in 2011, Bahrain in 2011, MENA Global custody in 2012 and Direct custody Saudi Arabia in 2019. His last designation in Citibank was as Deputy Head for the Middle East securities services operations. In August 2021 moved to BNYM as part of the Market Management team looking over the Middle East markets. In this role he is at the crossroads between product and network management, translating market change into new services for clients
Mohamed Kassem
Citi
Securities Services Head|Saudi Arabia and Gulf Cluster
Kassem” is responsible for Securities Services business of Citi in Saudi Arabia and cross the Gulf region. He brings over 20 years of experience in Finance and Securities Services in Saudi Arabia and other Middle East markets. Prior to his present role with Citi, Kassem was Head of Foreign Investors Market Access and Clients Servicing in HSBC Saudi Arabia where he paved the way for many of global institutional investors to start investing Saudi Capital Market, also was Deputy head of Securities Services in HSBC Egypt.
Kassem holds bachelor’s degree in finance and MBA in finance from Heriot Watt Univ. Also, PMP certified and holds multiple securities and advising certifications from both UK CISI and IFBL in Luxembourg.
Citi
Securities Services Head|Saudi Arabia and Gulf Cluster
Kassem” is responsible for Securities Services business of Citi in Saudi Arabia and cross the Gulf region. He brings over 20 years of experience in Finance and Securities Services in Saudi Arabia and other Middle East markets. Prior to his present role with Citi, Kassem was Head of Foreign Investors Market Access and Clients Servicing in HSBC Saudi Arabia where he paved the way for many of global institutional investors to start investing Saudi Capital Market, also was Deputy head of Securities Services in HSBC Egypt.
Kassem holds bachelor’s degree in finance and MBA in finance from Heriot Watt Univ. Also, PMP certified and holds multiple securities and advising certifications from both UK CISI and IFBL in Luxembourg.
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.
Patrick Kong
Dubai Central Clearing & Depository Holdings LLC
Senior VP
Patrick started his career in Dubai with Borse Dubai Limited in 2009 responsible for ensuring the posttrade infrastructure meets requirements for the upgrade of UAE to Emerging Market status by MSCI. He later moved to Dubai Financial Market where he was the architect responsible for the concept, structure, regulatory approval and operationalization of the post trade companies of Dubai Central Clearing and Depository LLC, Dubai Clear LLC and Dubai Central Securities Depository LLC. Dubai Clear LLC is today a full member of CCP12.
Prior to Dubai, he was the acting head of Exchange Operations and head of Clearing & Settlement Operations at Bursa Malaysia for its equities, derivatives, offshore market & bond market. His experience with Bursa Malaysia included working with regional exchanges in the Asia Pacific region, and with the Malaysian securities regulator to ensure that Malaysia’s clearing & settlement infrastructure fully complies with the IOSCO’s assessment on Principle 30 based on the Recommendations for Securities Settlement Systems then.
He also spent time as a regulator in the supervision of markets where he was directly responsible for implementing Capital Adequacy Requirements for brokers and investor protection rules post the 1997 Asian financial crisis as part of the exchange’s enhancements of its front-line regulatory organization responsibilities. He oversaw the government’s policy decision to implement a mandatory segregated account regime and to ban short-selling during the financial crisis, and the subsequent re-introduction of regulated short-selling together with securities lending and borrowing 10 years later.
Dubai Central Clearing & Depository Holdings LLC
Senior VP
Patrick started his career in Dubai with Borse Dubai Limited in 2009 responsible for ensuring the posttrade infrastructure meets requirements for the upgrade of UAE to Emerging Market status by MSCI. He later moved to Dubai Financial Market where he was the architect responsible for the concept, structure, regulatory approval and operationalization of the post trade companies of Dubai Central Clearing and Depository LLC, Dubai Clear LLC and Dubai Central Securities Depository LLC. Dubai Clear LLC is today a full member of CCP12.
Prior to Dubai, he was the acting head of Exchange Operations and head of Clearing & Settlement Operations at Bursa Malaysia for its equities, derivatives, offshore market & bond market. His experience with Bursa Malaysia included working with regional exchanges in the Asia Pacific region, and with the Malaysian securities regulator to ensure that Malaysia’s clearing & settlement infrastructure fully complies with the IOSCO’s assessment on Principle 30 based on the Recommendations for Securities Settlement Systems then.
He also spent time as a regulator in the supervision of markets where he was directly responsible for implementing Capital Adequacy Requirements for brokers and investor protection rules post the 1997 Asian financial crisis as part of the exchange’s enhancements of its front-line regulatory organization responsibilities. He oversaw the government’s policy decision to implement a mandatory segregated account regime and to ban short-selling during the financial crisis, and the subsequent re-introduction of regulated short-selling together with securities lending and borrowing 10 years later.
Anna Lundberg
SEB
Network and Counterparty Relationship Manager
SEB
Network and Counterparty Relationship Manager
Caroline McCreadie
Thomas Murray
Network Manager
Caroline McCreadie is an experienced Network Manager who currently works at Thomas Murray. Caroline is responsible for covering the Middle East and African regions, as well as running TM's recently relaunched Cash Correspondent Monitoring programme. Prior to joining Thomas Murray in 2017, Caroline held numerous positions in Treasury and Network Management at Standard Chartered Bank in Johannesburg and Morgan Stanley in London.
Thomas Murray
Network Manager
Caroline McCreadie is an experienced Network Manager who currently works at Thomas Murray. Caroline is responsible for covering the Middle East and African regions, as well as running TM's recently relaunched Cash Correspondent Monitoring programme. Prior to joining Thomas Murray in 2017, Caroline held numerous positions in Treasury and Network Management at Standard Chartered Bank in Johannesburg and Morgan Stanley in London.
Bogart Miheaye
BNP Paribas SA
Network Manager
Bogart joined BNP Paribas in 2001 from CACEIS Bank. Other roles at BNP Paribas have included Bank operations and custody account manager for large institutional clients. In 2009, he received the “Distinguished Responded Award” from Global Custodian during the Agent Bank Reviews. He oversees the W-EMEA & Americas markets within the global Network Management team.
BNP Paribas SA
Network Manager
Bogart joined BNP Paribas in 2001 from CACEIS Bank. Other roles at BNP Paribas have included Bank operations and custody account manager for large institutional clients. In 2009, he received the “Distinguished Responded Award” from Global Custodian during the Agent Bank Reviews. He oversees the W-EMEA & Americas markets within the global Network Management team.
Alexander Ovsepyan
Oliver Wyman
Associate Partner
Oliver Wyman
Associate Partner
Russell Parker
First Abu Dhabi Bank
Head of Equity Derivatives Trading
First Abu Dhabi Bank
Head of Equity Derivatives Trading
John Raines
S&P Global
Director - Market Intelligence
As IHS Markit’s lead analyst for United States foreign and domestic policy, Dr. Raines has appeared in numerous media outlets, from CNN, BBC, CNBC, The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR and The Associated Press, amongst many others. In his previous work experience with the U.S. Department of State, he held roles responsible for conducting economic policy for the United States Embassy in Panama and overseeing the American Citizen Services unit in Hong Kong. He also worked at the World Bank, where he managed several projects in production of the World Development Indicators (WDI). His other assignments have included the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the World Trade Center. He earned a Ph.D. in political science from Ohio State University and a master's degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Study (SAIS).
S&P Global
Director - Market Intelligence
As IHS Markit’s lead analyst for United States foreign and domestic policy, Dr. Raines has appeared in numerous media outlets, from CNN, BBC, CNBC, The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR and The Associated Press, amongst many others. In his previous work experience with the U.S. Department of State, he held roles responsible for conducting economic policy for the United States Embassy in Panama and overseeing the American Citizen Services unit in Hong Kong. He also worked at the World Bank, where he managed several projects in production of the World Development Indicators (WDI). His other assignments have included the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the World Trade Center. He earned a Ph.D. in political science from Ohio State University and a master's degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Study (SAIS).
Eric Salomons
Dubai Financial Market
Executive Vice President, Dubai Financial Market
Eric Salomons leads the Product Development team for the Dubai Financial Market (DFM). He took on this role in July 2022 to further expand the diversification of asset classes traded and cleared on DFM and NASDAQ Dubai. Previously, he was leading the DFSA Markets Division and a member of the DFSA’s Executive Committee.
He has developed his career in derivatives and securities markets over the past 25 years and has been involved in derivatives arbitrage, risk management and regulation. Eric served as a member of the IOSCO Committee for Secondary Markets, as well as its Derivatives Committee, and was a senior adviser to emerging markets’ exchanges in Africa and Asia. Eric has further gained wide ranging and valuable experience of exchange operations, clearing houses and settlement systems as project manager for licensing and supervision of markets in Europe and the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Prior to joining the DFSA, Eric was responsible for exchange regulation and was a member of the Euronext College of Regulators at The Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM).
He started and developed the first 10 years of his career as a derivatives market maker on the Euronext exchange floor and Eurex for Amsterdam Option Traders (AOT).
Dubai Financial Market
Executive Vice President, Dubai Financial Market
Eric Salomons leads the Product Development team for the Dubai Financial Market (DFM). He took on this role in July 2022 to further expand the diversification of asset classes traded and cleared on DFM and NASDAQ Dubai. Previously, he was leading the DFSA Markets Division and a member of the DFSA’s Executive Committee.
He has developed his career in derivatives and securities markets over the past 25 years and has been involved in derivatives arbitrage, risk management and regulation. Eric served as a member of the IOSCO Committee for Secondary Markets, as well as its Derivatives Committee, and was a senior adviser to emerging markets’ exchanges in Africa and Asia. Eric has further gained wide ranging and valuable experience of exchange operations, clearing houses and settlement systems as project manager for licensing and supervision of markets in Europe and the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Prior to joining the DFSA, Eric was responsible for exchange regulation and was a member of the Euronext College of Regulators at The Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM).
He started and developed the first 10 years of his career as a derivatives market maker on the Euronext exchange floor and Eurex for Amsterdam Option Traders (AOT).
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.
Hisham Shoukry
EFG Hermes
Senior Operations Manager – Brokerage
Hesham Shoukry is the Senior Operations manager of EFG Hermes Saudi office. Hesham has over 13 years of securities services experience within EFG Hermes. He manages all the firm’s operations activities in KSA and is in charge of ensuring the consistent performance of the firm’s operations in compliance with local market regulations and internal policies.
EFG Hermes
Senior Operations Manager – Brokerage
Hesham Shoukry is the Senior Operations manager of EFG Hermes Saudi office. Hesham has over 13 years of securities services experience within EFG Hermes. He manages all the firm’s operations activities in KSA and is in charge of ensuring the consistent performance of the firm’s operations in compliance with local market regulations and internal policies.