BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Governance / Board, Leadership and Oversight
The Board of Directors of Emitarif Group consists of a mix of Executive Directors and Non-Executive Directors
The Board of Directors is the supreme governing body of Emitarif Group. It has overall responsibility for Emitarif Group; provides strategic direction, leadership and oversight; and all important matters are reserved for decision by the Board. The Board has ultimate responsibility for business strategy and financial soundless, key personnel decisions, internal organisation and governance structures and practices, and risk management and compliance obligations. The Board may delegate some of its functions, though not its responsibilities, to board committees or others where appropriate. The Board of Directors of Emitarif Group consists of a mix of Executive Directors and Non-Executive Directors (including Independent Non-Executive Directors), with a majority of Non-Executive Directors or the Non-Executive Directors having the casting vote. The Emitarif Group Board of Directors is comprised as follows:
Yusuf Ibrahim
Executive Director & CEO
Yusuf Ibrahim is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Emitarif Group. Mr Ibrahim is an investment banker with over 25 years of experience, having served in regulated positions in London and Dubai. Starting off with equity capital of just under US$1 million, Emitarif initially concentrated on private equity and principal finance transactions. In 2006, Yusuf led a private placement fundraising which led to the establishment of Emitarif Consultancy in the DIFC in 2007 and the assembly of a professional and highly experienced management team to roll out the business plan. Since then, the Emitarif Group has grown rapidly to become a well-regarded leading top 2 institutionally focused financial services firm specializing in Emerging and Frontier Markets, with a particular focus on the Middle East and North Africa.
Kareem Aziz
Non-Executive Director & Chairperson
Kareem Aziz is a private investor and businessman. Mr. Aziz was a private equity, corporate finance and corporate law professional for 30 years. He worked on a range of transactions, including IPOs, corporate acquisitions, REITs, project financings and general corporate legal matters. Mr. Aziz worked on more than $20bn of IPOs, debt/equity issuances, financial restructurings, securitizations and mergers & acquisitions in the US, Asia and Latin America. He co-found an emerging markets investment firm with a primary focus on the Asia-Pacific region. Mr. Aziz has participated as a speaker/guest lecturer at a number of events as well as having participated in round table discussions at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Ahmed Sameer
Independent Non-Executive Treasurer
Ahmed Sameer specialises in international property investments. He also has significant investment banking experience from prior positions (as Investment Manager – Treasury and Investment Division); Investment Company (as Senior Investment Manager – Portfolio and Asset Management); Gulf Investment Corporation (as Assistant Manager – Asset Management Division); and investment training with the Kuwait Investment Authority (which included short-term positions with various institutions). Mr. Sameer has a BA in Business Administration (with a focus on Marketing) and a MBA in Finance.
Zaina Mohamed
Non-Executive Representative
Zaina Mohamed is a UAE national who is a respected venture capitalist. He serves on the Board of various entities including Commercial Bank International. He is also an active leader and investor in the fields of event management, food and hospitality, including various leading brands. Mr. Mohamed has a Bachelor of Science in Finance, Insurance and Management and an MBA in Strategic Management.
Abbas Abdullah
Non-Executive Financial Secretary
Abbas Abdullah brings more than 25 years of experience in trading, business development and investment banking across five continents. Mr Abdullah serves as the Group CEO of a renowned global oil trading firm and is responsible for it’s global development and expansion strategy, having contributed to consolidating its position as one of the largest oil traders. Mr Abdullah has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Amir Salman
Independent Non-Executive Consultant
Mr. Amir Salman, has over 25 years of experience in financial markets, investment management, asset management, investment banking and alternative Investments. He held membership in the advisory committee at the Capital Market Authority “CMA “ and served as a member of the Board of Directors at the Saudi Stock Exchange. He has also served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Cooperative Insurance Company and a member of the Audit Committee at Arab National Bank. Salman received a Bachelor’s Degree in Law, in addition to attending several executive programs, and Several training courses, beside working on job trainee.