6 months ago
Bader Sater, CEO of Bahrain FinTech Bay, is convinced that talent is the key to unlocking the region’s next wave of digital growth. In this interview, Sater talks to us about the MENA Innovation Academy, an initiative that, along with a host of other strategies, is cultivating future-ready leaders equipped to shape the fintech landscape from the ground up. Now in its third edition, Business Leaders in the Middle East brings together sharp insights from across the region. These aren’t mere interviews; they’re windows into how leadership is evolving in a world shaped by rapid digital transformation. Technology touches nearly every industry now, and these leaders show us how to navigate change with purpose. What inspired the creation of the MENA Innovation Academy, and why now? The MENA Innovation Academy was born out of a need we could not ignore. As the region accelerates its digital transformation, we saw a clear gap in access to world-class, practical fintech and innovation education tailored to our context. Governments are investing heavily in digital infrastructure, regulators are adapting at pace, and private sector players are on the run to stay competitive. But there has been a missing link: the talent that bridges vision […]
7 months ago
Usman Ahmed, Group Chief Executive Officer of the National Bank of Bahrain, discusses the bank’s role in supporting Bahrain’s financial stability, its community focus, and how it’s embracing digital innovation amid shifting scenarios in this exclusive interview. Now in its third edition, Business Leaders in the Middle East brings together sharp insights from across the region. These aren’t mere interviews; they’re windows into how leadership is evolving in a world shaped by rapid digital transformation. Technology touches nearly every industry now, and these leaders show us how to navigate change with purpose. How is NBB leveraging the fintech ecosystem to improve customer experience and access to services? The FinTech ecosystem in Bahrainhas flourished thanks to a progressiveregulatory framework. At NBB, We see great value in collaborating with FinTechs to enhance niche customer experiences and expand our offerings. We’re exploring partnership models in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, using our commercial banking licences to offer banking as a service. Recently, we partnered with a FinTech to introduce digital ID verification on our retail app. FinTech involvement has broadened the industry’s scope, and we remain committed to both partnerships and investing in best-in-class digital services for our customers. What unique leadership challenges […]
7 months ago
What began as a gesture of support became a transformative journey into leadership and success. In Bahrain, Remya Madan and her husband, Madan Perattur, built Remya Management from the ground up, spanning hospitality and fitness, into a portfolio that now includes some of the island’s favourite lifestyle hubs such as Black Angus, Texas Longhorn. Now in its third edition, Business Leaders in the Middle East brings together sharp insights from across the region. These aren’t mere interviews; they’re windows into how leadership is evolving in a world shaped by rapid digital transformation. Technology touches nearly every industry now, and these leaders show us how to navigate change with purpose. What was the initial challenge or gap you aimed to address when starting this business? Ten years ago, I stepped into the hospitality industry primarily to support my husband, Madan Perattur, in whatever capacity I could. At the time, I had no prior business experience, so I learned everything alongside him, taking it one step at a time. From the outset, our goal was to create a warm, inviting space where guests not only enjoy top-notch amenities but also feel genuinely cared for and connected to the locale. I firmly believe […]
7 months ago
Shaj Babu, CEO of Julius Baer Bahrain, reflects on the wealth management firm being on the cusp of marking 50 years of presence in the Kingdom. In this exclusive interview, we learn about how Julius Baer witnesses shifting client preferences as the younger generation looks to alternative forms of wealth management. Now in its third edition, Business Leaders in the Middle East brings together sharp insights from across the region. These aren’t mere interviews; they’re windows into how leadership is evolving in a world shaped by rapid digital transformation. Technology touches nearly every industry now, and these leaders show us how to navigate change with purpose. Bahrain has been a key part of Julius Baer’s regional story. Can you walk us through the evolution of your presence in the country and what makes this market strategic for the bank? Julius Baer’s expansion into Bahrain was initiated by the Group’s acquisition of Merrill Lynch’s International Wealth Management businesses in 2013. Since then, 95% of Merrill Lynch Bahrain’s clients moved to Julius Baer in recognition of our values, heritage, and innovation. Next year, we will proudly celebrate 50 years of continuous presence in the Kingdom. This milestone not only showcases our long-term […]
7 months ago
Abdulla Al Shaibani, CEO of Alphabeta Properties, has built his venture with an aim to contribute significantly to the architectural and cultural fabric of Dubai. In this interview, he dives into the trends shaping the UAE’s real estate landscape and how thoughtful design, tenant satisfaction, and digital transformation are redefining modern living. Now in its third edition, Business Leaders in the Middle East brings together sharp insights from across the region. These aren’t mere interviews; they’re windows into how leadership is evolving in a world shaped by rapid digital transformation. Technology touches nearly every industry now, and these leaders show us how to navigate change with purpose. What led you to establish Alphabeta Properties? When starting Alphabeta Properties, we originally set out to offer a much higher quality rental product in Dubai’s real estate market. The goal was to raise the standard, both in terms of design and service. From the beginning, our ambition has been to become Dubai’s leading build-to-lease developer, with a clear focus on delivering well-designed, purpose-built spaces for tenants. What milestones has the company achieved in the last two years? With M77, we introduced the UAE’s first-ever rental auction model, completely redefining how rental units are […]
2 years ago
Christian Rasmussen, CEO and Executive Director of Beyon Connect highlights the digital impact on quality of life, the milestones of the company, and enriching local talent with global expertise in this interview. What is your vision for Beyon Connect? When we started Beyon Connect, it was clear that we were creating something that would work in the region. We aimed to bring in standards and best practices from around the world to digitise societies, governments, and businesses. The scope, however, is much broader than we imagined. These digital solutions are sought after beyond the region. Their purpose is to uplift society; for instance, the OneID product is a national digital identity tool which helps government, banks, and other authorities communicate with citizens, no matter where they’re located within a territory. The vision is to make these technologies accessible to everyone so that no one is left behind due to complexity or technological barriers. What are some of the major milestones Beyon Connect has achieved? Since Beyon Connect got off the ground, we’ve aimed big and strategic, with Bahrain spotlighting our products. At the same time, there was a growing demand for products around the world. Our first real partnership kicked […]
2 years ago
Khaled Chebaro, Country Director for Bahrain and KSA, Yellow Door Energy shares what it takes to lead the cause for clean energy and Bahrain’s vision for net-zero carbon emissions by 2060. What are the most important leadership qualities for someone who wants to succeed in the solar sector? I’ve been in the solar sector for more than a decade. From my experience both as a team member and as a team leader, certain qualities for success include great communication skills, strong emotional intelligence, confidence (but not arrogance), passion and most importantly, patience. At Yellow Door Energy, we provide solar power purchase agreements (PPA’s) for businesses and transaction sizes can range from $500,000 to $30 million. As a result, contract negotiations take time and a strong leader needs to be patient, persistent and communicative. Emotional intelligence is also required so that the leader can understand the customer and identify business challenges while uncovering the underlying energy needs. Lastly, confidence comes from having knowledge about the industry, our own solutions and market challenges. While my engineering and management education gives me a great start, it does not replace my years of experience listening to customers and supporting them through their energy challenges. […]
2 years ago
Rashid Zayed Al Zayani, Managing Director of Zayani Motors and Euro Motors talks about navigating challenges during the COVID pandemic, earning a leadership position in the family business, and his love for the automotive industry in this interview with Gulf Insider. What was the best lesson in leadership you’ve learned? The key lesson I’ve learned is the importance of understanding different cultures. In our business, we have a predominantly Bahraini workforce, but we also have employees from various nationalities. Dealing with diverse nationalities requires a different approach. It’s crucial to comprehend their backgrounds, and motivations, as each culture has its own unique nuances. This experience has taught me the value of patience and the need to listen and learn from those around me. It’s not about exerting control but rather about mutual understanding and persuasion to arrive at the best decisions. By taking a calculated and pragmatic approach, we can foster an environment where employees feel valued and empowered to share their opinions. What was the greatest challenge you have faced in your business? One of the biggest challenges I faced was taking over the motors business during the Covid pandemic. This was particularly difficult because a significant portion of […]
2 years ago
Qreative Design’s Principle Architect and Interior Designer, Mohamed Alqari is a solopreneur who believes in making bold moves. Read his take on setting up a business, dealing with failures, and delivering unique experiences through his brand. What was the best ever lesson in leadership you’ve learned? No matter how big the failure is, it’s going to be followed by a bigger success. Whatever the failure May cost you, whether it’s time, energy, or money, it is an investment in yourself! What was the greatest challenge you faced while setting up your business? Wearing multiple hats. Being a 9 to 5 employee in a design department, my work was focused on my field. Even though I was exposed to various disciplines, I wasn’t responsible for making decisions that didn’t pertain to my field. For example, accounting, investments, HR, and other parts were all taken care of. Jumping from that to a solopreneur initially, it was a bit overwhelming to make all those decisions by myself. To date, what has been your proudest moment as the founder of qreative design? To be selected as one of the top 20 interior designers by the NYC journal. Speaking honestly, what do you consider are […]
2 years ago
Kjetil Urheim, General Manager, Jotun Arabia, describes the need for taking an interest in the team’s growth, being accountable for environmental sustainability, and leading with compassion in his interview with Gulf Insider. What was the best lesson in leadership you’ve learned? Everyone should be given the freedom to do their job better. If I, as a leader, can inspire or motivate a team member to aim higher by unleashing the inner energy and drive that we all possess, then I have done my job, be it through praise and positive feedback, through correcting fatal flaws, or by removing obstacles in our internal processes. What was the greatest challenge you have faced in your business? The last two years proved to be the toughest time and a time of exponential growth for us as a team and as individuals. We were dealing with a shortage of raw materials and peak prices, potentially hurting our customers’ business as well as our reputation and profitability. To understand and analyse the situation, come up with solutions, and above all, change people’s thinking, enabling them to handle the situation with both suppliers and customers (who again had to push it to their customers) was a […]
57 minutes ago
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