HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Faisal Bin Sultan Al Qassimi
Chairman of United Arab Bank
HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Faisal Bin Sultan Al Qassimi was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of United Arab Bank in March 2024. He has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2011, chaired the Board Credit Committee (BCC) since 2016, and was a member of the Board Corporate Governance & Remuneration Committee (GRC) since 2017.
HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Faisal Bin Sultan Al Qassimi has eminent experience for more than 30 years in many industries, including the financial & banking, private equity investment, capital market investments, real estate, hospitality, tourism, and retail sector. His Highness also holds prominent positions in several organizations and federations.
Educated at Webster University in Switzerland, HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Faisal Bin Sultan Al Qassimi holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Accounting.
His Highness holds key directorship and senior positions at various business groups and associations including:
Mr. Omar Hussain Alfardan
Vice Chairman of UAB
Chairman - Board Governance & Renumeration Committee
Re-elected to the Board in 2024 for a term of 3 years
Mr. Alfardan is serving as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and represents The Commercial Bank (P.S.Q.C.), the largest corporate shareholder of United Arab Bank.
Mr. Alfardan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Finance from Webster University in Geneva, Switzerland.
External Board Appointments:
Chairman of the Board of Directors at Alternatif Bank in Turkey
Managing Director – The Commercial Bank (P.S.Q.C.)
President and CEO – Alfardan Group and its subsidiaries (Automotive, Property, Hospitality, Jewellery, Investment and Marine Services)
Board Member – Qatar Red Crescent
Advisory Board Member – Qatar Financial Centre Authority
H.E. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Ali Bin Jabor Al Thani
Director
Member - Board Risk and Compliance Committee
Re-elected to the Board in 2024 for a term of 3 years
Sheikh Abdullah has served on the Board of Directors of United Arab Bank since February 2008 as a representative of The Commercial Bank (P.S.Q.C.), the largest corporate shareholder of UAB. He was re-appointed in 2011,2015 and 2018 by the Annual General Assembly.
He holds a BA in Social Science from Qatar University.
External Board Appointments:
Chairman – The Commercial Bank (P.S.Q.C.)
Deputy Chairman – National Bank of Oman
Other External Appointments:
Owner – Vista Trading Company, Qatar
Partner – Integrated Intelligence Services, Qatar
H.E Ms. Najla Al Midfaa
Director
Member - Board Audit Committee
Member - Board Governance and Remuneration Committee
Re-elected to the Board in 2024 for a term of 3 years
Najla Al-Midfa is Chief Executive Officer of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), a government supported entity with a mandate to build the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Sharjah, and support the next generation of entrepreneurs as they build and grow innovative startups that will contribute positively to the region’s economy.
Launched in January 2016, under the chairmanship of HE Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Sheraa has become the foundation of Sharjah’s startup ecosystem. Having helped conceive the vision for Sheraa, Najla has been involved from inception: forming a prominent advisory board, building a high performing team, and structuring partnerships with key corporates and government entities in the ecosystem to support startups.
Today, Sheraa has a loyal community of over seven thousand entrepreneurs and ecosystem pla ers, and offers a full-stack program ranging from ideation and incubation through to acceleration and growth. To date, over 300 ideas have been validated and over 70 startups have graduated from Sheraa’s programs. Having raised over $14m in seed investment, these startups continue to generate over $19m in recurring sales.
The first Sheraa Hub was inaugurated at the American University of Sharjah (AUS), and the second hub at the University of Sharjah (UOS) was inaugurated in September 2018.
In 2017, Najla spearheaded the creation of the annual Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SharjahEF).
The event brings together over 2,000 entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, and ecosystem supporters to celebrate the power of entrepreneurship and inspire further innovation.
Najla is also founder of Khayarat, a platform that empowers young, high-potential Emiratis to make informed career choices, and enables them to succeed in the private sector. With a community of over one thousand young Emiratis, and over 70 placements in leading international private sector companies, the platform is influencing the next generation of Emiratis to raise their ambitions and fulfill their potential.
In her previous role as Senior Manager at Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, Najla led a team of business counselors through the due diligence process of selecting ventures for financing.
She also set up and operated the Northern Emirate branch of Khalifa Fund, covering Ajman, Dubai, and Sharjah. Prior to joining Khalifa Fund, Najla was a senior associate at McKinsey and Company’s New York once, primarily serving clients across the financial institutions sector. Her experience also includes roles within PricewaterhouseCoopers and Shell.
Najla is a board member of United Arab Bank, where she also chairs the Board Audit Committee and is a member of the Board Risk Committee. She is Vice-Chairperson of Young Arab Leaders, and a fellow of the Aspen Institute’s Middle East Leadership Initiative. Najla holds an MBA from Stanford University.
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Mr. Ahmed Mohamad Bakheet Khalfan
Director
Member - Board Credit Committee
Member - Board Governance and Remuneration Committee
Re-elected to the Board in 2024 for a term of 3 years
Mr. Khalfan previously served as the Deputy General Manager of Emirates Industrial Bank and was Chairman of the Board of Directors of Emirates Modern Poultry Company and Vice Chairman of Emirates Rawabi. He also served as Board Member for various companies in the UAE including ALICO, Gulf Glass, and Takaful Re.
Mr. Khalfan graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Economics with honor from the North Eastern University, Boston.
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Mr. Joseph Abraham
Director
Member - Board Governance and Remuneration Committee
Member - Board Audit Committee
Member - Board Credit Committee
Re-elected to the Board in 2024 for a term of 3 years
Mr. Abraham has extensive banking experience across both developed and emerging markets. Before joining Commercial Bank in June 2016, he was CEO of ANZ Indonesia (Australia and New Zealand Banking Group) based in Jakarta, a position he served in from 2008 to 2016.
Mr. Abraham has an MBA from the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, California and has worked in Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Ghana, UK and India in various country and regional banking roles with a successful track record covering general management, corporate banking, strategy, product management as well as acquisitions and integrations.
Other External Appointments:
Mr. Fahad Abdulrahman Badar
Director
Member - Board Credit Committee
Member - Board Risk and Compliance Committees
Re-elected to the Board in 2024 for a term of 3 years
Mr. Fahad Badar is a member of the Bank’s Board of Directors and joined in July 2016.
Mr. Badar’s career at The Commercial Bank (P.S.Q.C.) spans over 18 years. Prior to his current role as Executive General Manager, International Banking, Mr. Badar held a number of key roles in the International Banking, the Government and Public Sector Relations and the Wholesale Banking Divisions.
Mr. Badar holds an MBA from Durham University, United Kingdom and a Bachelors of Arts degree in Banking & Finance from the University of Wales.
Other External Appointments:
H.E. Dr. Mohamed Omar Abdulla
Director
Chairman - Board Risk & Compliance committee
Re-elected to the Board in 2024 for a term of 3 years
H.E Dr. Mohamed Omar Abdulla is a highly respected industry veteran who has held key positions with government authorities in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and serves as a board member for various organizations.
With over four decades of experience and expertise in areas such as economic development, human resources, and banking, H.E Dr. Mohamed Omar Abdulla is well-known in government, diplomatic, and corporate circles.
He previously served as the UAE Ambassador to Singapore, where he played a crucial role in promoting bilateral relations between the two countries.
Prior to that, he served the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the National Bank of Abu Dhabi, and the National Drilling Company.
H.E. Dr. Mohamed Omar Abdulla holds a Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Northampton in the UK. He also co-authored the book "Smart Transformation: A Roadmap for World Class Government" in March 2011.
Ms. Asma Alqaseer
Director
Chairlady - Board Audit Committee
Re-elected to the Board in 2024 for a term of 3 years
Ms. Asma Alqaseer is an accomplished Emirati professional with extensive experience in investments, tech startups, portfolio management, and fund management. She excels in spearheading projects that require strategic partnerships and investments in the technology sector.
Ms. Alqaseer specializes in portfolio management, deal structuring and execution, macro analysis, investor relations, fund management, leadership, and strategic mentorship. She possesses exceptional research and analytical capabilities and has cultivated an extensive network of entrepreneurs and investors across the region.
Ms. Alqaseer served leading institutions in different capacities prior to joining UAB. She represented Sallis, Société Générale, Emirates Investment Authority, BNP Paribas, and Twofour54.
Ms. Asma Alqaseer holds a degree in Business Administration with a major in Management and a minor in Psychology from the American University of Sharjah.
Other External Appointments:
Mr. Nureddin S. Sehweil
Director
Chairman - Board Credit Committee
Member - Board Risk and Compliance Committees
Elected to the Board in 2024 for a term of 3 years
Nureddin Sehweil serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Uni-Arab Group and its subsidiaries and partnerships in the Oil and Gas Engineering, Services and Supplies. He also serves as a board member of several companies, including Sprint Oil & Gas, New Line Oil & Gas Services,New Line & Soosan ENS, New Line & Orbitech Technical Support Services,New Line & Orion Nuclear E&C and Aqua Treat Water Technology.Technical experience extends more than 48 years in the E & P areas. He started his oil & gas career with Mobil Oil Corporation and Consolidated Natural Gas in the Gulf of Mexico area and has experience of over 10 years in the Nuclear Power generation business and Water Technology. Served on the Board of Dana Gas and a member of the Audit & Compliance Committee, the Corporate Governance, Remuneration & Nominations Committee and the Reserves Committee.
Served on the Board of Gulf Navigation and a member of the Investment Committee, the Corporate Governance Committee and the Audit & Compliance Committee. Nureddin Sehweil holds a BSC Degree in Petroleum Engineering & Economics from Louisiana State University, USA.
H.E.Mr. KHALED AL HURAIMEL
Director
Member - Board Audit Committee
Elected to the Board in March 2024 for a term of 3 years
Mr. Khaled Al Huraimel serves as the Group Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of BEEAH Group, where his visionary leadership has significantly transformed the organization from its foundational focus on waste management into a pioneering force with over 13,000 staff in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt within the realms of sustainability and digital innovation.
In addition to his executive role at BEEAH, Mr. Al Huraimel’s strategic insight and leadership are recognized across various sectors. He holds the position of Chairman at the Emirates Waste to Energy Company and re.life, and serves on the boards of Evoteq and the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, among others.
His contributions as a council member to the UAE Circular Economy Council underline his dedication to fostering a sustainable and technologically driven future.
Mr. Al Huraimel’s academic credentials, comprising a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and an MBA, along with executive education from Harvard Business School and Wharton Business School, provide a solid foundation for his strategic and forward-thinking leadership.
As a co-author of "Reimagining Business with AI," he is at the forefront of integrating sustainability, technology, and innovation to navigate BEEAH Group towards a pivotal role in shaping a progressive and sustainable global narrative.
Additional Positions:
Sereen Makahleh
Board Secretariat & Head of Corporate Affairs
Sereen Makahleh joined United Arab Bank in 2016 and was later appointed as the Board Secretariat & Head of Corporate Affairs, where she plays a pivotal part in ensuring the bank’s compliance, transparency, and operational efficiency.
With over 15 years of experience in the UAE’s corporate and administrative sectors, Sereen brings extensive expertise in governance and project coordination.
Ms. Makahleh’s expertise encompasses corporate governance, secretarial support for board and committee meetings, policy management, and regulatory compliance. She ensures seamless coordination with key regulatory authorities, including the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), and the Central Bank of the UAE.
She started her career at du Telecommunication in 2006, gaining six years of experience in multiple roles before joining esteemed organizations such as Mubadala and Dubai Design District (d3). These roles allowed her to hone her skills in governance, project coordination, and operational excellence, setting a strong foundation for her career at UAB.
At UAB, Ms. Makahleh manages critical governance frameworks, including shareholder relations, quorum facilitation for annual general meetings, and policy and power of attorney management. She is also instrumental in publishing corporate disclosures on digital platforms, reinforcing transparency and stakeholder trust.
Ms. Makahleh is a certified board secretary by Hawkamah Corporate Governance Institute and holds an executive certification in corporate governance from INSEAD Business School. Additionally, she holds certifications in anti-money laundering, fraud risk, and data privacy, reflecting her commitment to the highest ethical and operational standards.
Her dedication, leadership, and strategic insight continue to support UAB’s vision of robust corporate governance and sustainable growth.
