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 2021 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
Chairman – Board Risk and Compliance Committee
Re-elected to the Board in 2021 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
Ms. Najla Al Midfa
Director
Chairperson – Board Audit Committee
Member – Board Governance and Remuneration Committee
Re-elected to the Board in 2021 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
Member - Board Risk and Compliance Committess
Re-elected to the Board in 2021 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
Re-elected to the Board in 2021 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 Committess
Re-elected to the Board in 2021 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
Member - Board Risk & Compliance committee (BRCC)
Elected to the Board in 2023 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
Member - Board Audit Committee
Elected to the Board in 2023 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
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.
