Davendra J D Raj

Framework Development and Risk Mitigation:
• Designed and executed Crisis Management and Business Continuity frameworks using industry best practices such as ISO 31000 and 22301 frameworks.
• Conducted Cyber Security Assessments and Business Impact Analyses (BIA) to minimise financial and reputation impact. Identified critical processes, recovery strategies and recovery resources.
• Identified and mitigated potential risks to the bank's operation, assets, reputation and local regulatory obligations.

Stakeholder Engagement:
• Enabled as a leading contributor to Crisis Management and Business Continuity Steering Committee meetings with senior management
• Reported on various Key Performance and Risk Performance Indicators, mitigation and continuity solutions.


Strategic Planning and Protocols:
• Enabled as a leading contributor to Crisis Management and Business Continuity Steering Committee meetings with senior management
• Reported on various Key Performance and Risk Performance Indicators, mitigation and continuity solutions.


Preparedness Testing and Tabletop Training:
• Led Crisis Management Tabletop exercises and Live Plays to prepare management for various crisis scenarios.
• Conducted country-level Business Continuity tests to ensure preparedness.
Organised call cascade exercises for crisis response.
• Pandemic Response and Regional Operations:
• Managed operations across multiple regions during the COVID-19 pandemic in MEA (Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, South Africa, and Morocco).
Implemented robust contingency plans and remote work solutions to ensure business continuity.


Awareness Campaigns and Online Training Modules:
• Developed and implemented in-person and online awareness campaigns.
• Created training modules on Business Continuity, Crisis Management, and Safety & Security for 600+ employees in MEA.


Regulatory Compliance and Audits:
• Ensured regulatory compliance in each country of operation.

Assisted MEA Head of Facilities Management, People & Property
• Remote working project: Contributed, designed, and implemented Remote working policy, procedures and key risk indicators.
• Safety & Security: Conducted a security threat assessment across the region and provided critical insights into various safety and security-related risks.
• Travel Security: Assisted and ensured travel-related staff security for medium and high-risk countries regionally and globally. Additionally, assessed various countries' travel-related safety, restrictions and stipulations during the COVID-19 Crisis.

• Developed, implemented and aligned with the Group’s IT Security framework consisting of guidelines, policies and procedures with periodic reviews
• Aligned IT Security with ISO 27001 standards, managed risks, enforced audits, and implemented security projects.
• Established IT Security workflows, conducted incident investigations, and monitored Key Performance and Risk Indicators.
• Performed Audits to ensure compliance with Policies and Requirements. Identified gaps and action plans to close these gaps.

• Designed and implemented IT guidelines, policies, and workflows.
• Managed IT team of 14 FTE and IT budgets.
• Evaluated and recommended the latest technologies for improved operations across various businesses of the Group (Financial, Automotive and Real Estate).
• Enhanced day-to-day efficiency by assessing business IT requirements.
• Implemented Help-desk and inventory solutions, reducing Help-desk calls by 20%.
• Established a secure nationwide WiFi-based Wide Area Network connectivity for branches, saving 40% on monthly costs.
• Managed Disaster Recovery Planning for Group IT.
• Efficiently handled vendor relationships, negotiating competitive IT purchases, maintenance contracts, and SLAs.
• Centralised IT purchases, achieving a 15% reduction in monthly expenses.
• Procured hardware and software based on thorough evaluation