Chief Financial Officer
Dubai World Central
Total years of experience :38 years, 7 Months
A Government undertaking developing the world's biggest airport, Al Maktoum International
Airport and six freehold and freezone cities. The 140 sq. kms development will be the world's
first fully integrated, multi- modal logistics platform costing AED 130 billion on a site twice
the size of Hong Kong Island and accommodating a population of 1 million.
Full financial responsibilities and Board member for several subsidiaries.
Selective Achievements
* Successfully raised AED 1.1 billion of syndicated funding to develop multiple projects.
* Member of executive board and key management committees for investments, pricing,
conflict resolution and restructuring.
* Lead team to transfer all Dubai's aviation assets to Dubai Aviation City Corporation.
* Lead numerous investment initiatives to maximise return of assets and increase sales
such as introducing build to suit and other investor friendly products.
* Involved in setting up the Facility Management division with 1, 000+ employees. As
Board Member, overseeing and monitoring its performance.
* Enhanced financial discipline in critical areas such as budgeting, sales & collections,
project costing, cash management and reporting.
* Lead multi-disciplined team to resolve real estate sales disputes through negotiating
settlements with 200+ purchasers with nil refunds.
Joined Government entity from inception tasked with creating Jumeirah Garden City by
redeveloping nine kms of Satwa, Dubai. The development would eventually consist of 12
districts with a built up area of 14 million sq. meters at an estimated cost of AED 350 billion.
The project was postponed due to the global financial crisis.
Fully responsible for Finance, IT, Contracts & Procurement, HR and Admin functions.
Selective Achievements
* Used start-up expertise to get new organisation operational in record time.
* Developed comprehensive action plan to address operational and funding issues.
* Successfully negotiated favourable terms with lead consultants, which lead to saving
of over AED 1.5 billion when contracts were prematurely terminated.
* Successful lead implementation of Oracle Financials, HRMS and Projects Costing
A leading subsidiary of Dubai Holding Group with net assets of AED 170 billion of which
Dubai Properties was by far the largest and most profitable. Joined from inception and was
involved in some of the largest developments in the region.
Full member of the Board of Directors and responsible for finance, funding & treasury,
financial planning and revenue operations.
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Major Projects
• Jumeirah Beach Residences - the largest project ever untaken in one single phase.
• Master developers of Business Bay, a 7 sq. kilometer development in Central Dubai and
Culture Village, a 5 sq. kilometer development on Dubai Creek.
• Numerous mixed-use mega projects in Dubailands, Mirdiff and TECOM.
Selective Achievements
• Facilitated corporate start-up and ensured foundation for optimal financial performance
by strengthening processes, procedures and internal controls.
• Lead the way in developing processes, systems, policies such as revenue recognition,
land & infrastructure accounting for related property companies (Tatweer, Sama Dubai)
• Considerably enhanced credibility of the finance team. Considered the best finance
team by the holding company and external auditors and were used for best practice
benchmarking and providing financial expertise to sister and other related entities.
• Involved with developing and implementing comprehensive business strategies that
positioned the Group for major growth.
• Provided support to convert an iconic loss-making project into a highly profitable one.
• Worked with team to obtain a high investment rating from Moody's S&P and Fitch
resulting in to two successful bond issues worth AED 18 billion.
• Worked with team to get ISO 9002 certification and EFQM accreditation.
Master developer focusing on major Government-led infrastructure development initiatives.
Responsible for finance, administration, IT and HR functions. Took over as acting CEO in
With AED 60 billion of net assets, one of the largest publically quoted master developers in
the world with interests in property, leisure, retail, hotels and international operations.
Joined publically quoted company from inception and was involved in providing financial
support for some of the largest and most pioneering developments of recent times. Overall
responsibility for Finance, HR, IT and Administrative functions. Member of the senior
executive team responsible for developing and implementing corporate strategies.
Presented at all Board of Directors and shareholder meetings.
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Major Projects
• Dubai Marina (infrastructure, land sales and residential high-rise towers)
• Emirates Hills Residential Community / Colin Montgomerie Golf Course
• Emirates Lakes, Meadows, Springs & Greens
• Other projects such as Emaar Towers and Business Park, Gold & Diamond Park etc.
Selected achievements
• Working with multi-disciplined teams, advised on the financial aspects for some of the
biggest property developments in the UAE.
• For the IPO, assumed responsibility for managing investor relations with stockholders
and analysts regarding corporate profile, financial performance and expectations.
• Responsible for financial aspects of all developments from concept, feasibility, tendering,
cost control and raising funds.
• Successfully lead the design and implementation of an ERP software system fully
integrating accounting, project cost control and property management.
• Aggressively managed cash surplus of AED 5 billion by developing strong relationship
with major financial institutions without compromising on risk.
• Lead financial aspects of AED 3.5 billion Rights Issue with primary responsibility
preparing for Rights Document, liaising with financial institutions, stockholders, lawyers,
accountants, government regulators and registration and collections. The highly
successful rights issue was the first ever in the UAE and was 3 times oversubscribed
Major diverse group of companies with multiple trading entities. Main activities were real
estate, motor dealerships and trading in premium brands sole agencies. Recruited to set
up and manage the internal audit function and assist with group financial reporting,
budgeting, general accounting, monitoring operational performance of subsidiaries.
Selected achievements
• Instrumental in developing a formal strategic business planning process that significantly
improved the profitability of the Group. Coordinate fiscal financial planning process.
Formulate financial goals and objectives for subsidiaries.
• Reduced inventory levels in the auto spare parts divisions by introducing more efficient
inventory management systems resulting in lower holding costs and reduced write-offs.
• Participated and lead fee negotiations with vendors, principals and banks resulting in
substantial cost savings or rate reductions.
One of the world's largest accounting & audit firm, initially joined and specialising in the
banking, insurance and property sectors. Progressed to Assistant Manager through a fast
promotion track. Moved into the management consultancy practice in 1991 to work on
acquisition due-diligences and fraud investigations.
Worked as process design & development engineer in pioneering computer controller
automated manufacturing facility.
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courses: Chartered Accountant