Speakers Portfolio Gallery

Mr. Scott joined Vontobel in 2017 and was named CIO Wealth Management in April 2020. Before joining Vontobel, Dan worked for many years at Credit Suisse as the Deputy Head of Equity Research and as a Swiss Equity specialist at Kepler. He began his career as a journalist in the late 1990s, first at Dow Jones & Co as a staff reporter for the Wall Street Journal, Barron’s and DJ Newswires, and later as an on-air correspondent for CNBC. Dan holds a master’s degree from the University of Basel, where he wrote his thesis on European Integration and its impact on European sovereign debt markets.

Mr. Shobokshi is an Economic Consultant at Shobokshi Development & Trading Company. He is a Saudi businessman involved in diversified businesses and a consultant for many large Gulf companies. He is also the Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic in Saudi Arabia. Mr. Shobokshi is the Board Member of several companies such as Shobokshi Development & Trading Company, Okaz Organization for Press & Publication, and the Aseer Company. He is also the Chairman of Naeem Holding. Mr. Shobokshi is a columnist and writes for Asharq Al Awsat, the leading Arabic daily newspaper in the Middle East. He published many articles in specialized fields, newspapers, and pioneering general magazines in the Arab world. In 1995, he was chosen as one of “Global Leaders for Tomorrow” at the World Economic Forum and was the first Saudi or Gulf businessman to be chosen in the Prince of Wales Business Leaders Forum. Mr. Shobokshi has given and continues to give lectures in the Middle East, Europe, and the U.S.

Mr. Sloane has nearly 25 years in the investment and private banking in the UK, Germany, and Switzerland, amongst others with Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse. He has deep experience of both the private and institutional worlds, of banks and family offices, and, coming from a diplomatic upbringing, is expert at building lasting, trusting relationships. The last ten years have been focused on assisting Saudi Arabian clients with the optimal structuring and investment of their assets, in particular at the family level, involving spending significant time in the Kingdom. Nick’s approach is appreciated at the most senior levels for its patience, structure, the highest level of bespoke service, and above all a real understanding of Saudi culture. Nick has also been a commentator on CNBC, Bloomberg and Deutsche Welle, and has an extensive professional network. Nick is a dual British/Australian national, speaks four languages, and has an honours degree from Bristol University. He is a qualified ski instructor and an examiner with the US National Ski Patrol, where he instructs on avalanche awareness and mountain travel and rescue. His wife, Alice, an artist, last year became the first Czech national to ever exhibit in Saudi Arabia

Richad joined Societe Generale in 1994, where he built an equity capital markets expertise through various senior positions covering clients in France, South East Asia, and Northern Europe. In 2003, he joined Societe Generale bond syndication department to head-up the private placement activity of the bank, which he developed and expanded as a leading platform in various products and geographies, with a focus on emerging markets currencies. Mr. Soundardjee was then Head of Global Capital Markets, overseeing the CEEMEA region for Societe Generale Corporate &Investment Banking. In 2013, Richad was appointed Group Chief Region Officer for the Middle East and Chief Executive Officer of Societe Generale Dubai. By capitalizing on Corporate & Investment Banking, Private Banking, and Securities Services activities in the region and thanks to his 20 years of experience in capital markets, Mr. Soundardjee aims to further develop Societe Generale’s businesses and presence in the Middle East and the Gulf countries in particular. Richad is also a board member of the Global Compact local network UAE and of the French Business Group (French Chamber of Commerce Abu Dhabi). Mr. Soundardjee holds an MSc in International Finance from HEC, a degree from the French National Institute of Telecommunications, and a Master of Management degree from Paris Dauphine University.

Dr. Sta is a performance-oriented and multicultural Healthcare Industry manager with a proven deep and successful track record of effective and dynamic leadership. Dr. Sta is the CEO of AcedrA BioPharmaceuticals, a start-up company ranked the number one most active company for governmental procurement in KSA and awarded as one of the Top 50 healthcare companies for its contribution to the pharmaceutical ecosystem in the Middle East. It is the first META gene-editing specialized company to be in the discussion panel of the CAR-TCR Europe Summit in London in 2019. He also has expertise in the management of “niche therapeutic segments” Businesses in the Middle East & Africa region. Dr. Sta has both a scientific and business education background, as he is a Pharmacist Doctor with a master’s in Marketing Intelligence & Strategic Survey and Total Quality Management.

Toby is the Chief Executive Officer of Atlantic Healthcare plc. and is a highly experienced executive and board member with an impressive track record in the healthcare sector. He has significant experience in leadership and development of high growth companies, both publicly listed and private, and working with the British Government. Toby has 25 years of experience in corporate and business and product development, strategic planning, technology development and IP strategy, fundraising, mergers and acquisitions, and investor relations. He has also been involved in founding and building companies achieving a combined value of £1bn and raising over £200M of equity and debt through the public markets and private placements. Toby has had key involvement in the development of pharmaceutical and medical technology companies and products that address unmet needs and rare diseases in the hospital and specialist care environments. He has an extensive and well-established industry network of connections in the international healthcare industry, built through positions held in quoted and unquoted companies and as an Adviser to and Healthcare Dealmaker for the British Government. Toby is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales and a Fellow of The Royal Society of Medicine. He has a BSc in Business Economics.

Amine Jaoui was appointed CEO of Societe Generale Saudi Arabia in 2019. Previously, he had been Head of Sovereign Coverage (Middle East) at Societe Generale Corporate and Investment Banking. He was also Head of Business Development for the bank in the Middle East. Before joining Societe Generale, Amine spent a year as a Fellow at Harvard University’s Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, where he extensively lectured on and researched the most recent economic evolutions in the Middle East with a focus on Gulf countries. Previously, Amine served for three years as an Advisor for Policy and Strategy at the Office of H.H. the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates. He had also previously focused on Middle East policy and investments during his time at the International Affairs Office within The Executive Office of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Earlier in his career, Amine was a consultant with McKinsey and Co., in Geneva and Dubai. At McKinsey, his clients included leading global banks as well as multiple governments in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. He also advised African governments on debt policy and debt restructurings while at UBS AG, as part of their Sovereign Advisory team in London. Amine was educated in France, the United Kingdom, and the United States and holds degrees from HEC (Paris), Science-Po (Paris), Sorbonne University, the London School of Economics, and Harvard University.

Ms. Dzanis is the Head of Asset Management in EMEA and responsible for the governance, operations, business development, and talent of Northern Trust Asset Management. Marie is the CEO of Northern Trust Global Investment (UK) and sits on the boards of Northern Trust Global Funds, PLC; Northern Trust Fund Managers (Ireland) Limited, Northern Trust Investment Funds. Marie serves on the Northern Trust Asset Management Executive Committee and the Northern Trust EMEA Executive Committee. Joining Northern Trust in 2011, Marie held executive positions at iShares/Blackrock, JPMorgan Asset Management, and Smith Barney. Marie’s comprehensive business acumen highlights driving diverse and profitable growth in businesses. Her multifaceted career began as a financial advisor and subsequently includes experience in securities lending, trading, product development, sales management, and P&L management. As a recognized industry leader, Marie has been featured in the top “Women to Watch” from Investment News in 2017 and the “Top Women in Asset Management” award by Money Management Executive in 2015. Marie is on the Advisory Committee of Investment Association in the UK, is a member of Irish Funds and Women in ETFs. Personally, Marie is on the women’s board of the University of Chicago Cancer Foundation, Advisory Board for BlinkNow Foundation and is a producer for the Maggie Doyne documentary called “Love Letters to my Children.”

Omar Al-Shabaan is an Entrepreneur, Business Developer, and a Consultant with over 15 years of work experience and is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Space, a Saudi company focused on developing and operating coworking spaces, incubators, and accelerators Mr. Al-Shabaan was the Partnerships Manager at Misk Innovation, a subsidiary of Misk Foundation, as well as serving as a short-term consultant with The World Bank Group on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. He also was an Advisor for the National Digitization Unit. Omar has worked in Nestle, Healthcare Development Holding group, and Tam Development, where he contributed in the latest to creating multiple public engagement programs in the Kingdom and regionally. Omar has an MBA from IE business school in Madrid and an Executive Master in Corporate Communication from the same school.

Gerald Warnat is Senior Manager Global Product Portfolio and Innovation Management at Siemens Healthineers. As a senior healthcare expert, he is currently working on special projects and has been named responsible for defining the next generation product portfolio and innovations at Siemens Healthineers. With over 30 years of experience in infectious disease, molecular diagnostics, business development, and product management, he has defined the next generation product roadmaps, led strategic projects as well as collaboration projects. As a pioneer, he introduced new technologies into new markets, contributed to M&A projects and technology commercialization projects. Mr. Warnat has several pending and granted patent applications. Mr. Warnat graduated with a degree in Chemistry from the University of Rostock in Germany.

 

Salah Shamma is the Head of Investment and Portfolio Manager at Franklin Templeton Investments (ME) Limited. Mr. Shamma has been in the investment industry since 2002 and joined Algebra Capital in January 2007, as an Equity Portfolio Manager. The firm is now known as Franklin Templeton Investments (ME) Limited, in the Middle East-North Africa (MENA) region. During his employment at Algebra Capital, Mr. Shamma was involved in the establishment of the firm’s flagship equity funds and was a member of the Equity Investment Committee. Currently, Mr. Shamma is responsible for the investment process, research, and performance of the FTIME MENA equity team. He is the co-fund manager of the Franklin MENA Fund and Franklin Middle East and North Africa Fund. He is also a member of FTIME’s Equity Investment Committee. Before that, Mr. Shamma was with SHUAA Capital’s Debt Asset Management department as a co-fund manager of the first Arab bond fund (TAIF). Mr. Shamma holds a B.A. in business with an emphasis on finance from the American University of Beirut.

CEO Nicholas Naples brings three decades of experience in luxury hospitality to AMAALA. He has worked with some of the most successful names in the industry, including The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, and has led several multi-billion-dollar greenfield integrated resort development projects. He has senior-level experience in the development and operations of a few five-star hotels and mixed-use integrated resorts, retail malls, sports facilities, and residential properties. Among the most notable positions he has held are roles as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Operations and Development for leading integrated resort companies in the USA, China, and Vietnam. He completed 17 new projects and operated a portfolio of over 30 resort properties for Caesar’s Entertainment and was one of the first senior executives from the USA to take up a leadership development role in Macau, China, in 2006. There, his responsibilities included the development of a 6 million square foot movie studio-themed casino resort and a 13.5 million square foot integrated resort project, as well as the operation of a USD 5 million square foot luxury integrated resort property, all on the famed Coati Strip in Macau. Nicholas holds a Master of Management from Cornell University – Johnson Graduate School, School of Hotel Administration.

Dr. Fassotte is a Medical Doctor with a specialization in Pharmaceutical Medicine and has over 32 years of experience in the Health Care Industry. Dr. Fassotte was the former Chief Medical Officer and Innovation/R&D Head for Emerging Markets at Sanofi. He was also the former Global Head Regulatory Affairs CHC at Roche and a country medical director for different grounds in several European countries. mMBA Wharton/INSEAD

Educational & Professional Profile: – Holds master’s degree in professional accounting from Hartford University in USA & worked with King Saud University as Teacher Assistant in the accounting department during the period 1977-1983. – Possess over 30 years’ experience in banking & financial analysis. – 1984 joined the National Commercial Bank (NCB), one of the leading commercial banks in KSA & in the Middle East. After working with NCB for over 22 years engaging in managing number businesses within the bank (Corporate branch manager, Head of Private Banking – Central Region & Head of Commercial Businesses Banking Group – Central Region). – 2006 Joined United Assets Co, an Investment & Real Estate Development Company in the capacity of the CEO. – 2007 Joined Baa- Azeem Trading Co in the capacity of Deputy General Manager – January 2009 to date: Secretary General of the Media & Banking Awareness Committee, a subcommittee of the Banks’ Chairmen Committee of Saudi Banks, responsible in enhancing banking knowledge in Saudi society. Social & Professional Activities: – An Economic & Management Consultant. – Economic Columnist in Al-Riyad Newspaper & Arab News. – Media anchor, preparing & presenting Economic & Financial TV programs on Saudi TV channel 1 and Al-Ekabariah channel. – Former board member of Saudi Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). – Board member of the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI). – Board member of Baa-Azeem Trading Co (Listed Company in NOMU Stock Market of Saudi Arabia). – Member of Saudi Financial Association. – Board member of the Consulting Partnerships & Knowledge Center at Ministry of Finance, Saudi Arabia. – Former board member of Al-Rajihi Investment Co. – Former vice chairman of AEC board (Saudi American Economic Offset Program). – Former member of the Investment & Securities Committee at Riyadh Chamber of Commerce. – Former member of the Investment Funds Committee of Al-Bilad Capital. – Former member of the patient Friends Committee of Riyadh. – Former member of The Green Crescent Friends of Riyadh.

Mr. El Shorafy is CEO, Co-Founder, and Managing Partner of Omega Capital, a private equity firm established in Egypt in 2015. In 2012, Mr. El Shorafy co-founded Catalyst Partners, an investment firm focused on SMEs. One of his successes was to transform a snack manufacturing company, from shutdown mode into a profitable operation that is now on a steep growth curve. In 2007, Mr. El Shorafy co-founded Mega Investments Holding, a fully owned brokerage house. He played a major role in formulating the firm’s strategy, eventually creating one of Egypt’s highest quality equity and brokerage providers. Mr. El Shorafy started his career in 2005, he worked with Naeem Holding, a regional investment bank in both Cairo and Dubai, where he developed a thorough understanding of MENA markets through his responsibilities in multiple jurisdictions. He is also a Board Member in Marseilia For Real Estate Investment, which is one of Omega Capital portfolio companies. Mr. El Shorafy is a Board Member in Mega Investments Holding & Taameer for Real Estate Fund Management, which is an EGP 1 billion fund and the first REIT fund introduced to the Egyptian market. Mr. El Shorafy graduated from Cairo University with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and minoring in Public Administration. He has attended a series of professional investment programs at London Business School and is a member of the Egyptian Junior Business Association and the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt.

Ms. Schneidermann has deep expertise in designing and producing large-scale international events, in 20+ countries. Starting with the strategic intent and purpose of the event, she determines the event positioning, format and builds programmes in close collaboration with the event owner and key stakeholder. Tina also manages the process of securing speakers, and works with Knowledge Partners, media and other expert organisations who can add value to events. An early adopter, she has experience in creating and delivering sophisticated virtual events. Tina also designs and facilitates workshops and takes on the role as Master of Ceremony at high-level events. Tina has worked with Richard Attias & Associates for more than 12 years and has delivered numerous high-level events in the GCC and Africa. Other professional experience includes managing country and regional offices for Institute for International Research in Denmark, South Africa, the Benelux and France. She supported Hot Spots Movement, a London-based research consultancy specialised in the future of work and was COO for four years. Tina holds a master’s degree in Business, Intercultural Studies and Modern Languages from Copenhagen Business School.

With over 12 years of seagoing experience and over 32 years of expertise in the operation and management of Ports and Container Terminals, Peter Richards joined Gulftainer in 1987. He has served as General Manager, Operations Manager, Terminal Manager, and Operations Superintendent with the company. Mr. Richards is also a Board Member and Director of Gulftainer Company Limited as well as several associate and subsidiary companies of the Group. Mr. Richards steered Gulftainer’s diversified growth from being a simple port operator to an integrated logistics supplier. He has played an instrumental role in expanding Gulftainer’s global footprint to Europe, Russia, and the South Americas in addition to securing consultancy contracts regionally. His first principal contract was with the Kuwait Port Authority, an ongoing consultancy contract to manage their port facilities. Building Gulftainer’s reputation in its home ports, which in turn enabled the company to export its competencies and productivity world-wide, Mr. Richards established the company’s credentials as a premier international port operator with an annual throughput of over 6 million TEUs. Under his leadership, Gulftainer operates several ports, recording the highest productivity on various major shipping line vessels including CMA CGM, Hanjin, and UASC, among others. A qualified Master Mariner with Diploma in Nautical Science, Mr. Richards has gained the reputation of being able to operate a very tight ship with excellent productivity and maintaining a loyal, long- term staff.

Egbert is Commercial Director EMEA at Babylon. He is a business leader with 20 years in the global healthcare industry, across payers, provider systems, best practice research, and consulting. What drives him is a profound impatience with the pace of positive change in creating quality healthcare that is accessible and affordable. Previously, he was the founding CEO of the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), leading this research-based global community of like-minded leaders, all equally dedicated to improving healthcare through accelerating the innovation cycle for the benefit of populations everywhere. He was an Expert-Partner in McKinsey’s Health Systems & Services Practice in London, serving national and regional health systems in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. Mr. Schillings also served as Managing Director at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, California, the largest fully integrated health care system in the US. He was also a Senior Director at The Advisory Board Company in Washington, DC, a provider of best practice research, business intelligence, education, and consulting services to the healthcare sector. Egbert also served as a legislative aide to the Hon. Lee H. Hamilton on the staff of the House International Relations Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. Egbert received his degree at Freie Universität Berlin and was a Fulbright Scholar at George Washington University in Washington, DC.

BMG Economic Forum / Balkantimes.press