OUR PEOPLE

SHUAA’s strength is derived from our experienced and diverse workforce

We’re proud to employ a workforce from over 26 different countries. A quarter of our employees are women, and the average experience of our management team members spans 20 years.

26

Nationalities

20 years

Average experience of senior management

28%+

Female representation

Board of Directors

Chairman

Badr Al-Olama

Vice Chair

Hamda Eid AlMheiri

Director

Darwish Alketbi

Director

Asad Hussaini

Director

Issa Khoory

Chairman

Badr Al-Olama

Badr Al-Olama is the Director General at Abu Dhabi Investment Office — the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development arm responsible for driving economic diversification and sustainable growth.

As a former Mubadala executive, Badr managed a diverse portfolio of investments ranging from aerospace and defence, to healthcare services and satellite technologies. During his tenure at Mubadala, Badr held chief executive roles at Strata — the Arab world’s first aerospace manufacturing facility, and at Hub71 — Abu Dhabi’s tech startup incubator and accelerator.

Over the past two decades, Badr has served extensively on a number of company boards in different parts of the world. More notable is his current chairmanship of both 7X (formerly known as Emirates Post Group) and the publicly-listed asset management and investment bank Shuaa Capital, and Abu Dhabi Ports subsidiary Maqta Gateway, as well as his board membership with the Emirates Drug Establishment, the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Yas Holding, and GEMS Education.

In terms of his public engagements, Badr was the former President of the Harvard Club of the UAE and was also a member of the UAE Ministerial Council on the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This led him to establish the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit alongside the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to promote disruptive technologies that are shaping the global manufacturing sector.

Nominated as a ‘Young Global Leader for the Middle East and North Africa Region’ in 2016 by the World Economic Forum, Badr began his career as a lawyer after graduating from both the UAE University and Harvard Law School.

Vice Chair

Hamda Eid AlMheiri

Hamda Eid AlMheiri is the Executive Director of Government and Sovereign Relations at ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company. In her role, Hamda oversees the organization’s interactions with senior government stakeholders across local, state and federal jurisdictions. Her responsibilities include the establishment and maintenance of a comprehensive strategic framework to govern all organizational initiatives and engagements.

She also exercises authority over ADQ’s collaboration with industry advocates, aiming to leverage areas of mutual interest, while ensuring the continuous monitoring of relevant government activities globally.

Hamda currently serves as a board member of Etihad Airways, Presight AI, SHUAA Capital, and Arcera, a global holding company in the life sciences sector formed by ADQ.

Her professional career encompasses roles with the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, where she served as a Project Manager responsible for financial policy and efficiency, and the General Secretariat of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi, where she worked as a Financial Policy and Efficiency Specialist. Prior to these, Hamda held the position of Manager of Commercial Analysis for the Strategy and Planning department at Etihad Airways.

She holds a Master’s degree in Global Affairs and Diplomatic Leadership from the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, a Corporate Director Certificate from Harvard Business School and is also an alumna of the Georgetown Leadership Seminar. Hamda has a keen interest in exploring new perspectives in art and drawing inspiration from various cultures.

Director

Darwish Alketbi

Mr. Darwish Abdulla Alketbi is a highly accomplished finance leader with years of experience in driving investment strategies, portfolio optimization, and corporate governance. As Chief Investment Officer (CIO) at Saif Bin Darwish, he plays a pivotal role in overseeing the company’s investment strategy, ensuring alignment with the group’s overall goals and policies. His expertise spans diverse markets, with a proven track record of delivering substantial growth and value creation.

Darwish is responsible for devising efficient, goal- oriented investment plans, developing growth strategies for new investments, analyzing market trends, and identifying emerging opportunities. He brings extensive knowledge in the stock market, alternative investments, structured products, private equity, and portfolio optimization. His comprehensive understanding of risk assessment, global market research, and data-driven decision-making further strengthens his ability to deliver sound investment decisions.

As a dynamic and results-driven finance professional, Darwish focuses on managing the group’s financial assets to maintain a well-balanced portfolio and implement strategies that generate strong returns and consistent cash flow. His leadership has been instrumental in optimizing investments and driving the group’s success.

During the global market downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and geopolitical uncertainties, Darwish played a crucial role in protecting the company’s investment objectives. Through strategic portfolio rebalancing, he identified opportunities to invest in high-quality assets at discounted prices, positioning the group for long-term growth while actively monitoring the market’s recovery.

In addition to his role at Saif Bin Darwish, Darwish serves as an independent director on the boards of prominent organizations, including GFH Financial Group BSC (GFH), Waha Capital, Shuaa Capital, and Union Properties. He also chairs the Investment Committee and the Risk and Governance Committee at Shuaa Capital and actively participates in several other board committees.

Darwish holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Zayed University, Abu Dhabi and completed his primary and secondary education at The British School Al Khubairat.

Director

Asad Hussaini

Asad Hussaini is Managing Partner UAE at Fortinbras, a New York based asset manager focused on structured credit and special situations investing.

Mr Hussaini is also the head of a US Family Office based in the ADGM. Mr. Hussaini is a board member of Osiris Acquisition Corp listed on the New York Stock Exchange and a board member of Keyper, a UAE based proptech firm.

Asad Hussaini is the Vice Chairman Peninsula Real Estate, an Abu Dhabi based Real Estate Investment Company. Mr. Hussaini is an investment partner at Altana Wealth, a Monaco-based asset manager.

Mr. Hussaini is a Venture Partner at Niya Partners, a Miami based venture capital firm focus on Seed and Series A investments covering Insurance, Healthcare, Financial Services, Wearables and Fem Tech.

Mr. Hussaini has been a seed and early stage investor in a large number of US & Middle Eastern based startups.

Mr. Hussaini is a member of the Global Advisory Council of the Wilson Center, a Congressionally funded bi-partisan think tank based in Washington D.C. focused on issues of US and global trade, economic, national security & defense matters.

Mr. Hussaini recently received an award from the Middle East Policy Council based in Washington DC for contribution to Middle East- US engagement.

He was educated at Georgetown University in Washington D.C.

Director

Issa Khoory

Issa Khoory is a highly accomplished executive and seasoned investor with a strong track record of steering diversified investment portfolios, driving capital growth, and delivering governance excellence across various industries, including financial services, agriculture, real estate, international trade, and family business. He is the Deputy CEO of Ghitha Holding PJSC, a key IHC Abu Dhabi subsidiary listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), where he leads operations, expansion, and capital-deployment strategy across the Group’s trading and distribution platforms. Prior to this, Issa founded and has served as Managing Director of INK Investments since March 2017, a private-equity firm focused on SME acquisitions, equity investments, and portfolio management. From 2013, he also served as Managing Director of Al Sultana Investments, overseeing a high-value real estate portfolio in the UAE and UK. Before that (since October 2010), he steered Mirak Group, a regional agribusiness and international-trade leader, combining operational management with strategic investment and cross-border expansion.

Alongside his executive roles, Issa brings deep governance experience as a Board Member of Al Ain Farms Group (since October 2023), one of the region’s largest dairy and poultry operations, and of the Dubai Fruits & Vegetables Trader Group (since April 2015), which he was appointed to by the Dubai Chamber to advise on industry policy and economic development. He also served on the Board and chaired the Investment Committee of Apex Investments PJSC (March 2022 – January 2024), overseeing capital allocation, risk management and strategic asset management in a listed environment.

Issa holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master’s degree from the American University in Dubai.

Management Team

Group Chief Executive Officer

Nabil Al Rantisi

Chief Operating Officer

Ziad Mansour

Chief Legal Officer

Roberta Clarese

Head of Real Estate Development

Otto Dreyer

Head of Asset Management

Anil Dixit

Chief Compliance Officer

Islam Mahrous

Head of Capital Markets

Mazen Farah

Head of Public Markets

Aarthi Chandrasekaran

HEAD OF INVESTOR RELATIONS AND MARKETING

Rami Al Banna

Group Chief Executive Officer

Nabil Al Rantisi

Nabil Al Rantisi is the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of SHUAA Capital, a leading asset management and investment banking platform based in Dubai. With over two decades of experience in financial services and entrepreneurship, Nabil brings a proven track record of building and transforming businesses across the MENA region.

Before joining SHUAA, Nabil held senior leadership roles at prominent regional institutions including Rasmala Investment Bank, Daman Investments, and Menacorp, where he gained extensive expertise across asset management, wealth management, brokerage, and investment banking. His career has been defined by driving growth, strengthening client relationships, and positioning firms for long-term value creation.

Beyond financial services, Nabil is an entrepreneur and investor. He founded and scaled ventures such as Pickl, a homegrown restaurant chain employing over 400 people, BonBird, and Hakkini, a pioneering neuro-led mental health clinic. He serves on several boards, including Al Eqbal Investment Company, and actively invests across real estate, hospitality, and growth-stage businesses. He is also the current President of Harvard Club UAE.

A graduate of Harvard Business School’s General Management Program, Nabil is now focused on leading SHUAA Capital’s next chapter—driving transformation, fostering innovation, and enhancing shareholder and client value. Rooted in Dubai, where his family has been established for over 50 years, he combines global vision with deep local expertise to deliver sustainable growth.

Chief Operating Officer

Ziad Mansour

Ziad Mansour is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at SHUAA Capital.

In 2007, following a successful three-year tenure as a Back Office Section Head at Blominvest Bank, he joined SHUAA where he became an integral part of the operations team in both the Capital Market and Asset Management divisions.

In 2012 he was promoted to Head of Operations, and subsequently to Head of Operations and IT in 2017.

With two decades of professional experience, Ziad has occupied various roles within the Group, consistently showcasing efficacy in executing strategic plans, identifying as well as implementing enhancement opportunities across multiple lines of business.

Ziad holds an MBA from KEDGE Business School in Bordeaux, France.

Chief Legal Officer

Roberta Clarese

Roberta Clarese is the Group Chief Legal Officer (GCLO) at Shuaa Capital, overseeing legal, regulatory, and governance matters across the Group’s operations.

With over 25 years of legal experience, Roberta specializes in corporate law, financial services regulation, investment banking, board governance, and regulatory compliance.

She previously served as Chief Legal Officer and Secretary General of the DIFC Authority, where she played a key role in developing the capital markets in the region and DIFC’s legal and regulatory framework.

In the private sector, she held senior legal roles at Goldman Sachs, ABN Amro, Prudential Bache, and Majid Al Futtaim, advising on complex transactions and corporate governance.

Roberta holds an LLB from Warwick University and an LLM in International Legal Finance from University College London (UCL).

Head of Real Estate Development

Otto Dreyer

Otto Dreyer is the Head of Real Estate Development at SHUAA Capital.

He hosts a wealth of experience in managing and leading development projects internationally throughout their entire lifecycle.

Otto has a range of leadership skills, placing trust as a key value by which to lead and aiming to bring about the best in people and the communities within which we operate. He built a career in real estate investment and development across asset classes and multiple jurisdictions.

With a Real Estate and Finance background, Otto achieved an MBA from the Graduate School of Business in Cape Town.

Head of Asset Management

Anil Dixit

Anil Dixit is the Head of Asset Management at SHUAA Capital.

He joined the Group in 2025 as a seasoned executive with 25 years of experience in the financial services sector, primarily within the insurance industry.

Prior to SHUAA, Anil served as Chief Investment Officer at Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company (ADNIC), where he successfully managed a global multi-asset portfolio in excess of USD 1.5 billion, while balancing considerations of asset-liability management, risk, and solvency requirements. He previously held senior investment and reporting roles at Allianz across various regions, including Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East.

Anil has an MBA from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom.

Chief Compliance Officer

Islam Mahrous

Islam Mahrous is the Chief Compliance Officer at SHUAA Capital.

He joined the Group in July 2016 after transitioning from his role as a Manager in the Markets division at the Financial Regulatory Authority.

Islam is an accomplished compliance professional with over 15 years of experience in regulatory compliance and AML across the MENA region. He is renowned for his strategic oversight in compliance protocols, his adept management of complex interactions with regulators, and ensuring robust compliance cultures within financial institutions.

Beginning his career in audit, Islam has advanced through significant roles in regulatory authorities and private firms before assuming his current leadership position.

Islam holds a Bachelor’s degree in Audit and Accounting, as well as an International Diploma in Governance, Risk, and Compliance. He is a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS).

Head of Capital Markets

Mazen Farah

Mazen Farah is the Head of Capital Markets at SHUAA Capital.

He joined the Group in May 2024, bringing over two decades of professional experience through a variety of distinguished roles across the industry, regionally at HSBC and ADCB and internationally at leading firms, offering a wealth of expertise to our clients.

Mazen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s in Finance from Imperial College London.

Head of Public Markets

Aarthi Chandrasekaran

Aarthi Chandrasekaran is the Head of Public Markets at SHUAA Capital, where she has led investment strategy since joining in August 2016.

She brings nearly two decades of experience in public markets, with over a decade spent at leading regional and international institutions including NBK and Deutsche Bank. A trained macroeconomist, Aarthi specializes in building and managing multi-asset portfolios with a focus on equities and fixed income, leveraging thematic and growth-oriented strategies across regional and global markets.

She holds an MBA and Master’s degree in Economics.

HEAD OF INVESTOR RELATIONS AND MARKETING

Rami Al Banna

Rami Al Banna is the Head of Investor Relations and Marketing at SHUAA Capital.

He joined the Group in 2025, bringing 15 years of experience across Investor Relations and Business Development, with exposure to multiple asset classes. Prior to SHUAA, Rami held senior Investor Relations roles at e&, a leading telecom and technology investment group, and at DTC where he established and led the function from the ground up—playing a pivotal role in post-IPO strategy, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory compliance.

Before transitioning to Investor Relations within publicly listed companies, Rami spent eight years on the buy-side in Private Equity and Venture Capital, gaining deep insight into investment analysis and portfolio management.

Rami holds an MBA from IE Business School in Madrid and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a Finance focus from California State University. He is also a Certified Investor Relations Officer.