The ICAEW Members Advisory Group, under the leadership of Anthony O'Sullivan, Managing Partner at EY UAE, comprises 21 senior ICAEW members representing diverse sectors and industries across the Middle East.
Working closely with Hanadi Khalife, Head of Middle East, and Mark Billington, Managing Director, International, the group’s primary objective is to identify key business challenges facing the accounting and finance sectors and ICAEW members in the region as well as provide strategic guidance to enhance ICAEW’s initiatives in the Middle East. Members of the group advise on how ICAEW can strengthen connections among government entities, regulators, industry leaders, practitioners, members, students, and regional offices.
Additionally, the group provides insights into the need for relevant technical releases, publications, conferences, and courses tailored to Middle East members, providing valuable feedback on their effectiveness.
ICAEW Members Advisory Group meetings are held quarterly to ensure ongoing impactful contributions to ICAEW's regional operations.
Chair:
Anthony O’Sullivan
Tony is the EY UAE Managing Partner.
He has over 20 years serving clients in the UAE.
Tony holds a degree in Accounting & Finance from Dublin City University and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
He has advised many large entities, particularly sovereign wealth funds, real estate developers and family groups.
He has worked with clients in the real estate and the local capital markets from inception. He also worked with clients through the full lifecycle from start up to equity listings in New York, London, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
He is a frequent speaker on business topics in the UAE and has completed executive training from Harvard Business School, INSEAD and London Business School.
Tony has made his career in the UAE helping clients navigate one of the fastest moving economies in the world.
On building a better working world, Tony says: “I am passionate about the continual need to innovate in your business and the importance of contributing to the community through our Emiratization programs.”
Members:
Tariq Hoodbhoy
MD - Head of Treasury Advisory, First Abu Dhabi Bank
Finance professional with over 25 years of global experience with blue chip corporates, banks and consultancy firm where I have managed, transformed and centralised finance and treasury function, digitally enabled corporate banking for regional and global banks and implemented ERP systems.
Worked in multinationals all my career and held senior positions in Royal Dutch Shell, Standard Chartered Bank American Express, Akzo Nobel, and Alvarez and Marsal. Some of the key achievements are as follows:
- Developed Transaction Banking strategy for a large regional bank in UAE. Implemented and digitally transformed the Bank to become the market leader as a working capital bank.
- Transformed Shell’s Treasury function in Asia Pacific and Middle East, centralized the function in Singapore and managed the Balance Sheet for all group subsidiaries and JV’s.
- Advised Airline, Oil and Gas, Telecommunication and manufacturing companies in Asia on centralising their Treasury function and mitigate exchange, liquidity and credit risks.
- Increased Standard Chartered’s liability proposition by more than $10 Billion by developing innovative solution for liquidity management and commercializing its new cash management platform.
- Delivered incremental transaction banking annual revenue of $6-8 Million from 8 strategic clients.
- Established Client Advisory Board in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and London and published articles in Euromoney and GT News.
- Managed the roll-out of SAP and Oracle ERP for Shell at a regional level.
- Designed and rolled out ERP system for Akzo Nobel’s green field investment.
Faheem Ejaz
Associate Partner, Audit & Assurance, Deloitte
Faheem is an Associate Partner in the Audit & Assurance business for over 15 years and has worked in both the UK and Middle East markets. He has Audit & Assurance experience in various industries mainly Aviation, Manufacturing, Retail, Insurance and Healthcare. Faheem leads Clients & Industries in Saudi Arabia and is a fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Kumba Jow Jeng
Global Head of Financial Planning & Analysis, JLL
Kumba is a Chartered Accountant - FCA
Translating corporate objectives and vision into reality by driving profit enhancement and process improvement is her area of expertise.
With a documented record of consistently combining financial leadership with sound business practices to deliver tangible results, Kumba has earned a reputation as a key influencer and a catalyst for change and improvement within a global team.
Rohit Rajvanshi
Partner, Head of Audit, KPMG
Rohit Rajvanshi is a Partner in KPMG’s Audit practice and has over 20 years of audit experience of which 17 years has been spent with KPMG.
He has spent 8 years in KPMG London and over 9 years with KPMG UAE servicing clients within the Transport, Construction, Retail and Education sectors.
Rohit also has significant advisory experience both in the UK and the UAE having assisted with the listings of his key clients. Rohit is the Head of Audit.
Anshu Rakhecha
VP Transformation and Strategy, NMC Healthcare
Anshu Rakhecha has a diverse and extensive work experience. Anshu is currently serving as the Vice President of Transformation & Strategy at NMC Healthcare since April 2022. Prior to this role, they held the position of Associate Vice President of Corporate Affairs at NMC Healthcare from December 2015 to June 2022.
Before joining NMC Healthcare, Anshu worked as a Partner at Chaturvedi & Co. from May 2014 to December 2016. Anshu also gained experience as a Chartered Accountant at Hart Shaw Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers from September 2013 to March 2014.
Anshu Rakhecha's earlier roles include Manager of Audit and Accounts at Atkin Macredie & Co. Limited from November 2012 to September 2013, and Qualified Senior at Allotts Chartered Accountants from November 2007 to October 2012. Anshu began their professional career as an Executive at PricewaterhouseCoopers from July 2004 to March 2005.
Lastly, Anshu started their career at Chaturvedi & Co. where they held the position of Manager and Partner from an unspecified date in 2001 to 2004.
Anshu Rakhecha holds a B Com (Hons) degree in Accounting and Finance from Delhi University, obtained from 1994 to 1997. Additionally, Anshu is a qualified FCA from The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, obtained from 1997 to 2000. Anshu also obtained the ACA degree from ICAEW and has additional certifications in CertIFR from ACCA and DISA from The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
Shahab Haider
Managing Partner, Sajjad Haider & Co
Shahab Haider is the Managing Partner of the Sajjad Haider Group, one of the first Chartered Accountancy firms to be set up in the UAE in 1976.
Shahab specialises in corporate restructuring, insolvency, investigative and forensic accounting and has over 34 years’ experience both locally and internationally. He is a registered auditor with the UAE Ministry of Economy and official Liquidator registered with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), licensed to take appointments all over the UAE. Shahab is also an approved Financial Restructuring and Bankruptcy Expert registered with the Financial Restructuring Committee (FRC).
Shahab has been involved with many complex bankruptcy matters and has played a leading role in the development of the insolvency law and best practices in the local jurisdiction, setting precedence on several occasions with landmark judgements being issued by the DIFC Courts for interpretation of DIFC Insolvency laws. He is regularly invited to participate as an expert on panels, in the fields of turnaround, insolvency & liquidation. Shahab is also recognised as being appointed as the provisional liquidator for the first reported provisional liquidation in the DIFC.
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (“ICAEW”). Member of the ICAEW Middle East Members Advisory Board.
Mohammad Zamani
Partner, Audit, Head of Emiratisation, KPMG
Mohammad is an audit partner, specialized in the financial services sector.
Over the span of his 13 years working at KPMG in the UAE and KPMG UK, he has extensive experience in the audit of banks, exchange houses, and investment and asset management companies.
His experience includes auditing the two largest banks in the UAE. Mohammad is also the Head of Emiratization at KPMG. Mohammad qualified as a chartered accountant (ICAEW) in 2013 and has chaired the ICAEW Emiratization Advisory Board since 2017.
He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the American University of Sharjah.
Jaimi Raikundalia
Partner, Audit & Assurance, Deloitte
Jaimi is a Partner in Dubai and has over 20 years of extensive audit experience from working in the United Kingdom and Dubai on both multi-national and local clients.
Jaimi is the Middle East Audit Emerging Issues Group Partner and within Deloitte Private, the Family Enterprises leader for Audit and Assurance focused on the Middle East.
Jaimi runs Deloitte Middle East’s annual construction C-Suite Survey.
Jaimi previously held the role of Middle East Audit Innovation Leader where she worked on developing and deploying tools to drive efficiency and automation in the audit process.
She has worked with a diverse portfolio of clients and industries but specialises in the Construction Industry. She has led IFRS conversion projects and in her time in the United Kingdom performed the role of an acting CFO for property group in the UK.
Bobby Agha
CFO, Engie
Highly qualified and seasoned senior finance professional and Chartered Accountant with 30 years' multi-sector experience (PPP, Project Finance, Retail Banking, Investment Banking, Islamic Banking, Asset Management, Private Equity, Fund Management, Retail, Food & Beverage, Shipping, Media & Entertainment, Telecoms and Utilities experience).
A Strategic Business Partner, providing financial, audit, risk management and commercial support to the Business to drive top and bottom-line results, supporting growth and business plans, strategy and cost saving initiatives ; Experienced in redefining and optimizing functions and driving effective performance and efficiencies across organisations ; Track record of successfully managing multi-cultural, cross-functional teams of various sizes ; Efficient, Effective & Focussed on delivery.
Wealth of knowledge and International experience from the UK, US, Europe, Middle East, Africa, covering Finance, Operations, Projects, Change Management, Start-ups, Transformations, Restructuring, M&A.
Adnan Zakariya
Markets Leader, Protiviti Saudi Member Firm
Adnan is the Country and Markets Leader for Protiviti Saudi Member Firm for Management Consulting and heads the Protiviti Middle East Practice in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Adnan’s primary roles include Active participation in Setting up the Vision and Strategy for the Middle East Firm, Actively Driving Branding and participating in GTM initiatives, Defining the Operating Policies and Procedures, Business Development, Key Account Management, Relationship Management, and Overseeing all Financial and Administrative matters. Adnan has more than 25 years of business experience, with 15 years in the Middle East and 10 years in the UK, focusing on Financial Services, Government entities, Sovereign Wealth Funds, and the Hi-Tech sectors. Adnan has led Complex Forensic Reviews, Corporate Governance and Regulatory Compliance Related Reorganizations, Post-Merger Integrations, Finance Transformations and conducted Numerous Trainings for the C-Suite, Boards and committees in the UK and Middle East. Adnan is a subject matter expert in the areas of Internal audit transformation, Corporate Governance, Forensic Reviews, Fraud investigations, Regulatory Reporting, Compliance, Private Equity, Investments Monitoring and Finance Transformation.
Adnan drives his teams to primarily focus on Solving Client’s Problems through Integrated Solutions enabled by Technology and Data, maximizing Value Delivery, Fostering Client Trust, and Building Long-Term Partnerships. Adnan further oversees numerous initiatives for developing a Culture of Competence with people at its core, and Empowering teams with the Cutting-edge tools and techniques to meet current and future needs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This has won the Accolade of “Best Places to Work” by “Great Places to Work Institute” for Protiviti Saudi Member Firm. Adnan is a Fellow Member of the ICAEW and has also acquired the Accredited Forensic Accountant Qualification from the ICAEW.
Adnan has formerly worked at JP Morgan in London and headed the Corporate Reporting function and Financial Control team for the Regulated entities Group in the UK and managed a large team across London and Mumbai. Prior to this role, Adnan worked with Ernst & Young and KPMG in London.
Helen Bimbassis
Director – Quality Assurance, BDO
Helen has over 25 years of experience in the audit technical sphere, her skill set ranges from developing and implementing the audit methodology, developing and providing audit-specialised training and quality improvement projects with a focus on ISQM and Root Cause Analysis. She brings change management elements to all these areas, assisting the firm's leadership to transition with resilience in a regulated landscape.
Naeema Mulla
Tax Director, Damac Properties
Naeema is a tax director at Damac Properties, specialising in Indirect Tax within the real estate industry. With over 13 years of experience, she currently leads the VAT department at Damac Properties in Dubai, focusing on VAT compliance, strategy and advisory. Naeema's journey began in the UK before she moved to the UAE in 2017 to contribute to the VAT implementation.
Her career path has traversed through practice, the UAE Federal Tax Authority and now in industry.
Naeema has worked with a diverse portfolio of clients and industries, but her specialism and passion is in real estate. Outside of work, Naeema is the proud mum of three wonderful daughters.
Adnan Zaidi
UAE Risk Leader and Middle East Assurance Clients & Markets Leader, PwC
Adnan possesses over 25 years of global consulting experience gained in both the UK and Middle East. He is PwC’s Middle East Entrepreneurial & Private Business Leader as well as being the Middle East Assurance Clients & Markets Leader. He is also the PwC Relationship Partner for some of our most important Clients in the Middle East. In his various roles, Adnan is committed to providing excellent client service through delivering the best of PwC locally and globally.
Adnan is a Fellow Chartered Accountant (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales) as well as holding an MBA from the London Business School. He has significant Board and Audit Committee experience gained in different industries including the International Cricket Council (Audit Committee Chairman) and PwC Middle East (Board & Audit Committee Chairman). He has also served on many Not-for-Profit establishments including Jebel Ali School and Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs.
From a Sector perspective, Adnan has extensive experience in Real Estate, Financial Services, Private Equity, Aviation, Retail and Hospitality.
Syed Asif Zaman
Managing Partner, Ahmad Alagbari Chartered Accountants
Overall, more than 25 years’ experience including 16 years in UAE. He is a Fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ACA), Pakistan Institute of Public Accounts (FPFA), Associate member of The Association of International Accountants UK, Member of Information Systems Audit & Control Association (ISACA) and holds master’s degree in finance & accounting. Lead Auditor ISO 27001:2013.
He has diversified experience in field of Accounting & Finance, Internal & External Audits. He has also expertise in ERP system development, implementation & setting up business in UAE abroad & VAT Consultancy.
Holds extensive work experience in local as well as in international markets. Currently in addition to being Managing Partner of the firm, also holds the position of Chief Executive Officer of Leading-Edge Alliance (LEA) Tax Consultant and Director Consultancy at NUF Chartered Accountants.
Khurram Bhatti
Partner - National Head Of Quality & Risk Assessment, Grant Thornton
Khurram has extensive experience which spans over seventeen years gained within the United Arab Emirates, the CIS region, Pakistan, and within Europe. His diverse international experience has allowed him to continue adding a dynamic difference to the clients which he services whilst supporting them to grow.
He has in-depth knowledge of ethics, corporate governance and best practices, IFRS and IPSAS. Other areas of expertise include providing specialist services such as special agreed-upon procedures, outsourced accounting, business advisory, feasibility studies, internal audit function, project valuations, and forensic audits.
Khurram has extensive knowledge of Islamic commercial ethics, Islamic corporate governance, Islamic financial techniques, and assets and fund management to name a few. Alongside this, he has been instrumental in advising the Central Bank, SCA (Securities and Commodities Authority), and DFSA (Dubai Financial Services Authority) on industry best practices and ethical and professional standards.
During his spare time, Khurram mentors key CFOs in the region who continue to develop under his leadership. He shares industry best practices, international developments, and key emerging trends with this group who transfer his advice into daily practice to continue driving a number of dynamic businesses.
Asad Zain
CFO, Savola Foods Company
Board and senior level executive, with strong experience in various sectors, with blue chip organisations. M&A, privatisation, IPO, private equity, business startups, business strategy, performance management and SAP experience.
20 years’ experience, with blue chip organisations - Price Waterhouse Coopers, GlaxoSmithKline, Manara Equity Partners (a private equity firm managing a$450 million infrastructure fund) and Olayan Financing Company.
Diverse sector experience as investor, auditor, and finance executive in private equity, power, oil and gas, aviation, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and contracting, consumer and manufacturing sectors.
Zayd Maniar
Managing Partner, Crowe
Zayd Khalid Maniar is a chartered accountant (FCA) from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. With almost 20 years of tenure in Crowe UAE's management team, as Managing Partner he strives to maintain positive client relationships, drive new client services and help develop and implement strategic network goals, procedures, and policies. Committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in client and stakeholder interactions, his expertise spans across diverse industries.
Zayd completed his A Levels in 1998 from the City of London Freemen’s School and graduated in 2001 with Honours in Economics from the University of Reading. He completed his training at Shipleys LLP in 2004 and is a Fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Zayd Maniar
Managing Partner, Crowe
Zayd Khalid Maniar is a chartered accountant (FCA) from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. With almost 20 years of tenure in Crowe UAE's management team, as Managing Partner he strives to maintain positive client relationships, drive new client services and help develop and implement strategic network goals, procedures, and policies. Committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in client and stakeholder interactions, his expertise spans across diverse industries.
Zayd completed his A Levels in 1998 from the City of London Freemen’s School and graduated in 2001 with Honours in Economics from the University of Reading. He completed his training at Shipleys LLP in 2004 and is a Fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Saad Kadiri
Core Assurance Clients, Market Strategy and Quality Leader, PwC
Saad Kadiri, based in United Arab Emirates, is currently a Partner at PwC Middle East, bringing experience from previous roles at PwC Casablanca & Paris (Francophone Africa Region) and PwC Luxembourg.
Saad Kadiri holds a CPA Paris- ICAEW UK @ ICAEW. With a robust skill set that includes Business Planning, Due Diligence, Project Management, Auditing, Managerial Finance and more, Saad Kadiri contributes valuable insights to the industry.
Asim Rasheed
Group Financial Officer, Emirates NBD
Asim is a member of ICAEW and has over 25 years’ professional experience working with and advising banking and capital market institutions in the UK and Middle East.
Asim works for EmiratesNBD Group in Dubai. In his role as group financial controller & group head of business performance. Asim looks after external reporting to shareholders, regulators, capital, financial controls, taxation, business performance, and budgeting/forecasting.
Sana Khater
Executive Finance Director, Aldar
Executive Finance leader in the areas of private equity, asset and fund management, real estate, healthcare, venture capital and emerging technologies across multiple asset classes and sectors.
Investment Committee member with expertise in Mergers and acquisitions from due diligence, deal structuring, onboarding and integration, investment management to disposals and ultimately maximizing returns.
Executive Leadership of financial and business strategy encompassing capital allocation, capital structure, debt and equity calibration and portfolio performance management to optimize shareholder value.
Naveed Siddiqui
Director - Banking Supervision, Central Bank of UAE
Naveed Siddiqui is a UK qualified chartered accountant with experience ranging across Europe and Asia, a well-rounded professional with specialist skills in regulation, risk management and forensic audit, he has worked for Central Bank of the UAE for over 23 years.