Manama: Bahrain-based Bank Alkhair, an Islamic wholesale bank, announced the appointment of Ayman Sejiny as Group Chief Executive Officer.
He will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Bank and for developing and executing the Group’s strategy.
Bank Al Khair includes a number of subsidiaries namely Alkhair Capital Saudi Arabia, Alkhair Capital Dubai Limited, Alkhair Capital Turkey, and Alkhair International Islamic Bank, Malaysia. His appointment has been approved by the Central Bank of Bahrain.
Prior to his appointment as CEO of Bank Alkhair, Sejiny was the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Barclays Saudi Arabia.
He was also one of Bank Alkhair’s founding members and previously held the position of Board Member and Chief Executive Officer of Alkhair Capital Saudi Arabia (formerly Unicorn Capital Saudi Arabia) and Board member of Unicorn Bahrain from July 2002 to September 2009. He has served in a number of leading regional and international organisations including Citi Bank and ABN AMRO affiliate in Saudi Arabia (Saudi American Bank – SAMBA and Saudi Hollandi Bank).
“The appointment of Sejiny is an important addition to the management team. His in-depth knowledge and experience of investment and corporate banking in the local, regional and international markets, in addition to his strong personality, will enable the Bank to realise its short term and long term objectives and help capitalise on growth opportunities that will lead the Bank through a new growth phase in the New Year and beyond,” Commenting on the announcement, Yousef Al-Shelash, Chairman of Bank Alkhair, said.
“Sejiny has more than 21 years of experience in the banking and finance industry. We are confident that his leadership will enable the Bank to further build our team, and give the Bank the advantage of a wide range of expertise in screening investment and business opportunities. He is a compelling, transparent and charismatic leader who cares deeply about organisational development, good governance, team work culture and career development, along with possessing a sound understanding of regional regulatory requirements. Most of all, he has a powerful sense of ethical banking, business conduct, respect for and commitment to our investors and shareholders,” he added.
“I would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Central Bank of Bahrain for their continued valuable guidance, support and prudent counsel. In addition, I would like to thank the Board of Directors for their leadership and for selecting Sejiny as the Bank’s new CEO.”
“I am honoured to take on this role and look forward to working with Bank Alkhair’s team to enhance our business across our core markets and to build exceptional value for all our stakeholders. Our strategy for this year will be to ensure sustainability of the Bank’s commercial activities in our core markets and to steer the Bank’s trajectory to maximize returns for our shareholders and further strengthen the Bank’s position. As one of the founding members of Bank Alkhair, I am confident that with the support of the team and the Board of Directors, we will be able to take the Bank to the next level,” Sejiny while commenting on his new role at the bank said.
Over the years Sejiny has successfully completed several development courses in finance and management, besides being a member on several reputable regional committees. He graduated in BA Finance from the Eastern Michigan University. He is a talented speaker and has participated in several seminars and leading conferences, in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Malaysia, United Kingdom and in the World Bank in USA. He is fluent in English, Arabic and German.
“Bank Alkhair in Bahrain continues to consolidate its multi business lines to focus on management of alternative assets. This involves sourcing and structuring alternative investment opportunities in the MENA region and placing these opportunities with the Bank’s client base in the GCC,” the bank in a statement said.