Beyond Finance - The LIBF MENA podcast

In this episode of Beyond Finance, Dareen Tawil, Advisory Board Member at Times Higher Education, joins host Kari Felton, Programme and Recruitment Manager MENA at LIBF, to discuss the transformative power of partnerships in higher education across the MENA region. From fostering collaboration to building a career through continuous education, Dareen shares actionable insights and emphasises why s...

Join host Sapna Sulaya, Faculty Member at LIBF, as she explores the rise of neobanks in MENA with Fernando Plaza, Group Chief Digital Officer at ADIB. Discover what’s driving this digital banking revolution, how ADIB is transforming to meet customer demands, and the skills teams need to thrive in a rapidly evolving financial landscape. Gain insights into the challenges, opportunities, and collabor...

In this episode of the finance 101 series, host Meera Almehrzi, Training Coordinator at LIBF and Dr Perihan Abdelghaly, ESG Expert and Faculty Member at LIBF, discuss all things sustainable finance. The pair explore fundamentals, impact, career and upskilling opportunities in the field, as well as, personal anecdotes.

This episode focuses on a 101 understanding of fintech, delving into financial technology, the impact of AI on the banking industry, crypto, digital wallets, and more. Gain valuable insights on excelling in a digital banking career with firsthand expertise from LIBF alumnus Mohamed Ghanem, Digital Wealth Lead at HSBC Middle East. Tune in to the episode, hosted by Meera Almehrzi, Training Coordinat...

In this episode, Swaleh Awadh, Commercial Director MENA, LIBF, interviews Ahmad Elayyan, SVP – Head of Operations at Ajman Bank, and an LIBF alumnus. Ahmad shares insights on banking operations, tech integration, digital transformation, and the growth of Islamic banking. Don't miss this engaging conversation on the future of finance and valuable career advice.

In this special episode of Beyond Finance, host Emmanuel Rondeau, Faculty Member, LIBF MENA, was joined by Luma Saqqaf, Director, MEA and India, Principles for Responsible Investment, to breakdown the sustainable finance landscape in the MENA region. For more information about our qualifications, training and more, go to our  ⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠  and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ,  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠...

In this special episode of Beyond Finance, host Meera Almehrzi, Project Coordinator, LIBF MENA, was joined by Shada Elborno, Managing Director, Regional Head, Global Subsidiaries – MENAP, Standard Chartered, to discuss the inclusive working environments in the UAE. For more information about our qualifications, training and more, go to our  ⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠  and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠ ,  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Li...

Vera Koubek, Visiting Faculty at The London Institute of Banking & Finance MENA, and Elena Primikiri, Associate Partner at Uniqus Consultech, delve into the importance of incorporating sustainability practices within banking organisations to net-zero, regional happenings, including COP28, and how individuals can start a career in sustainable finance. For more information about our qualificatio...

Emmanuel Rondeau, Visiting Faculty at The London Institute of Banking & Finance MENA, and Gihan Hyde, CEO and Founder of CommUnique, discussed the significance of effecting change through ESG and the complex navigation of the process. For more information about our qualifications, training and more, go to our  ⁠website⁠  and follow us on ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠ ,  ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ ,  ⁠⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠Faceboo...

In this episode, Dr Martina Garcia, Director of the Centre for the Study of Financial Innovation (CSFI), interviewed sustainable finance experts, Perihan M. Abdelghaly and Vera Spender Koubek. Perihan is an expert in sustainable finance and ESG reporting and serves as a lecturer and programme leader at LIBF. Vera is a sustainable consultant and advisor, with expertise in asset and wealth managemen...

Kareem Refaay, Managing Director, The London Institute of Banking & Finance MENA, interviewed Catherine Winter, Managing Director of Financial Capability & Community Outreach at The London Institute of Banking Finance, to break down financial inclusion. The duo meticulously examined how financial inclusion is among the most critical topics in every community’s economy.  For more informatio...

Ian Parrett, Chief Operating Officer of The London Institute of Banking & Finance MENA, interviewed Dr Abdulaziz Nossier, Executive Director at Egyptian Banking Institute (EBI), to explore the opportunities for financial education in Egypt and the surrounding region. The duo delve deep into depicting the essential skills of a modern-day banker and how financial education has changed over the y...

Kareem Refaay, Managing Director of The London Institute of Banking & Finance MENA, interviewed Shargiil Bashir, Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), regarding the acceleration of ESG-related products and services. The duo dived deep into all facets of sustainability in the industry, breaking down and comparing experiences in the finance worl...

Kareem Refaay, Managing Director of The London Institute of Banking & Finance MENA, conversed with Axel Thibon, Founder & CEO – Wizest, about the developments in digital transformation and financial inclusion. Kareem and Axel dived deep into how emerging technology has paved the way for financial inclusion through embedded finance. Axel also discussed how Wizest, an investment app, allowed...

The LIBF MENA Podcast host, Kareem Refaay, Managing Director - The London Institute of Banking & Finance MENA, caught up with Zeeba Askar, Head of the Centre for Banking & Finance - Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF). The episode provides an overview of the learning and development in Bahrain's banking and financial industry, the roles of different demographics within an organ...

Muhannad Ebwini, the Co-Founder and CEO of HyperPay, a leading payment gateway in the MENA region, talks to Ouida Taaffe, the editor of “ Financial World ”, about his strategy for the company and how payments will change in the region as open finance comes onstream and governments back central bank digital currencies. For more information about our qualifications, training and more go to our websi...

Alex Gray, Head of Trade and Transaction Banking at The London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF), along with Tim Land, Executive Director of Monitoring and Enforcement at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) provide an insightful lecture style talk about trade finance and compliance related financial crime with real work experience examples. Their talk includes an overview of the complex nature...

Kareem Refaay, Managing Director of GCC & MENA of The London Institute of Banking & Finance interviews Amit Malhotra, General Manager Personal Banking Group, Commercial Bank of Dubai, about current developments and future of retail banking worldwide with a specific focus on North American, Middle East and Asia trends. For more information about our qualifications, training and more go to o...

During this episode, Kareem Refaay, Managing Director of GCC & MENA of The London Institute of Banking & Finance interviews Maysa AlNowais, Community Engagement Director of Maan – Authority of Social Contribution about Ghaya, the financial literacy programme in Abu Dhabi, its impact on the community, future plans and the drive for financial resilience. For more information about our qualif...

In conversation with the Middle East Institute of Directors and The London Institute of Banking and Finance addressing governance-related issues.  Green and sustainable finance has increased substantially in the past few years. This is leading to innovation and change in market practices, regulation, reporting and risk management. The purpose of this webinar is to explore some of the key deve...

During this episode Alex Fraser, Chief Executive of The London Institute of Banking & Finance, interviews Ahmed Al Naqbi, CEO of Emirates Development Bank, about initial views and the future of SME banking, how SMEs in the UAE are staying afloat during Covid-19 and much more. During the interview they discuss the Emirates Development Bank strategy to support businesses and start-ups across the...

This episode takes a deep dive into sustainability and sustainable finance in the MENA region. Chris McHugh, Director of the Centre of Sustainable Finance is joined by Belinda Scott and Ahmed Elbermbali to discuss the integration of sustainable initiatives within the financial services industry, ESG issues and how deep these are embedded in corporate reporting. If you want to find out more about o...

Welcome to the Beyond Finance LIBF MENA podcast! This episode provides an introductory overview of what to expect in coming episodes by Kareem Refaay, Managing Director, The London Institute of Banking & Finance MENA. Beyond Finance LIBF MENA will provide fireside chats and insightful discussions with industry leaders on regional banking and finance topics. If you want to find out more about o...