Javed Ahmed

Director:

Javed Ahmed’s brief profile:

Address: 184 Leesons Hill, Chislehurst, Kent, BR7 6QL, United Kingdom

Mobile: + 44 758 595 4361

 Email: jahmad@icloud.com

EDUCATION:

  • London Business School, United Kingdom – Sloan Fellow, MSc in Strategy and Leadership 2016
  • Bradford School of Management, United Kingdom – MBA (Major in Finance) 1989 – 1990
  • The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, United Kingdom – ACMA 1985 – 1987

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE:

  • Darussalam Enterprise (“DARe”), Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam

Chief Executive 2017 – 2022

CEO of statutory body responsible for driving entrepreneurship in Brunei Darussalam and managing the country’s industrial land. This was achieved through training and incubation of start-ups, providing business advisory, promotion, market access, support services and financing for MSMEs, and managing the nation’s industrial land and complexes. Over the term of five years, grew DARe to be financially independent with revenue growth of over fivefold which enabled DARe to invest in its entrepreneur development initiatives whilst substantially improving the infrastructure of its industrial sites..

  • Fajr Capital Limited, Dubai, UAE Managing Director 2007 to 2017

Seconded as Chief Executive to Fajr’s largest investment, Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam from 2008 to 2015.

Transformed the bank into the leading banking group in the country:

• worked with the management team to develop a strategic plan to position the bank into the leading banking group in the country and obtain the Board’s commitment to the plan

 • upgraded the bank’s core banking platform and embarked on internet and mobile banking strategy to attract new customers and generated new sources of revenue from online remittances, pre-paid top-up services for telephone and electric utilities, virtual debit cards and electronic wallet services. • improved customer service through launch of new channels (internet and mobile banking, contact centre – for calls and social media interaction with customers on 24/7 basis), launched state-of-the-art and redesigned branches, developed a unique customer service DNA and ensured customers received high quality service from trained and accredited front-line staff.

 • diversified the bank’s revenue from retail banking to a balanced business comprising of Consumer (50%), Treasury (30%) and Corporate (20%).

• became the largest issuer of cards (debit and credit) in the country and increasing market share from 6% to about 40%

 • obtained A- credit rating for the bank from S&P without engaging a rating advisor. This rating was amongst the best in the ASEAN region.

 • expanded the bank’s presence into Singapore and the UAE to build correspondent banking and institutional relationships internationally.

• rebranded the bank to communicate the bank’s new and enhanced level of customer service and financial strength

• grew pre-tax profit from approximately USD50 million to over USD100 million in a banking market that remained flat over this period. Founding member of Fajr Capital. Part of the team responsible for preparing investor presentation documents and doing the roadshow to raise capital from institutional investors without engaging the services of an investment bank. Successfully raised over USD600 million from high quality institutional investors including sovereign wealth funds in GCC and ASEAN regions.

  • HSBC Bank PLC, London, United Kingdom Managing Director (2005 – 2007) 2000 – 2007

Seconded to Saudi British Bank (SABB) as General Manager responsible for setting and delivering strategic goals of the business through collaboration with all the business units of the bank. Represented the business in the senior decision making forums of the bank (Top Team, ALCO, etc). Key achievements include:

 • grew operating income by about 200% to USD435 million from Consumer, Corporate and Investment Banking

 • launched over 35 products in the areas of wealth management, consumer finance, first home mortgage product in KSA and insurance. Successful products included a Saudi Equity Fund which at its peak had AUM of over USD8 billion.

• relaunched the SABB Amanah brand which became the market leader for Islamic financial services in the Kingdom.

 • globally built a Wealth Management platform for HSBC Amanah and managed teams based in New York, London, Riyadh and Dubai. Built AUM of over USD5 billion into real estate, equities and cash management asset classes. Director (2003 -2005) Associate Director (2000 – 2003)

• Originated and distributed over USD6.5 billion of structured trade finance, asset-based finance (aircraft, ships, LNG tankers) and project finance transactions in the Middle East and Asia through a team comprising of five professionals.

• Played a leading role in the development of the global Sukuk market, export-credit backed aircraft finance transactions, first Islamically structured LNG tanker finance.

 • Completed transactions that were jointly originated through HSBC group offices in GCC, Asia, Europe and the Americas. RHB Sakura Merchant Bankers Berhad, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia General Manager, Islamic Finance 1999 – 2000

• Spearheaded the issue of first structured bond for RM1.5 billion (app. USD400 million) for a major Malaysian utilities company that saved the issuer substantial costs and generated substantial fee income for the bank. Islamic Investment Company of the Gulf (now Shamil Bank), Manama, Bahrain Senior Manager 1994 – 1999

 • Core team member for the USD850 million IDB Infrastructure Fund which was conceptualised and sponsored by the bank. The bank jointly with Emerging Market Partnership were the GPs for the fund. Part of the team to negotiate with IDB to be a joint sponsor and investor (LP). Over USD550 million was raised from sovereign wealth funds in the Gulf and Asia whilst the two joint sponsors committed USD300 million.

• Successfully originated, structured and distributed over USD2.5 billion structured trade finance and asset-based finance transactions from Europe, MENA, and Asia to Gulf-based banks. Bridge Corporation Limited, London, United Kingdom Manager 1990 – 1993

• Successfully originated, structured and distributed aircraft and ship finance transactions of major leasing companies to Gulf-based investors.

PERSONAL DETAILS: Languages – Fluent in English, Malay and Urdu

Interests – Travelling, Reading, Cycling and Pilates Previous Board Memberships – Royal Brunei Airlines, Employees Provident Fund (Brunei), Takaful Brunei, HSBC Amanah SICAV and Council Member of University Brunei Darussalam