ADVISORY BOARD

Mr. Mahmoud A. Al-Nouri – Chairman

Mr. Mahmoud A. Al-Nouri is a former Minister of Finance in the State of Kuwait. He brings to the Advisory Board over 48 years of experience in the banking and investment sectors. He has been the chairman of Arab African International Bank, UBAF Hong Kong, Gulf Bank – Kuwait, Kuwait Public Transport Company, Kuwait Investment Projects Company, and was the Managing Director of United Gulf Bank (UGB). From 1993 to 2003, he was the Economic Advisor to Kuwait National Assembly’s Economic & Financial Affairs Committee. Throughout his career, he has held various other leadership positions several local, regional and international institutions. In addition to his official responsibilities, Mr. Al-Nouri is the Chairman of The Board of Charity Fund of Abdulbaqi Abdullah Al-Nouri. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Kuwait University.

Mr. Timothy Roan – Vice Chairman

Mr. Timothy Roan is the Co-Founder & General Manager of Landmark International Management Consulting, based in Dubai. He has over 35 years of experience in investment marketing, investment analysis, legal and financial services and contract negotiations. He was also the Co-Founder & Managing Director of Roan Financial Services Inc. Mr. Roan obtained his Juris Doctor degree from Western New England College, School of Law and holds Bachelor of Science degree in International Economics from Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service.

Baroness Valerie Amos

The Right Honourable Baroness Valerie Amos is a champion of equality and humanitarianism throughout her career. She has served as both Executive of the Equal Opportunities Commission, and an adviser to the Mandela Government on leadership and change management issues. She joined the British cabinet as Secretary of State for International Development in 2003 and was subsequently appointed Leader of the House of Lords. She was also UK High Commissioner to Australia before joining the UN in 2010, as Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the UN, from 2010-2015. She was made a Companion of Honour in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for her services to the United Nations and emergency relief in conflict areas. 

Mr. Jameel Abdul Razzaq Al-Sane

Mr. Jameel Al-Sane is the Chairman & Group CEO of Abdul Razzaq Al-Sane & Sons Group. He is a management executive with over 35 years of experience with strong expertise in general management, corporate development, business operations, finance, and strategy. For the past decade, Mr. Al-Sane has managed the growth and transformation of the Group, reconsolidated assets and streamlined various businesses to rebuild the Group portfolio, expanded all facets of the business at a regional level, and led the acquisition of Abraaj Water, the leading bottled water brand in Kuwait. Mr. Al-Sane holds a Bachelor of Science in Banking, Corporate Finance, and Securities Law from the University of Oregon.

Mr. Yahya Rashid

Mr. Yahya Rashid was the Minister of Tourism in Egypt from 2016 to 2018. He brings more than 36 years of experience in the tourism and hospitality sector. Mr. Rashid started his career at Cairo Marriott Hotel where he was soon prompted to be the Director of Finance. He was later General Manager of Paris Marriott Champs-Élysées hotel for 23 years and was then transferred to Brussels where he managed the Marriott Hotel for three years. After this long career in hospitality, Mr. Yahya was appointed General Manager of Al Kharafi Tourism Development Company. He holds a Bachelor degree in Tourism and Hotel Management from Helwan University.

Mr. Tariq S.J. Al Rifai

Mr. Tariq Al-Rifai is a financial professional with a proven track record in capital raising, strategic planning and financial research. He has over 22 years of experience in financial forecasting, macroeconomic analysis, Islamic finance and economics. He has advised a wide range of clients including the leading banks and fund managers in the US and Europe. Mr. Al Rifai is an active writer and public speaker on investment strategy, macro trends and Islamic finance with previous speaking engagements in several major cities in North America, Europe, and Middle East. Mr. Al Rifai is currently the CEO of Quorum Centre for Strategic Studies, based in London. He is an active speaker at finance and banking events around the world. Mr. Tariq has been an advisor to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) on Kuwait economic policy.  He earned an MBA in International Business Management from DePaul University and a Bachelor of Science in International Business from St. Cloud State University.

Mr. Etienne Benet

Mr. Etienne Benet is an experienced and inspiring leader having successful track records of managing, turning around and growing large organizations and businesses in difficult, demanding and volatile environments. He is a recognized expert of developing countries (Africa/Middle East/Asia) with close to 30 years of experience in factory operations, finance, sales, marketing, operations and general management in emerging markets. Mr. Benet has spent most of his career with Nestlé, assuming various executive roles. Mr. Benet hold an Engineering and Agronomy diploma from Ecole Nationale Supérieure Agronomique de Toulouse and a Diploma in Tropical Agronomy from Centre for Tropical Agriculture of Montpellier.

Mr. Omran Hayat

Mr. Omran Hayat is the Founder and Managing Partner of AlMehan Holding Company WLL, a private equity firm investing in the real estate development value chain such as AlMutawir Regional Real Estate Developers Company and Dar SSH International Engineering Consultants. Since 2006 he is leading National Petroleum Services Company (NAPESCO) as its Chairman. Has also served for nine years as Managing Director of United Real Estate Company – Kuwait, a publicly listed company with a focus on commercial, retail, and hotel development in the region. Mr. Hayat also served for three years as the Deputy Managing Director in National Real Estate Company. He is a board member in Kuwait Chamber of Commerce & Industry and a member in the International Advisory Board for Real Estate Academic Initiative at Harvard University (R.E.A.I.) Mr. Hayat has a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from University of Miami and a Master of Science in Project Management & Finance from Northeastern University.