The Board

  • Mr. Arif Abdulla Alharmi Albastaki
    Mr. Arif Abdulla Alharmi Albastaki

    THE CHAIRMAN

    Arif has been the Chief Executive Officer, Amlak Finance PJSC since May 2007. His career spanning over 28 years is marked by distinguished leadership in various industry sectors.

    Arif began his professional journey in the banking sector with over 15 years’ experience in senior roles at reputed institutions like HSBC Middle East, Dubai Islamic Bank, and ABN AMRO Bank. He has a master’s degree in International Business from the University of Wollongong, Dubai.

    In his tenure at Amlak, Arif has been instrumental in successfully driving business transformation and financial restructuring. He has been actively involved with top-tier companies and leadership circles across the MENA region, bringing impactful insights and strategies to the table.

    Beyond Amlak, Arif’s thought-leadership extends to various board positions across the region, viz. Emaar the Economic City (KSA), Al Salam Bank (Algeria), and Americana Restaurants International PLC (UAE). Previously, he served as Chairman and member on several boards, including EII Capital PJSC, Daman – National Health Insurance Company, TECOM Group, AWQAF & Minors Affairs Foundation – Government of Dubai, and Aramex PJSC, among others.

    Arif’s career is a testament to his result-oriented approach making significant contributions to diverse industries such as technology, logistics, banking and finance, private equity, real estate, food and beverage, insurance, and hospitality.

  • Mr. Hesham Heikal
    Mr. Hesham Heikal

    VICE CHAIRMAN

    Hesham Heikal joined Emaar Properties in 2020 as the Group Chief Financial Officer. He has 30 years of diverse experience gained in the Middle East and the United States spanning across financial, operational, investment and Board-level roles. During his career, his responsibilities covered areas such as accounting,
    corporate finance, general management and overseeing corporate support functions such as legal, procurement, administration, human capital, and information technology.

    Hesham spent the first 15 years of his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) where he worked in Cairo, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and with the firm’s practice in the Silicon Valley, California. When he left PwC in 2008 he was the Partner leading the firm’s Assurance practice in Abu Dhabi. His experience covered
    several industries with a particular focus on Real Estate, Manufacturing (mostly FMCG), Telecommunications and Technology.

    Prior to Emaar, Hesham was the Group Chief Financial Officer of Alrajhi Holding Group, a multi-billion-dollar Saudi conglomerate with investments in Industrial, Infrastructure, Building Solutions, Contracting, Financial Services, and Real Estate. In his role, he reported to the Group Chairman and served as a member
    on the Boards of Directors of the Group’s Industrial, Building Solutions and Contracting sectors as well as two industrial joint ventures, and served as a member of the Executive Committee and Audit Committee of a joint venture.

    From November 2015 till May 2019 Hesham was the Group Chief Financial Officer of Dubai Properties Group, the largest privately held integrated real estate developer in Dubai. Scope of his responsibility included finance, strategy, contracts and procurement, information technology and cost control. In addition to his main role, Hesham also served on the Board of Directors of some of the Group’s joint ventures in the UAE and Bahrain.

    Hesham is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from Colorado, USA and holds an MBA from London Business School.

  • Mr. Pawan Chindalia
    Mr. Pawan Chindalia

    Board Member

    Pawan is a highly accomplished finance leader with over 20 years of experience in financial excellence, transformation, and strategic growth across Emaar Development, Emaar Malls, Emaar Entertainment, Burj Khalifa and Community Management. With extensive expertise in change management, performance management and turnaround, Pawan has successfully led through complex financial landscapes, driving efficiency and long-term sustainability.

    Instrumental in building high-performing teams and departments from the ground up, he has established robust financial structures that optimize performance, enhance governance, and support large-scale growth initiatives. His expertise in leading strategic projects has resulted in profitable expansions, operational streamlining, and enhanced shareholder value.

    With a sharp focus on cash flow management, cost optimization, and revenue growth, Pawan has successfully ensured liquidity and financial stability in dynamic business environments. His ability to drive financial strategy while aligning with corporate vision has positioned businesses for sustained success in highly competitive markets.

    Adept at leading multi-functional teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, and driving innovation, Pawan has been instrumental in transforming financial operations into strategic business enablers. His leadership has not only enhanced operational efficiency but also spearheaded digital finance transformation, ensuring agility and resilience in an evolving economic landscape.

    Recognized for excellent soft skills, stakeholder management, and executive communication, Pawan has influenced key business decisions, navigated complex negotiations, and developed strategic partnerships to fuel expansion and revenue growth.

    With an unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and leadership, Pawan continues to redefine financial leadership and delivering exceptional value.