Category: General-EN

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.

Bilal Shakil is responsible for leading the internal audit function at EII CAPITAL with direct reporting to the Audit Committee.

He brings with him more than 10 years of extensive experience in internal and external audit. He had worked with BIG 4 firms (Deloitte & KPMG).

Before joining EII CAPITAL, Mr. Bilal worked as an assistant manager at Deloitte Middle east. He managed a wide portfolio of clients in oil & gas, construction, manufacturing, retail, and service industries. He accomplished various end-to-end financial audit and assurance projects within a defined timeframe and allocated budget. Presented firm in audit committee and other executive committees of clients to provide oversight of the financial reporting process, the audit process, the company’s system of internal controls, and compliance with laws and regulations. He also acted as a team leader at assignment related to internal controls over financial reporting for Oil Company in Abu Dhabi.

Prior to Deloitte Middle East, Mr. Bilal worked with KPMG Pakistan in their assurances services. He worked with a wide range of companies which includes oil & gas, construction, manufacturing and trading.

Mr. Bilal is Associate Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA), Certified Information System Auditor (CISA) and holds a graduate degree in commerce from Punjab University, Pakistan.

Bhavya Mehta is responsible for leading the internal audit function at EII CAPITAL with direct reporting to the Audit Committee.

She brings with her more than 15 years of rich and extensive experience in internal audit and risk management working with companies across the APAC region.

Before joining EII CAPITAL, Ms. Mehta held various Internal Audit roles at AusNet Services based in Melbourne (Australia) where she was responsible for managing the Internal audit team and overseeing the development and delivery of the risk-based Internal Audit plan. Ms. Mehta has helped companies assess, evaluate and mitigate key risks and helped the business strengthen its internal controls and governance posture. The internal audit function at AusNet Services was commended and awarded the highest compliance rating in its external quality assessment by the Institute of Internal Auditors, Australia.

Prior to AusNet Services, Ms Mehta worked with |KPMG India in their Advisory Services practice in both Delhi and Mumbai. She worked with a wide range of companies delivering internal audit and risk management services across Financial Services, Power Utilities, Professional Services, Hospitality and Manufacturing including Consumer Durables, Textiles and Industrial Automation.

Ms. Mehta is a merit holder Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and holds a graduate degree in Commerce with an Accounts (Honors).

Nadia Serry is responsible for managing the Legal and Compliance matters of the Company along with the Board Affairs. Her main responsibility is to provide the Legal and Compliance support to the Board members; and to ensure that the company is in line with the AML policies/ procedures and complying the regulatory requirements as well.

Nadia is a qualified Lawyer who has nearly 10 years of experience in the legal field including but not limited handling litigious matters, assisting in companies Incorporation and M&A business related transactions.

In addition to the above she is a well experienced Compliance Officer who can work closely on Risk and Compliance challenging matters.

Throughout her legal journey Nadia has gained her work experience in Egypt, France, and UAE; this journey of diversity has added a special value to her experience as a Lawyer.

Nadia is a former Diplomat who was appointed to represent Egypt for three years in the Egyptian Embassy in Paris (Military Office). She has also worked as a Compliance Advisor for 5 years in Al Tamimi and Company one of the most reputable and leading Law Firms in the Middle East and MENA region.

Nadia holds an L.L.B degree from Alexandria University (Egypt) and has attended “Master1” in Private International law at the University of Versailles Saint Quentin -en Yvelines in Paris (France)

NON-EXECUTIVE INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE

Mr. Syed Farhan Zaidi joined the Investment Committee of EII in 2019. As an EII’s Board of Directors appointee, he provides strategic guidance and oversees/supports the management team of EII. He represents EII on the board of its portfolio companies including Starwood Industries, Dubai Angel Investors and Service Market.

Mr. Zaidi has two decades of professional experience in private equity, venture capital and investment banking, covering the MENA and South Asian emerging markets. His forte is in deal execution of large and small to mid-cap buy-out and growth capital equity transactions and has exposure to deals in technology, healthcare, logistics, oil & gas, financial services and media & entertainment sectors.

Mr. Zaidi leads the investment function at the Chairman Office of Emaar and Eagle Hills. He advises Emaar in relation to its real estate development project in Pakistan and fund initiatives. In addition, he is a member of board of several mid-sized portfolio companies including Bounce Middle East, Diwan Media Videos and ILS. Mr. Zaidi is also a member of investment committee of Middle East Venture Fund III.

Up until 2014, Mr. Zaidi worked at The Abraaj Group, part of the investment team (in Singapore and Dubai offices) where he was involved in both large and SME deals including acquisition of a healthcare platform in Turkey and growth capital investment in a UAE based consumer discount offers app, the Entertainer. Prior to this, he worked for The National Investor, an investment banking firm in Abu Dhabi, where he worked on IPO of Aramex International and Islamic sukuk offering for Tabreed. His career also includes three years with MCB Bank in Karachi as part of the debt syndication team. He started his professional life as an intern at Citibank.

He is a CFA charter holder – issued by CFA Institute, USA and holds an MBA degree with concentration in finance and BBA (Honors) from Institute of Business Administration Karachi. He also holds diploma in Banking from Institute of Bankers.

Arif Zaman is responsible for leading the internal audit function at EII CAPITAL with direct reporting to the Audit Committee.

He brings with him more than a decade of proven experience in internal audit, risk management and fraud investigation.

Before joining EII CAPITAL, Mr Arif was the Group Internal Audit Manager at HSA Group based in Dubai, where he was responsible for looking after all the regional teams, and carrying out audit activities in diverse industries and sectors across the globe with primary focus in the Middle East, Asia and Africa regions.

Prior to HSA Group, Mr Arif served for Telenor (Telecommunication sector) as the Internal Audit Executive responsible for finance and technology audit engagements along with various special need engagements. Before that, Mr Arif worked with Ernst & Young (EY) as a Senior Consultant at Business Risk Advisory Services. He provided an exceptional internal audit and risk consultancy services to high network clients of diverse background in banking, services, manufacturing, regulatory and telecommunication sector.

Mr Arif holds an MSc in Professional Accountancy from University of London and a BSc Hons in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University, along with an impressive set of professional certifications, including the following: Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Information System Auditor (CISA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certificate in Control Self-Assessment (CCSA), Certificate in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA), Certified Risk Based Auditor (CRBA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified General Accountant (CGA) and ISO 31000 etc.

MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mr Khalfan Ahmad Harib is the current Chairman of the Central Grievance Committee and also serves as a board member of the Consultative Commission for the Supreme Council of the GCC, and as a board member of DEWA.

Mr Harib also previously held the titles of Chairman of the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid National Housing Program, Deputy Chairman of Sheikh Zayed Housing Program and Deputy Chairman of the Judicial Council of the Dubai. He also served the Government of Dubai as Director of H.H. Ruler’s Court and Director of the Finance Department, giving him 33 years of experience gained in varied roles.

Mr Harib holds a degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Arizona, USA.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, Mr Hmedan is responsible for the EII Board, providing legal and administrative support and guidance to the Board of Directors, including compliance with legal and statutory requirements and providing legal advisory to the company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, bringing with him more than 25 years of experience in his area of expertise as a lawyer and legal consultant.

Mr Yaser is Law graduated from the University of Damascus in Syria. He then completed LLM for commercial law and practised in Syria as Corporate, Commercial, Insurance Lawyer and Legal consultant since 1993. Prior to joining Emaar Industries and Investments (Pvt), he was the Senior Legal Advisor, Compliance Officer and Board Secretary of Al Sagr National Insurance Company listed in Dubai Financials Market (DFM), as well as the Secretary of the Legal & Motor Committee in Emirates Insurance Association, and prior to that, he was the Head of Legal Department at MAG Group.

MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mohammad Kamran Wajid is the Head of Wholesale Banking at Emirates Islamic (EI), a subsidiary of Emirates NBD Group. In his current role, Kamran leads the Corporate Banking, Treasury, Financial Institutions, Syndications & Structured Finance and Transaction Banking businesses.

Kamran, a veteran of over 25 years in the UAE banking industry (out of which 18 years have been with Emirates NBD Group), is a well-known name in the regional banking space and has undertaken a range of diverse assignments with Emirates NBD Group, including the CEO of Emirates NBD Capital Limited, CEO of Emirates Financial Services, and Group Head of International Wholesale Banking & Financial Institutions.

Prior to joining Emirates NBD Bank PJSC, Kamran worked with National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) and Mashreq Bank PSC. He also served as a Member of  Shuaa Capital PSC Board and was the Group CEO of Emerald Palace Group from 2016 to mid-2019.

With the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai has emerged as one of the fast growing economies in the world. Along with the traditionally established sectors such as Trade, Logistics, Financial Services and Tourism, the Government of Dubai has ambitious plans to develop industries and manufacturing as a strategic priority.The strategy aims at making Dubai “an international hub for knowledge-based, innovation and sustainable Industrial activities”, through enhancing industrial coherence and integration with other economic sectors particularly strategic ones, and to create an attractive investment environment through a set of initiatives and incentives. EII aims to play an active role in supporting and executing the vision of the government. More details on the Dubai Industrial Strategy 2030