Previous Engagements and Experiences Chief of Internal Audit for Dubai World Group, the holding company that manages a number of world-class companies such as DP World-UAE Region, Economic Zones World (EZW), Dry Docks World, Nakheel and Istithmar, from August 2005 until October 2014. In this role, he reported initially to the Chairman and then directly to the Audit and Risk Committee of Dubai World on Audit & Fraud related issues covering Dubai World. During his tenure beside Auditing, as a Certified Fraud Examiner he led around 500 fraud cases dealing with different agencies, including special cases in USA and Interpol. Dubai Aluminum Company (DUBAL) heading various Departments (IT, Quality, Human Recourses). He was involved in Quality Assurance, developing and maintaining ISO standards and certifications and the application for the Dubai Quality Award and chairing the DUBAL Suggestion Program. While serving as the Manager of Organization Development, Abdulqader was responsible for Recruitment and Training and Succession Planning. Noteworthy Achievements Winner of the prestigious Kano Medal Excellence Catalyst for the year 2011 and Ideas UK Fellowship Award 2012. Founder of Ideas Arabia and assessor for Ideas America. First UAE National recipient of the prestigious Wilfred Thesiger Award, where master’s degree Scholarship was awarded to him. Member of the Jury for the Dubai Quality Award and SKEA, Shaikh Khalifa Excellent Award. Awarded the Qualification in Internal Audit Leadership (QIAL) in 2014, which falls under the umbrella of the Institute of Internal Auditors. Certified Fraud Examiner from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners in the USA and has a Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) from IIA Abdulqader holds a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering Technology from Arizona State University, U.S.A. and a Master of Science in Technology Management from Stirling University, Scotland, U.K. He has successfully completed “The International General Management Program for Executive Development” conducted by International Institute of Management Development (IMD), Switzerland.

Jamal Saleh joined UBF (UAE Banks Federation) as Director General as of 1st January 2019. Prior to joining UBF, his last role in banking was Head of Group Credit & Risk and Acting Regional Chief Risk Officer.

Jamal spent 29 years in banking (Conventional and Islamic, in UAE and globally) in which he covered Private Banking, Asset Management, Credit, and Enterprise Risk Management (Credit, Market, Operational, Liquidity, and IT Risk, as well as ICAAP and Basel Accords). His first 10 years were in the USA in Private Banking, Asset Management, and Credit, and the last 19 were in the UAE in Corporate Banking, Credit, and Risk Management with three leading UAE banks. He has also been leading SWIFT User Group (UAE) as its chairperson since 2019.

He served as PRMIA’s UAE Director General for 7 years and was concurrently Member on British University’s Advisory Board (Dubai).

Jamal graduated summa cum laude from New Jersey, USA, in Finance and Banking and holds several banking certifications.

He is a frequent quest on UAE and international business TV channels and newspapers as well as keynote speaker at a large number of regional and international forums in the UAE, MENA, Singapore, Europe, USA, etc., including several years at RiskMinds Geneva/Amsterdam and the Commonwealth of Nations at Westminster’s Central Hall in London.

As part of the banking and financial services industry with over two decades of multi-functional experience, Bhaskar Sen has been leading transformation initiatives across multiple domains of risk, credit and corporate strategy across several geographies including UAE, USA, Japan and India.

In his current role as Chief Risk Officer at United Arab Bank, he has led institutionalization of prudent risk management strategy and framework that has resulted in a strong risk profile towards complementing a sustainable business growth. The transformational efforts have been manifested in the form of strengthened financials, strong market sentiment and credit rating upgrades. In his previous roles as Head of Risk Management at First Abu Dhabi Bank and First Gulf Bank, he had led design and institutionalization of comprehensive risk management framework across UAE and international locations. Earlier as part of consulting industry, he had led business process transformations and risk-consulting engagements for banks in USA & Japan. Before his stint in the consulting industry, as part of corporate strategy in a large media conglomerate, he had delivered strategic assignments for business expansion and launch of new brands. Driven by his motivation to create long term institutional value, his unwavering focus has been towards bringing together stakeholders from strategy, business and risk functions towards joint conceptualization and execution of pragmatic and enduring business solutions.

At the helm of Bank of Sharjah's Internal Audit division, his leadership is anchored in over nine years of dedication to elevating global audit practices. His team's commitment to excellence has fortified the bank's defenses against financial and operational risks, yielding strategic insights that bolster the institution's objectives.

Jenitha John is a globally recognised authority in governance, risk, and internal audit, with over 28 years of executive experience and extensive board-level leadership across financial services, energy, telecommunications, manufacturing, and the public sector. She is a Chartered Accountant, Chartered Director, Certified Internal Auditor, and a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Senior Executive Programme. 

A former Global Chairman of the Institute of Internal Auditors—and the first African woman to hold this role—Jenitha has helped shape the evolution of the profession across 170+ countries. In parallel with her executive career, she has served for 18 years as a Non-Executive Director, including as an Audit & Risk Committee Chair, providing rigorous oversight of governance, risk, internal controls, and financial and non-financial reporting across both public and private sector entities. 

In her current role with the UAE Internal Auditors Association, Jenitha is focused on elevating internal audit maturity, advancing adoption of the Global Internal Audit Standards, and equipping the profession for emerging risks including ESG, digital transformation, cyber risk, and AI-enabled assurance. She is widely respected for positioning internal audit as a forward-looking strategic advisor that supports boards and executive leadership in navigating uncertainty and complexity.

PhD | Digital Transformation Strategist | AI Advocate | Keynote Speaker

Dr. Jassim Al Awadhi is an expert and visionary leader in Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence strategy and implementation, with over two decades of experience shaping strategic technology agendas across the telecommunications, government, financial and innovation sectors in the UAE. Holding a PhD and a strong academic foundation, Dr. Al Awadhi brings a unique blend of scholarly insight and practical leadership to the forefront of digital innovation.

Throughout his career, he has led transformative initiatives that redefined service delivery models, orchestrated large-scale digital ecosystem deployments, and championed AI integration strategies across critical industries. His work bridges the gap between technological advancements, organization readiness strategy, and human-centric design, enabling sustainable, scalable, and inclusive growth while fostering cross-sectoral collaboration.

Dr. Al Awadhi is a keynote speaker and thought leader, regularly invited to address international conferences on topics ranging from smart government and future foresight to education technology, organization readiness for digital transformation, and AI implementation strategy and framework. His engagements span high-profile platforms focused on AI and cognitive technologies, national AI strategies, HR innovation, fintech, and the modernization of customer experiences and journeys in public and private services.

Passionate about lifelong learning and responsible innovation, Dr. Al Awadhi is committed to empowering the next generation of leaders by fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government to build future-ready, tech-savvy societies.

Mr. Mubeen Zafar is a seasoned leader in Islamic banking & Finance, Shari’ah Governance, and Assurance, with over 35 years of experience across audit, risk, compliance, and governance. He currently serves as Head of Internal Shari’ah Audit at Mashreq, where he established a risk based Shari’ah audit function that achieved the UAE’s first IIA Conformance for an Internal Shari’ah Audit function, setting an industry benchmark. He also serves as Vice Chairperson of the Internal Shari’ah Audit Committee at the UAE Banks Federation, contributing to the development of industry wide Shari’ah Audit best practices. He continues to advance Shari’ah Governance and Assurance across, supported by deep expertise in risk based audit, governance frameworks, digital and emerging technology assurance, and regulatory engagement with the Central Bank and Higher Shari’ah Authority.

Jithin Jacob is a Director in PwC Middle East’s Consulting practice (Risk Consulting), where he advises leading financial‑services institutions and regulators on enterprise risk management, governance, regulatory compliance, and internal‑audit/internal‑control transformations. 

With over 13 years of experience delivering complex, multi‑jurisdictional mandates across the region, he supports clients in strengthening their risk and control environments.

A qualified FCCA, CIA and CAMS professional, he partners closely with Board members and Senior Executives to enhance governance maturity, elevate decision‑making structures, and embed robust risk‑management frameworks across the financial services sector. He is a proponent of the practical and responsible use of AI to enhance control effectiveness and operational resilience.

Maryam Zaman is a Partner in PwC Middle East’s Consulting practice (Risk Consulting) and leads the firm’s Financial Services Risk Practice across the region. 

With over 20 years of Big Four experience spanning the USA and the UAE, she brings deep expertise in Governance, Risk, Compliance, and Internal Audit advisory for leading banks, regulators, and financial institutions.

Maryam is a CFA charterholder and is also CIA and CISA qualified, reflecting her strong technical foundation in financial analysis, internal controls, and technology enabled risk management. 

Throughout her career, she has partnered closely with Boards,  CEOs, CROs, CFOs, and other senior executives to help shape and enhance robust risk and governance frameworks.

She is a strong advocate for the responsible and ethical use of AI—believing in its potential to strengthen decision making, elevate risk management, and drive sustainable efficiencies across the financial services sector. Her perspectives blend practical industry insight with a forward looking view of how emerging technologies are transforming the finance and risk landscape.

Osama Abbas is the Group Chief Internal Audit Officer at Astratech Group, a UAE-based fintech and communication leader building financial tools for users and businesses through botim, botim Money, and Quantix, Where he leads the Internal Audit service with a focus on technology, cybersecurity, and financial risk.

A hands-on audit leader with over 13 years of experience across internal and external audit, Osama has a strong track record in modernizing audit practices through technology, data, and artificial intelligence. His approach centers on the responsible and practical use of AI to enhance audit quality, insight, and decision-making, strengthening governance while enabling innovation.

As the Founder and CEO of AJMS Global, Dr. Abhishek Jajoo leads a high-impact consulting firm operating at the intersection of tax, risk, compliance, ESG, and digital transformation. With a passion for FinTech, RegTech, and digital assets, he specializes in helping financial institutions navigate regulatory complexities while embracing innovation.

Under his leadership, AJMS has expanded to 14 cities across 10 countries, with a team of over 600 professionals delivering cutting-edge solutions in AML, KYC, risk management, governance, ESG compliance, regulatory & digital transformation.

Our commitment to excellence has been recognized through several accolades:

•        Future 100 Company by the UAE Ministry of Economy for shaping the nation’s future economy

•        Majra Impact Seal – UAE's highest CSR & ESG honor

•        CEO of the Year 2024 (Business Consultancy) C-Suite Awards

•        AJMS Global - ‘UAE Super brand’ for the fifth consecutive year

•        E-Invoicing Solution of the Year 2025 by Entrepreneur

•        Recognized by Forbes and Asia One for thought leadership and industry innovation

Key Achievements:

•        Received letter of Appreciation from Dubai Economy for fostering a globally aligned AML and CFT environment.

•        Represented the UAE under Remitex at GITEX Asia 2025, Singapore.

•        Member of the Forbes Business Council, recognized for leadership in digital risk and compliance

•        Represented AJMS at Invest in Kerala Summit, led by the UAE Minister of Investment.

•        Named one of the “10 Most Innovative Business Leaders in the UAE” by APAC Entrepreneur,

Speaking Engagements

Dr. Jajoo frequently shares insights on AI in finance, RegTech, corporate tax, and ESG strategy at global forums, including:

•        IBM Financial Services Cloud Council, London

•        DIFC FinTech Hive

•        Dubai AI Festival, Industry Panel Moderator

•        Arab Virtual Forum for Sustainable Business Practices

•        Casablanca Insurance Rendez-Vous 2025, Morocco, Keynote speaker

•        Seamless, ICBATS, & Dubai FinTech Summit

•        TEDxVaniVihar – 2025 Speaker

•        Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Multiple panel moderations

•        VARA and Dubai Economy AML/CFT awareness sessions

•        Digital Insurance, MENA

•        Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET), Multiple Webinars

•        Shams Free Zone, Multiple Webinars

•        National Bank of Fujairah Knowledge Centre, Seminar on UAE Corporate Tax

Entrepreneurial & Advisory Roles

Guided by the vision of Dr. Abhishek Jajoo, AJMS has grown into a conglomerate with 28 companies. This expansion reflects a steadfast commitment to innovation, sustainability, and creating impactful enterprises that shape a dynamic global business ecosystem.

Previous Engagements and Experiences Chief of Internal Audit for Dubai World Group, the holding company that manages a number of world-class companies such as DP World-UAE Region, Economic Zones World (EZW), Dry Docks World, Nakheel and Istithmar, from August 2005 until October 2014. In this role, he reported initially to the Chairman and then directly to the Audit and Risk Committee of Dubai World on Audit & Fraud related issues covering Dubai World. During his tenure beside Auditing, as a Certified Fraud Examiner he led around 500 fraud cases dealing with different agencies, including special cases in USA and Interpol. Dubai Aluminum Company (DUBAL) heading various Departments (IT, Quality, Human Recourses). He was involved in Quality Assurance, developing and maintaining ISO standards and certifications and the application for the Dubai Quality Award and chairing the DUBAL Suggestion Program. While serving as the Manager of Organization Development, Abdulqader was responsible for Recruitment and Training and Succession Planning. Noteworthy Achievements Winner of the prestigious Kano Medal Excellence Catalyst for the year 2011 and Ideas UK Fellowship Award 2012. Founder of Ideas Arabia and assessor for Ideas America. First UAE National recipient of the prestigious Wilfred Thesiger Award, where master’s degree Scholarship was awarded to him. Member of the Jury for the Dubai Quality Award and SKEA, Shaikh Khalifa Excellent Award. Awarded the Qualification in Internal Audit Leadership (QIAL) in 2014, which falls under the umbrella of the Institute of Internal Auditors. Certified Fraud Examiner from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners in the USA and has a Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) from IIA Abdulqader holds a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering Technology from Arizona State University, U.S.A. and a Master of Science in Technology Management from Stirling University, Scotland, U.K. He has successfully completed “The International General Management Program for Executive Development” conducted by International Institute of Management Development (IMD), Switzerland.

Fuad Mohamed, Chief Executive Officer, Al Masraf

Fuad Mohamed is the Chief Executive Officer of Al Masraf, where he is spearheading the transformation of one of the UAE’s most established financial institutions into a modern, customer-centric, and digitally empowered bank. With over two decades of experience in the banking and financial services sector, Fuad is renowned for driving sustainable growth and delivering measurable value through strategic vision and operational excellence.

Under his leadership, Al Masraf is aligning its objectives with the UAE’s strategic goals to support national economic growth. Fuad’s strategy focuses on three core pillars: delivering seamless customer experiences through advanced digital solutions, optimizing operational efficiency, and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration across the organization.

Before joining Al Masraf, Fuad held senior leadership roles at some of the UAE’s most prominent financial institutions. As Chief Operating Officer at Emirates Islamic and Emirates NBD Egypt, he led transformative initiatives that included implementing cutting-edge digital banking solutions, streamlining operations, and achieving significant improvements in customer engagement. His efforts directly contributed to enhancing profitability and operational resilience in competitive markets. 

Fuad also served as Chairman of the Digital Committee for the Union Banking Federation. During his career, he successfully launched one of the first online trading platforms in the UAE, transforming the financial services landscape and setting a new standard for digital accessibility. Additionally, he led the development and implementation of one of the first IPO integration platforms in the UAE, enabling seamless access to capital markets for investors and issuers.

Fuad is widely recognized for his ability to build high-performing teams and adapt organizations to emerging trends. His collaborative leadership style empowers teams to embrace change and deliver exceptional results. He is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of leaders and fostering innovation that benefits both businesses and individuals.

An Emirati national dedicated to advancing UAE’s financial ecosystem, Fuad’s leadership reflects a steadfast commitment to making Al Masraf a trusted financial partner in achieving the nation’s ambitious economic objectives. 

Fuad holds degrees in law and information systems and has completed executive education at Harvard, INSEAD, and Said Business School. Beyond his professional achievements, he actively supports community initiatives and is a strong advocate for ethical banking practices and sustainable development. 

Jenitha John is a globally recognised authority in governance, risk, and internal audit, with over 28 years of executive experience and extensive board-level leadership across financial services, energy, telecommunications, manufacturing, and the public sector. She is a Chartered Accountant, Chartered Director, Certified Internal Auditor, and a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Senior Executive Programme. 

A former Global Chairman of the Institute of Internal Auditors—and the first African woman to hold this role—Jenitha has helped shape the evolution of the profession across 170+ countries. In parallel with her executive career, she has served for 18 years as a Non-Executive Director, including as an Audit & Risk Committee Chair, providing rigorous oversight of governance, risk, internal controls, and financial and non-financial reporting across both public and private sector entities. 

In her current role with the UAE Internal Auditors Association, Jenitha is focused on elevating internal audit maturity, advancing adoption of the Global Internal Audit Standards, and equipping the profession for emerging risks including ESG, digital transformation, cyber risk, and AI-enabled assurance. She is widely respected for positioning internal audit as a forward-looking strategic advisor that supports boards and executive leadership in navigating uncertainty and complexity.

Hassan Ali is Senior Executive Vice President and the acting Group Head of Internal Audit at Mashreq Bank. Hassan spearheads the Internal Audit activity of Mashreq Group globally, covering Mashreq's operations in the UAE, the United States, the United Kingdom, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain in addition to other global financial hubs where Mashreq operates. 

Hassan is a member of Mashreq's Executive Management team and reports directly to the Board Audit Committee, enabling him to collaborate closely with the senior leadership of Mashreq and develop Internal Audit strategies that are aligned with strategic direction of Mashreq. This also ensures that Internal Audit is empowered to deliver value adding assurance and advisory services that contribute into enhancing the risk management practices, risk culture and control environment of Mashreq. 

Apart from his senior leadership role at Mashreq, Hassan is also a Board Audit Committee Member at Sukoon Insurance PJSC, a leading insurance provider in the region.

Hassan is an active member in the Internal Audit community and serves as a Member in the Audit Committee of the UAE Banking Federation (UBF) as well as an Executive Committee Member in the UAE Internal Auditors Association's Banking and Financial Services Group. 

Hassan has 20 years a professional experience in Finance and Accounting, Retail Banking and Internal Audit. Prior to joining Mashreq, Hassan held senior Internal Audit roles at Dubai Islamic Bank, where he served as the Head of Investments & Treasury Audit, and at Noor Bank, where he held multiple positions, including the Head of Retail Banking Audit and the Head of Support Functions & Sharia Audit.

Hassan is a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and holds a Master's degree in International Business from the University of Wollongong in Dubai and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Business & Management (Accounting) with Honors from the Higher Colleges of Technology.

Iyad Mourtada ACFE Authorized Trainer OpenThinking Academy Iyad started his career in Chicago by working as an auditor with the National Future Association, a self-regulatory organization for the U.S. derivatives industry. He conducted audits and investigations for many global financial firms in the US before  and after the financial crisis of 2008. After that in 2011, he moved to the Middle East and started OpenThinking Academy, a training company specializing in anti-fraud and audit courses. In 2014,  he became the ACFE Authorized Trainer in the GCC teaching the CFE Exam Review Course and since then more than 4000 ACFE members have passed the CFE Exam with him.

Experienced Licensing, Supervision, Assurance, Anti-Money Laundering, Audit, Risk, Business Continuity mgmt. Resilience, Information Security, Internal Controls, Excellence, Governance professional with a demonstrated history of working in the Public Sector, Economic Development, Leisure, Travel, Tourism Industry, Banking, FI, & Investments, Virtual Assets, Real Estate. Holding key strategic positions as Vice-chairman, Board of Director, local, federal & international committee’s.

Dr. Ashraf Gamal El Din, FCG is the Chief Executive Officer of Hawkamah, the Institute for Corporate Governance, the DIFC. He is a Fellow and Certified Governance Expert from the Chartered Governance Institute, UK (ICSA). He was a jury member of the Arabia CSR Award. Prior to joining Hawkamah, Dr. Ashraf was the Executive Chairman of Egypt Post. Before that, he was the Deputy Executive Director of the Egyptian Banking Institute, the training arm of the Central Bank of Egypt. He was also the founder and Project Manager of the Egyptian Corporate Responsibility Center working on promoting the concepts and application of CSR in Egypt. Furthermore, he was the Executive Director of the Egyptian Institute of Directors (EIoD), the Institute of Corporate Governance in Egypt and the Arab Region Dr. Ashraf served as a board member and head of the Audit Committee in a number of listed, non-listed, State Owned and family owned companies, such as Egyptian Resorts Company, Sahl Hashish, Egypt Reinsurance, Misr Life Insurance, Suez Canal for Technology, Thebes International, Misr Qena Cement, just to name a few. He also served a member of the General Assembly of the Holding Company for Transportation.

Dr. Ashraf served as an advisor to the Minister of Investment 2004-2010 in the areas of corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, privatization and restructuring. Furthermore, Dr. Ashraf is a Professor of Management, Faculty of Commerce, Cairo University. He holds a PhD degree from Manchester University, UK, and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Carleton University, Canada. He further holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Cairo University with highest honors.

IT Strategy, Governance & Management Consultancy

Digital & Agile Transformation

Management of Change

Training & Coaching

Program & Project management

Methodologies & Models

Quality Management, Audits & Reviews

An accomplished, experienced C-Suite with a cross-industry and Big 4 experience. A proficient Chartered Accountant and business leader with over 16 years of cumulative experience in Internal Audit and Controls, Risk And Governance, Enterprise Risk Management, Financial Crime Compliance, Fraud Management, Forensic Investigations and Regulatory Affairs. 

Areas of Expertise:

• Internal Audit Services

• Sustainable Cost Management

• Business Process Re-engineering

• Corporate Governance 

• Regulatory Compliance 

• AML and Sanctions 

• Forensic Investigation

• Enterprise Risk Management 

• Operations Optimisation

• Leadership and Development

• Strategies Leadership

• Transformation Change Management

Shagen Ganason serves as the Group Head of Audit

for the Liva Group of Companies, based in Dubai.

Leading in multi-line insurance across key GCC

markets, Liva specialises in bespoke, digitally enabled

insurance solutions. Shagen’s unique advantage stems

from his dual experience within organisations, having

served as both an auditor and a line manager. This dual

perspective enhances his effectiveness as an internal

auditor and directs his focus towards business

development, audit engagement delivery, and talent

development. Shagen is recognised for his resultsdriven

approach and his proven ability to forge robust

relationships with C-suite executives globally.

With a rich career spanning over three decades, Shagen has developed extensive

expertise in operational management, continuous improvement, lean auditing,

accounting, internal audit, and risk management. He has been involved in integrating

advanced analytics and artificial intelligence technologies into internal audits,

enhancing data-driven decision making and operational efficiency. His global

experience covers a diverse range of industries including manufacturing, airlines,

agriculture, financial services, and government, across three continents. Shagen has

held roles such as Chief Information Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating

Officer, and Lead Champion in various countries including Japan, China, Malaysia,

Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, and more recently South

Korea.

Shagen is a Certified Internal Auditor and a Certified Environment Auditor. He earned

an MBA with Merit from the University of Bath, UK, and is a trained lean practitioner,

mentored by Toyota Master Trainers in Japan. He is a regular presenter at regional

and international IIA and ACFE conferences on topics relating to audit and risk, use of

technology in audits, and talent cultivation. Shagen has also contributed to several

ACIIA and IIA committees.