Emirates NBD Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Emirates NBD has 10 executives leading key functions including asset management, regional market expansion, and international operational efficiency.

Focused on delivering seamless financial experiences across the MENAT region, Emirates NBD drives sustainable economic progress through digital innovation and a comprehensive suite of banking services for diverse global clients.

Leadership Roles at Emirates NBD

  • Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Nbd Asset Management, Difc - Michail Samawi
  • Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Nbd Ksa - Naser Yousef
  • Chief Financial Officer (Singapore) - Elaine Liaw
  • Executive Secretary To Chief Financial Officer - Lakshmi Jagdeesh
  • Chief Operating Officer - Graeme Peake
  • Group Chief Operating Officer - Abdulla Qassem
  • Manager - WB Performance - Chief Operating Officer International Operations - Abdulhakim Adi
  • Chief Operating Officer (Egypt) - Ahmed Elshanet
  • Chief Operating Officer - International - Nicholas Leow
  • Chief Operating Officer, International Operations - Barid Neogi
  • Michail Samawi - Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Nbd Asset Management, Difc

    Michail Samawi, the Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Nbd Asset Management, Difc at Emirates NBD, directs investment strategies and portfolio growth across the Middle East. Overseeing complex asset management functions, Samawi ensures alignment with the broader financial goals of the group. This leadership role involves managing institutional capital and private wealth portfolios while navigating volatile market conditions. By optimizing investment vehicles, Michail Samawi directly impacts the long-term profitability of the bank. Samawi maintains rigorous standards for risk management and regulatory compliance within the Dubai International Financial Centre. Through strategic oversight of asset allocation, the Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Nbd Asset Management, Difc fosters trust among high-net-worth clients. This position requires constant interaction with the board to refine investment products. Ultimately, Samawi secures the competitive position of the firm in the regional asset management landscape.

    Naser Yousef - Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Nbd Ksa

    Naser Yousef, the Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Nbd Ksa at Emirates NBD, drives market expansion and operational excellence within the Saudi Arabian financial sector. Overseeing corporate and retail banking initiatives, Yousef ensures the delivery of tailored financial solutions to local businesses and government entities. This leadership role involves scaling the branch network and enhancing digital service adoption across the kingdom. By fostering strong relationships with local regulators, Naser Yousef directly impacts the growth trajectory of the bank in this critical market. Yousef coordinates with group leadership to align regional activities with the overarching corporate mission. The Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Nbd Ksa manages cross-functional teams to improve customer acquisition and retention metrics. Through strategic planning and execution, Yousef strengthens the brand presence of the organization. Ultimately, Yousef secures a dominant market share for the bank within the competitive Saudi financial landscape.
    Naser Yousef

    Elaine Liaw - Chief Financial Officer (Singapore)

    Elaine Liaw, the Chief Financial Officer (Singapore) at Emirates NBD, directs financial planning, reporting, and capital management for the Singaporean operations. Overseeing fiscal health, Liaw ensures compliance with local regulatory requirements while supporting the broader international strategy of the bank. This leadership role involves managing liquidity, monitoring market risks, and optimizing the balance sheet for the regional branch. By providing accurate financial insights, Elaine Liaw directly impacts the strategic decision-making process of the group. Liaw coordinates with the global finance team to ensure consistency in reporting and performance metrics. The Chief Financial Officer (Singapore) manages capital allocation to support growth in the Asian market. Through meticulous analysis of financial data, Liaw identifies opportunities for cost reduction and revenue enhancement. Ultimately, Liaw secures the financial integrity of the Singaporean operations, contributing to the overall stability of the global banking network.

    Lakshmi Jagdeesh - Executive Secretary To Chief Financial Officer

    Lakshmi Jagdeesh, the Executive Secretary To Chief Financial Officer at Emirates NBD, directs the administrative and organizational support for the financial leadership team. Overseeing the scheduling, documentation, and communication flow for the Chief Financial Officer, Jagdeesh ensures that the finance department operates with maximum efficiency. This leadership role involves managing sensitive financial data and coordinating meetings with the board and external stakeholders. By facilitating effective communication, Lakshmi Jagdeesh directly impacts the productivity of the financial executive office. Jagdeesh manages the administrative workflow to ensure that the Chief Financial Officer can focus on strategic financial planning and capital management. The Executive Secretary To Chief Financial Officer maintains the integrity of financial records and ensures that all administrative tasks align with corporate governance standards. Through meticulous organization, Jagdeesh supports the smooth functioning of the finance department. Ultimately, Jagdeesh secures the operational readiness of the financial leadership team.

    Graeme Peake - Chief Operating Officer

    Graeme Peake, the Chief Operating Officer at Emirates NBD, directs the internal infrastructure and administrative frameworks supporting the entire banking group. Overseeing core operational processes, Peake ensures maximum efficiency across all departments. This leadership role involves streamlining workflows and integrating advanced technology to support retail and corporate banking services. By optimizing internal resource allocation, Graeme Peake directly impacts the operational agility of the organization. Peake collaborates with other C-suite leaders to implement enterprise-wide improvements that reduce costs and enhance service delivery. The Chief Operating Officer manages the transition toward automated systems to support the digital innovation goals of the bank. Through rigorous oversight of daily operations, Peake maintains the stability of the financial network. Ultimately, Peake secures the operational foundation necessary for the bank to provide seamless experiences to millions of customers across the international network.

    Abdulla Qassem - Group Chief Operating Officer

    Abdulla Qassem, the Group Chief Operating Officer at Emirates NBD, directs the overarching technological and operational strategy for the entire banking group. Overseeing the digital transformation agenda, Qassem ensures the integration of advanced platforms like Liv into the core banking ecosystem. This leadership role involves managing large-scale infrastructure projects and cybersecurity initiatives that protect the international network. By driving innovation in digital banking, Abdulla Qassem directly impacts the customer experience and market competitiveness of the firm. Qassem collaborates with the board to align operational capabilities with long-term growth objectives. The Group Chief Operating Officer manages the deployment of resources to enhance service speed and reliability across all channels. Through strategic oversight of technology investments, Qassem maintains the leadership position of the bank in digital finance. Ultimately, Qassem secures the technological future of the organization by fostering a culture of continuous improvement and digital excellence.

    Abdulhakim Adi - Manager - WB Performance - Chief Operating Officer International Operations

    Abdulhakim Adi, the Manager - WB Performance - Chief Operating Officer International Operations at Emirates NBD, directs the performance monitoring and operational efficiency of wholesale banking across international markets. Overseeing key performance indicators, Adi ensures that international branches meet the strategic targets set by the group. This leadership role involves analyzing operational data to identify bottlenecks and implementing solutions that enhance productivity. By optimizing wholesale banking workflows, Abdulhakim Adi directly impacts the revenue generation capabilities of the international network. Adi coordinates with regional heads to align performance metrics with global standards. The Manager - WB Performance - Chief Operating Officer International Operations manages reporting cycles to provide actionable insights to the executive team. Through rigorous performance management, Adi supports the expansion of the bank into new territories. Ultimately, Adi secures the operational consistency required to maintain high service standards across the global footprint.

    Ahmed Elshanet - Chief Operating Officer (Egypt)

    Ahmed Elshanet, the Chief Operating Officer (Egypt) at Emirates NBD, directs the operational activities and service delivery frameworks within the Egyptian market. Overseeing local branch operations and digital service integration, Elshanet ensures that the bank provides a seamless experience to its diverse customer base in North Africa. This leadership role involves managing local infrastructure and ensuring compliance with Egyptian financial regulations. By optimizing operational processes, Ahmed Elshanet directly impacts the efficiency and profitability of the Egyptian branch. Elshanet collaborates with the group leadership to implement global best practices while adapting to local market nuances. The Chief Operating Officer (Egypt) manages cross-functional teams to improve service quality and operational resilience. Through strategic planning, Elshanet supports the growth of the bank in this key regional market. Ultimately, Elshanet secures the operational success of the organization by maintaining high standards of service and efficiency.

    Nicholas Leow - Chief Operating Officer - International

    Nicholas Leow, the Chief Operating Officer - International at Emirates NBD, directs the operational strategy for all branches outside the home market. Overseeing the coordination between international hubs, Leow ensures that global standards for service and risk management are upheld across the network. This leadership role involves managing the operational integration of new acquisitions and expanding the footprint of the bank in emerging markets. By streamlining cross-border processes, Nicholas Leow directly impacts the global operational efficiency of the group. Leow collaborates with regional COOs to align local activities with the overarching international strategy. The Chief Operating Officer - International manages the deployment of shared services to reduce costs and improve service delivery. Through strategic oversight of international operations, Leow supports the global growth ambitions of the bank. Ultimately, Leow secures the operational cohesion of the international network, ensuring consistent performance across diverse geographic regions.
    Nicholas Leow

    Barid Neogi - Chief Operating Officer, International Operations

    Barid Neogi, the Chief Operating Officer, International Operations at Emirates NBD, directs the logistical and operational support for the international business units. Overseeing the supply chain of financial services and operational risk management, Neogi ensures that international branches function effectively within their respective regulatory environments. This leadership role involves managing the implementation of global operational policies and ensuring that international teams have the necessary tools to succeed. By optimizing the operational framework for international expansion, Barid Neogi directly impacts the scalability of the bank. Neogi coordinates with the group operations team to ensure that international activities remain aligned with the corporate mission. The Chief Operating Officer, International Operations manages the resolution of operational challenges across different time zones and markets. Through strategic oversight, Neogi supports the long-term growth of the international network. Ultimately, Neogi secures the operational stability of the bank in its global operations.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Emirates NBD Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Emirates NBD?
    Emirates NBD is led by Michail Samawi (Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Nbd Asset Management, Difc), along with executives such as Naser Yousef (Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Nbd Ksa) and Elaine Liaw (Chief Financial Officer (Singapore)).
    Who is part of Emirates NBD’s executive team?
    The executive team of Emirates NBD includes leaders such as Michail Samawi (Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Nbd Asset Management, Difc), Naser Yousef (Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Nbd Ksa), Elaine Liaw (Chief Financial Officer (Singapore)) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Emirates NBD have?
    Emirates NBD has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Emirates NBD’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Emirates NBD includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Nbd Asset Management, Difc, Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Nbd Ksa, Chief Financial Officer (Singapore), Executive Secretary To Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer.