As the UAE experiences a wave of IPOs and adapts to new corporate tax regimes, CFOs are emerging as strategic architects of growth and resilience. With global trade dynamics shifting and rapid advances in AI-driven automation, their role has evolved far beyond traditional financial oversight. Today’s CFOs are driving innovation, strengthening governance, and shaping long-term value across industries. This inaugural editorial-led list celebrates the UAE’s Most Influential CFOs — leaders who not only navigate complexity but also steer their organisations through transformation in one of the world’s most dynamic business landscapes.
Shereen Chalak Maalouf
CFO, Microsoft UAE
Shereen Chalak Maalouf blends finance, strategy, and innovation, with deep expertise in strategic partnerships and AI-driven transformation. At Microsoft, she has championed finance’s evolution through technology, empowering teams to unlock greater value and lead in a digital future.
Adil Abdullah Al Fahim
CFO, Dubai Airports
Adil Abdullah Al Fahim joined Dubai Airports in 2008 as Vice-President of Finance, shortly after the organisation was established. He has since held several senior roles within the Dubai Government and currently serves on multiple boards of directors.
Dr Alida Scholtz
CFO, RAKEZ
With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Alida Scholtz has held senior financial and operational roles across various industries. She is a results-driven leader with strong operational skills, known for driving growth, managing costs, and developing high-performing, motivated teams.
Khattab Abu Qaoud
CFO, Parkin
Khattab Abu Qaoud brings proven financial leadership, blending acumen, strategic insight, and fiscal responsibility. He oversees financial strategy, management, and planning to ensure the fiscal health and sustainability of operations within Dubai’s paid parking facilities and related service sectors.
Dunja Poetschke
CFO, invygo
With over 20 years of global experience across SaaS, media, and retail, Dunja Poetschke excels in scaling businesses, capital management, and financial transformation. With a strong background in all finance disciplines, she has the ability to take on strategic and traditional finance roles.
Maged Ibrahim
CFO, Salik
Since mid-2022, Maged Ibrahim has led Salik’s financial strategy, notably steering its landmark $1 billion IPO, oversubscribed 49 times. With 34 years of experience in finance and auditing, his expertise spans fundraising, cost reduction, revenue maximization, and financial management.
Faisal Falaknaz
Group Chief Financial & Sustainability Officer, Aldar
Faisal Falaknaz oversees finance, corporate finance, investor relations, treasury, digital services, and sustainability, while serving on key executive committees. A finance and investment expert, he brings strong M&A and asset management experience with capital deployment across the US and Europe.
Tracey Griffin
Group CFO, Chalhoub Group
Tracey Griffin is a strategic leader with 30+ years in luxury goods, beauty, and retail/e-commerce, leading finance and operations roles. She specializes in growth, transformation, product launches, and mentorship, with strong commitment to education and healthcare philanthropy.
Michael Doersam
Chief Financial & Group Services Officer, Emirates Group
Michael Doersam has been with Emirates since 2006, and today oversees Finance, HR, IT, Legal, and Group Investments. He’s active in the aviation industry through advisory and board roles with IATA and SITA and as a guest lecturer at University of St. Gallen.
Raffael Quintas
CFO, Etihad
Appointed in December 2022, Raffael Quintas brings over 20 years of international experience in aviation and retail. He oversees aviation financing, including fleet planning, procurement, supply chain, corporate strategy, investor relations, financial planning, accounting, and reporting.
Faline Huang
CFO, Allsopp & Allsopp Group
A results-driven individual with over 10 years of experience in financial services, Faline Huang began as an audit intern. Under her leadership, her company adopted stronger financial structures and tools to put data directly into the team’s hands.
Yazan Al Nasser
Chief Financial and Risk Officer, DIFC Authority
With over 30 years of international experience in finance and audit, Yazan Al Nasser oversees the formulation and review of financial controls, business processes, and management reporting; evaluates management and investment opportunities; and supports the CEOs and Board of Directors.
Nadia AbuSarah
CFO, Tarjama
Nadia AbuSarah is a results-driven corporate finance executive with over 25 years of experience leading IPOs, M&A, and global expansion for multibillion-dollar organizations. She is a strategic, visionary leader known for driving excellence across all areas of finance.
Ramanan RV
Group CFO, Galadari Brothers
Ramanan RV is an accomplished finance professional with over 20 years of international experience across manufacturing, retail, travel, oil & gas, and real estate. He specializes in strategic planning, financial management, treasury, systems implementation, and driving organizational performance and growth.
Saveta Celar
CFO and Strategic Advisor, INC Solutions Group
A seasoned professional with nearly two decades of experience, Saveta Celar brings expertise in strategic partnerships, financial planning, forecasting, and budgeting. She consistently delivers impactful results through strong project leadership, strategic management, and a commitment to driving financial performance and efficiency.
Yuvraj Narayan
Group Deputy CEO & CFO, DP World
Under Yuvraj Narayan’s leadership, DP World evolved from a regional port operator to a global supply chain solutions provider. His strategic vision and financial expertise expanded operations to 79 countries, handling about 10% of the world’s container trade.
Deepak Khullar
Group CFO at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
Deepak Khullar has served as Group CFO of ADCB since 2008, leading group finance, strategy, investor relations, and sustainability. With prior roles at Standard Chartered, EY, and PwC, he brings decades of financial leadership across the Middle East and Asia.
Sireesha Venkata
Group CFO, BPG Group
Sireesha Venkata is a results-driven finance executive with over 15 years of experience in global firms and start-ups. She excels in streamlining operations, post-acquisition integration, and implementing financial controls to drive growth, efficiency, and bottom-line profitability.
Khalid Chami
Group CFO, Ali & Sons
With over 17 years of experience in finance, investment, and strategic transformation, Khalid Chami has modernised and advanced family offices and corporate financial structures across the Mena region. His expertise includes private equity, corporate finance, fintech innovation, and strategic planning.
Holger Schlechter
CFO, IFZA
Holger Schlechter is a seasoned CFO with over 15 years of international experience in corporate finance, accounting, and controlling (US GAAP, IFRS, German GAAP). He brings strong expertise in restructuring and M&A, combining strategic insight with hands-on leadership.
Nauman Asif Mian
CFO, bayt.com
Nauman Asif Mian is a strategic CFO with over 20 years of experience in finance and accounting. He specializes in business expansion, financial modeling, tax, and reporting, and actively contributes to the profession through the ACCA Global Council.
Kanishka Gupta
Group CFO, Aujan Group Holding
Kanishka Gupta is a seasoned CFO with over 20 years of experience across family businesses, multinationals, and semi-government organizations. He specializes in financial strategy, risk management, and governance, with expertise in FMCG, real estate, hospitality, healthcare, marine offshore, and trading.
Fadi Moukaddem
Senior Vice President and CFO, Visa CEMEA
Fadi Moukaddem oversees finance, FP&A, controllership, sourcing, M&A, facilities, and Visa’s long-term strategic planning in more than 90 countries. With extensive experience spanning three continents and seven countries, he is passionate about building strong, diverse teams that exceed traditional roles and expectations.
Norman Tambach
Group CFO, Mashreq
Norman Tambach brings extensive expertise in strategic financial engineering, M&A, financial operations, regulatory governance, risk management, capital management, and corporate tax planning, driving robust financial strategies and ensuring compliance and efficiency across complex business environments.
Pär Östberg
CFO, Al-Futtaim Group
Pär Östberg is a C-level executive with 30 years of leadership across Europe, the US, Asia, and the Middle East. He brings significant investment, operating, board, and shareholder experience and is an execution-oriented leader with deep expertise in international mergers and acquisitions.
Ricky Thirion
Group CFO, G42
With a strong background in aviation, banking, mining, and technology, Ricky Thirion drives group finance, investments and operations. An award-winning treasurer and strategic dealmaker, he leverages his broad experience and engineering mindset to deliver industry innovation and operational excellence across the diverse business operations of G42.
Ziad Chalhoub
CFO, Majid Al Futtaim
With over 25 years of experience, Ziad Chalhoub is an accomplished finance executive, specialising in risk management, corporate finance, strategic financial planning, business process efficiency and corporate sustainability. He plays a key role in advancing the strategic priorities of the organisation, driving sustainable growth.
Nicolas Sibuet
Group CFO, Aramex
Nicolas Sibuet is a global executive with over 20 years in finance, business development, and leadership across five continents. He has deep expertise in project financing, M&A, IPOs, and joint ventures, driving growth through strategic initiatives and cross-cultural leadership.
Hammad Khan
CFO, Head – Finance & Admin, Sukoon Insurance
Hammad Khan is an award-winning finance leader with deep expertise in both conventional and Takaful insurance. He has led finance functions across GCC startups, driven regulatory engagement, executed M&A due diligence, and shaped strategy through executive and board-level committee roles.
Sharjil Anwar
CFO, Dubai Holding
Sharjil Anwar is a CFO with nearly 30 years of experience in financial management, restructuring, and corporate governance. Based in the Middle East since 1994, he has led complex turnarounds and drives strategic growth through disciplined financial leadership.
Hitesh Dhoot
CFO, DAMAC Properties
Hitesh Dhoot is a senior finance executive with deep expertise in IPOs, sukuk issuance, capital markets, financial planning, and regulatory compliance. He has led finance functions, strategic planning, and treasury across multiple sectors, including startups, with a strong international footprint.
Hesham Heikal
Group CFO, Emaar Properties
Hesham Heikal is a transformational leader with over 20 years of international experience across the Middle East and the US. He brings cross-functional expertise in finance, legal, HR, IT, and operations across industries including telecom, energy, finance, and healthcare.
Noman Nasir
VP & CFO, Dubai Refreshment
A chartered accountant with 20 years of finance leadership in FMCG and manufacturing, Noman Nasir brings deep expertise in IFRS, system implementations, strategic business partnering, and managing large teams across financial control, reporting, planning, and transformation initiatives.
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