EXPERIENCE

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Shandz Group of Companies | Iraq | 2025–Present

Provide group-level financial leadership for a diversified construction and trading conglomerate, driving financial control, governance excellence, and enterprise-wide financial transformation initiatives.

  • Re-engineered Finance & Accounting function across multiple legal entities, strengthening governance and operational discipline
  • Spearheaded the enterprise-wide ERP transformation (Odoo) as Executive Sponsor, driving implementation through go-live and stabilization, and establishing an integrated platform for consolidated, transparent operations and audit-ready group reporting
  • Implemented structured cash flow forecasting and working capital discipline across a project-intensive portfolio
  • Embedded project-level financial controls and margin governance directly into execution workflows

Impact: Strengthened financial discipline, improved visibility across entities, and enabled scalable governance for group expansion.

INDEPENDENT ADVISOR
International | 2024–Present

Provide strategic advisory to financial institutions and corporates on banking transformation, next-generation financial infrastructure modernization, and operating model redesign to drive sustainable growth and operational excellence.

  • Designed operating models across trade finance, treasury, liquidity management, and payments ecosystems
  • Advised on digital banking strategy, financial inclusion frameworks, and cross-market entry approaches
  • Developed execution governance structures linking board-level strategy to operational delivery

Impact: Improved capital efficiency, execution discipline, and digital readiness across advisory engagements.

OPERATION ADVISOR
Region Trade Bank | Iraq | 2024

Provided strategic counsel to senior leadership on regulatory alignment and organisation-wide operational transformation, enabling stronger governance, improved controls, and sustainable organisational performance.

  • Rewrote institutional policies and procedures aligned with central bank and international regulatory standards
  • Centralised fragmented branch operations into unified processing architecture
  • Reduced operational fragmentation and improved end-to-end transaction efficiency

BANKING CONSULTANT
Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI) | Iraq | 2007–2023

Spearheaded the foundational transformation of TBI into a digitally enabled, governance-driven regional bank by modernising core banking platforms, establishing robust risk architecture, and redesigning operating models to support scalability and sustainable growth.

Core Banking & Operating Model Transformation

  • Designed and implemented internal control and risk architecture across bank operations
  • Achieved 40% reduction in compliance incidents and 100% financial reporting accuracy
  • Integrated Front, Middle, and Back Office functions, reducing processing cycles by ~60%

Core Banking Modernisation

  • Led RFP design, vendor evaluation, and implementation governance for core banking transformation
  • Directed rollout of Misys Equation & Trade Innovation platforms
  • Delivered ~25% reduction in structural operating cost base

Trade Finance & Payments Leadership

  • Managed USD 20B+ trade finance portfolio (LCs, guarantees, risk participation)
  • Oversaw USD 5B annual cross-border remittance flows with zero critical compliance failures
  • Strengthened regional payment and infrastructure capabilities

Digital Banking Transformation

  • Led rollout of mobile and internet banking platforms for corporate and retail clients
  • Increased mobile adoption by 40% and digital acquisition by 15%+
  • Shifted high-volume transactions from branch-based to digital channels

Technology & Procurement Governance

  • Led enterprise RFI/RFP cycles for digital banking platforms
  • Defined vendor evaluation and selection frameworks for core banking and fintech solutions

MANAGEMENT TRAINEE → SENIOR MANAGER
Punjab National Bank | India | 1985–2007

Built a distinguished leadership career across trade finance, corporate credit, governance, and enterprise-scale banking technology transformation, driving strategic initiatives that strengthened institutional capability and operational resilience.

Core Banking & Technology Transformation

  • Core leadership role in Infosys Finacle rollout across 50+ branches
  • Enabled enterprise digitisation of retail and corporate banking operations

Corporate Credit & Trade Finance

  • Managed structured corporate credit and international trade finance portfolios
  • Structured high-value exposures requiring board-level approvals
  • Delivered cross-border trade and remittance operations across global markets

Governance & Risk Systems

  • Led audit and compliance functions across zonal and regional structures
  • Achieved ISO 9002 certification across 9 major offices
  • Strengthened enterprise quality and control frameworks

Capital Markets & Structural Change

  • Contributed to IPO and FPO execution support and institutional roadshows
  • Participated in merger integration of New Bank of India into PNB
  • Led decentralisation of balance sheet finalisation to zonal level