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Al Rayan Bank Board of Directors

Al Rayan Bank PLC is a subsidiary of Al Rayan UK Limited, a majority owned subsidiary of Masraf Al Rayan Q.P.S.C, one of Qatar’s largest banks. The Bank’s Board of Directors has delegated responsibility for day-to-day management to the Executive team, led by the Chief Executive Officer.

The Committees

The Board of Directors has established three permanent committees that deal with significant aspects of the Bank’s affairs. These are the Audit Committee, Board Risk Committee and Remuneration & Nomination Committee.  

Board of Directors

Michael Williams, Chairman

Michael Williams, Chairman

Michael Williams joined Al Rayan Bank in July 2021 as Chair of the Governing Board.  He is a qualified banker with an extensive background in international finance.  He has held a number of senior executive and board level positions in the UK and in the Middle East.  

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HE Sheikh Hamad

His Excellency Sheikh Hamad Bin Faisal Bin Thani Al Thani, Non-Executive Director

H.E. Sheikh Hamad Bin Faisal Bin Thani Al Thani is regarded as one of Qatar’s most influential business figures. Holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, he has held a number of prominent positions.

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Fahad Al Khalifa

Fahad Al Khalifa, Non-Executive Director

Fahad Al Khalifa is a seasoned banking professional with over 25 years of experience in leadership roles in financial services.  He was appointed to the role of Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Masraf Al Rayan in 2021.

More about Fahad

Omar Al Emadi

Omar Al-Emadi, Non-Executive Director

Omar Al-Emadi joined the Board in October 2022. He is an experienced senior banker with over 20 years’ experience and has a wealth of knowledge of the Qatari, GCC and International markets. 

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Caroline Ashton

Caroline Ashton, Independent Non-Executive Director

Caroline Ashton joined the board in January 2021 and is chair of the Audit Committee and member of the Board Risk Committee.  She is a Chartered Management Accountant and also Non-Executive Director at the Loughborough Building Society.

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Steven Hicks

Steven Hicks, Independent Non-Executive Director

Steven Hicks joined the Bank in August 2021 and was appointed to the Board in September 2021 as non-executive director.  He is chairman of the Board Risk Committee and a member of the Audit Committee and Remuneration & Nomination Committee. 

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Cathy Lewis, Non Exec Director

Cathy Lewis, Independent Non-Executive Director

Cathy Lewis joined the Board in 2023.  She has over three decades of diverse experience at director level across multiple sectors. Her extensive background includes notable roles such as Group HR Director at RSA plc, Executive Director of HR & Corporate Services at Prudential Assurance, and Chief People Officer at HM Revenue & Customs.

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Giles Cunningham

Giles Cunningham, CEO and Director

Giles Cunningham was appointed to the Board in September 2021 and is Chief Executive Officer and Director.  Giles spent 17 years with Lloyds Banking Group and since 2012 has specialised in Islamic banking.

More about Giles

The Executive

  • Giles Cunningham

    Giles Cunningham, Chief Executive Officer

    Giles Cunningham was appointed to the Board in September 2021 and is Chief Executive Officer and Director.

    Giles spent 17 years with Lloyds Banking Group before serving as CEO International at Qatar Islamic Bank in Doha and CEO at London based Bank of London and The Middle East.

  • Maisam Fazal

    Maisam Fazal, Chief Commercial Officer

    With over 24 years' experience in financial institutions, and having established the Commercial Book of the Bank since joining in 2013, Maisam was appointed as CCO in 2018. He has overseen the Bank’s pivot to focus on Commercial and Premier Banking, and is responsible for liabilities, product management and marketing & comms.

  • Imran Pasha

    Imran Pasha, Chief Operating Officer

    Imran Pasha joined Al Rayan Bank in 2004. His previous experience is with Merrill Lynch and HBSC.  Having held various management roles over the years he was appointed the Chief Operating Officer at Al Rayan Bank in 2019.  Imran is responsible for Operations, IT, Projects and the Customer Service teams.

  • Saalim Mahmoud

    Saalim Mahmood, Chief Finance Officer

    Saalim Mahmood is CFO at Al Rayan Bank.  He is an experienced leader of regulated bank finance functions and teams and has over 25 years' experience working in financial servicesPrior to joining Al Rayan Bank, Saalim worked as CFO in HBL Bank UK. Saalim has extensive experience of regulatory engagement, finance transformation, mergers/acquisitions, risk management, and system implementations.

  • Philip Trevett, Chief Risk Officer

    Philip Trevett, Chief Risk Officer

    Philip Trevett joined Al Rayan Bank as Chief Risk Officer at the beginning of 2022, joining the Bank from C. Hoare & Co. Alongside managing the Al Rayan Bank’s regulatory relationships, Philip is responsible for enterprise risk, credit risk, compliance and financial crime.

  • Harpeet Dhillon, CPO Al Rayan Bank

    Harpreet Dhillon, Chief People & Sustainability Officer

    Harpreet Dhillon joined Al Rayan Bank as Chief People Officer in 2022. She previously worked for Charles Stanley & Co, a Wealth Manager, where she supported the senior leadership and the business with their strategic HR agenda as well as having responsibility for all aspects of People and Culture.

  • Charlotte Birks

    Charlotte Birks, General Counsel & Company Secretary

    Charlotte Birks joined Al Rayan Bank as General Counsel & Company Secretary in August 2023.

    She has a wealth of experience in prominent public and private entities, including Aviva, Royal Bank of Canada, and Daiwa Securities Capital Markets, and leads the Bank's legal and governance strategy, provides expert advice, and manages legal risks effectively across the organisation.

More information on Al Rayan Bank

Learn more about the UK's oldest and largest Islamic bank.

  • Press release on a tablet computer

    Latest news

    Read Al Rayan Bank's latest news and blogs.

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  • Masraf Al Rayan website logo close up

    Masraf Al Rayan

    Find out more about Al Rayan Bank's parent.

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  • values

    Values and heritage

    Learn about the Bank's values and its history

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  • Watering plants growing from coins

    Ethical banking

    Why is Islamic banking considered ethical?

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