Leadership

Dr. Abdulaziz Jawad is a senior banking executive and board-level strategist with over two decades of leadership experience across financial services and telecommunications in the Middle East. He currently serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) and Chairman of the Board of ABK Capital. Throughout his career, Dr. Jawad has led transformative strategies across mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and capital markets, overseeing over 31 cross-border transactions valued at over USD 14.3 billion and capital-raising initiatives exceeding USD 3.5 billion.

At ABK, he has shaped and executed corporate strategies encompassing more than 100 strategic initiatives, enhancing governance, operational efficiency, customer experience, and risk management. His boardroom experience spans multiple sectors, with leadership roles including his current role as Chairman of the Board of ABK Capital as well as Vice Chairman or board member of several prominent companies, such as Zain Iraq and Mada.

He began his career in corporate banking and risk management at ABK and Boubyan Bank, building a strong foundation in financial analysis and client relationship management. Before rejoining ABK in 2022, Dr. Jawad spent a decade with Zain Group where he held senior executive roles including Group Head of Corporate Finance and Group Director of Strategy & Business Development. 

Dr. Jawad holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from IE Business School and an MBA from London Business School.

Ms. Al-Mousa has been appointed as a Board Member of ABK Capital in 2023 and currently serves as Vice Chairperson of the company as of January 2023. She joined the banking industry in 2002 and has diverse exposure in the fields of Corporate Banking and Risk Management. Currently, she holds the position of Deputy Group Chief Risk Officer at Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK), where she is responsible for identifying, assessing, mitigating and managing credit risk arising from the internal and external business environment at bank-wide level. Her role also entails the responsibility for guiding the Board and Top Management in the execution of their risk responsibilities.

She also served as Vice Chairperson at Al Tijari Financial brokerage Company and Head of Credit and Investment Review at the Commercial Bank of Kuwait.

Ms. Al-Mousa holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Arizona State University.  

Mr. Habballah has been appointed as a Board Member of ABK Capital in 2024. He brings over 27 years of extensive regional and global experience in banking and financial services, management consulting, technology, and strategy planning and execution. 

He currently holds the position of Head of Enterprise Program Management Office and Acting Head of Transformation Office at Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait. He oversees the delivery of transformation programmes for the organization and leads the enterprise-wide internal projects processes.

Mr. Habballah graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin, USA. 

Mr. Behbehani has been a Board Member at ABK Capital since June 2019. He has more than 9 years of experience in the investment and financial sectors. He is also on the Board of Commercial Facilities Company S.A.K and Vice Chairman of KIC Financial Brokerage representing Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK). Mr. Behbehani is currently a Manager in the Corporate Banking Department of Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK).  

Mr. Behbehani has a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from University of Tasmania through the Australian College of Kuwait (ACK). 

Mr. Al-Shatti has been an Independent Board Member at ABK Capital since May 2016. He has over 28 years of experience in the field of banking, administration, marketing, finance, investment, and strategic planning.  

Mr. Al-Shatti is also currently serving as a Board Member at Industrial Bank of Kuwait (IBK) and as a Member of the Nomination & Remuneration Committee and the Risk Management Committee. 

Prior to that, he served as Vice Chairman of Munshaat where he provided high governance standards and leadership to the management team to create sustainable and substantial returns for its shareholders. He was also Managing Director of Sokouk Real Estate where he led the initiative in developing and executing long-term strategy, and continuously achieving business goals and objectives. 

Mr. Al-Shatti holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration specializing in Finance from California State University, USA. 

Ali joined ABK Capital as Deputy Chief Executive Officer in November 2023. He has almost 24 years hands-on experience in the local and Arab markets, and has held many leadership positions in investment companies and banks, such as Rasameel, Global Investment House (Global), and Gulf Bank. He also served as a board member in a group of companies and investment funds in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Al Fulaij holds a degree from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom and is a Certified Wealth Manager from the American Academy of Financial Services.

Rana joined ABK Capital as Chief Operating Officer in July 2022, overseeing support functions including Operations, Finance and Corporate Communication and providing back up to Compliance, Risk and Audit functions directing activities in line with regulations, policies, and best practices. Rana brings in more than 22 years of experience to ABK Capital. She is currently working to increase efficiency through increasing automation aligning people, procedures, and practices. Prior to joining ABK Capital, Rana worked at NBK Capital for 14 years with the last position being Head of Operations, Fund Administration and Client Relations overseeing 23 persons managing the Operational and Administrative functions to both Asset Management and Brokerage. In 2021, she restructured and led Client Relations setting up the department for new challenges in the business process and regulatory framework. Early in her career, Rana spent 9 years in the Prime Minister Cabinet (“Central Fund for the Displaced-Beirut”). She handled senior roles in financing housing and rebuilding projects. 

Rana holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Studies and Computer from the Lebanese American University (LAU), Beirut.   

Rajesh joined ABK Capital as Head of Asset Management in February 2016. He has more than 20 years of experience in asset management, which include managing traditional as well as alternative assets. He is responsible for developing and structuring new product solutions and managing the current investment offerings. Throughout his career, he held several senior positions within reputable financial firms. Before joining ABK Capital, he was working as the Vice President of the International Asset Management Division of Global Investment House in Kuwait. Prior to that, he was working at Sun Life Financial in Canada.  

Rajesh has an MBA majoring in Finance from Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada and a bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Kerala University, India. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder. 

Wajih joined ABK Capital in July 2022. He is currently a Director with the Asset Management Division. He comes with over 16 years of experience in asset management, investment services, and economics. Prior to joining ABK Capital, he held various positions within the asset management division at NBK Capital, where he progressed through the ranks as Equity Analyst, to heading the research team, and ultimately to Portfolio Manager responsible for regional strategies. Concurrently, Wajih also played an important role in overseeing and promoting global markets liquid solutions at the firm. Prior to that he also held several positions in the economics department at the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK).  

Wajih holds a master’s degree in Financial Economics from the American University of Beirut (AUB) and is a CFA Charterholder.  

Masoumah joined ABK Capital in November 2017 and is currently Vice President - Head of the Investment Advisory Department. Masoumah previously worked at Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK) and Gulf Bank. She has international certification in Wealth and Investment Management from the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment. Masoumah has also received a Goldman Sachs Asset Management accreditation from Goldman Sachs University, Singapore and a Strategic Investment Management certification from London Business School. Masoumah has attended the Executive Management & Leadership Studies at American University of Beirut (AUB) - The Suliman Olayan School of Business. 

Masoumah holds a bachelor’s degree in Insurance Statistics from Kuwait University.

Jacob joined ABK Capital in August 2008 and is currently working as Head of Finance. He has over 14 years of experience in the investment sector. 

Jacob holds a bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Mahatma Gandhi University in India.