Usman Ahmed brings over 30 years of international banking experience across the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions. Currently, he serves as the Group Chief Executive Officer of the National Bank of Bahrain (NBB). Throughout his career, he has held several senior leadership roles at Citi and Barclays. His previous positions include CEO and Executive Board Director of Citi Malaysia, CEO and Managing Director for Citi Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, and Global Head of CitiIslamic Banking. His extensive expertise spans corporate and investment banking, capital markets, and Islamic finance. In addition to his role at NBB, Mr. Ahmed serves as a Board Member for Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB), the Bahrain Association of Banks, and INJAZ Bahrain. He also represents the Governors for the GCC Board of Directors. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University ofthe Punjab and an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) in Pakistan.
Chiro Ghosh has 19 years of sell-side research experience, focusing on financial institutions of emerging markets. Prior to joining SICO in 2012, he worked with HSBC in the Financial Institutional Group (Banks, Insurance, and Real Estate) in a similar role. He also spent two years as a financial consultant in the real estate sector. In addition to equity research, Mr. Ghosh has been involved in various Merger and Acquisition deals in the GCC. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, before completing his post-graduation in management with a specialization in Finance. He is also aCFA Charter holder.
Ali Marshad bringsover 19 years of experience in asset management, investments, treasury, and brokerage. He joined SICO in 2008 as an Analyst in the Investments and Treasury Division, later establishing and leading the Fixed Income Desk in 2012 before being promoted to Head of Fixed Income in 2015. He also serves as a Board Member of SICO Capital in Saudi Arabia. Prior to joining SICO, Mr. Marshad gained international experience in the UK as an Analyst with Mercer Investment Consulting and as a Performance Analyst with UBS Global Asset Management in London. A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), he holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Banking, Finance, and Management from Loughborough University, UK.
Manuel Almutawa brings around 15 years of industry experience to his new leadership position. Aseasoned professional, he has been with SICO as a Senior Portfolio Manager in the Fixed Income department, where he has been instrumental in covering theMENA fixed income market. His responsibilities have included portfolio management, structuring, and trading, leveraging a strong background in multi-asset classes from his previous proprietary desk experience. Mr. Almutawa holds an MSc in Investment Management from the University of Reading, ICMA Centre. He is also a CFA Charterholder and holds the International Fixed Income and Derivatives Certificate, highlighting his commitment to professional excellence and continuous learning.
Hashem brings over 12 years of experience in the financial sector, with expertise in equity asset management, portfolio construction, and market research across regional markets. He was appointed Head of Equities Asset Management at SICO Capital, following nearly eight years with SICO BSC in Bahrain, where he most recently served as Vice President and Portfolio Manager within the Asset Management department. During his tenure, he contributed to the growth and performance of managed equity portfolios and the development of investment strategies. He holds a Master of Science in Finance from DePaul University and a Certificate in Quantitative Finance (CQF), reflecting a strong blend of hands-on investment experience and advanced quantitative expertise.
Ziad has more than 15 years of extensive experience in corporate finance, audit, and deal advisory within the Big Four. Prior to joining SICO Capital, Ziad served as M&A Director at KPMG Professional Services in Saudi Arabia, where he spearheaded multiple successful transactions with a total value exceeding USD 4 billion. Throughout his career, he has been a trusted advisor to C-level executives and board members, managing complex deal lifecycles across diverse industries including healthcare, manufacturing, fintech, and banking. His previous experience also includes serving as an Audit Manager at PwC in Lebanon. Ziad is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Accounting with distinction from the Lebanese American University. He is fluent in Arabic, French, and English.
