Arab Bank for Investment and Foreign Trade, commonly known as Al Masraf, has appointed Fuad Mohamed as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.  

Welcoming Fuad to the leadership team, the bank stated, “Fuad has held numerous executive positions with a focus on banking operations, financial technology development, and organisational restructuring to enhance operational efficiency. He has successfully led transformative and strategic initiatives that have advanced the objectives of major institutions at both local and regional levels. Throughout his career, he has driven digital innovation, major management efforts, and technological application development, significantly improving customer experiences and operational performance.”  

The Chairman of the Board of Directors at Al Masraf, Farhat Omar Ben Gdara, also welcomed Fuad, adding, “I am delighted to welcome Fuad to lead Al Masraf at this pivotal moment in our journey. We are confident that his extensive expertise in institutional transformation, leadership skills, and proven track record in business development and innovation will play a central role in achieving our strategic vision and expanding our banking services to meet the aspirations of our clients and stakeholders.”  

Fuad also expressed, “I am honoured to be appointed as Al Masraf's Chief Executive Officer. I extend my sincere thanks to the Chairman and members of the Board of Directors for their trust. I look forward to working closely with the management team to achieve our shared vision and strengthen the bank’s position as a pillar of the banking sector in the UAE. I am committed to leading strategic initiatives that enhance customer experiences, support the national economy, and create innovative and sustainable investment opportunities that drive the bank’s performance at both local and regional levels.”  

In his new role, Fuad brings over 25 years of leadership experience in the banking sector. He most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer at Emirates Islamic, a part of Emirates NBD Group, and previously held the role of Group COO at Emirates NBD for nearly 15 years.  

On the academic front, Fuad holds an undergraduate degree in engineering from the Higher Colleges of Technology, UAE, a master’s degree in business administration from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and several certifications in strategic leadership, mergers & acquisitions, and executive operations.  

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The CEO position at Al Masraf has seen transitions since 2023 when Graham FitzGerald stepped down after serving as CEO since 2021. He played a pivotal role in the bank’s recovery from the challenges of 2020. Following his departure, Deputy CEO Charles Doghlass was named Acting CEO, and after him, Masood Almajedi handled dual responsibilities as Acting CEO and Chief Compliance Officer.