This is the second part of our discussion with one of the biggest movers and shakers in the Islamic finance industry Oz Ahmed (CEO, Al-Rajhi Bank, Malaysia). In this episode, we track his rapid rise to becoming one of the youngest CEOs of HSBC and in Malaysia. We cover Value-Based Intermediation (VBI) a move towards re-orienting Islamic finance business models towards realising the Maqasid al-Shariah (Objectives of Shariah). We also discuss Al-Rajhi's innovative approach to 'Unbanking the bank'.
Arsalaan 'Oz' Ahmed
Oz is the current Chief Executive Officer of Al-Rajhi Bank Malaysia and is a recognised leader in Islamic finance with over 15 years in financial services, he has extensive experience in wholesale and retail banking across Europe, GCC and South East Asia. From Analyst to Chief Executive innovating and championing change across the Islamic finance industry, Oz has worked in Corporate Banking and Retail Banking and is a leader in Debt Capital Markets / Sukuk bonds structuring and issuances. He was involved in many world-first deals including overseeing the ‘United Nations Sustainable Development Goals’ Sukuk arranged by HSBC Amanah. Oz is a Pioneer and industry leader in banking for Value-Based Intermediation (Value Based Banking); and a thought leader in Sustainable Business Strategy. He is also the Chair of the Malaysian Financial Services JC3 (Joint Committee on Climate Change) Sub-Committee 4 on Engagement and Capacity Building and the Treasurer of the Association of Islamic Banking and Financial Institutions, Malaysia (AIBIM). Oz is also one of the Founders & a Board Member of a UK FinTech company, MMOB, which specialises in Open Banking and Open Finance technology infrastructure.
Oz holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with distinction from London Business School executive program a Corporate Director Certificate from the Harvard Business School, and certificates for Sustainability from both Harvard Business School and London Business School. He has a Masters in Economics, Finance and Management from The University Bristol; and a Bachelors Degree in Information Management from University College London. Oz has received Islamic Finance industry acknowledgment through The Asset AAA 2018 award for Islamic Banker of the year for the industry.
Prior to his current role he was the previously he was the CEO, HSBC Amanah Malaysia Berhad, Head of Islamic Treasury, The Saudi British Bank and the Head of Capital Financing & Financial Institutions Dukhan bank, Qatar.