MENA

Head of Strategic Development – MENA

Email: bhaskar.dasgupta@apexfs.com

Dr. Bhaskar Dasgupta is a Senior Board Member & Business Executive with proven regulatory engagement, strategic business development, fund raising & business transformation experience deploying advanced analytical and pragmatic delivery skills in various regulated and unregulated sectors - banking, markets, crypto, asset management, technology. He is currently the Head of Strategic Development MENA at Apex Group assisting in the development of the region for Apex, a global financial services provider with more than $2.5T AUA – to asset managers, capital markets, private clients and family offices. Apex includes including fund services, digital onboarding and bank accounts, depositary, custody and super ManCo services, business services including HR and Payroll and a pioneering ESG Ratings and Advisory service for private companies.

Regional Head of Sales for Middle East, Africa & Mauritius (MENA)

Andre has 35 years’ experience in the financial services information technology and 3rd party administration industry. He began his career at Andersen Consulting and joined Syfrets in 1991 where he headed up the software development division before setting up FMS, the unit trust outsourcing division of Nedcor Investment Bank. Andre joined Maitland in 2000 and was responsible for the roll out of the FinSwitch business-to-business switch and Maitland’s infrastructure services division. In his role as Head of Business Development (Africa), Andre was responsible for domestic and international sales activities for Maitland’s fund services division. Andre joined Apex Group through their acquisition of Maitland in 2023 and is currently the Regional Head of Sales for Africa, Middle East & Mauritius. Qualifications: B.Bus.Sci (University of Cape Town)

Regional Head of Middle East & Africa

Alan joined Sanne in November 2022 and has been the Regional Head for Middle East and Africa in Apex since the acquisition of Sanne. A Chartered Accountant by profession, he has spent the bulk of his career in the professional service industry and added financial service exposure to that, positioning him well to growing the region on strong client service principals

Regional Managing Director – Middle East

Christiane El Habre brings over two decades of experience in the MENA financial services industry. She joins Apex Group from international management consultancy Elkho Group where she was Partner, Chair of the Board and CEO of Middle East operations. Prior to this, Christiane was CEO and executive board member FFA Private Bank (Dubai) a specialized investment bank in Dubai International Financial Centre (“DIFC). Christiane held senior positions in Gap Corp in Dubai, and she spent 5 years at FFA Private Bank in Lebanon as the Head of Treasury and Operations. She is a member of the GCC business community, serving on the boards of several non-profits, where she is committed to mentoring and coaching young professionals in the finance industry. Christiane graduated from St Joseph University (USJ) in Beirut with a degree in Finance, she completed further education from IE business school in High Impact Leadership, and from the Oxford University in advanced Fintech

Head of Business Development, Mauritius and Africa

Claude has 26 years' experience in Business Development. His financial services career In Mauritius started in 2018 where he headed up Business Development for Maitland in Mauritius and later in a similar capacity for Stonehage Fleming Mauritius. Through Stonehage’s acquisition of Maitland Corporate Services and Private Client Business in Mauritius. In both roles Claude formed part of the senior leadership team and was the primary client-facing contact for Mauritius. IN July 2024 Claude joined Apex as Head of Business Development for Mauritius and Africa, working with the Apex Mauritius Senior Leadership team to grow the Fund, Corporate Services and Family office offerings. Claude has rejoined many of his previous Maitland colleagues who now form part of Apex Group through their acquisition of Maitland in 2023. Claude has held general management, sales, business development and innovation positions at organizations such as Mailand, Stonehage Fleming Vodafone and Naspers. His career includes assignments in South Africa Mauritius and London, with extensive experience working in the African and European markets. Qualifications EMBA(University of Cape Town)

Country Head - Bahrain

Tel: +973 3711 1357

Koshy has 30 years of operational and accounting experience and was appointed as Managing Director of Apex Bahrain in April 2020. He has been based in the GCC since 1996 and has worked with various banks and financial institutions primarily in the wealth management operations space and his previous position before joining Apex was with a consulting firm where he had been a Senior Director.

Country Head - Israel

Tel: +972 3 373 0407

Shmuel Menahem, CPA, is Head of Israel at Apex Group Ltd and overlooks the business strategy for the region & has years of experience in leading operations, while maximizing efficiency together with quality service. Apex is a Global Administrator for Hedge Funds, Venture Capital, Debt and Private Equity funds, delivering extensive range of single-source services across the full value chain, to asset managers, capital markets, corporates and family office.

Head of Mauritius

Tel: +230 404 8800

Mahesh joined Apex Group in 2007 as the Head of Apex, Mauritius. He has over 20 years’ experience within the financial services industry. He is also a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales.

Regional Head Mauritius and India

Tel: +230 467 3000

Rubina is Regional Head of Mauritius and India and joins Apex through the acquisition of Sanne where she has been since 1999. In her role at Apex, she is responsible for driving the strategic direction of the business with oversight of client services operations, outsourcing business and business development. Prior to joining Sanne, Rubina was a Senior Manager with PwC (Mauritius), with exposure in the financial, textile and tourism sectors, including management of overseas projects financed by international financial institutions. She had previously worked for KPMG (Manchester) for six years, where she specialised in the banking and finance sector and value for money audits. She has over 25 years’ experience in accountancy, auditing, tax and consultancy. Rubina's area of expertise is fund structuring and administration. Rubina is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and has a BSc (Hons) (University of Manchester).

Chairman, Mauritius

Tel: +230 467 3000

Rama is Chairman of the Mauritius branch of Apex Group and joined through the acquisition of Sanne where he was also Chairman since 2017. Rama is recognised for his role in establishing Mauritius as an International Financial Centre when he was Minister of Finance from 1991 to 1995. He is highly regarded for his economic reform that helped to re-position Mauritius as a diversified economy. He was also Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Economic Empowerment between 2005 and 2010. Dr Sithanen is the present Chairman of the Rwanda Development Board and advises the Government of Rwanda on taxes, competitiveness and financial services issues. Dr Rama has a BSc Honours in Economics, MSc in Economics (London School of Economics and Political Science) and a PhD in Political Science (Brunel University, UK).

Head of Business Development, Mauritius and Africa

Claude has 26 years' experience in Business Development. His financial services career In Mauritius started in 2018 where he headed up Business Development for Maitland in Mauritius and later in a similar capacity for Stonehage Fleming Mauritius. Through Stonehage’s acquisition of Maitland Corporate Services and Private Client Business in Mauritius. In both roles Claude formed part of the senior leadership team and was the primary client-facing contact for Mauritius. IN July 2024 Claude joined Apex as Head of Business Development for Mauritius and Africa, working with the Apex Mauritius Senior Leadership team to grow the Fund, Corporate Services and Family office offerings. Claude has rejoined many of his previous Maitland colleagues who now form part of Apex Group through their acquisition of Maitland in 2023. Claude has held general management, sales, business development and innovation positions at organizations such as Mailand, Stonehage Fleming Vodafone and Naspers. His career includes assignments in South Africa Mauritius and London, with extensive experience working in the African and European markets. Qualifications EMBA(University of Cape Town)

Chief Executive Officer

Prior to joining Apex, Zafar worked with SNB Capital as a Consultant primarily to set up custody service and to lead outsourcing of fund administration project. From 2015 to 2022 worked with Albilad Capital and set up Securities Services business consisting of Custody, Agency, and Fund Administration Service. Lead corporate restructuring project and strategic planning. The last position held by him was of Chief Operating Officer of Albilad Capital. Zafar has over 30 years, experience with SABB, SABB Securities Ltd and HSBC Saudi Arabia in different key and challenging roles. Established and lead the Securities Services business from 2001 to 2015 and transformed it into a complex, diversified and market leading business, supporting multiple products (Custody, Fund Administration and Corporate Trust & Loan Agency Services). Established HSBC’s Investment Operation department (Local & International brokerage, Asset Management) and managed as a Head of Investment Operation from 1996-2001, attained an in-depth knowledge and experience of all Investment products. Rich project management experience and managed over 15 major IPOs/ Right Issues. Due to his service to community and the country, Zafar has recently been bestowed the second highest civil award (Sattar E Imtiaz) by the President of Pakistan.

Regional Head of Sales for Middle East, Africa & Mauritius (MENA)

Andre has 35 years’ experience in the financial services information technology and 3rd party administration industry. He began his career at Andersen Consulting and joined Syfrets in 1991 where he headed up the software development division before setting up FMS, the unit trust outsourcing division of Nedcor Investment Bank. Andre joined Maitland in 2000 and was responsible for the roll out of the FinSwitch business-to-business switch and Maitland’s infrastructure services division. In his role as Head of Business Development (Africa), Andre was responsible for domestic and international sales activities for Maitland’s fund services division. Andre joined Apex Group through their acquisition of Maitland in 2023 and is currently the Regional Head of Sales for Africa, Middle East & Mauritius. Qualifications: B.Bus.Sci (University of Cape Town)

Regional Head of Sales for Middle East, Africa & Mauritius (MENA)

Andre has 35 years’ experience in the financial services information technology and 3rd party administration industry. He began his career at Andersen Consulting and joined Syfrets in 1991 where he headed up the software development division before setting up FMS, the unit trust outsourcing division of Nedcor Investment Bank. Andre joined Maitland in 2000 and was responsible for the roll out of the FinSwitch business-to-business switch and Maitland’s infrastructure services division. In his role as Head of Business Development (Africa), Andre was responsible for domestic and international sales activities for Maitland’s fund services division. Andre joined Apex Group through their acquisition of Maitland in 2023 and is currently the Regional Head of Sales for Africa, Middle East & Mauritius. Qualifications: B.Bus.Sci (University of Cape Town)

Senior Vice President - Abu Dhabi

Mohit is a seasoned Business executive, leader & strategist. Expertise in New Business Development, Operational Management, Developing & Executing strategies, managing and leading teams. Mohit has spent 23 years in Dubai after he moved to U.A.E. in 2001 having worked with global corporations including Mastercard, Western Union, Samsung where he was responsible for Business Development, P&L Management, Key Accounts & Strategic partnerships.

Country Head - Dubai

Tel: +971 4 428 9221

Naveed Zamir has over 13 years’ experiences in the Financial Services Industry. Naveed joined Apex in 2012 and currently holds the position as Head of Apex, Dubai.

Head of Business Development, MENA

Tel: +971 4 428 9221

Glyn Gibbs joined Apex Fund Services in October 2015 bringing with him over 30 years of industry experience in both Corporate and Institutional roles within the asset management industry. Glyn has extensive experience of managing relationships with sovereign entities, asset managers, pension funds, family offices, banks, brokers and corporates.