Ahmed Abdelaal awarded CEO of the Year in the Middle East for visionary leadership, transformative digital strategies and commitment to sustainable banking. He has driven digital innovation across the bank through the Mashreq Neo platform and the NeoVentures innovation hub. He has advanced international growth, while embedding sustainability across operations, promoting ESG initiatives and sustainable finance. Dubai, 6 November 2025 – Ahmed Abdelaal, group CEO of Mashreq Bank, received the CEO of the Year in the Middle East award from TAB Global in recognition of his visionary leadership, transformative digital strategies and ability to deliver strong financial performance while advancing sustainable banking. Guided by four pillars—innovation, customer-centricity, resilience and regional leadership—Abdelaal has expanded the bank’s digital capabilities, strengthened operational resilience and driven financial growth. Under his direction, the bank has advanced innovation and embedded sustainability at its core through ESG and sustainable finance initiatives that create lasting value for customers, employees and shareholders. Driving digital innovation At the helm of Mashreq Bank, Abdelaal has made digital transformation central to its growth strategy, building a seamless, customer-centric financial ecosystem guided by a human-centric philosophy. The Mashreq Neo platform delivers full branch functionality to customers’ devices through Neo for consumers, NeoBiz for SMEs, and NEO CORP for corporates. Neo offers 100% paperless account opening, real-time investment tracking and AI-driven financial insights. NeoBiz streamlines SME onboarding with AI-powered KYC and automated risk assessments, enabling 80% of new accounts to be opened within three days. NEO CORP provides corporates with 80% of branch functionalities, including cash management, trade finance and cross-border payments. Mashreq Bank has invested in AI-powered advisory tools, blockchain-enabled trade finance and cloud-native infrastructure to enhance efficiency, scalability and cybersecurity. In 2024, it established NeoVentures as an innovation hub, collaborating with over 35 banks and fintechs to commercialise emerging technologies and deliver next-generation solutions for institutional clients. Driving international growth and digital reach Abdelaal has also strengthened the bank’s its presence in key regional and international markets, positioning it as a niche wholesale institution with a growing footprint across major financial hubs and emerging markets including Oman, Pakistan and Egypt. The bank has expanded its NEO platform across the Middle East and North Africa, promoting innovation and financial inclusion through partnerships with leading technology and retail firms. The expansion of NEO CORP across the Gulf region enables the bank to deliver comprehensive corporate banking solutions, providing seamless access to accounts, payments, trade finance and liquidity management. Driving financial performance and sustainable growth Under Abdelaal’s stewardship, the bank achieved robust financial results with strong profitability and well-managed asset quality. It recorded solid income growth, supported by a diversified business model and strong performance in fee-based activities, including foreign exchange, derivatives and commodities trading. In 2024, the bank achieved an industry-leading return on assets of 3.6% and further enhanced operational efficiency, reducing its cost-to-income ratio to 30% through digital transformation, automation and process optimisation. Sustainability is deeply embedded in the bank’s operations, advancing ESG objectives while promoting inclusion and upholding responsible governance. Initiatives such as Climb2Change, the Notice Nature wildlife mapping project and 100% recycled plastic cards demonstrate its environmental commitment. The bank aims to facilitate AED 110 billion ($30 billion) in sustainable finance by 2030, integrating social responsibility into its core operations. Leveraging banking expertise and experience Abdelaal brings over 30 years of experience in senior roles across international and regional banks, spanning corporate, investment, Islamic and retail banking, structured trade, supply chain solutions and global market products. Before joining Mashreq Bank, he held senior roles at HSBC, including regional head of corporate customer coverage and head of commercial banking for the MENA-T region, and later led Mashreq’s corporate and investment banking division. His earlier roles at ABN AMRO, Arab African International Bank, American Express and Arab Bank gave him extensive experience in corporate banking, credit management and investment advisory. About the CEO of the Year in the Middle East Award The TAB Global Leadership Achievement Award is recognised as one of the highest honours in the financial services industry. Established in 2001, it remains among the most exclusive awards, given only after a rigorous evaluation process. The CEO of the Year in the Middle East Award recognises exceptional executive achievement and represents the highest distinction for individual excellence in the region’s financial sector. For media enquiries, please contact: Genivi Factao Editor TAB Global Email: gfactao@tab.global
