Who hired in the Middle East in November?
In spite of the turmoil surrounding Dubai towards the tail end of the month, November was still active in terms of new hires - investment banks, hedge funds, private equity firms and fund managers all added to their ranks.
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority has appointed Tom Arnold as head of Americas real estate. He joins from Cerberus Capital Management.
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank has taken on Amir Riad as global head of its corporate finance and investment banking division. He joins from Standard Chartered in the UAE.
Al Masah Capital is the new venture of private equity veteran Shailesh Dash, formerly of Global Capital Management and Global Investment House. So far, the firm has hired two senior executives and plans to add 10 more in the new year.
Akbank, the Turkish commercial bank, has kick-started its DIFC office, from where it aims to offer investment banking and corporate finance advice. It will be led by Cem Atac.
Bank Albilad, the Saudi bank, intends to expand its remittance division, Enjaz, with new centres the kingdom.
Deloitte has hired Daud Vicary Abdullah as leader of the Islamic finance industry group.
Invesco Asset Management has taken on Zainab Kufaishi as institutional account manager for its Dubai operations. She joins from Fidelity in London.
Liongate Capital Management, the hedge fund manager, has opened a new office in the DIFC - its first on-the-ground presence in the Middle East. It intends to hire research staff going forward.
Lloyds TSB International Private Banking has bolstered its Dubai team with the appointment of Nigel Putt as head of private banking Middle East. It also hired the entire senior front office team from Dresdner Bank as part of its Gulf expansion.
Jones Lang LaSalle, the property investment and advisory firm, has hired Gary Brown as head of valuation services.
Jordan Dubai Islamic Bank has appointed Dr Hussain Hamed Hasssan as chairman of its Shariah and legitimacy control committee. Dr Ali Al Swa and Dr Ahmed Melham were also hired as committee members.
Kotak Mahindra Bank, the Indian commercial lender, has opened a rep office in Dubai in a bid to encourage inward investment into India.
RSA Bahrain, the insurance group, has named Rakesh Nayar chief executive officer for the kingdom.
Saudi Hollandi Bank has promoted Dr Bernd van Linder to managing director following the resignation of Geoff Calvert. He is currently general manager, treasury.
Shuaa Capital has named two new board members - Hesham Al Qassim and Abdullatif Al Mulla. The two directors replace Diraar Alghanim and Iyad Duwaji.
SG Private Banking, the wealth management arm of Société Générale, has signaled its intention to bolster its Middle East presence, and added two senior managers to its ranks. Eddy Abramo has joined as chief executive of the Gulf region, while Eric Lorentz is the new managing director and global market manager. It has also opened a Bahrain office under the brand name Societe Generale Wealth Management, which will be led by John Abraham.
Standard Chartered has continued its Middle East private banking expansion with the launch of offices in Qatar, Bahrain and Lebanon, with small teams recruited for each. It also plans to employ a further seven relationship managers in Dubai.
Zurich Insurance Company has continued its Middle East hiring spree, having appointed Mike Morgan as regional manager, global energy, global corporate; Peter Englund as underwriting manager, professional indemnity and Sophie Di Meglio as underwriting manager, management liability.
