Who hired in the Middle East in March?

Except at the executive levels, new hires have been few and far between in the Middle East financial sector in March, which is indicative of the cautious job market currently.

The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange has named Mohammed Al Shazeli as market development officer.

Barwa Bank, the Islamic institution, has named Hussain Al Abdullah as head of retail banking. He joins from HSBC.

Emirates NBD has named Jamal Bin Ghalaita as the new CEO of Dubai Bank, which is acquired in October last year.

The National Bank of Kuwait has announced that Goh Chok Teng, emeritus senior minister for the Republic of Singapore, has joined its international advisory board.

Nexus Insurance Brokers has named Peter Ellen as operations director, Nick Henderson as training and development director and Gary Lunn as general manager of its Qatar operation.

Nomura, the Japanese investment bank, has expanded its DIFC-based global rates and foreign exchange trading team. Hyeonmuk Mun is set to lead the division as managing director and he'll be supported by two unnamed senior traders.

Qatar Islamic Bank has hired Constantinos Constantinides as chief strategy officer to spearhead its transformation project. He was previously with Al Rajhi Bank. Bert de Ruiter has also joined as general manager of its wholesale banking division. Before, he was country manager – Netherlands, for Lloyds Banking Group.

United Gulf Bank has named Rabih Soukarieh as its new acting chief executive after the retirement of its current CEO Mohammed Haroon.

Warba Bank, the Kuwait-based firm, has hired Adnan Salman Al Salem as chief retail banking officer.

Zurich, the insurance firm, has named Hayden Seach to head its middle market and corporate division in the Middle East.