C-Suite leader, board advisor, and serial fintech entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience driving transformation across global banking ecosystems. Combines founder-led innovation with enterprise-scale execution, having built fintech ventures while leading large-scale transformation programs within Tier-1, Tier-2, and Tier-3 financial institutions globally.
"Enabling the full Data → Insights → Innovation → AI lifecycle — transforming fragmented legacy environments into scalable, AI-driven business platforms that deliver measurable business outcomes."
Deeply experienced working with CFO organisations, boards, and executive committees to shape data and AI transformation agendas across the GCC, Asia Pacific, and Europe. A trusted voice at the intersection of banking domain depth, data architecture, and emerging AI capability. Specialises in enabling organisations to move from reactive reporting to proactive, insight-driven decision-making.
Core Competencies
Skills & Expertise
Banking Domain Expertise (Tier 1–3)
98%
Data Strategy & Enterprise Architecture
97%
Enterprise Data Warehousing (Teradata, Oracle)
96%
Data Governance & Data Quality Frameworks
95%
Finance & Regulatory Reporting Analytics
95%
Data Integration & Metadata Management
94%
Board & Executive Advisory (C-Suite)
94%
Program Management & P&L Ownership
93%
Digital & Cloud Transformation
93%
Fintech Venture Building & CTO Leadership
92%
AI & ML (Credit Risk, Fraud, Analytics)
90%
Generative AI & AI Platform Strategy
87%
Professional Experience — 2016 to Present
Oct 2023 –
Present
Dubai, UAE
Current
Co-Founder & CEO
TECHNOHANDZ · technohandz.com
Founded TECHNOHANDZ as a global data, analytics, and AI advisory firm focused on transforming financial institutions into data-driven and AI-enabled enterprises. Defined the firm's strategic positioning around the Data → Insights → Innovation → AI lifecycle. Regularly engage with boards and executive committees to shape transformation agendas. Built credibility as a trusted advisor combining deep banking domain expertise with execution capability.
- Strategic Leadership: Defined vision, mission, and long-term growth strategy; established governance structures for scalable delivery. Drove thought leadership through executive workshops and boardroom briefings across the GCC
- Transformation Advisory: Led enterprise-wide engagements for banks with fragmented data environments; guided CFO organisations transitioning from Excel to structured data warehouses and analytics platforms; advised on data governance, quality, and operating model design
- Execution & Delivery: Established scalable delivery model combining onshore advisory with offshore GDC execution; built reusable frameworks — metadata-driven ingestion pipelines, data quality scoring engines, and analytics accelerators; delivered integrated data platforms consolidating multiple banking systems
- Market Expansion: Drove expansion across UAE, KSA, and Oman; built strong CXO relationships and a robust pipeline of banking and financial services clients; established technology vendor partnerships to enhance solution capabilities
Data StrategyAI AdvisoryFractional CDOGCC MarketsEDWData GovernanceCEO
2016 – Present
(CTO 2016–2023)
UAE & Singapore
Current
Co-Founder & CTO → Advisory Board Member
FINBOTS.AI · finbots.ai
Co-founded finbots.ai to address inefficiencies in traditional credit risk assessment. Identified limitations of rule-based scoring approaches and developed a vision for AI-driven credit decisioning. As CTO, led the design and architecture of the entire AI platform serving global banks across Asia and the Middle East.
- Product & Technology: Designed ML models for credit scoring, decision orchestration layers, and integration APIs; built engineering organisation from inception with scalable development practices and enterprise-grade architecture
- Commercialisation: Supported banks in adopting AI-assisted decisioning — improving approval turnaround times and reducing manual effort; drove expansion across Asia Pacific and Middle East markets
- Board & Governance: Transitioned to Advisory Board providing strategic guidance on product roadmap, scaling strategy, and AI evolution; supported investor engagement and long-term growth planning
Credit Risk AIML PlatformCTOFintech VentureAI DecisioningAPAC
Professional Experience — 2006 to 2022
Apr 2013 –
Mar 2022
Dubai, UAE
Co-Founder & Head — Middle East & Africa
STRAITSBRIDGE ADVISORY · straitsbridge.com
Established and scaled the MEA consulting practice focusing on data, BI, and analytics transformation for banking institutions. Built organisational structure, delivery methodologies, and go-to-market strategies from the ground up. Managed full P&L responsibility over a 9-year period, growing the practice into a recognised regional advisory firm.
- Practice Build: Developed high-performing delivery teams; positioned firm as trusted advisor to Tier-1 banks across the GCC; built brand through delivery excellence and CXO engagement
- Transformation Programs: Delivered enterprise data warehouse and BI programs for banks with fragmented reporting environments; led GL consolidation and regulatory reporting automation; designed analytics frameworks for risk and customer insights
- Client Advisory: Worked closely with CXOs to define transformation roadmaps, data governance frameworks, and analytics operating models; built long-term relationships based on trust and sustained delivery
- Delivery & Operations: Managed multi-country delivery teams and offshore models; built reusable accelerators and proprietary IP; established governance frameworks to ensure consistent delivery standards
BI TransformationMEA MarketsP&LData WarehousingRegulatory ReportingCXO Advisory
Aug 2006 –
Jan 2011
Dubai, UAE
Group Head — Finance IS, Shared Services & Data Warehousing
EMIRATES NBD · emiratesnbd.com
Led finance systems integration during the Emirates Bank–NBD merger — one of the GCC's most significant banking consolidations. Accountable for defining the target-state architecture across finance and data systems, and overseeing the implementation of Oracle ERP, Teradata data warehouse, and BI platforms across the merged entity.
- Merger Transformation: Unified disparate finance systems into a consolidated architecture; managed complex dependencies across multiple business units; ensured zero data loss and minimal business disruption throughout integration
- Enterprise Platforms: Implemented Oracle ERP (GL, AP, Fixed Assets); built Teradata enterprise data warehouse supporting regulatory, management, and profitability reporting; deployed BI platforms for Group CFO reporting
- Shared Services: Established centralised shared services for finance operations; standardised processes across the merged entity reducing duplication and improving operational efficiency
- Governance & Leadership: Worked with CFO and senior stakeholders to align technology with business strategy; managed cross-functional teams across IT, finance, and operations; led data governance framework covering ownership, lineage, and quality
Merger IntegrationOracle ERPTeradata EDWCognos BIShared ServicesData Governance
Professional Experience — 1997 to 2006
Oct 2005 –
Aug 2006
Singapore
APAC Lead — Banking ERP Consulting
SAP — Asia Pacific · sap.com/asia-pacific
Led SAP's banking ERP consulting across Asia Pacific, working with financial institutions on large-scale transformation programs spanning Finance, Risk, and Analytics modules. Engaged with senior stakeholders across multiple markets including Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, and South East Asia.
- Solution Architecture: Designed integrated enterprise solutions spanning finance, accounting, and analytics; translated complex banking requirements into scalable SAP system architectures
- Pre-Sales & Deal Structuring: Led multi-million-dollar banking deal pursuits; defined solution architectures, value propositions, and implementation approaches in partnership with SAP sales teams
- Thought Leadership: Represented SAP at regional banking conferences and industry forums; strengthened SAP's positioning as a strategic partner for banking technology transformation across APAC
- Business Impact: Enabled financial institutions to adopt enterprise-grade ERP solutions, improving operational efficiency, financial transparency, and systems scalability
SAP FSCDSAP BW/BIBanking ERPAPACPre-SalesSolution Architecture
Aug 1997 –
Sep 2005
Amsterdam &
Singapore
Global MIS Manager → APAC Finance Systems Lead
ABN AMRO BANK · abnamro.com
Progressed through global and regional roles across an 8-year tenure at one of Europe's largest banks. Initially based in Amsterdam managing global Management Information Systems across 58 countries and 18 heterogeneous finance platforms. Subsequently relocated to Singapore to lead APAC finance systems transformation.
- Global MIS & Reporting: Managed MIS across 58 countries and 18 systems; standardised reporting frameworks enabling global visibility; improved accuracy and timeliness of executive reporting across all business units
- Finance Transformation: Led APAC sub-ledger implementations and financial process standardisation; improved control, transparency, and auditability of financial data across the region
- Data Platforms: Built enterprise data warehouses using Oracle and Cognos enabling advanced reporting and analytics; supported decision-making at senior management levels through structured data access
- Vendor & Stakeholder Management: Managed EDS outsourcing partnership including SLA governance and cost optimisation; coordinated across global finance and IT teams across multiple geographies
Global MIS58 CountriesOracle FinancialsCognosData WarehousingAPAC FinanceEDS
Professional Experience — 1990 to 1997
Technology Manager
MAYBANK INDONESIA (formerly Bank Internasional Indonesia) · maybank.co.id
Led the implementation of Infosys Bancs2000 core banking system, transitioning the bank from legacy processing to a modern, integrated banking platform. Simultaneously managed SWIFT Alliance Entry integration enabling standardised international financial messaging.
- Core Banking: Led end-to-end Infosys Bancs2000 implementation covering all retail and trade banking modules; ensured alignment of system capabilities with business operations improving transaction processing efficiency
- SWIFT Integration: Implemented SWIFT Alliance Entry enabling standardised and secure international financial messaging; significantly improved the bank's participation in global payment networks
- Infrastructure Build: Established IT infrastructure from the ground up — hardware procurement, networking, and Oracle/NetWare database environments; created a scalable foundation for banking operations
- Programme Management: Coordinated across multiple vendors, technology providers, and internal stakeholders to ensure timely delivery; managed go-live transition with minimal disruption
Core BankingInfosys Bancs2000SWIFTInfrastructureOracle DB
Aug 1990 –
Dec 1995
Mumbai, India
Systems Manager
AMERICAN EXPRESS BANK · americanexpress.com
Managed the Systems and Data Processing Centre in Mumbai — the foundational role of a 30-year banking technology career. Responsible for secure, reliable, and efficient processing of high-volume banking transactions, as well as global connectivity and trading system operations.
- Data Centre Operations: Managed Systems and Data Processing Centre ensuring high availability of mission-critical banking systems and consistent processing of high-volume transactions
- Global Connectivity: Implemented 64 KBPS international connectivity circuits enabling seamless integration with global data centres and improved cross-geography data synchronisation
- Trading Systems: Coordinated implementation of FEDS/BOSS foreign exchange dealing systems on IBM servers and Sybase RDBMS; ensured system stability for high-value treasury and FX market operations
- Foundation: Built deep understanding of banking systems, global operations, and data processing — forming the foundation for later leadership in data architecture and enterprise transformation
FX SystemsData CentreSybase RDBMSIBMSWIFT
Academic Qualifications
Education
1999 – 2003
MBA — Technology Management
Nanyang Business School, Singapore
Developed strong foundations in aligning technology strategy with business outcomes, with emphasis on enterprise systems, digital transformation, and innovation. Applied these frameworks in leading large-scale banking and fintech transformations across global markets.
2008
Diploma in Business Leadership
Duke University
Executive leadership program focused on strategic thinking, organisational leadership, and high-impact decision-making. Strengthened ability to operate at board level, manage complex transformation agendas, and influence senior stakeholders effectively.
1988 – 1990
PG Honours — Systems Management
NIIT — National Institute of Information Technology
Built deep technical grounding in systems architecture, database management, and enterprise computing. Established the technical base for early roles in banking technology, infrastructure, and large-scale systems implementation.
1984 – 1987
Bachelor of Science — Physics
University of Mumbai
Developed rigorous analytical and problem-solving capabilities through structured scientific training — consistently applied in designing complex systems and managing large-scale transformation programs throughout a 30-year career.
Professional Development
Certifications & Continuous Learning
PMI — Project Management InstituteCertified Project & Program Management Practitioner — structured delivery of large-scale transformation programs
PRINCE2 PractitionerProjects IN Controlled Environments — governance, risk management, and disciplined program execution
Duke Executive Leadership ProgramCompleted 2008 — strategic leadership, board-level decision-making, and executive stakeholder management
Enterprise Data ArchitectureOracle & Teradata environments — implementation-led expertise across enterprise data warehouse design
AI & Machine LearningApplied AI in credit risk and analytics platforms — delivered via finbots.ai across Asia & Middle East
Core Banking & Financial SystemsInfosys Bancs2000, SWIFT Alliance, Risk Systems — implementation-led expertise across 30+ years
Continuous Development
Regular speaker and participant in banking, data, and AI forums across GCC and Asia Pacific. Continuous learning in Agentic AI, data governance frameworks, and enterprise transformation methodologies. Active engagement with banking sector thought leaders, regulators, and technology innovators globally.
