Azza Abdelbari
Abu Dhabi,United Arab Emirates
Summary
Professional with extensive experience in financial services regulation, asset and wealth management, and trading platforms. Expertise in equity and debt instruments, derivatives, and both conventional and Islamic finance. Advanced knowledge in crypto asset management and compliance with AML, sanctions, and counter-terrorism finance. Focused on driving innovation and ensuring regulatory excellence in the financial sector.
Forward-thinking Senior Manager adept at managing teams of [Number] employees with [Number] direct reports to accomplish challenging objectives in [Area of expertise]. Able to impart clear vision for cohesive, high-performance team. Ready to apply [Number] years of experience to challenging new role at [Company].
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
8035
8035
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Senior Manager, Sector Lead
Financial Services Regulatory Authority, Supervision Division, Abu Dhabi Global Market
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
11.2022 - 08.2025
- Led supervision of asset managers, fund managers, and financial advisory firms within pooled supervision team.
- Conducted onsite reviews of financial services firms to ensure compliance with FSRA rules and regulations.
- Improved staff productivity through effective workforce management techniques.
- Built strong partnerships with stakeholders.
- Streamlined operations by introducing efficient resource management strategies.
- Managed conflict resolution within teams, ensuring smooth workflow.
- Mentored junior managers, fostering a culture of continuous learning.
Senior Manager
Financial Services Regulatory Authority, Markets Division, Abu Dhabi Global Market
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
07.2020 - 10.2022
- Supervised operations for ICE Futures Abu Dhabi, a premier derivatives exchange in ADGM.
- Led oversight for multiple start-up virtual asset platforms and custodians within ADGM framework.
- Reviewed and assessed applications for Recognised Investment Exchanges and Clearing Houses as market infrastructure team member.
- Contributed to FSRA ESG working group, developing an effective ESG framework for ADGM.
Director, Deputy Head of Compliance
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, DIFC
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
04.2018 - 02.2020
- Led compliance team to safeguard SMBC banking licence in DIFC.
- Successfully managed DFSA inspection, resulting in clean bill of health.
- Directed project team to obtain Islamic Financial Services Licence for SMBC.
- Contributed to establishment of SMBC subsidiary in Saudi Arabia.
- Supported front office in offering services and structuring compliant transactions.
Senior Manager, Markets Division
Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)
Dubai
09.2011 - 03.2018
- Lead supervisor for Nasdaq Dubai and Dubai Mercantile Exchange for compliance with their licensing requirements as well as review and assessment of new business proposals.
- Key team member for preparation of the applications for recognition and equivalence assessment of the DFSA's regulation regime under European Union regulation for exchanges and clearing houses (EMIR, MiFID II).
- Lead team member for drafting the clearing house rules of DFSA Rulebook in compliance with the CPSS- IOSCO Principles of Financial Market Infrastructures.
- Representing the DFSA as speaker on various panels and conferences corporate governance.
Senior Compliance Officer and Money Laundering Reporting Officer
NASDAQ Dubai Limited, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
Dubai
01.2010 - 03.2011
- Ensuring overall compliance of NASDAQ Dubai with its regulatory obligations as Authorised Market Institution and Clearing House
- Key team member for the operational and regulatory integration of the trading, clearing and settlement systems of Nasdaq Dubai and Dubai Financial Market
- Drafting and amendment of business rules and market notices to ensure orderly market
- Responsible for admission of Members to the exchange's equity and derivative market
- Responsible for ensuring ongoing member compliance through on-site inspections and questionnaires
- Acting as main point of contact with DFSA in relation to all regulatory aspects of the exchange
Compliance Officer/Deputy Money Laundering Reporting Officer and Company Secretary
Essdar Capital Limited and Essdar Capital Managers Limited
04.2008 - 12.2009
- Drafting of company policies, procedures and manuals in relation to compliance, due diligence and corporate governance
- Conducting due diligence and anti-money laundering checks on all potential clients and business partners
- Training of all staff (up to 22) on regulatory compliance, anti-money laundering, personal account dealing, market abuse and other regulatory topics
- Review of suspicious transaction reports, maintaining and implementing of anti-money laundering policies and procedures and restricted and watch lists
- Coordination of board meetings, drafting of board papers and quarterly reports, collating of board reports from senior management
Membership Manager, Compliance Department
Dubai Mercantile Exchange Ltd (‘DME'), Dubai International Financial Centre
Dubai
04.2007 - 04.2008
- Overall management of the Exchange's Membership Department
- Drafting of procedures of the membership department and managing the implementation of these procedures
- Managing the application process for more than 70 members of the Exchange covering all categories of membership, ensuring all members continue to be compliant with all membership requirements in line with the DME's Rules, the DFSA's Rules and international Anti-Money Laundering regulation and due diligence requirements; review of more than 96 applications
- Responding to all membership enquires and assisting potential members throughout application process
- Liaising with the DFSA (regulator) on regular basis to ensure processing of membership applications
- Secretary to Membership Committee Managing formal member communication in relation to market maker programs and other exchange related communication (member notices)
Account Manager, Membership Department
Dubai International Financial Exchange Ltd (currently known as Nasdaq Dubai), Dubai International Financial Centre
Dubai
07.2006 - 04.2007
- Processing of applications of new members to the exchange: Support member through application process, evaluation of application documents, liaising with the Regulator. Succeeded in connecting 5 members during tenure in the department
- Manage and build relationship with existing and future members.
Executive Assistant to Chief Executive Officer
Dubai International Financial Exchange Ltd (currently known as Nasdaq Dubai)
Dubai
11.2004 - 06.2006
- Overall management of CEO office
Paralegal
Meyer-Reumann Legal Consultancy
Dubai
09.2002 - 11.2004
Education
International Diploma - Compliance
International Compliance Association/University of Manchester
United KingdomDiploma - Corporate Governance, Companies Law,
UK Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Accountants
United KingdomCertificate - Effective Anti-Money Laundering Practice
The Banker Financial Training
UAECertificate - DIFC Rules and Regulations
Securities & Investment Institute
UAEExecutive Management Diploma - Postgraduate Studies
American University in Cairo
Bachelor - Pharmaceutical Science
Cairo University
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Skills
Financial services regulation
Asset and wealth management
Brokerage and trading platforms
Equity and debt instruments
Derivatives and funds
Conventional and Islamic finance
Crypto asset management
AML, sanctions, and counter-terrorism finance expertise
Languages
Arabic: Mother tongue
English: fluent (spoken and written)
German: fluent (spoken and written)
French: fair knowledge
Community Service
German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) formerly German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), www.gtz.de, Cairo, Egypt, 1996-09, 2002-06
Administrative Experience
- Executive Assistant to Chief Executive Officer
- Dubai International Financial Exchange Ltd (currently known as Nasdaq Dubai)
- Overall management of CEO office Nov. 2004 – June 2006
EGYPT AIR Hospital
In-patient Hospital Pharmacist (Community Service) Dec. 1994 –Jan 1996
Timeline
Senior Manager, Sector Lead
Financial Services Regulatory Authority, Supervision Division, Abu Dhabi Global Market
11.2022 - 08.2025
Senior Manager
Financial Services Regulatory Authority, Markets Division, Abu Dhabi Global Market
07.2020 - 10.2022
Director, Deputy Head of Compliance
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, DIFC
04.2018 - 02.2020
Senior Manager, Markets Division
Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)
09.2011 - 03.2018
Senior Compliance Officer and Money Laundering Reporting Officer
NASDAQ Dubai Limited, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
01.2010 - 03.2011
Compliance Officer/Deputy Money Laundering Reporting Officer and Company Secretary
Essdar Capital Limited and Essdar Capital Managers Limited
04.2008 - 12.2009
Membership Manager, Compliance Department
Dubai Mercantile Exchange Ltd (‘DME'), Dubai International Financial Centre
04.2007 - 04.2008
Account Manager, Membership Department
Dubai International Financial Exchange Ltd (currently known as Nasdaq Dubai), Dubai International Financial Centre
07.2006 - 04.2007
Executive Assistant to Chief Executive Officer
Dubai International Financial Exchange Ltd (currently known as Nasdaq Dubai)
11.2004 - 06.2006
Paralegal
Meyer-Reumann Legal Consultancy
09.2002 - 11.2004
Executive Management Diploma - Postgraduate Studies
American University in Cairo
Bachelor - Pharmaceutical Science
Cairo University
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International Diploma - Compliance
International Compliance Association/University of Manchester
Diploma - Corporate Governance, Companies Law,
UK Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Accountants
Certificate - Effective Anti-Money Laundering Practice
The Banker Financial Training
Certificate - DIFC Rules and Regulations
Securities & Investment Institute
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