Shahla Siddiqui

Summary

Seasoned finance professional with 14+ years of expertise spanning risk management, investment analysis, and strategic finance. Demonstrated success in designing and implementing robust risk frameworks, conducting detailed financial modeling, and supporting complex investment decisions. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, deliver actionable insights, and navigate regulatory compliance with a focus on enhancing organizational resilience. CFA® Charterholder and FRM certified, adept at driving value through rigorous risk assessment and strategic advisory in dynamic, high-stakes environments.

Overview

14

years of professional experience

3

Certifications

6

years of post-secondary education

Work History

Senior Risk Manager

ACM Limited (Regulated by ADGM FSRA)

Abu Dhabi

11.2023 - Current

Lead the enterprise risk function for a regulated investment and brokerage firm, reporting directly to the CEO. Spearheaded the design and implementation of a comprehensive risk management framework across market, credit, liquidity, and operational risks, fully aligned with FSRA regulations, Basel II/III Pillars, and ISO 37301:2021 standards.
Directed capital adequacy assessment processes, including ICAAP and IRAP development, integrating multi-scenario stress testing, reverse stress testing, and dynamic capital planning models. Development and execution of risk appetite frameworks, policy documentation, and group-wide governance protocols. Performed internal audits of compliance operations, ensuring regulatory adherence, and identifying process gaps and remediation paths.
Engineered and deployed internal proprietary tools and risk applications for exposure tracking, capital limits, and client risk profiling. Delivered executive-level risk insights through real-time dashboards and automated analytics, leveraging Power BI, Bloomberg, advanced Excel (with VBA), and Python scripting. Implemented seamless integration of quantitative analytics into investment decisions, including VaR, tail risk, factor exposures, and drawdown metrics.
Mentored junior team members in risk analysis techniques, promoting professional growth and enhancing departmental expertise.
Led model validation and governance activities, enhancing controls for internally developed risk engines. Championed continuous improvement projects across the risk lifecycle—reducing manual dependencies, increasing reporting speed, and aligning practices with global best-in-class standards. Managed cross-functional collaboration with Compliance, Legal, Investment, IT, and Operations teams.
Actively monitored evolving regulatory frameworks, including VARA Rulebooks and MiFID II, embedding changes into internal policies and client-facing protocols. Played a key role in Board and Risk Committee engagements, providing actionable insights and strategic recommendations to support firm-wide resilience and long-term value creation.

Financial Analyst

Robotech Solutions (Smart NextTech Accounting & Tax Consultants)

Dubai

11.2018 - 11.2023

Led the development of advanced financial models, cap tables, and valuation assessments (DCF, comparables, LBO, sensitivity and scenario analysis) for SMEs and growth-stage companies pursuing equity, debt, or hybrid financing.
Supported multiple transactions across Series A–C stage startups and mid-market M&A deals, delivering detailed valuation and strategic insights for both buy-side and sell-side mandates.
Conducted full-cycle investment due diligence, including market sizing, competitive benchmarking, unit economics, credit profiling, and business risk assessments. Collaborated directly with founders, CFOs, and deal teams to refine business plans, forecast models, and investor materials to institutional standards.
Developed dynamic investor dashboards and pitch materials using Power BI and Excel (VBA-enabled), translating complex financial data into compelling investment narratives. Provided actionable benchmarking, pricing intelligence, and ratio analysis to support deal structuring, valuation negotiations, and return modeling (IRR, MoIC, payback period).
Played an active role in deal execution, including term sheet review, stakeholder coordination, and collaboration with legal, compliance, and audit advisors. Co-led project delivery alongside strategic and institutional investors across verticals such as real estate, fintech, healthcare, mobility, and industrials. Recognized for producing transaction-ready deliverables that accelerated investor decision-making and capital deployment.

Manager, Corporate Banking

Base Corporation

06.2015 - 02.2016

Managed end-to-end financial operations and strategic financing activities for a mid-sized corporate borrower engaged in consortium lending from multiple public and private sector banks. Played a key role in satisfying the financial and compliance obligations of syndicated loan agreements, including coordination with lenders, documentation, and timely reporting.
Led the preparation of financial feasibility studies, project reports, and risk assessments to evaluate new ventures and support fund utilization. Oversaw the structuring and execution of working capital financing, term loans, and the procurement of non-fund-based facilities such as Letters of Credit (LCs) and Bank Guarantees to support operational requirements.
Actively liaised with consortium banks for credit approvals, compliance documentation, drawdowns, and interest/covenant obligations. Monitored the cost of funds and evaluated alternate financing strategies to reduce interest burdens and optimize the capital structure.
Collaborated with bank-appointed auditors and external/internal audit teams to complete statutory, stock, and SIA audits, while ensuring regulatory and covenant compliance. Supervised cash flow planning, fund utilization tracking, and budget variance reporting. Prepared MIS reports to track profitability across multiple projects and business units.
Handled the monthly submission of stock statements, Drawing Power (DP) calculations, debtors aging reports, and cash budgets to lending institutions. Provided financial recommendations to senior management based on liquidity forecasts, working capital trends, and debt service performance.

Finance Analyst

Project Appraisal Group, Head Office, Canara Bank

09.2011 - 02.2015

Worked in the Project Appraisal Group (PAG) of Canara Bank, one of India’s largest public sector banks with international operations across 7 countries, including branches in London, Hong Kong, Dubai (DIFC), New York, Johannesburg, and others. PAG functions as the Bank’s core investment evaluation and project finance division, responsible for appraising high-value lending proposals and sectoral risk assessments across India.
Appraised and evaluated over 100+ large-scale project finance proposals across a wide range of industries including luxury and commercial real estate, hospitality, highway development (BOT/EPC), metro rail systems, thermal/hydro/solar energy projects, transmission infrastructure, captive power plants, sugar, textiles, and industrial manufacturing.
Led the execution of detailed Techno-Economic Viability (TEV) studies, financial modeling (NPV, IRR, DSCR, payback), and risk analysis for term loan and structured debt proposals. Carried out Risk-Weighted Asset (RWA) calculations and estimated bank sacrifice under multiple restructuring and repayment scenarios to aid resolution strategy and pricing decisions.
Actively contributed to syndicated lending and consortium finance transactions—liaising with client companies, lead banks, and participating financial institutions to support credit structuring, documentation, and regulatory alignment. Supported debt marketing and capital mobilization efforts in partnership with commercial teams.
Defined and reviewed credit risk policies including target markets, exposure ceilings, pricing frameworks, and risk appetite statements. Performed sensitivity analysis and capital adequacy simulations in line with Basel II/III and RBI guidelines to optimize risk-adjusted returns.
Prepared and reviewed Periodic Industry and Project Review (PIPR) reports, monitored project-specific risks, and provided early warning indicators to credit and management committees. Coordinated with internal/external auditors, rating agencies, and independent engineers to ensure compliance, transparency, and data integrity in all appraisal outputs.

Education

MBA - Finance

National Institute of Technology, Trichy, India

04.2009 - 05.2011

Bachelor of Technology - Production/Industrial

AKTU (UPTU), India

03.2005 - 04.2009

Skills

Valuation

Investment analysis

Stress testing

Quantitative modeling

Enterprise risk management

Risk advisory

Project evaluation

Strategic planning

Data analytics

Audit coordination

Portfolio management

Certification

Chartered Financial Analyst® designation (CFA®)Edit CFA Institute https://basno.com/bwlshy1o

Work Availability

monday

tuesday

wednesday

thursday

friday

saturday

sunday

morning

afternoon

evening

swipe to browse

Languages

English

Bilingual or Proficient (C2)

Hindi

Bilingual or Proficient (C2)

Urdu

Advanced (C1)

Arabic

Intermediate (B1)

Timeline

Senior Risk Manager - ACM Limited (Regulated by ADGM FSRA)

11.2023 - Current

Financial Analyst - Robotech Solutions (Smart NextTech Accounting & Tax Consultants)

11.2018 - 11.2023

Manager, Corporate Banking - Base Corporation