Ahmed Adeem

Senior banking and fintech operations executive with 24 years of experience across the United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates, spanning financial services, digital payments, business planning, operational transformation, process re-engineering, financial modelling, risk management and organisational development. Currently serving as Group Chief Operating Officer at Direct Debit Systems Dubai, where I established central operations and built operational departments, policies, procedures and business-process frameworks for a fintech business. Earlier career experience includes senior operations leadership at Dubai Islamic Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, alongside customer and branch banking roles at HSBC and Barclays in London.

Combines hands-on execution with strategic planning, cost management, automation, control design and cross-functional delivery.

GROUP CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (COO) at Direct Debit Systems (2020-04 – Present)

• Established the central operations function from inception and developed the operating framework for a start-up financial services business.
• Designed and established core operational departments, including processing, credit, invoicing and collections.
• Developed standard operating procedures and end-to-end process documentation to support consistent execution and control.
• Supported business planning and execution of expansion plans across the MENA region and the United Kingdom.
• Oversee operating expenditure and accounting-related functions, and contribute to short- and long-term financial planning.
• Developed business-development and operational strategies aimed at revenue generation, customer focus and cost discipline.
• Analyse operational risks and develop mitigation approaches to strengthen execution and support organisational objectives.

SENIOR OPERATIONS MANAGER at Dubai Islamic Bank (2012-01 – 2020-03)

• Managed an existing home-finance customer portfolio of AED 3.2 billion and a new-origination portfolio of AED 11.6 billion, leading 16 bank employees and 5 outsourced staff.
• Re-engineered and automated processes to improve productivity; supported system and portfolio migration from Noor Bank to DIB’s core system.
• Automated reconciliation for 40 general-ledger accounts, reducing turnaround time by 50%.
• Owned Business Continuity Planning and Disaster Recovery arrangements for Home Finance Operations, including critical-process analysis and testing.
• Supported UAT and reviewed accounting processes and transaction workflows to identify gaps and redundant activities.
• Implemented VAT-engine functionality within the general-ledger database and automated vendor invoicing and payment processes.
• Contributed to the launch of a home-finance-linked credit-card product and supported end-to-end implementation milestones.
• Developed collection policies, performance reporting, automated performance measurement and risk-mitigation plans.
• Worked on RCSA, operational-risk management, key control indicators, KPI scorecards, DDA/SIO and post-dated-cheque management automation, and BPMS-enabled end-to-end workflows.
• Prepared monthly management reports and coordinated with internal and external auditors; supported resource planning and succession planning.

OPERATIONS MANAGER at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (2008-02 – 2011-12)

• Re-engineered 87 processes across Central Operations, Finance, Wholesale Banking, Central Payments, Retail Finance and Card Operations, achieving a 50% reduction in turnaround time.
• Automated guarantee renewals and group-limit processes in CAD, reducing turnaround time by 40% for the latter.
• Introduced dual-control mechanisms in TFD/RFO and CAD to strengthen operational risk controls.
• Established cross-functional training initiatives across Operations and Technology to support capability building and cost efficiency.
• Developed operational standards, policies, procedures, productivity benchmarks, staffing plans and budgets aligned with business forecasts.
• Prepared proposals and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.

PERSONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER at HSBC (2004-04 – 2007-12)

• Advised customers on financial planning and investment options, using financial models to analyse investment strategies.
• Managed account opening and lending for personal, Premier and business customers, and supported credit-card issuance.
• Handled international payments for executive customers and offered insurance and repayment-protection products.

COUNTER MANAGER at Barclays Bank PLC (2001-01 – 2004-04)

• Managed a team of 11 cashiers/tellers, including staff induction, daily sales reporting and target setting.
• Oversaw cash-handling controls, balancing and audit procedures; supported product launches, ATM monitoring and customer complaint resolution.

MSc in Accounting & Finance – London Metropolitan University, London, United Kingdom (2008)

MBA in Finance – American International College (1999)

Bachelor of Commerce – University of the Punjab, Pakistan (1997)