fi nancemiddleeast.comOctober 2025 | 3 Behind every perfect gala dinner is an overworked spreadsheet and a very caff einated team, and last month, that team delivered something truly special. The Finance Middle East Awards 2025 winners’ dinner brought together some of the region’s most infl uential leaders in banking, fi ntech, investment and beyond for an evening that celebrated excellence and the people shaping the future of fi nance in our part of the world. Seeing the winners, from pioneering startups to global institutions, come together was a proud moment for all of us. These awards started as an idea to recognise meaningful progress in a fast-changing industry. They have now become a platform where the region’s most respected voices and boldest innovators stand side by side. For me, the awards night carried an extra layer of meaning. This is my fi nal editor’s letter for Finance Middle East. Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of launching this brand, telling the stories of extraordinary leaders and helping shape events that bring the industry together. From our fi rst issue to milestone moments like the Awards, it’s been an incredible journey to watch Finance Middle East grow from an ambitious idea into a recognised voice in the region’s fi nancial community. The brand is now on an exciting growth trajectory, with more compelling stories to tell, more events to host and an even stronger platform for the conversations that matter. While this is my goodbye as editor, Finance Middle East is bigger than any one person. It lives on in the team’s creativity, the trust of our readers and the community we’ve built together. To everyone who has read, shared, judged, sponsored, spoken, and celebrated with us, thank you! It has been an honour to serve this industry and witness, fi rsthand, its ambition and transformation. Here’s to the next chapter for Finance Middle East, and to a region that keeps redefi ning what’s possible. Nivetha Dayanand Editor REGIONAL FINANCE IS ACCELERATING Middle Eastern fi nance is moving fast by embracing innovation, technology and new investment models with global impact. GLOBAL CAPITAL LOOKS INWARD The region is no longer just exporting wealth, it’s becoming a destination for global investment and talent. LEADERSHIP SHAPES TRANSFORMATION Visionary leaders and agile institutions are redefi ning benchmarks across banking, fi ntech, investment and sustainability. THREE KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM FINANCE MIDDLE EAST AWARDS EDITOR’S LETTER FME_Oct2025_3_Editor Letter_13702379.indd 3FME_Oct2025_3_Editor Letter_13702379.indd 303/10/2025 21:0803/10/2025 21:08fi nancemiddleeast.com4 | October 2025 12 8 20 26 WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE REGION From Saudi Arabia’s property reforms to MENA startup funding falling, these are the trending headlines to know about INSIDE THE FINANCE MIDDLE EAST AWARDS Take a behind-the-scenes look at the private event, which brought together some of the region’s most infl uential fi nance leaders for an intimate gala dinner FROM CAPITAL EXPORTER TO CAPITAL MAGNET Janus Henderson’s Meshal AlFaras on why the Gulf is no longer just sending capital abroad, it’s becoming a destination of choice for global allocators COULD BNPL BECOME THE NEXT SUBPRIME? BNPL is reshaping how Gen Z manages money, fl exible liquidity for now, with watchpoints on stacking and transparency ahead 8 26 12 20 FME_Oct2025_4-5_Contents_13702381.indd 4FME_Oct2025_4-5_Contents_13702381.indd 403/10/2025 21:1203/10/2025 21:12fi nancemiddleeast.comOctober 2025 | 5 48 32 52 56 FORMULA 1’S ECONOMIC ENGINE From billions in tourism receipts to global branding power, hosting a Grand Prix can transform a nation’s economy MEET THE WINNERS OF THE FINANCE MIDDLE EAST AWARDS 2025 Finance Middle East honoured the region’s top fi nance leaders and companies at its awards gala in Dubai across 23 categories MEET THE ENTREPRENEUR: ILYA KLYUEV As the Middle East continues to embrace innovation and technological disruption, BaseTracK’s founder is on a mission to transform the region’s logistics sector HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU SAVE IN YOUR TWENTIES? Saving consistently, setting goals and using digital platforms are key steps for young investors to prepare for their futures 5256 32 48 FME_Oct2025_4-5_Contents_13702381.indd 5FME_Oct2025_4-5_Contents_13702381.indd 503/10/2025 21:1203/10/2025 21:12fi nancemiddleeast.com6 | October 2025 PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 444 3000 Web: www.itp.com Offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London, Mumbai, Riyadh & Geneva ITP MEDIA GROUP CEO: Ali Akawi Managing Director: Martin Chambers Head of Business and Technology: Thomas Shambler EDITORIAL Editor: Nivetha Dayanand Tel: +971 4 444 3887 email: nivetha.dayanand@itp.com Project Editor: Heather Cichowski Tel: +971 4 444 3271 email: heather.cichowski@itp.com Commercial Editor: Angitha Pradeep Tel: +971 4 444 3278 email: angitha.pradeep@itp.com ART Art Director: Amjad Ayche Art Editor: Tofi q Memon ADVERTISING Group Publishing Director: Natasha Pendleton Tel: +971 4 444 3248 email: natasha.pendleton@itp.com Senior Commercial Manager: Ines Ben Rejeb Tel: +971 4 444 3223 email: ines.benrejeb@itp.com PHOTOGRAPHY Senior Video Editor: Liju Cheruvathur MARKETING Head of Events: Eleanor Ashton email: eleanor.ashton@itp.com Events Manager: Beverly Stanforth Events Manager: Gavin Moeketsi Associate Events Manager: Vrinali Nazareth Associate Events Manager: Maria Trishina Events Sales Executive: Jan Mokoala Events Sales Assistant: Joyce Salonga Events Administrative Assistant: Bobbie Rosario PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION Senior Production & Distribution Manager: Balasubramanian P Production Manager: Anand Sundaram Distribution Coordinator: Avinash Pereira Circulation Executive: Rajesh Pillai ITP GROUP CEO: Ali Akawi CFO: Toby Jay Spencer-Davies The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the reader’s particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review. PUBLISHED BY AND © 2025 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC. 6 | October 2025 To fl ip through previous editions of Finance Middle East magazine, visit fi nancemiddleeast.com/magazine/ 6 | October 2025 FME_Oct2025_6_Flannel_13702382.indd 6FME_Oct2025_6_Flannel_13702382.indd 603/10/2025 21:1303/10/2025 21:13AWARDS fi nancemiddleeast.com8 | October 2025 FME_Oct2025_8-9_AWARDS_13726723.indd 8FME_Oct2025_8-9_AWARDS_13726723.indd 803/10/2025 21:1503/10/2025 21:15AWARDS fi nancemiddleeast.comOctober 2025 | 9 FME_Oct2025_8-9_AWARDS_13726723.indd 9FME_Oct2025_8-9_AWARDS_13726723.indd 903/10/2025 21:1503/10/2025 21:15Next >