When I was deciding on a career path, being a chartered accountant was a trending route in Pakistan. I had seen my relatives doing well and wanted to follow in their footsteps. I also inherited a good memory and number-crunching skills from my dad, which is useful in accounting.
I started my journey as an auditor with PwC, but following my ACCA financial management courses I moved into financial advisory services with Deloitte, and later with KPMG. I found I was inclined towards private equity investments, and I got my break with Inovest and then Venture Capital Bank in Bahrain.
I have successfully turned around multiple businesses worth more than US$25m
I always wanted to be a leader and to manage businesses spanning different sectors. Advisory is an important aspect, but for me delivering operational results is more meaningful. Over the past six years I have managed a portfolio of more than US$500m and I’m confident I have delivered successful returns to investors through my management skills.
Investment management keeps you on your toes throughout the day, with new challenges frequently coming forth at the operational and strategic level. I enjoy the challenge of delivering multiple tasks and ensuring the overall achievement of the firm’s strategic objectives. It’s something I look forward to every morning.
The pandemic has brought unexpected suffering to the world, which I hope can be eradicated through a worldwide vaccination drive. The Bahrain government has been actively managing the situation and has kept the right balance to ensure that the economy stays afloat.
Governments throughout the Middle East have supported businesses and invested heavily in healthcare services to ensure vaccinations for everyone in the region. It is only through a successful vaccine drive that we can get back to normal business practices and creating opportunities for growth.
If I could, I would provide inclusion rights to all residents in the region based on the number of years they have spent here. This would allow long-term sustainable growth in the economy, with foreigners holding their capital within the country rather than remitting it to their place of citizenship.
I think I have yet to clock up my biggest achievement; I want to keep challenging myself. To be honest, I think succeeding in having quality family time alongside an exhausting work schedule is my biggest achievement so far.
In the professional sphere, however, I have successfully turned around multiple businesses across various sectors worth more than US$25m, improving both performance and shareholder returns.
If I was not an accountant, I would have continued with my dad’s trading business. I don’t think I’d have been too far from where I am now, but I would not have experienced the wider corporate world.
I love to watch thrillers; it is a way for me to relax and forget the hustle and bustle of the week. I also enjoy outdoor sports – cricket is my favourite game to watch, if time allows. Though difficult now, I would love to travel the world.
