I always had a passion for crunching numbers, hence accountancy seemed to be my calling. That passion was nurtured by brilliant maths and accountancy professors at school and in ACCA classes at Ernst and Young.
I completed my ACCA in 2013 and started off my career as account executive in BDO. I handled bookkeeping, training client accountants, and finalising the financial statements in a range of industries, before moving to the audit department.
A mother should be able to remain in the workforce and not be forced to choose between family and career
In 2015, BDO recommended me as a consultant to the private equity business of BNP Paribas. I was entrusted with developing financial models for investment valuations and investor relations. I was intrigued by the knowledge I acquired in the role. As I had gained the chartered financial analyst (CFA) certification and had experience in audit and investment, the position of financial analyst at retail and distribution group BMMI was a perfect fit.
BMMI has displayed real resilience in the face of uncertainty. The global economy is seeing supply chain disruptions triggered by the pandemic. Foreseeing the rising importance of logistics, BMMI undertook a restructuring project that spun the logistics team off as a separate division. The division acquired a key warehouse facility and made strategic investments in logistics vehicles. To tackle the current supply chain bottleneck, companies should deploy expert teams to strengthen their logistics capacities.
The biggest challenge facing Bahrain is the fiscal deficit, caused mainly by heavy reliance on oil and tourism. A drop in oil prices as well as uncertainty in the hospitality sector due to the pandemic has worsened this deficit. Electricity and water tariffs have been increased, and VAT introduced, to help tackle this problem. The country’s biggest opportunity lies in diversification. Bahrain has always been promoted as a financial hub for the region, and the economy can benefit through the attraction of further investment into the financial sector.
If I had law-making powers I would revamp maternity laws in the region. Maternity leave should be a minimum of six months, and companies should be encouraged to offer creches, with government incentives for company initiatives. I have found that problem-solving and multitasking skills are heightened by becoming a mother. As such, a mother should be able to remain in the workforce and not be forced to choose between family and career.
I have always enjoyed preparing impactful reports that are key drivers in shareholder decision-making. This is further complemented by continuous recognition, which forms an integral part of BMMI’s reward system and drives me to go the extra mile.
I am most proud of the CEO’s award I received for the transformation of a budget pack while I was eight months pregnant with my first baby, and my promotion when I rejoined after my maternity. As a working mother of two, I have always prized maintaining a work-life balance, anchored by unwavering support systems both at work and home.
If I wasn’t working in finance, I would be honing my painting skills. I might also have ventured into the field of advanced yoga and mindfulness.
Outside work, I spend most of the time with my babies. Any spare time from motherhood is devoted to fitness, yoga and reading.
