Giles Cunningham has been appointed CEO of BLME Holdings plc with effect from 17th November 2016, subject to regulatory approval.
Mr. Giles Cunningham (biography) brings a breadth of experience across a broad range of wealth, corporate and international banking activities.
His appointment at BLME continues a successful career following four years as CEO, International at Qatar Islamic Bank and at Lloyds Banking Group where he held various prominent positions including CEO, Middle East.
Mr. Giles Cunningham said, “I am delighted to be joining BLME. It is a unique opportunity to lead a bank that has great potential. I look forward to working with the Board and the management team to return BLME to a period of sustainable growth.”
Mr. Cunningham succeeds Mr. Jabra Ghandour who has chosen to step down as CEO for personal reasons. Mr. Ghandour will remain a member of the Board of BLME Holdings plc and will focus on business development in the Middle East and building the BLME brand in the GCC region.
In addition, BLME has recently taken steps to strengthen the senior management team with Trevor Jones appointed as Chief Compliance Officer, a Chief Risk Officer and Chris Power, BLME’s Chief Financial Officer, appointed to the Board of BLME Holdings.
Mr. Adel Al Majed, Chairman of BLME, said, “The Board would like to take this opportunity to thank Jabra for his hard work and his commitment to the Bank since becoming CEO and in particular in guiding the Bank through its legacy issues. We look forward to continuing our work with him as he develops the Bank’s business in the Middle East.”
Mr. Cunningham joined BLME in October 2016 having previously served as Chief Executive Officer, International at Qatar Islamic Bank. Prior to that appointment, he was Chief Executive Officer of The Zubair Corporation from 2008 until 2011. He started his career at Kleinwort Benson, the investment bank before moving to Lloyds TSB Bank where he spent 17 years. He held a number of senior roles with Lloyds, both in the UK and internationally. This included two years as Chief Financial Officer in Lloyds Bank, Brazil and three years as the Bank’s Middle East Chief Executive Officer, based in Dubai.
Mr. Cunningham is a mathematics graduate, an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, holds an MBA and is an active Harvard Business School alumnus. He speaks fluent Portuguese.
About BLME
BLME is an independent wholesale Sharia’a compliant bank based in London and is a leading provider of finance to the UK mid-market. BLME received FSA authorization in July 2007 and is the largest of its peers in Europe. BLME is led by a management team that brings together a combination of experienced international bankers and leading experts in Islamic finance. BLME has three key business areas: Wealth Management, Corporate Banking and Treasury providing a wide range of financing solutions and investment opportunities.