Our Board Members

DFSA Authorized Director

Fouad Nicolas Trad

Fouad Nicolas Trad is a European and Middle Eastern banking executive with over 30 years of experience structuring large-scale infrastructure financings, leading regulated financial institutions, and overseeing cross-border capital platforms across Europe, the GCC, Africa and the Levant.

He built his career within the Crédit Agricole Group (ex. Banque Indosuez), holding senior leadership roles across Paris, Beirut, Bahrain and Dubai, with direct exposure to sovereign financing, large-cap M&A, infrastructure development and institutional capital markets.

Large-Cap M&A & Corporate Finance

• As Senior Banker in charge of the European Food sector, he advised and structured financing to Nestlé in its €2.5 billion acquisition of Perrier.

Infrastructure & Energy Financing

As CEO of Indosuez in Lebanon during the post-war reconstruction phase, he led the ECA export credit financing of three landmark infrastructure and energy projects, each exceeding USD 200 million:

• Beirut seafront reclaimed development project (Bouygues Offshore)
• Power plant financing (Ansaldo)
• Modernization of a major cement facility (Holcim)

Sovereign & Capital Markets Structuring

As Head of Financial Institutions in the Middle East for Credit Agricole Corporate Investment Banking:

• Originated the first USD 500 million syndicated loan for Arab Bank
• Sole book runner for the inaugural USD 350 million Islamic Trust Certificate for the Kingdom of Bahrain

CEO – Regulated Pan-European Bank

President of the Executive Committee and CEO of BBE (Brussels, Paris, London) for 12 years, a Belgium-based bank specialized in Trade Finance and Correspondent Banking.

Key Performance Highlights

• €1.2 billion balance sheet with substantial off-balance sheet exposure
• €25 million annual revenues (60% fee-based commissions)
• 80 professionals across three jurisdictions
• Customer deposits tripled; institutional funding increased by 50%
• Operating costs reduced by 20% through structured outsourcing and digitalization
• ROE doubled from 4% to 8% despite negative interest rate environment
• Market expansion into Africa and Asia

Strategic Advisory & Governance

• Special Advisor to the CEO of First Abu Dhabi Bank (Africa strategy structuring)
• Financial Services Expert at PwC Strategy& (strategic reviews and transformation)
• Non-Executive Director & Chair of Risk Committee – FFA Private Bank (DIFC)
• Independent Board Member & Chair of Remuneration Committee – Investment & Capital Bank
• Former Board Member – Beirut Stock Exchange

Education: Graduate in Finance – Northeastern University, USA