Corporate Governance

Dr. Zead Khalaf is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of International Development Bank and one of its key founders. In less than ten years since its establishment, he has succeeded in transforming International Development Bank from an emerging bank into one of the most trusted banks in Iraq and the region.

Dr. Zead Khalaf, Chairman of the Board of Directors of International Development Bank, is considered one of the bank's key founders, and within less than ten years since its establishment, he has succeeded in transforming International Development Bank from an emerging bank into one of the most trusted banks in Iraq and the region.

Since assuming leadership of the bank in 2015, this period has been known as the "Golden Era," where he introduced advanced technology and established long-term strategic partnerships with global companies in the electronic payment sector, such as "Visa" and "Mastercard."

Dr. Zead Khalaf most prominent achievements are reflected in his leadership of the International Development Bank (IDB) where he has driven significant success through innovative strategies such as product development and the formation of strategic partnerships. These accomplishments have not been limited to Iraq but have extended into global markets.

Under his leadership, IDB has undergone a remarkable transformation, enhancing its financial infrastructure and supporting innovation to expand its international operations. This led to the opening of the bank’s first branch in the United Arab Emirates, making it the first private Iraqi bank to establish a presence in the UAE.

Dr. Zead Khalaf founded ZK Holding Group, successfully transforming a family-owned business into a global success story, which is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, and under its umbrella are sister companies with decades of legacy.

Zead Khalaf serves as the Vice President of Union of Arab Banks, the Board of the International Union of Arab Bankers, the United Nations Economic and Social Council in Geneva, a member of the Board of Directors of the International Chamber of Commerce – UAE (ICC), and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Arab Academy for Administrative, Financial and Banking Sciences.

He holds a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Technology in Baghdad and an Honorary Doctorate in Financial Sciences from the International University in London.

Edward Oakden is a prominent British diplomat and advisor, with over four decades of experience in diplomacy, development, and international business. He held high-ranking diplomatic positions, serving as the United Kingdom's Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Tunisia, leading British engagement across the region during pivotal periods of political and economic change.

After his diplomatic career, he transitioned to the private sector, joining Lion's Head Global Partners, where he provides strategic consulting to governments and institutions on development finance, economic reform, and sustainable growth, with a focus on governance, policy-making, and enhancing public-private sector cooperation in emerging markets.

During his work at the company, he contributed to advising sovereign clients and financial institutions on economic and financial stability, development financing methods, and developing sustainable economic growth strategies.

His extensive expertise spans international trade and investment with a deep understanding of the banking and finance sectors, reflecting his ability to support economic development and drive major projects in emerging markets.

Saad Faiq possesses over 45 years of extensive experience in the Iraqi banking sector, with deep expertise on information technology, banking systems, and electronic payment services.

He held high-ranking leadership positions in prestigious financial and banking institutions, including: Executive Director of Information Technology at Rafidain Bank, Executive Director of Insurance Systems Management at the Iraqi Insurance Company, and Executive Director of Banking Systems and Card services at both the Middle East Iraqi Bank and the International Development Bank.

He also served as Managing Director of Al- Arab Electronic Payment Company, and where he played a key role in advancing Iraq’s digital banking infrastructure and electronic payment services.

He currently holds the position of Managing Director of International Development Bank since the end of 2019 and is considered one of the pioneers in the field of digital transformation and enhancing banking performance efficiency in Iraq’s financial landscape.

Dr. Yass Alkafaji is a distinguished academic figure with extensive experience in the field of accounting, enjoying an impressive record that combines academic work with broad practical experience.

He serves as Emeritus Professor of Business Administration at the American University of Sharjah (AUS), where he taught accounting for 15 years, and currently serves as Academic Director of the Iraq Public Policy and Leadership Program (IPLP).

He has extensive teaching experience that includes teaching at several major U.S. universities, and has authored numerous academic publications, and co-authored three books in the fields of accounting and auditing.

He also founded Alkafaji & Associates, Ltd. in Chicago, and currently works as Senior Partner at Ledgers Accounting and Auditing LLC in Dubai.

His expertise is concentrated in forensic accounting, financial valuation, and internal control, and he has worked as a technical expert in U.S. courts in complex financial cases.

Dr. Alkafaji holds a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree from Mississippi State University, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Baghdad. He is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and holds several other professional certifications, including CVA and CGMA.

He has been honored with several awards in recognition of his academic and professional excellence, and participates in board memberships of numerous companies and non-governmental organizations, contributing to the advancement of the accounting and financial services sector both locally and internationally.

Hani Idris is a seasoned banking executive with over 50 years of experience across retail and corporate banking in the Middle East, including Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Yemen, and the UAE. He brings over 22 years of specialization in technology banking, digital financial services, and fintech.

He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of International Development Bank UAE (Dubai) and Executive Consultant to the International Development Bank in Iraq, and was a member of the Arab Electronic Payment Services Company team.

He also held important leadership positions, including General Manager of Yemen Commercial Bank, Deputy General Manager of the Jordan National Bank, and Head of Retail Banking at Kuwait and Middle East Bank. Additionally, he worked as a strategic consultant for Mastercard International between 1999 and 2003.

Mr. Idris played a fundamental role in introducing ATMs, credit cards, and digital payment platforms in several markets, including launching the first Mastercard in Kuwait and the first credit card in Yemen. He also significantly contributed to developing the electronic payment infrastructure at the regional level and enhancing innovation in banking services.

He won the "Banking Personality of the Year" award during the 2021 BANKTECH and “MENA Fintech Leader of the Year” in the same year.

He holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Political Science, and is a certified trainer in banking cards, digital transformation, and strategic planning.

Mrs. Ibtissem Lassoued is a legal expert with extensive experience spanning more than twenty years in the fields of financial crimes, compliance, and corporate investigations, with a particular focus on legal frameworks and regulatory developments in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

She currently holds the position of Partner and Co-Head at Al Tamimi & Company's Compliance, Investigations & White-Collar Crime Practice, where she provides legal consultations on prominent cases related to anti-money laundering (AML), sanctions, anti-corruption, and regulatory investigations.

Throughout her professional career, she has provided legal consultations to local and international clients in complex cases involving money laundering, Interpol procedures, extradition, and financial fraud.

She has received international recognition from prestigious institutions such as "Chambers Global" and "Who's Who Legal," in acknowledgment of her outstanding contributions to developing financial compliance frameworks in the region. She also served as the first Chair of the MENA Chapter of the Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime.

She holds a Master's degree in Corporate Law, in addition to a Master of Advanced Studies in Public Finance and Tax Law from the Sorbonne University in Paris.

Engineer Manar Al-Obaidi is one of Iraq's leading talents in the fields of management, finance, and industrial economics.

He is distinguished by experience exceeding twenty years in senior leadership positions, with an impressive record of achievements in the sectors of finance, small and medium enterprises, and industrial and commercial business development.

Al-Obaidi held prominent leadership positions within Iraq and achieved notable successes in supporting and developing the small and medium enterprises sector, in addition to providing strategic consultations to government bodies and enhancing digital transformation and facilitating financing access for projects with economic impact.

He currently serves as Chief Executive Director of First Finance Company for Small and Medium Enterprise Financing, and Chief Executive Officer of the Future Iraq Foundation for Economic Studies and Consultations.

He is known for his excellent capabilities in analysing economic reality, developing innovative expansion and financial strategies, and building integrated operating systems that enhance efficiency and effectiveness, making him a pivotal figure in supporting the building of a sustainable economic future for Iraq.

He has a record of successes that include signing international agreements with prestigious financing institutions such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC), leading digital transformation initiatives, and developing innovative electronic platforms that facilitate financing access for projects with economic impact in Iraq.