Gulf Finance Corporation, a leading UAE-based finance company servicing the region’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) community, has named Shuaa Capital Group CEO Colin Macdonald to the company’s board of directors.

Gulf Finance Corporation is a subsidiary of Shuaa Capital, an investment bank based in Dubai.

With the appointment of  Macdonald, a former group managing director and regional head of ABN AMRO Middle East, the size of Gulf Finance Corporation board has risen to 6 members.

The other members include Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Al Maktoum, executive chairman of Shuaa and chairman of the board of Gulf Finance; Dr Sabah al-Binali, the vice chairman of Gulf Finance; Hesham Al Qassim, the vice chairman of Emirates NBD Bank; Steffen Schubert, the CEO of Anapix Capital and John Blanthorne, former executive director for HSBC Middle East.
 
Welcoming Macdonald into the company's board, Sheikh Maktoum said, “Colin has extraordinary banking and business expertise, as well as years of experience in the Middle East, and we are delighted that he is joining Gulf Finance’s board of directors.”

Macdonald started his banking career at National Westminster Bank where he was instrumental in the business review, strategy and the integration of corporate banking, capital markets, equities and treasury during the formation of Natwest Markets.

“Colin brings a wealth of banking experience as well as the insights that come from running a successful multinational bank in a growing yet challenging region such as the Middle East. He will be a great addition to our board,” remarked Gulf Finance Group CEO Steve Williams.

Macdonald is an Honours graduate in business finance, a London Business School Alumnus and recently became a certified professional director through the institute of directors.
 
“I am honoured to join the Gulf Finance board and work with this exceptional team,” said Macdonald. “Gulf Finance has been successfully confirming its position as a pioneering financial institution in the region over the past few years. It has lent more than Dh1 billion to the UAE’s SME community during the last 3 years and plans to significantly extend these funding lines going forward as demand continues to grow."

"I look forward to sharing my experiences and contributing to the future direction and growth of this regional leader," he added.-TradeArabia News Service