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About meira

The Middle East Investor Relations Association (MEIRA) Annual Conference and Awards is the largest IR event in MENA.

This benchmark event brings together participants from locally listed firms, international corporates, investors, research analysts and advisors, as well as representatives of the region's Regulatory bodies. The aim of the Conference is to provide delegates with a networking platform and to encourage dialogue around market challenges and best practice, while educating participants and stakeholders on the importance of Investor Relations, transparency and corporate governance.

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About meira
about idx

About ADX

ADX is a market for trading securities; including shares issued by public joint stock companies, bonds issued by governments or corporations, exchange traded funds, and any other financial instruments approved by the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA). ADX is the second largest market in the Arab region and its strategy of providing stable financial performance with diversified sources of incomes is aligned with the guiding principles of the UAE “Towards the next 50” agenda. The national plan charts out the UAE’s strategic development scheme which aims to build a sustainable, diversified and high-value added economy that positively contributes to transition to a new global sustainable development paradigm.

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Conference Summary

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2-day conference
The Conference will run over 2 days with various keynote presentations and thematic panel discussions and workshops.
Corporate Access for members
Corporate Access for members
Corporate access for MEIRA members during the two days.
Awards Dinner
Awards Dinner
Exclusive Awards Dinner to recognise the IR leaders in the Middle East.
Exclusive exhibition opportunities
Exclusive exhibition opportunities
Exclusive exhibition space and other opportunities to showcase your brand and services to a highly targeted audience.

New features for 2024

Buy-side
Buy-side
For the first time, the event will be actively targeted to the buy- and sell-side, bringing a wider investment community audience to the largest IR event in the region.
C-Suite
C-Suite
Bigger C-Suite audience and specific sessions with high-caliber and senior speakers.
Corporate Access
Corporate Access
The event will include an exclusively designed corporate access event during the two-day conference. Issuers will have the opportunity to meet regional and international investors.
Strategic partnerships
Strategic partnerships
The conference will run in the context of the Abu Dhabi Finance Week, leveraging the visibility and importance of the event for the capital markets.

Why attend?

  • Network with your peers and share your experience during the biggest IR event in the Middle East
  • Show your stakeholders that you are committed to improve IR best practice
  • Catch up on the latest industry trends and access a broad network of industry partners
  • Build brand awareness among the IR community in the Middle East and maximize your visibility

Panels

Explore our panelists and moderators

Panel 2 | Bridging the Divide – Fungibility and the Future of Cross-Exchange Trading

December 11, 2024
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Speaker
Saker Asllan
Saker Asllan

Saker Asllan

Chief Exchange Operations Officer, ADX
Saker Asllan

Saker Asllan brings over 19 years of expertise in financial markets and banking to his role as the Chief Exchange Operations Officer at the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX). At ADX, he leads the Operations Team, ensuring effective trading control and the preservation of fair market practices through surveillance. His responsibilities also extend to fostering efficient engagement with all financial market members. In addition to his primary role, Saker leads the continuous development of the Tabadul Hub Program, aimed at connecting exchanges and promoting cross-border trading. 

Before joining ADX, Saker was the Executive Director of Surveillance Optimisation at Morgan Stanley based in London. In this role, he led the bank's global surveillance program optimisation and spearheaded several key strategic trade monitoring initiatives. Prior to this, he worked for Nasdaq for 9 years, as Associate Vice President in Product Management, leading key product initiatives in Trade Surveillance, use of analytics and data visualizations to drive efficiency in trading risk management. 

In 2008, Saker led the establishment of the Damascus Securities Exchange. As the Acting Deputy CEO, he was responsible for developing core business rules, procedures, and systems for trading, clearing, and settlement. Earlier, in 2006, he played a foundational role in the establishment of the Syrian Commission on Financial Markets as the IT Director, managing IT infrastructure and systems development

Saker holds an MSc (Hons) in International Financial Markets from the University of Southampton, an MBA (Hons) from the international program of ParisDauphine University, and a BS in Software Engineering from the University of Damascus

Speaker
Tony Tooma
Tony Tooma

Tony Tooma

Senior Vice President, Middle East & Africa Sales, BNY Mellon
Tony Tooma

Tony Tooma has a dual Business Development and Relationship Management role in BNY's Issuer Services business, which includes Corporate Trust and Depositary Receipts teams. 

Joined the bank in 1995 and has over 30 years of experience in global capital and emerging markets, providing issuers with consultative services and innovative solutions to facilitate their short- and long- term capital market goals.

Tony manages a portfolio of existing clients and prospects from the Middle East & Africa (MEA) region and is responsible for expanding BNY Mellon's product offerings, solutions, and opening new markets to enhance growth in the region. 

Prior to joining BNY Mellon, Tony previously worked at JP Morgan in the Global Custody and Issuer Services groups. Tony has also held various positions in Operations, Transaction Execution and Product Management in his tenure. 

Tony is fluent in Arabic and also a member of the Arab Bankers Association of North America (ABANA), the Middle East Investor Relations Society (MEIRS), and the Financial Services Volunteer Corps (FSVC).

Speaker
Zahi Bsaibes
Zahi Bsaibes

Zahi Bsaibes

Head of Primary Capital Markets, Middle East, London Stock Exchange
Zahi Bsaibes

Zahi looks over the primary capital markets business in the Middle East helping regional companies access London as a financing destination to raise capital, through debt and equity listings. He advises and supports international companies and founders on the process of going public and life as a listed company on London’s markets. Prior to this, Zahi was Account Director at Thomson Reuters and Refinitiv managing tier 1 accounts and driving top line revenue. He worked closely with regional sovereign wealth funds, fund managers, investment banks, family offices, and corporates. Zahi holds a Bachelor of Economics from the American University of Beirut.

Speaker
Redwan Ahmed
Redwan Ahmed

Redwan Ahmed

Group Senior VP – Investor Relations, DP World
Redwan Ahmed

Redwan Ahmed is a distinguished leader in the logistics and supply chain industry, currently serving as the Senior Vice President and Head of Investor Relations at DP World. With a strategic vision focused on maximizing stakeholder value, Redwan spearheads the planning, development, and execution of investor relations activities. His leadership has been instrumental in enhancing DP World's stature within the investment community, contributing to its position as a frontrunner in global logistics. 

As a committed advocate for best practices in investor relations, Redwan also contributes his expertise as a board member, executive committee member, and treasurer of the Middle East Investor Relations Association. 

Redwan’s foundation in finance was built on a successful 13-year career as a sell-side equity analyst, which included a significant tenure in London. This experience has endowed him with a deep understanding of the global financial markets and a nuanced perspective on investment strategies. 

A proud alumnus of Bayes Business School, City University London, Redwan holds a Bachelor's Degree in Insurance and Investment.

Moderator
Matthew O’Keeffe
Matthew O’Keeffe

Matthew O’Keeffe

Managing Director, FTI Consulting
Matthew O’Keeffe

Matthew O’Keeffe is a Managing Director in the Strategic Communications segment of FTI Consulting based in London. Matthew is part of the Industrial & Special Situations team and he is responsible for Global Investor Relations advisory. 

Matthew joined FTI in 2016 after more than 20 years in equity research during which he worked as an analyst at a number of investment banks including UBS, Deutsche Bank, Merrill Lynch, SG and Berenberg. His coverage as an analyst included Austrian Post, Bpost, CTT, PostNL, Royal Mail, TNT Express and Deutsche Post (where he co-led the Initial Public Offering). He is an active member of the Investor Relations Society. 

Matthew has worked at FTI for a wide variety of clients big & small, domestic & international, including: Aramex, Abu Dhabi Ports, Aldar, Kier, Eddie Stobart, SABIC, easyJet, Wizzair, PageGroup, Janus Henderson, Play Communications, Mitsui, Marel, Accsys, Keller, Glanbia, TI Fluids, TAQA & the Saudi Electricity Company. Matthew studied Philosophy, Politics & Economics at Jesus College, Oxford and has an MSc from the London School of Economics. He is a member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council.

Agenda

Agenda

We are excited to announce that the agenda for the upcoming MEIRA Conference is now available! We've incorporated your valuable feedback into this high-level outline.
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ScheduleAgenda
8:15 - 9:15REGISTRATION AND NETWORKING
9:25 - 9:30Welcome Remarks by H.E Ghannam Butti Al Mazrouei, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchanges (ADX)
9:30 - 9:35Special Message by H.E Dr. Maryam Butti Al Suwaidi, CEO, Securities & Commodities Authority of the UAE
 
9:35 - 9:45Opening Keynote Speech by Klaus Froehlich, Group CIO at ADNOC Group
9:45 - 9:50Remarks by Andrew Tarbuck, Chair, MEIRA
9:50 - 10:25

PANEL 1
GCC Exchange CEOs Plenary: The Rise of the GCC: Unlocking Growth and Value Creation in the Regional Capital Markets

  • Engine Room of Growth: Unveiling the key drivers propelling the GCC's capital markets to new heights.
  • Crafting a Compelling Narrative: Strategies for crafting a captivating equity story that resonates with investors in the GCC.
  • Value Proposition 101: Effectively communicating value creation strategies and ensuring investor alignment.
  • The Regulatory Advantage: Exploring the role of evolving regulatory frameworks in fostering market growth and stability.
  • Benchmarking Success: Delving into real-world case studies of successful value creation within the GCC.
  • Economic Winds of Change: Analyzing the impact of broader economic trends on the trajectory of GCC capital markets.
  • Moderator:
    • Peter Gotke, MEIRA’s Board
  • Panelists: 
    • Sh. Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, CEO, Bahrain Bourse
    • Mr. Haitham Salim Al Salmi, CEO, Muscat Stock Exchange
    • Mr. Mohammed Sulaiman Al-Rumaih, CEO, Saudi Exchange
    • Mr. Abdulla Salem Al Nuaimi, Group CEO, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange
    • Mr. Hamed Ali, CEO, DFM & Nasdaq
10:25 - 10:40

CASE STUDY – DELIVERING IR EXCELLENCE: ADNOC Drilling  

  • Presented by:
    • Abdulrahman Alseiari, Chief Executive Officer, ADNOC Drilling
    • Youssef Salem, Chief Financial Officer, ADNOC Drilling
10:40 - 11:00COFFEE BREAK  
11:00 - 11:05Ceremony – Announcing new TABADUL member
11:05 - 11:35

PANEL 2
Bridging the Divide – Fungibility and the Future of Cross-Exchange Trading

  • Dual Listing Dilemmas: Demystifying the complexities of dual listings and navigating the challenges posed by regulatory disparities across exchanges.
  • Connecting the Dots: Exploring cutting-edge innovations that enhance connectivity and interoperability among global stock exchanges.
  • Fungibility: Friend or Foe? Analyzing the impact of trading fungibility on market liquidity, arbitrage strategies, and overall market efficiency.
  • Building a Regulatory Bridge: Discussing the need for collaborative regulatory frameworks to streamline trading environments and facilitate cross-exchange activity.
  • Benefits for All: Identifying the advantages of cross-exchange trading for both institutional and retail investors.
  • The Future is Now: Unveiling emerging trends and technologies that are revolutionizing cross exchange trading and shaping the future of market access.
  • Moderator:
    • Matthew O’Keefe, Managing Director, FTI Consulting
  • Panelists: 
    • Saker Asllan, Chief Exchange Operations Officer, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange
    • Tony Tooma, Senior Vice President, Middle East & Africa Sales, BNY Mellon
    • Zahi Bsaibes, Head of Primary Capital Markets, Middle East, London Stock Exchange
    • Redwan Ahmed, Group Senior Vice President - Investor Relations, DP World 
11:35 - 12:05

PANEL 3
The C-Suite Viewpoint: Why Investor Relations Matters

  • From Trust to Value: Building a foundation of trust and transparency through effective investor relations.
  • The IR Advantage: Unlocking the power of strategic investor relations to boost market valuation and shareholder confidence.
  • Communication is Key: Developing clear and consistent investor communication strategies for long-term success.
  • Beyond Compliance: Exploring the role of investor relations in fostering strong corporate governance practices.
  • Navigating Rough Waters: Proactive engagement during market volatility and building investor resilience.
  • The Long Game: Attracting and retaining long-term investment through a robust investor relations program.    
    • Moderator:
      • Marwa Faisal AlMaskati, Senior Director of Partnership Development, Sustainability and Communication, Bahrain Bourse
    • Panelists: 
      • Peter Van Driel, Chief Financial Officer, ADNOC Gas 
      • Sh. Ghassan Khamis Ali Al Hashar, Chief Financial Officer, Omantel
      • Hubert Lafeuille, Chief Financial Officer at Arabian drilling
      • Chris Wilson, Chief Financial Officer, Aldar Investment
12:05 - 12:25

FIRESIDE CHAT – Investor Engagement Best Practices. A view from Blackrock  

  • Presented by:
    • Manuel Isaza, Director Stewardship, BlackRock Investment Stewardship
    • Paolo Casamassima, Chief Executive Officer, MEIRA 
12:25 - 12:55

PANEL 4
The Future Is Now: AI and Digital Transformation In Investor Relations

  • Digital Revolution in IR: Most impactful digital tools applicable for IR and what it means for the scope of IR role. Recommended methods to enhance efficiency of financial reporting and analysis through AI
  • AI in IR: How AI is transforming IR workflows and processes. Emerging channels and methods of communication. Best practices for integrating AI-driven tools
  • Data Demystified: Leveraging data analytics to gain deeper insights into investor behaviour and preferences, peers and market sentiment. Leading practices for ensuring data integrity and accuracy 
  • The Power of Personalization: Utilizing digital insights to develop targeted and personalized IR strategies, including around communication and investor targeting
  • Regulatory considerations: Measures to ensure transparency and accountability when utilization digital tools and AI Digital compliance
    • Moderator:
      • Roger Brian Tejwani, Senior Director - Investor Relations, at Presight
    • Panelists: 
      • David Grunfeld, Founder, aiiro AI
      • Malshini Silva, Chief Operating Officer, Smart Media, The Annual Report Company
      • Abdulwahab Zarah, Investor Relations Director, First Mills Company
      • Alicia Gallego-Martinez, Founder & CEO, Audere Strategies
12:55 - 14:00LUNCH AND CORPORATE ACCESS 1
14:00 - 14:45CORPORATE ACCESS 2
15:00 - 15:45CORPORATE ACCESS 3
16:00 - 16:45CORPORATE ACCESS 4
17:00 - 17:45CORPORATE ACCESS 5
18:00 - 18:45CORPORATE ACCESS 6 (OPTIONAL) 
19:00END
 
AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS: Workshops run in couples simultaneously and last for 25 mins
14:00 - 14:25

WORKSHOP 1: Empowering The Region’s Retail Investors - by Edelman Smithfield

  • Presented by:
    • Issam Kassabieh, Account Director, Investor Relations, Edelman Smithfield
    • Ali Abdin, IR and Financial Communications Account Manager,
      Edelman Smithfield


WORKSHOP 2: Navigating Regulatory Compliance and Emerging Considerations - by Instictif Partners

  • Presented by:
    • Pablo Alday, Managing Partner, Instictif Partners
14:00 - 15:0012th GCC CEO Exchanges Meeting (Closed-Door, by invitation only)
14:30 - 14:55

WORKSHOP 3: The Integrated Reporting (and Thinking) Journey: A Case Study - by Smart Media

  • Presented by:
    • Malshini Silva, Chief Operating Officer, Smart Media The Annual Report Company


WORKSHOP 4: Mastering Earnings Calls – Best Practices for Engaging and Informative Earnings Events - by Lumi Global

  • Presented by:
    • Sylvie Harton, Chief Business Strategy Officer, Lumi Global 
14:55 - 15:15 COFFEE BREAK 
15:15 - 15:40 

AFTERNOON PANEL  – Integrating Governance and Investor Relations - by MEIRA & GCC BDI

  • Introduction and Remarks:
    • Andrew Tarbuck, Chairman, MEIRA
  • Moderator:
    • John Gollifer, Chief Executive Officer, GCC BDI
  • Panelists: 
    • Amani Korayeim, Director Corporate Product & Partnerships Europe/EMEA, Extel
    • Eline Hilal, Director – Investor Relations, Insurance, Aluminum Bahrain
    • Marc Hammoud, Head of Investor Relations, Abu Dhabi
      Ports Group
15:45 - 16:10 

WORKSHOP 5: Engaging North American Investors: Strategic Outreach for Middle Eastern Issuers - by InspIR Connect

  • Presented by:
    • Jeff Tewlow, Managing Director, InspIR Connect

WORKSHOP 6: Tabadul Session: Increase your global investor base via Tabadul Exchange Hub

  • Presented by:
    • Saker Asllan, Chief Exchange Operations Officer at ADX 
16:15 - 16:40

WORKSHOP 7: Mastering Reports: Guiding Newcomers and Overcoming Key 
Challenges for Experienced Professionals - by Fanda

  • Presented by:
    • Guy Lane, Head of Content, Fanda
    • Mikhail Seleznev, Senior Reporting Consultant and
      Sustainability Expert, Fanda

WORKSHOP 8: Leveraging AI to improve engagement with stakeholders - by Nasdaq

  • Presented by:
    • James Tickner, AVP – Head of Product, IR Intelligence, Nasdaq
    • Abishek Singh, Senior Director – IR , Nasdaq
16:45 - 17:10

WORKSHOP 9: Speaker Coaching and Story Telling for C-Suite and IROs - by Mediatree

  • Presented by:
    • Laurence Borde, Founder and Director, Mediatree

 

17:10END
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