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

December 11, 2024
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Speaker
Peter Van Driel
Peter Van Driel

Peter Van Driel

Chief Financial Officer, ADNOC Gas
Peter Van Driel

Peter van Driel is the Chief Financial Officer of ADNOC Gas, an ADX listed, large-scale integrated gas processing company and a subsidiary of ADNOC, one of the world's largest integrated energy companies with a market capitalization of over $65 billion. With a remarkable career spanning over three decades, he has earned a reputation as a highly skilled and seasoned finance executive, garnering extensive international experience through various senior roles within the energy sector. 

Van Driel embarked on his career at Shell in 1991, dedicating nearly three decades of service to the company, where he held diverse roles across several countries, including the UK, Philippines, Russia, the US and the Netherlands. Before joining ADNOC Gas, he served for nearly two years as CFO at Naftogaz, the Ukrainian state-owned oil and gas company, where he successfully spearheaded the transformation of the company's finance function and played a pivotal role in shaping its new strategic direction.

Speaker
Chris Wilson
Chris Wilson

Chris Wilson

CFO, Aldar Investment
Chris Wilson

Chris is Chief Financial Officer of Aldar Investment, Aldar’s core asset management platform, which includes Aldar Investment Properties, Aldar Education, Aldar Hospitality, Aldar Estates and other strategic businesses. 

Prior to his current role, Chris served as Chief Financial Officer of Aldar Education. In this role, he oversaw all financial, investment and digital transformation aspects of the business as well as leading the company’s strategic growth efforts.    

He has extensive experience within multiple sectors across capital markets, corporate finance and a broader range of finance roles across both the UAE and UK.

Chris holds a First Class Hons in Finance from Lancaster University Management School and a chartered accountancy certification from ICAS. 

Speaker
Hubert Lafeuille
Hubert Lafeuille

Hubert Lafeuille

Chief Financial Officer at Arabian drilling
Hubert Lafeuille

Hubert Lafeuille is the CFO of Arabian Drilling since 2020. Before joining Arabian Drilling, Hubert was working with SUBSEA 7 as the Managing Director for Angola and then as the Regional Financial Director for Asia Pacific and Middle East area. Prior to this, Hubert held a number of financial executive positions, mainly in the offshore drilling industry, including as Ocean Rig's Vice President of Finance and Accounting. Prior to that, Hubert held a number of other managerial roles worldwide for TRANSOCEAN, mostly as regional Head of Finance. Hubert has an extensive international experience having lived in twelve different countries. Hubert's solid experience in Oilfield Services started in 1995 when he first joined Schlumberger as internal auditor. Hubert is a French citizen and graduated with a master’s degree in Management and Finance from NEOMA Business School, France, in 1991.

Speaker
Ghassan Al Hashar
Ghassan  Al Hashar

Ghassan Al Hashar

CFO, Omantel
Ghassan  Al Hashar

Mr. Ghassan Al Hashar joined Omantel on March 2021 and is currently the Chief Financial Officer, bringing on board more than 20 years of vast expertise and background in finance operations, especially as an Investment professional with national and international exposure and a proven track record in managing major assets classes. His area of specialisation extends to equities and capital markets, fixed income and money markets, financial structuring, corporate finance, risk management, valuation and investment research. His industry knowledge covers sectors like Banking, telecommunications, energy, real estate, power and utilities.

He served on the Boards of several reputed Omani Public Listed Companies, besides heading their audit, investment, risk and project development committees.

Mr Ghassan holds a MSc in Finance & Investment Management from the University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom besides several certifications from other institutions.

Moderator
Marwa Faisal AlMaskati
Marwa Faisal AlMaskati

Marwa Faisal AlMaskati

Senior Director – Partnership Development, Sustainability & Communications , Bahrain Bourse
Marwa Faisal AlMaskati

Marwa Al-Maskati leads the Partnership Development, Sustainability & Communications function of Bahrain Bourse where she is responsible for all market access, Investor Relations, roadshows and corporate access days, as well as leads the sustainability role. Since taking on this role in 2014, she has been instrumental in the implementation and establishment of new markets including the Real Estate Investment Trust Market (REIT) in 2016 and the Bahrain Investment Market (BIM) in 2017, played a crucial role in championing ESG within the capital markets, as well as the establishment and launch of the Middle East Investor Relations – Bahrain Chapter. Mrs. AlMaskati currently heads the Bahrain Chapter of MEIRA and sits on the Board of MEIRA as well, she is also an active member of the Arab Federation of Capital Markets - Sustainability Committee (2021-2022). 

Mrs. Al-Maskati has over 20+ years of experience in the financial industry with a focus on areas including strategy development,venture capital, private equity, and business development, having previously worked for a number of prominent organizations. Prior to joining Bahrain Bourse, she held key roles with prominent organizations including the Central Bank of Bahrain, TAIB Bank, and Tamkeen. 

Mrs. Al-Maskati holds a First-Class Honors Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Strathclyde (UK) in 2006 and a Bachelors of Science in Business and Economics from the University of Wales, Swansea (UK) in 2002. Mrs. Al-Maskati has completed her professional certification as ‘Certified Investor Relations Officer’ awarded by the UK-IR Society and ‘Series 79’ awarded by the BIBF. Mrs. Al-Maskati has also completed the Regulators Securities Market Program conducted by Harvard Law School & IOSCO, ‘Diversity on Board’ program by HSBC, selected as part of 2nd cohort in ‘BBK Women on Boards’ program, and has recently completed the Oxford Executive Leadership Programme from SaÏd Business School – University of Oxford.

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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