Apex Group Ltd., a global financial services provider, today announced its appointment of Christiane El Habre as Head of Strategic Business Development, GCC. Reporting to Alan Keet, Regional Head of Middle East & Africa, Christiane will be responsible for developing and implementing business development strategies to drive Apex Group’s continued growth in the GCC market. Christiane brings over two decades of experience in the UAE financial services industry. She joins Apex Group from international management consultancy Elkho Group where she was Partner, Chair of the Board and CEO of Middle East operations.
Prior to this, Christiane served as the Managing Director at EFG Bank Monaco and was Founder of
FFA Private Bank (Dubai) in 2006 the first Lebanese specialized investment bank to have a
subsidiary in Dubai International Financial Centre (“DIFC”). Christiane held senior positions in Gap
Corp in Dubai, and she spent five years at FFA Private Bank in Lebanon, as the Head of Treasury
and Operations.
She is a highly respected member of the GCC business community, serving on the boards of
several non-profits, including LIFE, an international non-profit organization, where she is
committed to mentoring and coaching young professionals in the finance industry.
An established participant in the UAE funds ecosystem, Apex Group has offices in Abu Dhabi and
Dubai, servicing over USD 30bn of client assets in the UAE through an efficient and flexible approach
to financial services, underpinned by best-in-class technology platforms, adapted to meet the
specific requirements of each individual client.
Alan Keet, Regional head of Middle East & Africa at Apex Group, comments: “We are thrilled to
welcome Christiane to lead our strategic business development initiatives in the GCC region. With
her extensive experience and strong networks, we look forward to the important role that she will
play in driving the strategic growth and expansion of our local business. The UAE continues to be
a highly attractive, innovative and adaptable financial services market, and this key senior
appointment will enable us to seize further opportunities for growth.”
Christiane El Habre as Head of Strategic Business Development, GCC at Apex Group adds:
“Apex Group’s unique single-source model offers a compelling set of solutions to support the
thriving and expanding domestic GCC fund sector, as well as enabling international flowsof capital
between the UAE and other global financial centres through its global network and reach. It is an
exciting time to join the business in the UAE and I look forward to being part of this next chapter
of sustainable organic growth.”
This latest announcement follows the recent launch of the Apex Directors Club in the UAE, an
exclusive forum for industry leaders to network and forge new connections, participate in
insightful discussions and access Apex Group’s global network of experts for advice and support.
The first meeting of the Apex Directors Club was held on 25th May 2023 at the ADGM and was
attended by some of the most senior funds industry professionals in the region.
Press release received on email
