Abu Dhabi lender FAB names Hana Al Rostamani as first female CEO

First Abu Dhabi Bank appointed Hana Al Rostamani as group chief executive officer, promoting a woman to the top leadership position in a male-dominated sector.

Al Rostamani will be the first female CEO of the $44bn lender and takes over from Andre Sayegh, who spent less than a year in the role. She is currently deputy group CEO and head of personal banking.

Al Rostamani is among a growing number of women tapped to lead companies in the Middle East. Last week, Oman named Haifa Al Khaifi as the CEO of a new firm that controls the country’s biggest oil block.

Other women in leadership positions in the region include Sarah Al Suhaimi, chairwoman of Saudi Arabia’s stock exchange and head of NCB Capital Co., and Carmen Haddad, vice chairperson of Citigroup’s operations in the Middle East.

“FAB has always been an organisation that champions diversity and the appointment of our first female group CEO to lead our company into the future is truly something to value,” chairman Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan said.

About Al Rostamani

• Currently the chairperson of FAB Private Bank Suisse
• Served as independent director at Emirates Integrated Telecommunication Co. and vice chairperson of Emirates Institute for Banking & Financial Services