DDCAP Managing Director Stella Cox and Deputy CEO Lawrence Oliver were delighted to accept an invitation from the Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) to attend the 4th Royal Award for Islamic Finance Gala Dinner and Award Ceremony which was held at the KL Convention Centre on 14th November 2016 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This year’s Award was conferred by the King of Malaysia, His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, to Professor Datuk Rifaat Abdel Karim, CEO of the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation (IILM).
Stella Cox and Lawrence Oliver personally congratulated Professor Rifaat on receiving the prestigious Award, which is conferred every two years to a person for his or her outstanding contribution to the development of the Islamic finance industry.
DDCAP will also be a Partner and Sponsor at the World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC), which is being held on 5 – 7 December 2016 in Bahrain. DDCAP Regional Director, Cassim Docrat will be a panelist in one of the Sessions titled ‘Growth of Islamic finance in Europe: Opportunities and Challenges’ on the 7th of December. The panel discussion will be moderated by Samer Hijazi, Partner, Grant Thornton (Abu Dhabi). Other Panelists include Panelists Marco Lichtfous, Partner, Deloitte Tax & Consulting; Dr. Mohammed Abdel-Haq, Chief Executive Officer, Oakstone Merchant Bank Limited, UK; and Jochen Robert Elsen, Deputy Head, Technical Co-operation Department, German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority, BaFin.
Furthermore, DDCAP is pleased to announce its lead sponsorship of the “Women in Islamic Finance & Islamic Economy: Unlocking Talent” Report. Simply Shari’ah Human Capital (SSHC) will unveil the Report exclusively at the World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC) to be held next month in Bahrain, highlighting the insights, ideas and personal journeys of some of the most influential leaders of the industry. Women and men from diverse backgrounds, skills-sets, experience and segments of Islamic finance and the wider professional services have shared their knowledge and expertise through this Report, engaging issues which are shaping the role of women including leadership pathways in the workplace, mentorship, financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, Shari’ah, Fintech and much more.
Stella Cox, CBE, Managing Director, DDCAP, who has received a Lifetime Achievement Award of Excellence for Outstanding Contribution to Islamic Finance in the UK and is a contributor to the Report said: “There are a number of success stories showcasing women’s excellence in the Islamic financial industry worldwide. For example, to supplement the numerous instances of women now being elevated to senior executive positions, in Malaysia and Indonesia we are witnessing an ever increasing number of female Shari’ah scholars appointed to the Shari’ah Boards of banks and other financial institutions. The role of women in Islamic finance is increasingly apparent across front office, as well as in longer-established roles within Islamic financial firms’ supporting infrastructure. Furthermore, there are numerous examples of women who have been appointed partners and directors within professional advisory firms as a result of their expertise in Shariah compliant financial practice.”
Report lead, Nyra Mahmood of SSHC said, “This year’s Report is ultimately about talent – an untapped pool of talent, which will offer opportunities in the development, elevation and progress of Islamic finance and the wider Islamic economy. The economic participation of women at all levels across the industry, will only strengthen and complement the sectors and hubs where we look to thrive.”