IQConnect Management Consultants
IQConnect Management Consultants
Trusted Board Level Financial, Strategic, & Risk Insight Built on 20 Years in the UAE Insurance Sector.
IQConnect is a specialist C‑suite advisory firm supporting insurance companies, financial institutions, and family offices with financial, investment, and business strategy, governance, and risk management.
Backed by two decades of trusted UAE insurance‑sector experience, IQConnect bring board‑level insight, integrity, and disciplined leadership to complex financial and strategic challenges.
IQConnect also provide interim CFO expertise on a flexible, high‑impact basis, delivering senior executive support when and where it is needed.
Vision statement:
To support insurers, financial institutions and family offices, in achieving stronger financial performance, improve and maintain resilient internal control, corporate governance and risk management frameworks through practical executive insight, specialist expertise, and hands-on CFO-level leadership.
IQConnect Management Consultants
Trusted Board Level Financial, Strategic, & Risk Insight Built on 20 Years in the UAE Insurance Sector.
IQConnect is a specialist C‑suite advisory firm supporting insurance companies, financial institutions, and family offices with financial, investment, and business strategy, governance, and risk management.
Backed by two decades of trusted UAE insurance‑sector experience, IQConnect bring board‑level insight, integrity, and disciplined leadership to complex financial and strategic challenges.
IQConnect also provide interim CFO expertise on a flexible, high‑impact basis, delivering senior executive support when and where it is needed.
Vision statement:
To support insurers, financial institutions and family offices, in achieving stronger financial performance, improve and maintain resilient internal control, corporate governance and risk management frameworks through practical executive insight, specialist expertise, and hands-on CFO-level leadership.
A Firm Built on Real Executive Experience
Executive management across South Africa, Oman, and the UAE
At Emirates Insurance, the following KPIs were achieved under my leadership
GWP grew from $120m to $500m
Consistent Return On Equity
USD 530 million portfolio restructured and actively managed
Highest annualised investment return in the UAE insurance sector over the past 10 years
Consistently the highest dividend-paying company in the UAE insurance sector
About IQConnect
We Have Worked With
I Am Providing Consulting Services To
Establishing a TPA in Saudi Arabia
Experience
This experience enables me to add immediate value as an Interim CFO, advisor, expert, committee member, executive consultant, or independent board resource.
Deep Insurance Expertise with Board-Level Leadership
Insurance Strategy
Extensive experience in insurance company strategy, investment strategy and management, treasury and liquidity management, and solvency management across multiple jurisdictions.
Investment Portfolio Management
Extensive experience in developing investment strategies aligned with the growth objectives of insurance companies. Expertise includes strategic asset allocation, asset/liability matching, liquidity and solvency management, accounting treatment, and regulatory compliance — ensuring investment frameworks support both operational performance and stakeholder confidence.
Corporate Governance
Proven expertise in corporate governance, company secretarial services, and supporting listed company best practice including serving as both CFO and Company Secretary at a publicly listed insurer.
Board Leadership
Served as executive director on various boards and board committees for 33 years, including Audit, Risk, Investment, and Nomination & Remuneration Committees.
Rating Agency Relations
Strong experience managing relationships with rating agencies, supporting management presentations, financial positioning, and governance enhancement for credit rating processes.
Key Accomplishments & expertise
Strategy & Growth
• Extensive experience in insurance company strategy, investment management, treasury, liquidity, and solvency management across multiple jurisdictions.
• Partnered with CEOs and executive leadership teams to develop and execute long-term growth and profitability strategies.
• Supported delivery of five-year strategic plans focused on increasing premium income and enhancing shareholder value.
• Implemented enterprise-wide KPI frameworks, governance structures, internal control environments, and risk management frameworks.
• Strengthened organisational performance, regulatory compliance, and operational resilience through effective governance and risk oversight.
Board & board committee member
• Served as Executive Director on multiple boards and board committees throughout my career.
• Attended and presented at more than 100 Board meetings at Emirates Insurance over a 19-year period.
• Regular contributor to Audit, Investment, Risk, Remuneration, and Nomination Committee meetings.
• Provided strategic, financial, and operational input at Board and committee level.
• Well-versed in supporting and advising at the highest level of governance within listed companies.
Investment strategy & portfolio management
• Extensive experience developing investment strategies aligned with insurance company growth and capital objectives.
• Led the restructuring of a $530 million investment portfolio.
• Reduced portfolio volatility and improved dividend stability.
• Delivered a leading 10-year annualised return of 5.8%.
• Expertise in strategic asset allocation, asset/liability matching, liquidity, and solvency management.
• Strong understanding of investment accounting treatment and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Designed investment frameworks that enhance operational performance and strengthen stakeholder confidence.
M&A, share Buyback & capital requirements
• Successfully completed a unique and first-of-its-kind major share buyback within the UAE insurance sector.
• Conducted detailed evaluations and financial analysis of multiple merger and acquisition opportunities.
• Presented M&A assessments and strategic recommendations to the Board of Directors.
• Served as a key member of the Steering Committee responsible for evaluating and overseeing potential M&A transactions.
• Provided strategic input on capital management, shareholder value, and corporate growth initiatives.
Ratings & Solvency
• Led the successful achievement and ongoing maintenance of S&P Global and AM Best “A-” credit ratings.
• Drove alignment with stringent rating agency requirements, including capital adequacy, solvency, liquidity, growth, and enterprise risk management.
• Developed and embedded frameworks to support strong rating outcomes and sustained financial resilience.
• Supported executive management in preparing and delivering rating agency presentations and engagements.
• Managed relationships with rating agencies and coordinated responses to maintain rating standards and expectations.
IFRS & Technology
• Led and supported the implementation and migration of multiple technology platforms and systems at Emirates Insurance.
• Served as Project Lead for the successful upgrade from Premia 7 to Premia 11.
• Implemented a Human Resources Management System to enhance operational efficiency and reporting.
• Oversaw the implementation of an AML/KYC compliance system in line with Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) requirements.
• Successfully led the implementation of IFRS 17 and IFRS 9, positioning the company among the first three insurance companies in the UAE to complete adoption.
Company secretarial, Corporate governance & Compliance
• Extensive experience in corporate governance, company secretarial functions, and supporting best-in-class governance for publicly listed companies.
• Served as both CFO and Company Secretary for a listed insurance company.
• Developed and strengthened governance, internal control, risk management, and AML frameworks in line with Central Bank of the UAE requirements.
• Led the preparation and development of Integrated Reporting, Governance Reporting, and ESG disclosures.
• Promoted regulatory compliance and governance best practices across executive and board-level structures.
Specialist Advisory Services
Financial Strategy &
Interim CFO
• Provides senior financial leadership across growth strategy, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Supports capital allocation, retention strategy, combined ratio optimisation, and expense management.
• Delivers insurance-sector focused financial strategy and performance improvement initiatives.
• Offers short-notice interim CFO support during crisis, transition, restructuring, or executive recruitment periods.
• Provides immediate access to experienced executive-level capability without the cost of a full-time CFO.
Board & Board Committee Advisory Services
• Advisory support to Boards and Board Committees across strategy, financial oversight, governance, risk, and investment management.
• Board effectiveness support, including strategic planning, performance monitoring, liquidity, capital and solvency oversight, and governance enhancement.
• Development and review of Board and committee charters, including periodic governance effectiveness assessments.
• Audit Committee advisory services covering financial reporting, internal controls, three lines of defence frameworks, external audit coordination, and regulatory compliance oversight.
• Risk Committee support including enterprise risk framework design, risk appetite development, ORSA oversight, capital resilience planning, stress testing, and recovery planning.
• Investment Committee advisory services including investment policy development, strategic asset allocation oversight, risk-return analysis, and portfolio performance monitoring.
• Remuneration & Nomination Committee support including succession planning, executive remuneration frameworks, STIP/LTIP design, and annual compensation reviews.
Corporate Governance & Company Secretarial
• Board effectiveness support and advisory services to strengthen governance and decision-making.
• Design, implementation, and enhancement of corporate governance frameworks aligned with listed company best practices.
• Company secretarial support, including board and committee coordination and statutory compliance.
• Development and ongoing review of board and committee charters, terms of reference, and governance policies.
• Advisory support for Audit, Risk, Investment, Remuneration, and Nomination Committees.
• Ongoing monitoring of governance and regulatory compliance requirements to ensure adherence to applicable laws and standards.
Investment Portfolio Strategy & Management
• Strategic asset allocation design aligned with risk appetite, capital position, and return objectives.
• Investment portfolio structuring and optimisation for insurance and financial services entities.
• Investment accounting classification advisory and technical support.
• Development and enhancement of investment governance frameworks and controls.
• Ongoing portfolio performance monitoring, reporting, and risk-return analysis.
• Support in aligning investment strategy with regulatory, solvency, and liquidity requirements.
Credit Rating Advisory
• Credit rating readiness assessments for AM Best and S&P Global Ratings.
• End-to-end support through the rating process, from preparation to final outcome.
• Development of financial positioning strategies aligned with rating agency criteria.
• Enhancement of capital, solvency, liquidity, and risk management frameworks to support rating objectives.
• Preparation and coaching for rating agency management presentations and engagements.
• Advisory support on governance and disclosure improvements to strengthen credit profile.
Risk
Management
• Development of enterprise risk management frameworks, risk matrix and risk appetite statements
• Develop and maintain, ORSA, stress-testing models, recovery and contingency plans, and scenario planning analysis supported by clear management action plans.
• Optomise solvency and liquidity requirements.
Board & Board Advisory Committee Services
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Strategic planning, financial performance review, liquidity, capital & solvency strategy and monitoring, corporate governance. Development of Board Charter. Board efficiency reviews.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Financial reporting, internal controls, Three lines of defense discipline, external audit, compliance. Audit committee charter development and monitoring.
RISK COMMITTEE
Development of risk framework, including risk appetite statement, risk matrix, ORSA oversight, capital resilience, recovery plans. Develop and monitor Risk committee charter.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
Developing and monitoring Investment policy statement, strategic asset and accounting allocation, risk-return, Value at Risk and portfolio performance management. Evaluation of management investment proposals. Develop and monitor Investment committee charter.
REMUNERATION & NOMINATION COMMITTEE
Develop and monitor committee charter. Ensure succession planning is done and executed. Annual review of employee remuneration. Executive and Board remuneration including STIP & LTIP design.
Who We Work With
Financial Institutions & Insurers
Listed Companies
Family Offices & Shareholders
Companies in Transition
Large consulting firms
Who We Work With
Financial Institutions & Insurers
Supporting life, medical, and general insurance companies across the Middle East and Africa with financial leadership and strategy, governance enhancement, risk management, and strategic advisory services. Advising organisations require board-level insight, governance support, regulatory compliance, and interim CFO expertise.
Family Offices & Shareholders
Providing independent financial oversight, investment governance, and strategic advisory support to protect and strengthen long-term shareholder value.
Companies in Transition
Assisting organisations navigating restructuring, leadership changes, growth phases, or transformation initiatives with immediate senior financial expertise.
Other consulting and professional firms such as actuaries, auditors and accountants
Collaborating with consulting and professional firms requiring outsourced, specialist insurance and financial services expertise to support client engagements.
During the last 23 years, I have worked with
My Current Partnerships & Advisory Roles
Our Value Proposition
IQConnect Management Consultants
Strategic Expertise When It Matters Most
35+ Years of Executive Experience
Financial Services Specialist
Boardroom Credibility
Flexible Engagement Model
Immediate Impact
