BBK, Bahrain pioneer in retail and commercial banking announced new appointments in its Executive management team. These come in line with the Bank’s new strategy for the years 2013-2015, developed with the ultimate goal of optimising performance and increasing efficiency through exploiting growth opportunities and capitalising on the Bank’s solid pillars. The new appointments are part of the reorganisation structure, approved recently by the Board of Directors, as one of the BBK’s initiatives.

As BBK’s Chief Executive Mr. A.Karim Bucheery stated, this reorganization of the higher management structure aims at ensuring continued growth for all the stakeholders of the Bank. Through business development and by maintaining the Bank’s pioneering position locally and regionally, constantly offering the most innovative products and services, the Bank will enhance its performance and profitability.

A new Business Development department has been created, covering the Group (the Bank and its subsidiaries) and some divisions have merged to ensure better performance and focus on the goals set in the new strategic cycle.

Mr. Reyadh Yousif Sater has been appointed as Deputy Chief Executive – Business Group, Mr. Jamal Hijris, General Manager – Support Group, Mr. Khalil El Meer, General Manager – Corporate Banking, Dr. A.Rahman Saif, General Manager – Treasury, Investment and Offshore Banking and Mr. Mohammed Malik, General Manager, Retail Banking.

On this occasion, Mr. A.Karim Bucheery expressed his joy with these new appointments by saying: “BBK has always capitalized on the competencies and leadership skills of the Bahrain nationals and given Bahraini talents opportunities in leading positions to take the Bank forward. We are very pleased with the new appointments and confident that the new team will contribute to achieve the Bank’s vision and set goals”

As a successor to Sh. Rashed bin Salman Al Khalifa, retiring on June 23rd, Mr Reyadh Sater, currently General Manager – Support group, has over 35 years banking experience, during which he headed various divisions and committees in the Bank.
He is also board member in BBK’s subsidiaries and affiliate companies such as  Benefit, Capinnova Islamic Bank and CrediMax. On the occasion of his appointment, Mr. Reyadh Sater commented:” I highly value the decision of the Board and greatly appreciate the trust that the board members have granted me and I look forward to contribute to the success of the Bank and to achieve the set objectives.” Mr Sater also expressed his gratitude to the Bank whose policies have always been to develop the Bahraini pool of talents, giving them the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities and positioning the Bank as the “employer of choice” amongst Bahrainis.

Jamal Hijris, who’s rejoining the Bank as General Manager – Support Group, also enjoys over 35 years experience in conventional and Islamic banking for both retail and corporate. He occupied leading positions in the industry, and is currently heading Capinnova Islamic Bank as Chief Executive.

In the Banking Group, Mr. Khalil Al Meer, appointed as General Manager – Corporate Banking, has twenty seven years banking experience. The division will be incorporating Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) businesses, Islamic Banking as well as Trade Finance.

On the Treasury and Investment side, Dr. A.Rahman Saif will be heading the division as General Manager and will be taking onto his responsibilities Offshore Banking. Dr Saif’s career in banking expands to over thirty years and has worked at both Central Bank of Bahrain and BBK.

On the Retail front, Mr. Mohammed Malik, appointed as General Manager – Retail Banking has over twenty eight years banking experience. He has been appointed for his extensive expertise in retail, and his contribution to the success of CrediMax, BBK wholly-owned subsidiary.

He was dedicated to constantly improve the company’s product offering and maintain its dominant position in the Credit Card issuing and acquiring business.