Arpit Agarwal started his career in corporate finance with Ballarpur Industries Ltd. Of the Thapar Group in India in 1991 and moved on to a career in financial services in 1993 to be amongst the first few who launched Private Banking and has the longest standing direct experience of over 12 years in Private Banking in India. He has conceptualized, launched and successfully built sizeable Private Banking businesses for DSP Merrill Lynch (1993-1998), BNP Paribas (1999 – 2002) and ICICI Bank Ltd. (2002 – 2006) in India and has hands on experience with high net worth Indian Resident and Non-Resident clients across the world. The Private Banking business of ICICI Bank was ranked as the largest in India in February 2005 by CLSA and also amongst the top 3 in Asia Pacific in September 2005 by Private Banker International. Arpit is now the Chief Executive Officer of "Dawnay Day AV Financial Services Private Limited". Dawnay Day AV is a specialized financial services provider, formed through a joint venture between Dawnay Day International (DDI) and Alok Vajpeyi. The operations of the new venture in India cover Wealth Management, Stock Broking, Retail Distribution, Corporate Finance, Portfolio Management, Real Estate Advisory and Research Services. Arpit Agarwal is a Post Graduate in Finance and a Graduate of Science from the prestigious St. Stephen’s College in Delhi, India and is also a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). A first in India, Arpit has been instrumental in launching Private Banking elective programmes in over 26 MBA schools and also teaches Private Banking. He is also the Chairman of the Examination and Certification Committee of the Financial Planning and Standards Board (India), the body for Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification in India.

Naveed Ahmad is currently the head of investments - Wealth Management for Dubai Islamic Bank. Naveed joined Dubai Islamic Bank in 2005 to establish the Wealth Management - Investment Dept. In 2007 Dubai Islamic Bank won the Best Islamic Wealth Management Dept from Banker Middle East. Naveed has over 12 years experience in various roles within Wealth Management working both in Dubai and Canada.

Dr. Mohd Daud Bakar is currently the President/CEO of the International Institute of Islamic Finance (IIIF) Inc. (BVI*), IIIF Education Sdn. Bhd. and Amanie Business Solutions Sdn. Bhd. (Kuala Lumpur). He is also the Chairman of the Shariah Advisory Council at the Central Bank of Malaysia. Dr. Bakar was previously the Deputy Rector (Student Affairs and Development) at the International Islamic University Malaysia. Dr. Bakar is a Shariah board member of various financial institutions, including the Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), The International Islamic Financial Market, The Securities Commission of Malaysia, amongst many others. Dr. Bakar received his first degree in Shariah from The University of Kuwait in 1988 and completed his PhD from The University of St. Andrews, United Kingdom in 1993. *BVI: stands for British Virgin Island

Mr Bakhtiar joined the Geneva-based private bank, catering to multigenerational and new wealth with minimum relationship of $1m, in 2004.He set up the first Middle East Office in Dubai in 2007.He is in charge of a team of seven professionals and is responsible for developing institutional relationships with state organisations in the Gulf Co-operation council (GCC) – the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain Qatar and Oman. He first worked at the Centre for Applied Studies in International Negotiations at the United Nations as an analyst on a sub-Saharan agricultural project from 1997-1998. Thereafter he joined Lombard Odier & Cie as a financial analyst focusing on Southern European and Latin American markets. He was also co-manager of the bank’s LO Opportunity Southern Europe Equity Fund in charge of approximately €80m. He left LO to gain his MBA, and returned to the company, now LODH, in 2004.

Raul began his career at the beginning of the 1990s as an MBA recruit in Morgan Stanley’s Equities Division. He was the founder the Firm’s Emerging Market Equity business in Europe, starting with the management of the Latin American equity sales effort. Under his leadership, the team expanded to include the sale of primary and secondary shares from other developing markets, adding new revenue streams to the International Equities Division. Raul then joined Lehman Brothers at the beginning of 1997 as Head of Global Emerging Markets and was soon asked by the CEO to take on a larger role as Deputy Head of European Equity Research. During his years managing Lehman’s research effort, Raul helped to grow the division from 50 professionals to more than 220. During this time, the firm’s ranking in the critically important Institutional Investor polls moved from 12th place to 4th place, reaching top 3 rankings in the largest and most profitable sectors. In 2001, Raul was once again asked by the CEO to take on a larger role, that of MD of Lehman Brothers’ European Wealth and Asset Management Division. In his new role, Raul doubled the size of the division by hiring top quality, highly experienced private bankers and initiating a very profitable referral program with the Investment Banking Division. In addition, he developed several new business lines for Europe including mid-sized institutional equity and fixed income sales efforts, and an innovative hedge-fund seeding platform. Raul left Lehman Brothers at the beginning of 2006 and, together with two former colleagues, he founded an investment banking boutique. The new firm focused on executing small to medium sized M&A transactions, working on such high-profile deals as the disposal of DreamWorks Music Publishing and the acquisition of the Dutch Yellow Pages business Gouden Gids by European Directories. Raul joined NCB Capital in January of 2008 as the firm’s Chief Operating Officer. He has a BA from Tulane University in New Orleans and an MBA from Westminster University in London.

Pradeep Chandra has been a Director of Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch & Cie, Dubai, since March 2006 Prior to this Pradeep was with HSBC Private bank in Dubai for 5 years as Senior Manager Private Banking; and Global Manager Products & Services (South Asian team) Before transferring into Private Banking Pradeep was a Treasury specialist. Pradeep started his banking career with Standard Chartered in Mumbai as Chief Dealer before relocating to Dubai as Head, Money Markets with HSBC, Dubai. Thereafter he joined Emirates Bank International, Dubai where his last job was Manager Group Treasury. Pradeep have 26 years banking experience with a degree in Engineering, followed up with an MBA. He is also a CFA Charterholder.

Ago Cluytens is the Global Head of Marketing for ING Private Banking. His current responsibilities span across marketing, internal and external communications, branding and PR. Prior to joining ING, Ago held various client-facing roles in consulting firms Ernst & Young and Arthur Andersen. Having worked in strategy consulting, organisation development and marketing has lead him to develop a deep belief that it is people who make or break change. He continues to strive to build increased understanding of how organisations can engage their employees and clients, and create stronger brand associations in the process. Ago holds a Masters’ Degree in Marketing & Communications from the Free University of Brussels, and has attended various executive education programmes (Vlerick Leuven-Gent Management School, INSEAD). He is a regular speaker at industry conferences and seminars, and publishes his own blog at www.brandingthroughpeople.com.

Dr. Ehlern is Managing Director of a private multi-client Family Office in London and Zurich He is editorial advisor to the Private Wealth Management magazine, author of an international study on U-HNWIs and Family Offices, author of various articles & working papers and speaker and chairman at international conferences.

Hassan El Nahas is the head of ABN AMRO Private Banking in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), effective June 2007. Prior to joining the private bank, Mr El Nahas was leading ABN AMRO’s Multinational Clients division, overseeing inbound corporate business into Singapore. ABN AMRO’s international business in the UAE remains a strong engine of growth for Asia. Mr El Nahas’ 11 year global banking experience in the bank, compliments and fast tracks the bank’s strategy of delivering tailored products and services to clients in this important market. His background in growing and developing the bank’s strategies is particularly effective in the building on the strong foundations and exciting opportunities already created by the private bank in the UAE. An Egyptian national born in Bahrain and a permanent resident of Singapore, Mr El Nahas is uniquely positioned to understand and link the needs of our Arabic clients to the ABN AMRO’s Asian and global network. Mr El Nahas received his Masters of Business Administration and Public Policy from, respectively, the Harvard Business School and the Kennedy School of Government (Harvard University).

In 1986, Louis Leblanc, a seasoned trader on the floor of the Montreal Exchange with a degree in economics from McGill University joined with a team of government experts to create a program designed to bring entrepreneurs from other parts of the world to Quebec, Canada's largest province.
 This program proved so successful that it was emulated and expanded by the Government of Canada. Over the more than 20 years since the programs were introduced, Mr. Leblanc has earned an unequalled reputation for efficacy and integrity, and helped more than 6,000 HNW families settle in Canada and become Canadian citizens. Operating and enhancing the programs, with the backing of an exceptional team of highly trained professionals, is his principal occupation. Mr. Leblanc travels widely to serve clients and maintains active ties with a global network of agents. A superior communicator, Mr. Leblanc is pleased to explain the benefits of alternative citizenship in Canada for HNW individuals and the very rewarding opportunities Canada's Immigrant Investor Programs offer investment bankers.
 To learn more, contact Mr. Leblanc directly, or check the privatebankers.com Event Calendar for the next occasion to hear him speak in conference in your part of the world.

Guido Lenherr, educated in Switzerland and Canada, is an experienced wealth management specialist with a solid background in Swiss banking and a detailed knowledge of the Middle East market. He was appointed Managing Director of VP Wealth Management (Middle East) Ltd. And Head of Middle East for the VP Bank Group in 2007. “The essence of the VP Wealth Management philosophy is client-focused service. Backed by the powerful resources of the VP Bank Group, we work closely with clients to develop customdesigned solutions that comprehensively match their individual needs and aspirations.” Guido Lenherr, Managing Director

Maximilian Martin is Global Head of Philanthropy Services at UBS AG, a dedicated advisory unit that helps clients conceive, set up and monitor effective philanthropic vehicles. He also serves as a Visiting Professor at the University of Geneva, where he teaches philanthropy and social entrepreneurship in the MBA program, and lectures at the University of St.Gallen. Previous engagements include serving as Head of Research at the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, Senior Consultant with McKinsey & Company, instructor at Harvard’s Economics Department, and Fellow at the Center for Public Leadership at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. Dr. Martin’s research interests and publications focus on the relationship between globalization, social entrepreneurship and philanthropy, and emerging cross-sector value creation opportunities in this space that involve civil society, private individuals and business. In 2003, he developed the first university course on social entrepreneurship in Europe for the University of Geneva and the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. In 2003-2004, he conceptualized and then set up the UBS Philanthropy Services model and the UBS Philanthropy Forum. Dr. Martin holds a Master in Anthropology from Indiana University, a Master in Public Administration from Harvard University, and a PhD in Economic Anthropology from the University of Hamburg, Germany.

Michael is an expert in the private banking and wealth management sector, in which he has been working as a specialist consultant since 1995, after 22 years practical experience in the sector. He has advised a wide variety of institutions on the development of their private client business, ranging from large retail and investment banks to wealth management boutiques and family offices. He was formerly Head of Marketing and Business Development at Coutts & Co.

Saadat is the Managing Director of the Wealth Management and Non-Resident Division of Millennium Capital International, the investment and international banking arm of Dubai Islamic Bank. Saadat is responsible for spearheading the initiative to set up the first ever integrated Wealth Management platform catering to the needs of High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI) for Shari’a-compliant investment solutions. In addition, he is also responsible for catering to the banking needs of the Non-Resident individuals located mainly in the GCC and countries beyond the GCC where DIB has or will create its presence such as Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and Sudan. He has diversified banking experience encompassing international wealth management, asset management and brokerage services and consumer and corporate banking; a proven track record in sales management & marketing; and recognized within the investment community for his ability to build & develop business relationships. Over time while working with leading banks, he has been able to develop a comprehensive client base, including HNWIs & Institutions in the UK, Middle East, India & Pakistan. Prior to DIB, Saadat was Vice President-Investments at Merrill Lynch Dubai. In this role he developed the NRP business and worked with HNWI clients on investment solutions. Prior to this, Saadat was Vice President & Financial Advisor With Prudential-Bache Dubai for Middle East, India & Pakistan & South Africa region, for their Investment Services, Mutual Funds, Fixed Income & Brokerage business. Saadat was also Deputy Head & Senior Representative with Credit Suisse, Dubai from 1997 to 2000. He helped set up their regional private banking office in Dubai as part of the senior management team to identify & develop new strategies and products for their global private banking platform, to work with booking centres In Zurich, Geneva, Luxembourg, London & Singapore for business development where he handled a book size of over USD 500 million. He started his career with HSBC as management trainee, and rose to senior positions over the period 1985 to 1997. Saadat headed the North Region, (Lahore & Islamabad) and was responsible for Retail Banking - Pakistan from 1993 to 1997. He launched the first retail product for HSBC during this time. In addition, he was responsible as Country Rep - International Private Banking – London. During 1990 to 1993, he set up and headed NRP Services which expanded to Saudi Arabia because of successful business. Saadat is a Certified Financial Advisor, Series 7, NASD SEC-USA.. He is an MBA specializing in Marketing and Management from Central State University, USA and a BBA in Finance from University of Oklahoma, USA, and a Bachelors in Commerce from University of Punjab Pakistan.

Urs-Peter Oehen has graduated in economics and business management. Prior to being the CEO of Expersoft Urs-Peter was employed with reputed firms like DuPont Financial in Geneva and London, Rockwell Automation and METRO group of companies in Switzerland, holding senior positions in their finance departments. He has gained more than 20 years experience in the financial portfolio management industry. In 1992 he established Expersoft Systems AG in Switzerland to provide the financial service industry with innovative software solutions for the asset and wealth management industry and many more.

Nigel Putt was appointed Managing Director, Private Wealth Management - Middle East for Dresdner Bank, based in Dubai, in March 2007. His mandate is to create a regional wealth management presence that is fully integrated with the platforms of both Dresdner Bank and its parent Allianz Group. Prior to this appointment, he ran the office of Coutts & Co in Dubai. He started his career with Barclays Bank and worked in retail and the then emergent private banking initiatives before joining Barclays Private Banking in 1991. Since then he has worked in Hong Kong & London, gaining extensive experience in Far Eastern, Sub-Continent & Middle Eastern markets, both as senior private banker and business manager with various major financial institutions.

Gilles Rollet is the Chief Executive Officer of Mirabaud (Middle East) Limited. Prior to that, he ran ABN AMRO's Private Bank for the Middle East, India and Pakistan. At ABN AMRO, Gilles was also country manager and ran several business lines in San Francisco, Uzbekistan, South Africa and Hong Kong. Gilles started his career at Goldman, Sachs & Co. in New York. He holds an MBA from INSEAD and a BA (Hons.) from Middlebury College. Gilles is a member of YPO (Young Presidents' Organization).

Bassam Salem is responsible for the Middle-East/India/Africa region for EFG Bank. Prior to joining EFG, he was Division Executive for the Global Investment Services of Citibank Private Bank in New York, where he was overseeing asset management, investment advisory services, brokerage, and product management. After obtaining his Masters degree in Finance at the Sorbonne University in Paris, he joined the Bank of Boston in Geneva where he was Head of the Investment Department. In 1985, he joined Citibank Private Bank in Geneva. During his 15 years with the bank, he worked in several positions in Europe, Asia, and the US. From 1989 to 1993, he was Product Development Head, before becoming the Private Banking Marketing Head for Asia Pacific and Japan. From 1995 to 1999, he was Regional Investment Services Head, first for the Asia Pacific Division, in Singapore, and later for the Europe Middle East Africa Division, in Geneva. He is also a teaching member of the Wealth Management Institute of Singapore.

Holds a Ph. D. in Economics, from the University of Chicago, and is Director of Macroeconomics and Statistics, at the Dubai International Financial Center. Previously he held the position of Head of Economic Research, at the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting in Doha, the GCC regional institution focusing on economic diversification of member states. He has been Executive Director at Goldman Sachs International, from 2001 to 2003, Senior Economist and Adviser in the Research Directorate of the European Central Bank (ECB) from 1998 to 2001 and has held positions as an economist in various departments of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from 1992 to 1998. He has also worked as a consultant for major corporate clients, financial institutions, hedge funds and the European Union. He has taught in academic institutions in particular at the University of Chicago where he has been an assistant in Corporate Finance to the Nobel Prize Laureate Prof. Merton Miller. His views and research pieces are often quoted on international media such as The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, The BBC, CNN, Reuters, Dow Jones News, Market Watch, Bloomberg, The New York Times as well as local media. Dr. Scacciavillani has published articles on macroeconomics and exchange rates in refereed international academic journals and has written numerous papers while at the IMF and the European Central Bank some of which re-printed in academic books. He has written reports issued by the IMF on member countries; research articles put out in the ECB Monthly Bulletin and issued numerous market analyses in the monthly, weekly and daily periodicals of Goldman Sachs. He is regularly invited to deliver speeches or serve as panelist in various leading conferences worldwide.

Since July 2006 Patrick Wild has been Head Private Banking Far East & Middle East for the VP Bank Group and Member of the Executive Management of VP Bank (Switzerland) Ltd, where he has responsibility for developing and implementing a market entry strategy for VP Bank in Asia and the Middle East. Before joining VP Bank Group, he was Chief Executive Officer at Julius Bär Family Office, where he had responsibility for developing and implementing a comprehensive Wealth Management strategy within Julius Bär Private Banking. In addition to this function, he was nominated in October 2004 as Head Private Banking Growth Markets East at Bank Julius Bär, where he had responsibility to develop and manage Private Banking teams in the Middle East, Israel, the former Soviet Union and Far East. Before joining Julius Bär Group, he was Managing Director at Bank Leumi (Switzerland) where he had a dual role as head Private Banking Switzerland and Global Head International Private Banking. Prior to this, he held positions at UBS as member of the Management Board at UBS Private Banking and Division Head of Financial Planning & Wealth Management Patrick studied at the University of Basle and received his Master of Laws (MLL) in 1987. He is a registered Tax and Estate Practitioner (TEP) and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). He is also a member of the International Fiscal Association (Swiss Branch), Swiss Fiscal Association, Society of Swiss Legal Practitioners, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and Swiss Financial Planning Organisation (SFPO), where he is a founding member and former Chairman.