Chief Risk Officer at Macquarie Bank Europe, Saadia has international experience working in US, UK and Middle East with NatWest Markets, Barclays Capital, Bank of America, Citigroup. Experience includes Sales & Marketing – leading the delivery of e-banking cash management and treasury product offerings to Corporate Clients in the Gulf; Business Strategy Development and Implementation – working with Accenture at Barclays B2b.com.
What makes you a Risky Woman?
- Founded & Co-chair 100 Women in Finance Peer Risk Advisory Group; Global Chair of CRO Committee for the Professional Risk Managers International Association; Instructor on the Henley Hedge Fund Executive Programme.
- Member of Women on Boards and Ernst & Young Future FTSE Women’s Network.
- Capital Markets and Derivative Markets expert including experience in Corporate Structured Lending Transactions.
- Provide insight, guidance and challenge as required to assist the business in meeting Climate Risk commitments.
Name your top 3 achievements
- Developing and investing in leaders of the future and supporting the broader diversity agenda:
– Designed best-practice training, partnering with Fitch “Market Risk for Credit Risk officers”.
– Founded and co-chair the 100 Women in Finance Peer Risk Advisory Group in London
– Global Chair of the Risk Leaders Committee for the Professional Risk Managers International Association managed the successful delivery of Women in Risk and Diversity series of events along with technical events including Climate Risk, Crypto and Digital Assets, SMCR, FRTB.
– Instructor on the Henley Hedge Fund Executive Programme - Track record of successes in managing clients in distress and leading teams during uncertainty (2007/2008 credit crisis, 2015 EUR-CHF peg break, Covid-19) ensuring zero credit risk losses on each occasion.
- Finalists: Banker of the Year – Women in Finance Awards 2018, 2019 & Award for Achievement – Women in Banking & Finance 2019.
What is the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career?
Hiring someone into my team who was my first choice but my management did not support because he did not come from a tier 1 university. I saw the fact he was driven and ambitious and could see his potential and argued for his recruitment. He was one of my best hires and had succeeded in his career.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
Featured in Dubai Financial Times in my youth.
What is the best quality for successful leaders in Risk?
- Courage, backbone, willingness to challenge others and make the tough choices
- Ability to build Credible Relationships at all levels within the organisation, clients and regulators
- Curious mindset and invest in continuous learning to ensure they are up to date with trends and developments
- Confidence to embrace diversity of thought
- Perseverance and Resilience
- Reputation for integrity and consistency
