Gunsel Topbas, Phd Email & Phone Number

Dubai, AE

Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

In my role as Co-Founder & Lead Managing Partner at Manifest Executive Consultancy in Dubai, I am leading strategic advisory services for financial institutions and market infrastructures, guiding them through both traditional securities projects and digital transformation using blockchain and AI. I am also conducting training programs for their staff and.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

• KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Business Growth: Achieved double digit growth in annual revenues over the past five years, despite the regional and global head-winds in the emerging capital markets. Established strong foundations for sustained success.
• Market Expansion: Spearheaded the successful launch of Custody services in Saudi Arabia in 2021, with a successful market penetration.
• Problem Solving and Change Management: Overhauled the Egypt branch in 2019, succeeding to take this branch from the lowest to the top of the region; fixing the process, staffing, talent, risk and control, and service.
• Talent Acquisition: Leveraged extensive networks effectively to spot candidates, hired top-tier senior talent for multiple key management positions, despite the talent scarcity in challenging markets.
• Team Leadership: Led a high-performing team of 35 talented individuals, fostering a collaborative and motivation driven environment to exceed business targets.

Istanbul

• KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Market Expansion: Spearheaded Custody business growth and market leadership across Middle East, Pakistan, and Turkey, achieving remarkable success.
• Cluster Management: Assumed expanded cluster management responsibilities, effectively coordinating and optimizing teams, products and operations across diverse markets.
• Industry Involvement: Actively contributed to the Association of Middle East and Africa CSDs, advocating for industry advancements and establishing key partnerships.
• Award-Winning Leadership: Received an internal business award for Citi Citizenship, reflecting outstanding leadership and cooperation in driving positive impact.

Istanbul

• KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Market Leadership: Led Citi Turkey's transformation into the largest custodian in the market for foreign investors' assets, achieving unparalleled growth and prominence.
• Strategic Expansion: Proactively expanded role and responsibilities, adding Israel in 2008, effectively scaling operations and influence.
• Regulatory Liaison: Collaborated closely with local regulators and market infrastructure, advocating for the implementation of international best practices, and fostering a conducive environment for foreign investors.
• Simplified Processes: Successfully navigated complex regulatory requirements, streamlining account opening, tax processing, tax reclamations, disclosures, and general meeting attendance for foreign investors.

• KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Business Expansion: Successfully launched global custody services for Turkish Lira-denominated Eurobonds through Euroclear and Clearstream, unlocking new opportunities for local financial institutions in Turkey.
• International Representation: A key representative for Takasbank and Turkey at prestigious international securities industry organizations, including ANNA, ISO-TC68/SC4, and FEAS, contributing to global collaboration.
• Leadership Recognition: Elected to the ANNA Board with the highest number of votes, showcasing exceptional leadership and influence within the international securities landscape.
• Collective Initiative: Instrumental in getting IBAN implemented in Turkey, uniting market participants under a collective vision and driving transformative change in the financial sector.

Istanbul

Investment Banking Department - Portfolio Management

Izmir

IT Department - Development of the automation system for the Investment Banking

M.Sc., International Banking And Finance

Activities and Societies: British Council

Ph.D., Corporate Finance

M.Sc., Money And Banking

B.Sc., Computer Sciences Engineering, Valedictorian