Simon Durrance Email & Phone Number

Geneva, Ge, Ch

Geneva Area, Switzerland

Stand-alone Private Banking subsidiary (previously called NBAD Private Bank (Suisse) SA) of First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC (formed from the merger of NBAD by FGB in April 2017). Focused on Private Banking (since inception), and trade finance (2008-2015).Member of Executive Committee, Risk Committee, Investment Committee, Credit Committee, ALCO Committee and KYC & Compliance Committee.Locally overseeing IT, Middle Office (back office is outsourced), Finance, HR, Compliance, Treasury, Risk, Credit, and General Services. Initially CFO/CRO from 2007-2011, then wider COO role from 2011 onwards.Secretary to the Board of Directors and its Audit Committee, Risk & Compliance Committee and Remuneration Committee.Main contact with auditors, regulator and other authorities.Employee representative on the Bank pension schemes trustee Board.Creation of the Bank in record time (under nine months), including organisational structure, finding premises, selecting and implementing the IT platform, hiring key staff, and obtaining the Swiss banking licence (in only three months). Started as the lead adviser and then joined the Bank as CFO/CRO during the project. Built up successful private banking (CAGR over 25%) and trade finance franchises. The Trade Finance business was transferred to FAB London in 2015 as per the Group strategic direction. Reached profitability in under five years. Successfully led the 12 month migration to the Avaloq core banking system in 2009, which was the pilot migration to Avaloq for the outsourcing provider, and completed on-time and on-budget.

Geneva, Switzerland

Acting CEO from June 2018 to March 2019, including management of private banking and investment departments.

Switzerland, Uk, France, Usa

Regional role up to March 2017 when post-merger international operating model introduced. Geographical role focused on regional governance and oversight, including performance management and strategic initiatives. Covering UK (wholesale and wealth), France (wholesale), USA (wholesale) and Switzerland (wealth).

Switzerland, Uae, Uk

Abu Dhabi focused role (time divided between Switzerland and UAE) up to March 2017, when FGB completed takeover of NBAD. Strategic line-of-business COO role within a matrix environment. Covering the target operating model, alignment of IT and operations strategy, as well as working with other enablement areas for a full end-to-end coverage.Remit covers the Private Banking business (UAE, Switzerland, UK, Lebanon and Egypt), Asset Management business (UAE, Switzerland, UK), brokerage business (UAE) and until 2015 the UAE based custody business (which was moved into the wholesale line-of-business from 2016 onwards).Matrix management of the various Middle Offices within Global Wealth.Member of Global Wealth Management Team.Member of Group Operations, Technology & General Services Management Team.

Geneva Area, Switzerland

Banking auditor and adviser primarily covering banks, as well as treasury companies, FX brokers, and private equity.Recognised as a lead auditor by the Swiss Banking regulator.Member of E&Y Switzerland IFRS Desk, lecturer on IFRS, and ran a number of substantial IFRS implementations.Strong experience in M&A, merger integration and other capital market activities, risk management, operational processes, fraud investigations, creation of Banks and obtaining regulatory approvals, outsourcing, acting as expert witness, and corporate restructuring.Actively involved in management of the Geneva Financial Services division, including management of around 10 junior staff on average.Led the due diligence project and post-acquisition work on a major merger of two Swiss Private Banks, which included covering multiple Swiss sites, and directly handling the London and Luxembourg subsidiaries.

London, United Kingdom

Auditor covering banking, insurance and other financial services. Integrated by Ernst & Young into a Merrill Lynch investment banking team for a major M&A UK life assurance M&A transaction, including working on the deal structure and presenting to a FTSE 100 Board meeting.

London, United Kingdom

Auditor covering financial services and shipping industries.

Uk Chartered Accountant

Professional Development

A variety of continuing education courses covering technical areas (risk, compliance, finance, etc.), strategic thinking, management.

Ba (Hons), Economics