Farzad Billimoria to Assume Role as Head of Barclays' Private Banking Division in the UAE
**Barclays Appoints Farzad Billimoria as Head of Private Bank for UAE**
In a strategic move to strengthen its presence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and expand its influence on global markets, Barclays has appointed Farzad Billimoria as the new Head of Private Bank for the UAE. The appointment is effective from July 1, 2025, subject to regulatory approval.
Farzad Billimoria, a banking executive with 30 years of experience in financial services, spanning private banking, wealth management, and retail banking, will be based in Dubai. His extensive expertise, particularly in the UAE, makes him an ideal candidate to drive Barclays' growth in the region.
Billimoria's most recent position was at HSBC, where he served as the Senior Executive Officer and Head of Private Bank for the UAE. During his tenure, he led the establishment of HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) offices in both the Dubai International Financial Centre and Abu Dhabi Global Market. He also launched HSBC’s first onshore private bank booking centre in the UAE, a critical move that expanded the bank's ability to serve ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients and manage large client portfolios in the region.
Barclays' appointment of Billimoria reflects its ambition to further elevate the importance and priority of the UAE. The bank sees significant growth opportunities in the region, and Billimoria's extensive local market experience and proven leadership in managing high-value client relationships are expected to drive Barclays' growth and market share in the Middle East and beyond.
Annabelle Bryde, Head of Private Bank International at Barclays, stated, "The Middle East presents significant growth opportunities for the bank." Barclays is expanding its influence on global markets and increasing wealth generation in the Middle East, particularly in the UAE, which is experiencing rapid growth in wealth management and private banking.
Khaled El Dabag, CEO of Middle East and North Africa at Barclays, expressed his excitement about Billimoria's appointment. "We are delighted to welcome Farzad Billimoria to the team," he said. "His leadership and extensive local market experience will be a valuable asset to Barclays as we continue to grow our private banking business in the UAE and the wider Middle East."
Billimoria will oversee the local team and governance, reporting to Annabelle Bryde. This appointment comes as part of Barclays’ strategic push to strengthen its presence in the Middle East, particularly in the UAE. The bank aims to leverage Billimoria’s expertise to compete more effectively with both regional and international rivals in private banking and wealth management.
In conclusion, Farzad Billimoria’s appointment signals Barclays’ commitment to expanding its private banking footprint in the UAE and the broader Middle East. His proven track record in leadership, client service, and market development positions Barclays to capitalize on the region’s wealth growth and rising global influence.
On ffnews.com, the appointment of Farzad Billimoria, a seasoned banking executive, as the new Head of Private Bank for the UAE by Barclays is expected to boost the industry's finance and business sector, specifically in the banking-and-insurance industry. As Barclays aims to maximize growth opportunities in the UAE, Billimoria's extensive local market experience and leadership skills, gained from his tenure at HSBC, are anticipated to provide a competitive edge in the regional private banking and wealth management market.
