Designated Non-Financial

Businesses and Professions

From Cost to Catalyst : The Power of Compliance

15th April 2025

Sofitel Dubai, Downtown, Dubai, UAE

Supporting Partners

Event Overview

First ever DNFBP Compliance & Risk
Summit in the UAE

Who Should Attend

Gold Traders & Precious Metals Dealers

Real Estate Developers & Agents

Law Firms and Legal Consultants

Regulators and Government Officials

Technology Vendors

Financial Institutions

Event Goals

Engage, Connect, Create Memories

Equip DNFBPs with practical frameworks to align with FATF standards.

Facilitate high-level collaboration between public and private sectors.

Showcase technological innovations such as AI-powered tools for real-time compliance.

Support UAE’s economic reputation by empowering businesses to avoid sanctions and enhance operational integrity.

As the UAE faces the intense scrutiny of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), non-financial sectors—including gold, real estate, legal, and accounting professions—are under unprecedented pressure to strengthen their compliance frameworks. This summit is the only event in the UAE that exclusively focuses on the pressing challenges faced by Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) in aligning with AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and CTF (Counter-Terrorism Financing) requirements.

The Ministry of Economy has taken bold steps in leading the UAE’s regulatory efforts, helping the business community align with global AML standards. Under FATF’s recommendations, the UAE has made significant progress toward increasing transparency and strengthening compliance. This summit builds on these efforts, equipping DNFBPs with the knowledge and tools to meet global expectations and position the UAE as a leader in financial integrity.

Featured in

Keynote Speaker

His Excellency
Dr Wissam Fattouh

Secretary General
Union Of Arab Banks

Our Speakers

Mr. Alyaksandr Malyshau

Programme Expert on Virtual Assets in AML/CFT
United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime

Ms. May El Ghamry

Group Head of Legal
Al Ansari Financial Services P.J.S.C

Mr. Mahammad Ansar

Head of Compliance and MLRO
LuLu International Exchange

Mr. Patrick Meaney

Managing Director, Head of Enforcement
Dubai FInancial Services Authority

Mr. Ahmed Omran

Head of Compliance
Driven Properties

Mr. Ben Greenwood

Executive Director
Arabian Estates

Mr. Andrew Naylor, CAMS

Head of Middle East and Public Policy
World Gold Council

Ms. Mamtha Maria

General Manager
Dubai Jewellery Group

Mr. Abidh C.P.

General Manager
Ahlatci Metal Refinery

Mr. Bonny Paul

Head of Finance
Mouawad Jewelry

Mr. Sudheesh Nambiath

Manager, Precious Metals Department
DMCC

Mr. Pijush Das

Director-Governance, Risk and Compliance(GRC)
Crowe UAE

Mr. Pramod Mohan

Co-Founder and Managing Director
FinMet Group of Companies

Mr. Muhammad Rashed

Co-founder & Chief Compliance & Risk Officer
Jingle Pay

Ms. Amna Al Kharousi

Head of Compliance
Tasha Gold & Jewels Trading L.L.C

Mr. Faisal Ahmed

Managing Partner & CEO
AKW Consultants

Mr. Rahul Pagare

Co-Founder
ZIGRAM

Mr. Mohammad Ayyob

General Manager SAM Precious Metals & Chairman
The Dubai Business Group for
Bullion and Gold Refinery

Mr. Andrew Barton

Head of Audit, Compliance & Risk
Damas Jewelry

Mr. Basil Salah

Managing Director
Finch Innovate

Mr. Michael Wharton

Director - Strategy Growth & Technology
AKW Consultants

Ms. Manali Chopra

Director Regulatory Compliance
AKW Consultants

Mr. Andrew Naylor, CAMS

Head of Middle East and Public Policy
World Gold Council

Bio: Andrew Naylor joined the World Gold Council in 2016. He leads the Council’s regional office in the UAE and heads up public policy initiatives globally. Before his current role, he was Head of APAC (ex-China) and based in Singapore. He was previously part of the central banks and public policy team and led the Council’s Islamic finance initiative. Before joining the World Gold Council Andrew worked for the international consultancy firm Cicero Group advising financial institutions on foreign investment and trade policy in Asia and the global regulatory reform agenda.

Andrew is a member of the supervisory board of the EU-ASEAN Business Council. Previous appointments include chairman of the Singapore Bullion Market Association’s public affairs committee from 2017-2013, and board member of the European Chamber of Commerce in Singapore between 2012 and 2019.

Andrew regularly gives broadcast media commentary on global political-economic developments on the BBC, Bloomberg Asharq, Sky News, Channel NewsAsia, Dubai Eye and CNBC.

Andrew has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and is an ACAMS Certified Anti Money-Laundering Specialist.

Email: andrew.naylor@gold.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nayloronline/

Mr. Mohammad Ayyob

General Manager SAM Precious Metals & Chairman
The Dubai Business Group for Bullion and Gold Refinery

Bio: With over 18 years of experience, Mr. Mohammad Ayyob has established himself as a leading expert in the precious metals industry, specializing in strategy, growth, and business development. As the General Manager of SAM since 2018, he has been instrumental in transforming the company from a startup into one of the top gold and precious metals refineries in the UAE.

Mr. Ayyob expertly manages counterparty relationships and has a deep understanding of the gold and silver supply and demand in the UAE. His strategic initiatives include determining and overseeing all activities at SAM to ensure the highest standards of operation.

Mr. Ayyob graduated with a degree in Marketing and began his career in the automobile industry. He transitioned to the Precious Metals sector in 2009 as the Diamonds and Jewellery Business Development Manager, marking the start of his impactful journey in the industry. Thereafter, Mr. Ayyob served as the General Manager for UAE and the Middle East at Brinks Global Services till 2018. During his tenure, he significantly enhanced the company's market presence by expanding its reach and influence within the region. He also improved operational efficiency through strategic initiatives and process optimizations, leading to increased productivity and profitability. Mr. Ayyob has provided expert insights on high-level issues, including regulatory matters in the precious metals sector, for various government and industry forums. He is also the Chairman of the Dubai Business Group for Bullion and Gold Refinery.

His extensive experience highlights his deep knowledge of upstream and downstream gold procurement and sales, and his ability to make strategic commercial decisions. He is dedicated to promoting innovative value-added products and has built a robust network within the Middle East's gold and precious metals sector.

Mr. Ayyob’s leadership and strategic vision continue to shape the competitive field of precious metals, making him an invaluable asset to the entire industry.

Ms. May El Ghamry

Group Head of Legal
Al Ansari Financial Services P.J.S.C

Bio: May El Ghamry is the Group General Counsel of Al Ansari Financial Services PJSC. She is leading on all legal matters and corporate governance aspects of the group. May has over 22 years of experience in corporate, banking, finance, financial services and capital markets (Equity Capital Markets & Debt Capital Markets) in the UAE, GCC and Egypt. She has extensive experience in banking, finance, IPOs and corporate governance of public joint stock companies. May is also leading on all mergers and acquisitions transaction entered among the group.

May holds a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Cairo (English section). She is admitted in the Egyptian bar association since 2002.

Prior to joining Al Ansari Financial Services PJSC Group, May held the position of regional counsel in IN’P-IBRAHIM AND PARTNERS (IN'P), during her work in INP, she advised on multiple initial public offerings and rights issue, public M&As as well as many corporate governance’ matters and cross border complex banking and finance transactions. May was also the registered Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) of IN'P in the Abu Dhabi Global Market and the Ministry of Finance, ensuring the compliance with all relevant AML regulations and procedures and satisfying all the KYC requirements to onboard any new client.

Prior to joining INP, May was the Director Head of Legal in the Commercial International Bank (CIB) in Egypt and UAE for 15 years. She has a very solid experience in corporate banking and retail banking with a specific speciality in syndicated loans and projects finance transactions.

May is a Hawkamah/DFM Certified Board Secretary. She has an extensive experience in corporate governance matters of publicly listed companies, banks and financial institutions She acted as the Board secretary to many publicly listed companies in the UAE.

A Legacy of Inspiration: Past and Present Speakers

Mr. Haseeb Ansari

Chief Compliance Officer
Emirates Islamic

Mr. Zsombor Brommer

Chief Compliance Officer
United Arab Bank

Dr. Ayesha Binlootah

>Assistant Vice President - Licensing, Supervision, and Assurance
Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority

Ms. Sheetal Bhardwaj

Head of Virtual Assets Compliance
Commercial Bank of Dubai

Mr. Sumit Sarkar

Group Head of Sanctions
Mashreq

Mr. Abidh CP

AML Expert
Ministry of Economy

Mr. Collin Lobo

Regional Head of Financial Crime, MENAT
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited

Mr. Muhammad Rashid

Chief Compliance Officer
Jingle Pay

Mr.Tarek Howayek

Regional Head of AML and Compliance Policies
HSBC MENAT

Mr. Imran Kazmi

Regional Head Regulatory Compliance & Data Protection
Habib Bank Limited

Mr. Osama Al Rahma

Head of Business Development
Emirates Investment Bank PJSC

Mr. Mohammad Ali Khan

Executive Director – Head of Client Onboarding & Lifecycle Management
Bank of Singapore

Dr. Yoonus C Ahammed

Director, FCSO TM Analytics
Standard Chartered Bank

Mr. Ashraf Aly

Group Head of Compliance
Terrapay

Mr. Anicet Fantar

EMEA Risk & Compliance Specialist
Dow Jones

Dr. Sebastian Heztler

Co – Chief Executive Officer
IMTF

Mr. Iain Kennedy

Global Head of Sales
StarCompliance

Mr. David Higuera

Co-Founder
Label

Mr. Khaled M Hegazy

Regional Sales Director
Nuix MENA

Mr. Kaise Zakkar

Senior Proposition Specialist, Customer & Third-Party Risk Solutions
London Stock Exchange Group

Mr. David Shepherd, CAMS, CertPAY

Global Head of Customer Risk Proposition, Risk Intelligence
London Stock Exchange Group

Mr. Pieter Vos

Regional Head of Compliance - Gulf
Habib Bank Limited

Mr Muhammad Shahid Farids

Head of AML/CFT & Sanctions
The Commercial Bank of Qatar

Vijayalakshmi Seshadri

Head of Implementations and MEAA
norbloc

Ms Kaoutar Abdallah

Director of Legal, Risk & Compliance
Telr

Mr. Amaresh Yardoni

Senior Manager Fraud Operations
Tamara

Mr. Waheed Rathore

Group Chief Compliance Officer
Dubai Islamic Bank

Why Join

Top Reasons Why This Is The Only Conference You Need To Attend In 2025

The Only Dedicated DNFBP Conference:

This is the first and only event of its kind in the UAE, tailored to address the AML/CTF challenges faced by DNFBPs.

Aligned with UAE’s Regulatory Agenda:

This summit supports the Ministry of Economy’s efforts to strengthen compliance and align with FATF standards.

Prepare for FATF Re-Evaluations:

The UAE must meet strict regulatory deadlines to avoid further sanctions. This summit offers practical insights and actionable strategies to ensure compliance.

Sector-Specific Guidance for Key DNFBPs:

Whether you work in gold trading, real estate, law, or accounting, the event offers tailored solutions to address your specific challenges.

Networking with Key Decision-Makers:

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with high-level regulators and industry leaders from organizations such as the Ministry of Economy, FIU, DMCC, and RERA.