Samer Hijazi

[su_photo_panel photo=”images/Speakers/SamerHijazi.jpg”]Samer Hijazi[/su_photo_panel]

Partner, Grant Thornton (Confirmed)

Samer has extensive experience leading complex audit engagements for global investment banks, FTSE 100 banks, sovereign wealth funds, investment managers and international banks. He has directed the audit of a number of financial services teams of clients that have multi-location operations, in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. This in turn has aided him to mastering the art of identifying issues and themes on the ground and converting these into insightful Board feedback adding greater value.

He was instrumental in the formation of the UK Islamic finance practice and developed new products and solutions to deliver to all UK Islamic financial institutions, FTSE 100 banks and global investment banks, which saw him becoming de facto UK Head of Islamic Finance in 2009 and Global Head in 2013 for a Big Four. As Global Head of Islamic Finance, Samer played a key role in the industry lobbying of the British government which resulted in the launch of the UK Government Sukuk which was oversubscribed 10 times.

As a result of his integral role in the UK and Global Islamic Finance, he was awarded ‘Global Islamic Finance Adviser of the Year – International 2014’ by Professional Sector Network.