Merrill Lynch Wealth Management today announces three hires to the Middle East team. Leila Alameddine joins as Market Manager for Levant, Shereen Ghobrial joins as Regional Sales Manager, and Utku Balik joins as Business Strategy and Initiatives Execution Manager. Ms. Alameddine and Mr. Ghobrial both report to Tamer Rashad, Head of Middle East, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Mr. Balik reports to Michael Tolentino, Chief Operating Officer, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management EMEA, and to Tamer Rashad.
In her new role as Market Manager for Levant, Ms. Alameddine will be based in Beirut and be responsible for growing the Wealth Management business and enhancing Merrill Lynch’s offering to clients. The Levant region includes Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. She has 22 years experience in the banking industry and joins from Audi Saradar Private Bank, where she was an Executive Manager covering clients in Europe and the Middle East. Before this, Ms. Alameddine worked at Europe Arab Bank as Head of Private Banking for EMEA, located in London. Other roles included working for JP Morgan as a Corporate Trust Manager for Western Europe and the Middle East and in private banking roles at Chase Manhattan Bank, Chemical Bank and Arab Bank.
As Middle East Regional Sales Manager, Mr. Ghobrial will be key in the development of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management’s business in the Middle East. Based in Dubai, he will work closely with financial advisors and product and sales specialists to find the best solutions available for clients. Mr. Ghobrial has 13 years experience in the banking industry. Most recently, he worked at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, as the Regional Head of Wealth Management for Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Prior to this, Mr. Ghobrial worked at Deutsche Bank in Cairo, as a financial advisor covering Egyptian clients and before that at Arab Bank, Egypt, as Country Marketing Manager responsible for business development. Other roles included Sales Manager and Investment Adviser at Citibank in Egypt.
As Business Strategy and Initiatives Execution Manager, Mr. Balik will be based in Dubai and is responsible for leading regional initiative and project management across a variety of areas from strategy to operations. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Mr. Balik worked at Emirates NBD Private Banking in Dubai, UAE, as Head of Business Development, responsible for business strategy and project management. Before this, he worked at McKinsey & Company as a Consultant advising companies on strategy, corporate finance and new business development.
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management has a long history in the Middle East. It established its presence in the region some 49 years ago, first opening an office in Beirut, Lebanon. The Middle East team operates in offices located in Bahrain, Beirut, Dubai, Geneva, London, Monte Carlo and Riyadh, offering our clients solutions and services across wealth management, private banking, advisory, wealth structuring, brokerage and trusts.
Tamer Rashad, Head of Middle East Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, said:
“Changes taking place in the Middle East provide a dynamic opportunity for the region. We are witnessing a rapidly growing interest from clients to expand the breadth of their portfolios and increase exposure to international investments. The addition to our team of Leila, Shereen and Utku, with their wealth of experience and knowledge of the region, will help us to further ensure Merrill Lynch is the natural partner of choice for clients seeking effective solutions to Wealth Management challenges.”
