The GEC BFSI Vertical Day 2025, organised by Global Enterprise Connect, concluded with remarkable engagement at Kempinski Central Avenue Dubai on 19th November, gathering influential leaders from across the banking, financial services, and insurance sector. The event served as a powerful platform to explore the future of BFSI in a rapidly transforming digital and regulatory environment, bringing together voices shaping innovation, security, and customer-centric growth.
The gathering opened with a welcome note delivered by Anushree Dixit, Chief Strategy Officer, Global Enterprise Connect, who emphasised the urgent need for BFSI organisations to remain resilient, future-ready, and digitally progressive. This edition of the event was hosted simultaneously alongside the GEC Manufacturing & Retail Vertical Day 2025 and the GEC Healthcare Vertical Day 2025, running on parallel stages and creating a unified multi-industry knowledge ecosystem under one roof.
The day continued with an insightful keynote address titled “Futureproofing BFSI – The Digital Mandate” delivered by Dr. Haroun Dharsey, CEO, Dharsey.AI, highlighting how banks, insurance firms, and financial institutions are accelerating digital transformation to stay competitive and customer-first while exploring cybersecurity and compliance demands.
A high-impact panel discussion followed on the theme “AI, Automation & Compliance – Striking the Balance”, moderated by Anand Krishnan, Head of Technology, Mercury Payments Services, featuring expert perspectives from Ahmed Nabil Mahmoud, Head of Information Security Engineering, Top Banking Industry, and Mohamed Roushdy, CIO, Reem Finance. The panel explored how AI and automation can enable operational excellence while requiring stringent governance and transparency to maintain trust.
The agenda progressed with an expert dialogue session on Cyber Resilience in Fintech Ecosystems, moderated by Arun Shankar, Managing Editor, Head of Growth and Integrated Media, Global Enterprise Connect, joined by distinguished panelists Kiran Kumar, CISO, Alpheya, Hussain AlKhalsan, CISO, Zand Bank, and Syed Ehsan Amanulla, CISO & SVP-ITA, Amicorp Group. The discussion focused on digital payments, cloud-native banking models, and strengthening cybersecurity postures to protect evolving fintech infrastructures from increasing cyber threats.
Global Enterprise Connect continues to champion innovation and enterprise transformation through impactful thought-leadership platforms, bringing together technology decision-makers and industry pioneers to accelerate the future of business.
The event concluded with the prestigious Top BFSI Awards 2025, recognising exceptional achievements, innovative initiatives, and leadership excellence across the BFSI community.
The event was proudly supported by Gold Partners ManageEngine, Liferay, Kissflow, Office Line, ArqAI, and Al Rostamani Communications, helping bring together leaders and foster collaboration across the BFSI sector.
Below are the distinguished winners of the GEC BFSI Vertical Day 2025:
Hussain Alkhalasn (Zand Bank)
Khaldun Al Khaldi (DIB)
Mohammed Tarik Koubaa (Emirates NBD)
Ahmed Nabil Mahmoud (ADIB)
Anand Krishnan (Mercury Payments)
Muhammad Tariq Siddiqui (Abu Dhabi National Takaful)
Mohamed Roushdy (Reem Finance)
Waqas Butt (Alpha Dhabi Holding PJSC)
Dr. Walid Salem (Zurich Insurance Company)
Sunil Nair (MCCOIN Virtual Assets)
Syed Ehsan (Amicorp Group)
Bharat Raigangar (Maseera Holding)
Amir Jafari (Middle East Bank)
Ali Chehade (CFI Financial Group)
Lokesh Durgaprasad Agrawal (JIMCO)
Muhammad Azam (Abu Dhabi National Takaful PSC)
Mostafa Hammam (Emirates Islamic Bank)
Rahul Chhabra (First Abu Dhabi Bank – FAB)
Basharit Rafique (GCC Exchange)
Kiran Kumar (Alpheya)
Mohamed Arief (Mawarid Holding Investments)
Saju PV (Dubai National Insurance and Reinsurance)
Najim Tayib (BHM Capital)
Sultan Ali Merchant (Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait)
Kajal Mustafi (Sharaf Exchange LLC)
