Gulf Finance Corporation (GFC), a subsidiary of Shuaa Capital and a leading UAE-based finance company servicing the region's small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) community, announced that Colin Macdonald, Group Chief Executive Officer of its parent company Shuaa Capital and former group managing director and regional head of ABN Amro Middle East, is to be appointed to the company's board of directors, taking the board's size from 5 to 6 members, after receiving the necessary regulatory approvals. “Colin has extraordinary banking and business expertise, as well as years of experience in the Middle East, and we are delighted that he is joining Gulf Finance's board of directors,” said Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Al Maktoum, Executive Chairman of Shuaa Capital and Chairman of Gulf Finance. Macdonald currently serves as Group CEO of Shuaa Capital, a leading independent regional full-service financial investment company specializing in asset management, investment banking advisory services, and credit. Over the last 30 years, Shuaa has played a prominent role in shaping the financial services landscape in the GCC and continues to be at the forefront of integrating the region into global financial markets. Shuaa is a public shareholding company, regulated by the UAE Central Bank and listed on the Dubai Financial Market. Macdonald started his banking career at National Westminster Bank where he was instrumental in the business review, strategy and the integration of corporate banking, capital markets, equities and treasury during the formation of Natwest Markets. “Colin brings a wealth of banking experience as well as the insights that come from running a successful multinational bank in a growing yet challenging region such as the Middle East. He will be a great addition to our board,” said Steve Williams, Gulf Finance Group Chief Executive Officer. — SG