M. FARSHAD CADER– Head of Financial Institutions Amãna Bank, Sri Lanka
M. Farshad Cader is a senior banker with over 24 years of extensive experience in Islamic and Conventional Banking in the Executive Grade. He has strong insight and experience in the areas of Financial Institutions, Correspondent Banking, Islamic Banking, International Banking, Corporate and Commercial Banking, with 17 years in the Middle Eastern Banks. He is proficient in handling all functions of financial institutions, including FI revenue generation, correspondent banking and lending activities. He is the recipient of the coveted Cambridge Islamic Finance Leadership Award in recognition for his outstanding performance during the Cambridge Islamic Finance Leadership Programme (2017) held at Clare College, University of Cambridge, UK.
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP?
A pilot.
WHAT PATH LED YOU TO YOUR CURRENT POSITION?
The foundation and guidance I got from my mentors during my management trainee programme.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR CAREER?
Heading the financial institution of the largest and the second largest Islamic banks in the world.
WHAT DRIVES YOU IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE?
New challenges.
WHAT IS YOUR LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY?
I believe that leadership is a responsibility that comes with accountability to inspire others and unlock their true potential to envision the future together.
IN ONE WORD, DESCRIBE YOURSELF.
Livewire.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE QUOTE?
“Be true to yourself.”
WHAT WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNED IN YOUR CAREER?
Always have a plan ‘B’.
IF YOU COULD WAKE UP TOMORROW WITH ONE NEW QUALITY, SKILL, OR ABILITY, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Software engineering.
YOU ARE AN ALUMNUS OF THE CAMBRIDGE ISLAMIC FINANCE LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME. HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCING ATTENDING THE PROGRAMME?
The Cambridge IFLP was a phenomenal and unique experience, a must-attend leadership programme for all the budding or aspiring future leaders in the Islamic banking and finance discipline. I firmly believe that Cambridge IFLP will help to inculcate the Islamic facets of leadership coupled with banking acumen. I was truly honoured to be a part of Cambridge IFLP 2017.
