Salim Rashid Ali Al Maharbi, Acting Chief Financial Officer at Bank Nizwa, has 22 years of banking experience with domestic and international bank. Prior to joining Bank Nizwa, he was Chief Manager, Commercial and Finance at Bank Sohar. He is a Certified Islamic Professional Accountant, Certified Accounting Technician from ACCA UK, holds B.A. Honors degree in Accounting from University of Bedfordshire, UK. He has varied experience in the field of Financial Reporting, Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Internal Controls, Business Planning and Performance Management.
WHAT WAS YOUR EARLIEST AMBITION?
My earliest ambition was to complete my studies with flying colours and to later establish myself in a demanding and growing industry where there are ample opportunities to learn and grow. I have always had a passion for numbers and analytics, so pursuing a career in finance has always been my ambition. On the other hand, I had always wanted to be well-equipped with general knowledge in various areas through my own study and practical experiences. I always believe that gaining diversified knowledge will not only help in professional growth but also towards an individual’s personal development, which in turn makes the individual a better person.
WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT?
One of the things that I am currently passionate about is the succession of the Islamic banking in the Sultanate of Oman, which is in itself a totally new experience. Islamic banking is very important towards the requirement of having Shari’a-compliant products as the preferred choice for those who are very keen in dealing with Islamic banks in order to avoid conventional banks that deal with riba transactions.
Today, Oman’s Islamic banking industry is being referred as an example in the region for its growth within a short span of time. I am very confident that Islamic banking in Oman would be a success story and will have a bright future Inshallah.
WHO HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST MENTOR?
My father has been the greatest mentor in my life. He passed away when I was eleven years old. During the time spent with him, I learned many things that helped shaped me and continued helping me in my life. My father was a real leader who had inspired those around him. He was regarded as an exemplary person due to his courage and passion to help others. I always consider my late father as my mentor.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR CAREER?
Alhamdulillah, I have had many achievements in my career that I am proud of. The most important and remarkable achievement that I am proudest of is that I had taken the challenge of adding a higher responsibility in my profile and that I had quickly learned to deliver the best results as per what have been expected of me. I came out of my comfort zone and fixed the gaps that I felt was needed, by learning and taking on new things, and subsequently going beyond expectations.
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT WORKING?
The nature of my work responsibilities has required me to spend long hours at the office. So when I am not working, I spend time with my family. I allocate part of my annual leave to go on holiday travels with my family so that we would be able to spend quality time together. This is my way of compensating them for the time that I am away. It is important to manage a healthy work-life balance apart from taking excellent care of our health. In my spare time, I also like to catch up on my reading, keep up to date on football matches, and help my kids on their education-related needs.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST SATISFYING MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE?
The most satisfying moment in my life was the time I became a father. It was a great feeling and gave me an impression that I would now have to be more responsible as my children were depending on me, and that my life does not only revolve around me anymore. This had also placed a burden on me to become a good example to my children and because of that, I have been working positively to improve my lifestyle.
IN ONE WORD, DESCRIBE YOURSELF.
Honest.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE QUOTE AND WHY?
“It is not the man who said, ‘My father was’, but the man who said, ‘Behold, I am’ “ This illustrates that the person should always depend on himself and his capabilities by building his own name instead of depending on his father. He should work to create his own name with his own achievements and not build himself on the achievements of others.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND GIVE YOUR 21-YEAR-OLD SELF A VALUABLE PIECE OF ADVICE, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?
If I could go back to my 21-year-old self, my advice would be for me to allocate more time for learning and reading as I realise that these activities are very important in both my personal and professional lives.
WHAT IS YOUR LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY?
I believe that leadership is a natural behaviour that a good leader is driven by. My leadership philosophy is to consistently act and lead based on my values and in the best interest of the community. I belief that I have the courage, confidence and commitment to connect with others and inspire them to achieve high performance and results through teamwork.
TODAY, OMAN’S ISLAMIC BANKING INDUSTRY IS BEING REFERRED AS AN EXAMPLE IN THE REGION FOR ITS GROWTH WITHIN A SHORT SPAN OF TIME. I AM VERY CONFIDENT THAT ISLAMIC BANKING IN OMAN WOULD BE A SUCCESS STORY AND WILL HAVE A BRIGHT FUTURE INSHALLAH.
I BELIEVE THAT LEADERSHIP IS A NATURAL BEHAVIOUR THAT A GOOD LEADER IS DRIVEN BY. MY LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY IS TO CONSISTENTLY ACT AND LEAD BASED ON MY VALUES AND IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY. I BELIEF THAT I HAVE THE COURAGE, CONFIDENCE AND COMMITMENT TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS AND INSPIRE THEM TO ACHIEVE HIGH PERFORMANCE AND RESULTS THROUGH TEAMWORK.
WHAT DRIVES YOU IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE?
I am always driven by my commitments and the passion to make positive enhancements and changes in my professional life. This in turn, supports the achievement of my objectives in the best manner.
IF YOU COULD MEET A FAMOUS PERSON/LEADER/CELEBRITY, WHO WOULD HE BE AND WHY?
The person would have to be His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, the Sultan of Oman. His Majesty has a clear vision of developing Oman, and he managed to do it within a very short period; ensuring that Oman maintains its identity, unique culture, traditions and heritage. His Majesty believed in the power and abilities of the Omani people. He encouraged them to work hard to build their country, and this had also made him work harder to facilitate their education and provide them with work opportunities and equal rights.
I am always driven by my commitments and the passion to make positive enhancements and changes in my professional life. This in turn, supports the achievement of my objectives in the best manner.
IF YOU COULD MEET A FAMOUS PERSON/LEADER/CELEBRITY, WHO WOULD HE BE AND WHY?
The person would have to be His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, the Sultan of Oman. His Majesty has a clear vision of developing Oman, and he managed to do it within a very short period; ensuring that Oman maintains its identity, unique culture, traditions and heritage. His Majesty believed in the power and abilities of the Omani people. He encouraged them to work hard to build their country, and this had also made him work harder to facilitate their education and provide them with work opportunities and equal rights.
IF YOU RETIRED TOMORROW AND WANTED TO START A DIFFERENT SECOND CAREER, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
When I retire, I would like to pursue a career as a social entrepreneur. We should always be reminded that the world is a temporary place, and that when we leave it, we should leave our footprints in the community for others to follow and benefit from. The effort could be as small as planting a tree. As for me, I would like to build my career related to social development of the society as a whole.
YOU ARE AN ALUMNUS OF THE CAMBRIDGE ISLAMIC FINANCE LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME. HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE ATTENDING THE PROGRAMME?
I joined the 4th Cambridge Islamic Finance Leadership Programme, which was held at the Clare College in Cambridge and I was honoured to have been selected as one of the six winners awarded for excellent performance demonstrated during the programme. It was a very good programme as it gave all participants the opportunity to meet, share and exchange thoughts and experiences with other delegates from different countries. At the same time, as participants, we were also privileged to be able to listen to, and have the opportunity to ask various leaders from all across the globe on their experiences. The programme was filled with engaging activities and case studies that helped us improve and enhance our leadership skills.
I JOINED THE 4TH CAMBRIDGE ISLAMIC FINANCE LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME, WHICH WAS HELD AT THE CLARE COLLEGE IN CAMBRIDGE AND I WAS HONOURED TO HAVE BEEN SELECTED AS ONE OF THE SIX WINNERS AWARDED FOR EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE DEMONSTRATED DURING THE PROGRAMME. IT WAS A VERY GOOD PROGRAMME AS IT GAVE ALL PARTICIPANTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET, SHARE AND EXCHANGE THOUGHTS AND EXPERIENCES WITH OTHER DELEGATES FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.
