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About the Summit

A Strategic Convening of Bahrain Banking Leaders

The Cedar-IBSi Bahrain Summit brings together CEOs, CXOs, and senior leaders from Bahrain and the wider GCC banking sector.

Set at the Wyndham Grand Bahrain, the agenda centred on digital banking transformation and AI in GCC banking.

Who Attended

Built for Senior Decision Makers

01

Peer-Level Conversations

Curated room of approximately 60 senior banking executives — no panels-to-empty-seats. Every discussion is at the level you operate at.

02

Sharp, Strategic Agenda

Four hours, four high-signal sessions. Built around the questions UK CEOs are actually asking their boards in 2026.

03

Cross-Sector Perspectives

Hear directly from challenger bank founders, hyperscaler banking leads, technology platforms, and seasoned advisors in one room.

04

The Shard, Level 31

Convene at one of London's most recognisable addresses — a setting matched to the seniority of the conversation.

Discussed Themes

What We Covered

AI in Banking Digital Banking Islamic Finance Risk Management Core Modernisation Payments Regulatory Outlook Open Banking
Our Partners
Backbase
Finastra
Infosys
Intellect
Kiya
Newgen
Thought Machine
TCS BaNCS
Sopra Banking
Engine by Starling
Backbase
Finastra
Infosys
Intellect
Kiya
Newgen
Thought Machine
TCS BaNCS
Sopra Banking
Engine by Starling
Event Partners

The Names Behind Every Summit

From core banking technology to venture capital, dozens of partners stand behind every Cedar-IBSi summit. Explore the full ecosystem supporting the stage.

Meet Our Partners
Featured Speakers

Voices ShapingBahrain Banking

Said Abdelhamid in

Said Abdelhamid

Senior Agile Lead, IT Transformation
Ahli United Bank
Sukhwinder Nijjar in

Sukhwinder Nijjar

Group Chief Transformation Officer
Gulf International Bank
Rashid Al Qubaisi in

Rashid Al Qubaisi

CEO
Mawarid Finance
Raji Challita in

Raji Challita

General Manager
BML Istisharat
Paul Baker in

Paul Baker

Group Head of Operations
Bank ABC
Ahmed Al Maskati in

Ahmed Al Maskati

Head – Product Development & Project Management
National Bank of Bahrain
Mohamed Jamsheer in

Mohamed Jamsheer

Group Head of IT
Al Baraka Group B.S.C. (C)
Shafaq Al Kooheji in

Shafaq Al Kooheji

AGM – Payment Services
The Benefit Company
Ahmed Albalooshi in

Ahmed Albalooshi

CEO
Advantari
Sridhar Iyer in

Sridhar Iyer

Group Chief Digital Officer and Deputy Group Head of Consumer Banking
Gulf International Bank
Ahmed Alaradi in

Ahmed Alaradi

Managing Director – Bahrain
Tap Payments
Nishanth Pathi in

Nishanth Pathi

Senior Lecturer – Digital Transformation & Project Management
Bahrain Institute of Banking & Finance
Mohamed Abdalmagd in

Mohamed Abdalmagd

Senior Manager, Big Data & Analytics
ila bank
Maitham Abbas in

Maitham Abbas

Head of Business Development
Khaleeji Bank B.S.C
The Venue

Wyndham Grand, Manama

A modern high-rise within Bahrain Bay, sitting alongside the country's financial harbour and the Bahrain World Trade Center.

Sharp city and waterfront views with quick access to the Bahrain Financial Harbour district — a natural setting for a regional banking summit.

Address
Building 1019, Road 4626, Bahrain Bay, Manama
Area
Bahrain Bay (financial district)
Manama skyline across Bahrain Bay