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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 Sofitel Bahrain, the agenda centred on the strategic and technological levers reshaping 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

Digital Banking AI & Analytics 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

Abbas Malalla in

Abbas Malalla

Head of Information Technology
MENA Industrial Bank
Ahmed Buqais in

Ahmed Buqais

VP – Information Technology
Al Salam Bank
Ahmed Lamei in

Ahmed Lamei

Sr. Manager – Product Management
International Turnkey Systems – ITS
Amit Bajaj in

Amit Bajaj

Group Head of IT
Kuwait Finance House (AUB)
Ashish Kumar in

Ashish Kumar

Head of Corporate Banking
Standard Chartered Bank
Cian Bracken

Cian Bracken

Chief Operating Officer
ila Bank
Marwan Abouzeid in

Marwan Abouzeid

Principal Digital Strategy Consultant
Backbase
Maitham Abbas in

Maitham Abbas

Head of Business Development
Khaleeji Bank B.S.C
Paul Baker in

Paul Baker

Group Head of Operations
Bank ABC
Said Abdelhamid in

Said Abdelhamid

CTO
Bahrain Development Bank
Saqib Khan in

Saqib Khan

Sales Director
i2c Inc.
Shahzad Iqbal in

Shahzad Iqbal

Head of Project Management Office & Corporate Development
MENA Industrial Bank
Tariq Mattar in

Tariq Mattar

Director of Business Development
Bahrain Fintech Bay
Wesam Sharif in

Wesam Sharif

Strategic Project Manager
The Benefit Company
The Venue

Sofitel Bahrain, Zallaq

A sprawling Sofitel resort on Bahrain's southern coast at Zallaq — private beach, a Thalassa marine spa, and one of the kingdom's largest convention floors.

Zallaq sits roughly 25 minutes south of central Manama, set apart enough to feel like a retreat while remaining a short transfer from the financial district.

Address
Building 2479, Road 6655, Zallaq 1066, Bahrain
Area
Zallaq beachfront (~25 min from Manama)
Bahrain coastline