Standard Chartered today announced the appointment of Michelle Swanepoel as Head of Financing and Securities Services (FSS), Middle East and Africa. Based in Dubai, she will lead the business across the region  effective 1 July 2026. Michelle succeeds Scott Dickinson, who will be retiring from the bank on 30 June after more than 40 years in financial services.

Michelle Swanepoel joined Standard Chartered in September 2017 as the Regional Head of Business Account Management for the Middle East and Africa and was appointed the Regional Head of Securities Services for Africa in May 2019. In September 2024, her role expanded to include Head of Markets for South Africa.

“Michelle has played a strong leadership role in the evolution of post‑trade servicing across Sub‑Saharan Africa, supporting capital market development, regulatory reform, enhanced investor access and market infrastructure, and is a recognised industry subject‑matter expert,” said Margaret Harwood-Jones, Global Head of FSS. “I have every confidence that Michelle will drive further momentum in the region, building on the solid foundation established by Scott.”

Scott Dickinson joined Standard Chartered in 2017 and he has led the Bank’s FSS franchise in MEA since 2019. During his tenure, he oversaw strong growth across the Middle East and Africa franchise, supported expansion into markets including Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and helped deliver the Bank’s first Digital Asset Custody capability in the Dubai International Financial Centre.

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Sobha Realty Green Sukuk oversubscribed 2.8x

Investor demand proved exceptional. The five-year Sukuk, set to mature in 2030, attracted USD 2.1 billion in orders—2.8 times its issue size. As a result, pricing tightened by 50 basis points from initial guidance. Moreover, Sobha Realty fixed the Sukuk at a profit rate of 7.125% with an effective yield of 7.375%. Importantly, allocations reflected a balance: 56% from regional investors and 44% from international buyers.

Financing green projects through the Sukuk

The proceeds will finance or refinance sustainable projects outlined in Sobha Realty’s Green Financing Framework. Furthermore, the framework aligns with ICMA’s Green Bond Principles and LMA’s Green Loan Principles. In addition, DNV issued a Second Party Opinion confirming this alignment. Consequently, the Sobha Realty Green Sukuk directly connects capital markets with climate-focused development, ensuring measurable environmental benefits.

Chairman’s view on growth and responsibility

Ravi Menon, Chairman of Sobha Group, expressed confidence in the company’s strategy.

“The success of our Green Sukuk demonstrates investor belief in our financial strength and ESG vision. This issuance aligns our financing with our sustainability agenda. It also accelerates our green initiatives, positions us as a leader in sustainable luxury real estate, and supports the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative.”

His words underline how the Sukuk combines financial discipline with long-term responsibility.

Ratings and banking partners

Moody’s expects to rate the Sukuk at Ba2 (Stable) and S&P at BB (Stable), matching Sobha Realty’s corporate profile. Additionally, leading banks supported the transaction. Dubai Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD Capital, J.P. Morgan, Mashreq, and Standard Chartered acted as Joint Global Coordinators. Several other institutions joined as Joint Lead Managers and Bookrunners. Moreover, Deutsche Bank and Emirates NBD Capital served as Joint ESG Structuring Coordinators, embedding sustainability into every stage.

A milestone in Sobha Realty’s financing journey

This issuance strengthens Sobha Realty’s balance sheet and sets a benchmark for sustainable real estate financing. By pairing luxury projects with green funding, the company proves that ESG and profitability can align. Communities like Sobha Hartland and Sobha Siniya Island will benefit as proceeds flow into projects built for long-term environmental and social value.

Ultimately, the Sobha Realty Green Sukuk represents more than a financing success. It reflects investor trust, confirms global credibility, and reinforces the company’s role in shaping sustainable communities aligned with the UAE’s national vision.

Check out this previous post on Lebanon fintech investment: Whish Money Q&A

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The cutting-edge data center highlights SurveySparrow’s dedication to data security. The company firmly believes in ensuring that customer data remains safe and secure, a top priority in today’s digital landscape.

Shihab Muhammed, Founder and CEO of SurveySparrow said, “We are thrilled to embark on this new journey in the MENA market. This region is a dynamic hub of innovation, culture, and growth. Dubai is a gateway to the MENA and GCC region, which has some of the best global brands such as Emirates, and Etisalat and prominent banks like Mashreq. With our expertise in crafting highly engaging feedback surveys and delivering better completion rates, we look forward to helping businesses in the region connect with their audiences in meaningful ways.”

Aldrin Kenneth, an industry veteran with over two decades of experience in the GCC region, has joined SurveySparrow as the Director of the Middle East and Africa division. His expertise is expected to accelerate the company’s growth trajectory in this promising market.

Aldrin Kenneth, Director of Middle East and Africa, SurveySparrow said, “I’m determined to establish SurveySparrow as a leader in innovative customer experience solutions and the voice of customer segment in the GCC market. SurveySparrow’s commitment to creating engaging and conversational surveys resonates with my belief in the power of personalized interactions. I’m excited to contribute my expertise to provide a distinctive insight into customer expectations and challenges.”

SurveySparrow’s expansion plans in the MENA region include offering multilingual surveys with Arabic support to enable brands to communicate effectively in specific customer languages. The company’s capabilities cater to various industries, such as retail, hospitality, healthcare, and automobiles, among others. Some of the notable clients include Dubai Tourism, Neom, Shurooq, Majid Al Futtaim (MAF), and Eros Group. As a prominent thought leader in experience management, SurveySparrow will host a premium event titled RefineCX where eminent CX leaders will engage and share their industry expertise and future outlook on October 17, 2023, at Hotel Taj, Business Bay, Dubai.

SurveySparrow’s unique approach to surveys, with the help of a conversational UI, has reimagined the feedback collection process. Shihab Muhammed had earlier stated that the shift toward personalized communication inspired the creation of conversational surveys. This approach adds a human touch, enhances engagement, and boosts response rates, ultimately ensuring that customers feel heard.

The platform’s mobile-first design and customizable domain names for branding purposes have played a significant role in achieving higher completion rates and more effective feedback collection. SurveySparrow has consistently delivered response rates exceeding 40%, far surpassing the industry average of 15%, and sometimes even reaching an impressive 80-90%.

The platform’s key features include AI-generated surveys, an extensive library of over 900 survey templates, white-labeling options, WhatsApp integration for distribution and feedback collection, ticket management for issue resolution, and reputation management for cross-platform brand reviews. These help brands enhance customer experiences across every touch point.

SurveySparrow’s journey has been supported by a significant seed funding round of $1.4 million from Prime Venture Partners, which has accelerated its product and technology development. Shihab’s personal investment has further fueled its growth, leading to innovative solutions in the realm of experience management.

The experience management software market is poised for significant growth, with a projected worth of 52.54 billion USD by 2030 and a remarkable CAGR of 16.6%. SurveySparrow is a pioneer in this market, offering innovative solutions tailored to meet evolving business needs.

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Peter Bahorecz is one of the key speakers who addressed the pressing climate change crises, discussed effective ways that can have a quantitative and qualitative impact in the fight towards reducing our carbon footprint, and threw light upon the initiatives that SunMoney is implementing towards the same.

Peter Bahorecz talked about the ESG initiatives that SunMoney Solar Group has been taking, including value-backed asset tokens in the clean energy space. He spoke about how SunMoney recently opened applications for its value-producing asset-backed cryptocurrency token, the SDBN2 token, after successfully selling all the SDBN1 tokens introduced earlier. The SDBN2 token is a digital currency based on the Smart Digital Business Network (SDBN). This investment vehicle was designed for businesses and individuals that wish to transition to solar energy by providing a secure form of funding for solar-powered businesses. This will go a long way in establishing solar power projects in multiple communities across the globe. These green investments would help create jobs and reduce carbon emissions significantly while leading an economically and environmentally sustainable lifestyle.

At the ESG Summit, Peter Bahorecz, Chief Networking Officer, SunMoney Solar Group engaged in conversations to identify the most effective ESG strategies with global market leaders and discussed potential industry collaborations that will accelerate the transition towards a low-carbon global economy.

He said, “Our cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology leverages and strengthens our community’s capability to generate maximum returns from the sun’s energy. For those looking to invest in a durable, real-world asset with enduring value, the SDBN2 token provides an unparalleled opportunity. Investing in this fund provides a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for investors to invest and thrive alongside the solar revolution. Not only will they benefit from the growth of these businesses, but also generate a steady financial return on their investments.” He was excited to meet ESG investors who share SunMoney’s passion for sustainability and are willing to come together to create an inclusive ESG ecosystem.

In the Middle East, several governments and leaders are taking meaningful, robust strides towards combatting climate change. However, there must be significantly greater investment in renewable energy sources, strategies, and community projects to adapt to the changing weather patterns while leading a more carbon-conscious lifestyle.

ESG Summit 2023 is the perfect platform to set these goals and to actively discuss the solution-oriented approach required for a successful energy transition. Peter Bahorecz’s participation at ESG Summit 2023 reaffirms SunMoney Solar Group’s commitment to contribute positively towards building a sustainable future by creating impactful ESG initiatives. Recently, Zoltan Rendes, Partner and Chief Marketing Officer of SunMoney, was invited to attend the anniversary of the European Climate Pact by the European Commission. As a European Climate Ambassador, Zoltan had the chance to discuss climate action topics with fellow ambassadors from all over the world in Brussels and met with Frans Timmermans, the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission.

SunMoney is committed to playing an active role in the global energy transition, and ESG Summit 2023 will provide a platform to further this cause.

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In 2022, the tech conference became the largest debut tech event in history, bringing together over 100.000 visitors, 600 exhibitors, 5000 global CEOs, 330 top investors and expert speakers to cover the latest technology topics.

Over $6.4 billion worth of initiatives and programs were announced with the event. Now back for its latest edition, LEAP will feature over 500 speakers, including Sensorium’s Deputy CEO and Art Director, Sasha Tityanko.

Sasha will deliver a keynote speech on “AI-Driven Virtual Beings: Re-shaping the future of social connections and entertainment in the metaverse opportunities unlocked by technology.

“It’s fantastic to have the opportunity to lead the conversation on AI and AI-driven virtual beings at a stage like LEAP, which has become a global window into the state of emerging technology and the most exciting advancements the industry is experiencing. Over the last year, we’ve continued the development of our pioneering AI-driven avatars and have released groundbreaking metaverse features, including a metaverse streaming offering. I am looking forward to showcasing Sensorium’s innovations and exchanging ideas on the future for XR and AI,” added Sasha.

Sensorium’s pioneering AI-driven virtual beings represent the pinnacle of conversational AI and machine learning technology. The company is promoting their integration into the Sensorium Galaxy metaverse, a AAA virtual reality environment with cross-platform accessibility. Here, the extensive capabilities of AI avatars shine through as they engage with users across conversations, interactions, and a range of activities, including dance choreographies.

Sensorium’s participation in LEAP Tech comes as the company continues expanding its presence in the MENA region after having opened an office in the United Arab Emirates last year and taken part in some of the Middle East’s largest music conferences, including XP Futures and MDLBEAST’s SOUNDSTORM Festival.

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The growing popularity of digital banking is evidenced by the tremendous growth in the number of installs and the volume of purchases made on finance apps. Recent data from AppsFlyer has found that finance app installs grew an incredible 183% in H1 2022 compared to H1 2021, while in-app purchases for this category grew nearly threefold over the same period. It’s no surprise then that we’re seeing more traditional banks adapting their services to meet customer demands, such as investing in new digital banking platforms and providing sustainable offerings and digital currency conversions that are easier to use.

While traditional banks are delivering more digital services, they are all heavily promoting their ‘Neo Banking’ alternatives in a bid to attract new customers thanks to their greater flexibility, instant access to cash, and helpful budgeting and cost-cutting tools.

As a result, traditional banks are finding it increasingly challenging to stave off the competition. Not least because moving and innovating at pace is hard for older, larger, international institutions that often have more integrated, complex systems and networks. To put themselves back in the race, they must maintain a high-performance capability across international locations and deliver a seamless, end-to-end customer experience. All while delivering the service innovation that will wow customers.

To achieve this goal, banks need to have observability into all the data across their networks, applications, and end-users to provide actionable insights for the business. It will be instrumental in providing struggling IT teams with a holistic view of their entire ecosystem to identify and resolve complex issues for seamless digital experiences. It will also help banks offer more streamlined and flexible services.

Improving digital service offerings

There is a growing demand for more involved functions to be fully delivered over smart devices and laptops. At present, customers are unable to deposit cheques or money remotely. Similarly, they have to go into a branch to put their signature on a loan. To better serve customers and their evolving needs, banks need to find ways to deliver these services remotely. Developing the right partnerships with technology vendors will be key to this. As an example, DocuSign could be embedded into mobile apps to resolve the signature challenge.

Establishing strong partnerships will also be vital for the personalization of services, which will help traditional banks deliver superior customer experiences and build trust and loyalty. The first step in achieving more tailored offerings is for financial institutions to move towards becoming data companies. In other words, harnessing the information they have about end-users to create more helpful services.

Gaining control over more complex ecosystems

As banks evolve, they will inevitably become more technologically complex. Without unified observability over their entire ecosystems, this could result in myriad network and application performance challenges that would see their new services fall far short of the mark.

Leading the charge to the future of finance

Challenger banks may have had a head start when it comes to digital transformation and moving the dial on customer experience over the past couple of years. However, this needn’t continue to be the case. By embracing unified observability, traditional banks can empower themselves to deliver the digital, personalized services that customers are craving. Not only will this improve brand loyalty and attract new clients, it will also facilitate better personal financial management amid rising living costs. The future of finance is coming, and traditional banks have the power to lead the charge.

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Through logical strategies and tactics, stock trading can be a sensible choice for accumulating wealth, as opposed to various other conventional types of investments. As suggested by market experts, investors cannot just evaluate the performance of a stock based on its previous and current trends, as it can either progress or crumble, subject to numerous other geopolitical parameters. Therefore, financial brokers devise a well-thought-out scheme and analyze the market fluctuations meticulously to efficiently utilize the ‘buy low and sell high’ investment philosophy. This philosophy promotes purchasing stocks at a lower price than selling them when the rates are high.

Financial brokers are essential because of the increased competitiveness and the sizable rise in stock investments. Brokers offer a smooth trading experience for an investor to execute the trades that the client wishes to make. These brokers position themselves as financial agents to assist and support customers in all account-related services. Additionally, brokers may also provide research to investors, investment planning and recommendations by market experts, and market intelligence in addition to carrying out various client orders. For instance, Orient Finance provides best-in-class services tailored to meet a wide range of financial and investment needs of customers. The company is considered the UAE’s most trusted ‘Global Investment Partner,’ offering informed investing options, a 24-hour open trading window, low spreads, competitive margins, and cutting-edge trading instruments.

Seraj Asad Khan, Managing Director of Orient Finance, said: “The rapid economic growth and robust investment possibilities have attracted large capitals to the Middle Eastern shores, specifically to the GCC countries. The UAE, which serves as a major financial hub in the Middle East with one of the fastest-growing economies, hosts numerous investors who are constantly seeking various novel investment opportunities. This is one of the reasons global stocks and their derivatives are very popular in the region.”

Although the stock market is easily accessible, a reputed broker is a prerequisite to executing a trader’s or investor’s ideas and strategies and trading confidently. This is one of the easiest ways to enter the world of global investing. Before plunging headlong into the global investment market, traders must carefully analyze their options, from picking the finest stocks to the best trading brokers in the UAE and the best crypto to invest in.

For instance, if a customer contacts Orient Finance by enrolling on the platform, the company would first understand the purpose of investment and then suggest to the investor how to invest, explaining the possibilities and implications, as well as the market overview, before they buy or sell stocks.

According to market experts, stock market investing may be quite profitable, particularly if you steer clear of some typical mistakes or miscalculations that several new investors make as they step into the world of stock trading for the first time. Investors must pick an effective and effective investment strategy and adhere to it throughout the good and tough times. Undoubtedly a financial broker can help investors to get through this. Additionally, in the swiftly moving market, using an online trading account such as Orient Finance will enable investors to prosper.

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The campaign is the brainchild of Ola Lind, Director – FTFT Capital and Global Blockchain Business Council UAE Ambassador whose vision is to short bridge the gap between mass adoption and the current dynamics of the crypto ecosystem by providing a platform for blockchain innovation and education.

Three students have managed to secure an internship with guest speaker Ed H., founder of TakeCapital and an active GBBC member, due to the first session held at Murdoch University Dubai led by the speaker Dr Neda Keshavarzi, Research Development Specialist at FTFT Capital Investments.

The hour-long interactive session introduced the young adults to the world of cryptocurrency, talking about the different kinds of cryptocurrencies, their uses, and a brief introduction on how to get started. FTFT Capital is leveraging its employees, customers, and contacts for this campaign to offer students a hands-on-immersive learning experience and the opportunity, whenever possible, to secure employment or internships that will allow them to learn alongside industry leaders, develop their projects, and hone their skills and expertise in the sector.

Gearing up the rest 26% of the population

A report by YouGov showed that 68% of young adults (18-24) in the UAE are seeking to invest in cryptocurrencies in the next five years; however, 20% of them stated that they don’t have enough knowledge about it.  And with social media often portraying cryptocurrency as a get-rich-quick scheme, it has ensnared many young adults and students who, fearful of missing out, invest without adequate information or investigation.

“With major improvements taking place in the crypto and blockchain field, we want the younger generation to look at this as a full-fledged career path rather than just an investment,” said Ola Lind, Director of FTFT Capital.

Empowering the students of the $26 billion industry through hands-on-learning

With a transaction value of $26 billion, the UAE is currently the third largest Crypto market in the Middle East, after only Turkey and Lebanon. Despite the fact that the internet is packed with online learning material, there are relatively few opportunities to put your knowledge into practice. This attempt to empower students will accelerate the UAE’s development and improve its standing in the Middle East, making them the main hub for blockchain and cryptocurrencies.

Through this program, FTFT Capital is harnessing its staff’s talents and connections to provide the best experiences to the students. Along with their technical expertise, the speakers offer a personal touch to the campaign by discussing their own experiences, such as Ed’s, who first became active in the cryptocurrency industry when Bitcoin was just worth 0.6 USD.

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In operation since the 1960s, the company manufactures bags for packaging, floor coverings, and apparel. The larger group that the company belongs to had been working with Tradewind for years and, satisfied with their services, felt confident introducing another of their business holdings to the lender.

The manufacturer exports to various European countries and the USA. It knew it was in good hands, then, again, chose Tradewind as its preferred lender.

“Given our global network and cross-border financing, our client trusted the team at Tradewind to help support their sales in markets abroad. We are happy to have made managing relationships across the supply chain easier for them,” Soheil Zali, Regional Commercial Director at Tradewind Middle East Limited, commented.

Founded in 2000, Tradewind Finance maintains a network of offices all over the world, including Bangladesh, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Hong Kong SAR, Hungary, India, Pakistan, Peru, Turkey, UAE, and the USA, as well as the headquarters in Germany. Combining financing, credit protection, and collections into a single suite of trade finance products, Tradewind brings streamlined, flexible, and best-in-class services to the world’s exporters and importers.

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From chef jackets to medical scrubs, the company is committed to producing high-quality, comfortable clothing for a variety of front-line occupations. With more than two decades in operation, it also has a stake in the region’s huge home textile industry as a manufacturer of bed linens and towels.

Eyeing expansion, the company sought a lender that could bridge the gap in working capital they faced so they could fulfill existing orders smoothly and capitalize on future growth opportunities. Having evaluated the financing options available to them, they chose Tradewind Finance, known for funding SMEs worldwide, as their preferred financial partner. Lower rates, an international presence, and a flexible approach to financing made Tradewind stand out among other financiers.

Rather than waiting on payment from their customers, the company used Tradewind’s factoring services to monetize their accounts receivable and quickly unlock the capital tied up in them. They secured the liquidity needed to scale their business by converting their receivables into immediate cash. The export factoring facility was structured in dual currencies, USD and Euro.

“We are happy that Tradewind’s tailor-made financing was the right fit for our client. Using our solutions, the client will be able to build a business with existing customers as well as new ones in international markets,” said Soheil Zali, Regional Commercial Director and Board of Director at Tradewind Middle East Limited.

In addition to its headquarters in Germany, Tradewind Finance has offices in Bangladesh, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Hong Kong SAR, Hungary, Iceland, India, Pakistan, Peru, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and the United States. By combining financing, credit protection, and collections, Tradewind offers streamlined, flexible, and best-in-class services to exporters and importers around the globe.

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