FAHAD BADAR

Mountaineer • Executive • Author

I am an international banker by profession, and an avid mountaineer, having scaled some of the highest and most famous peaks in the world, including Everest and K2.

Professional Work

Chief Wholesale & International Banking Officer at Commercial Bank, Qatar, with over 25 years of leadership in global finance, transformation projects, and cross‑border partnerships.

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Mountaineering

The first Arab to double summit Everest and Lhotse, and the first Qatari man to summit K2. From Kilimanjaro to the world’s highest peaks, my expeditions continue to inspire new horizons.

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Finance and Adventure: A Dual Journey

I enjoy the contrast between the formal world of finance and the outdoor world of adventure. I have been passionate about adventure for more than 20 years, and I’ve been a mountaineer since 2018.

I am an experienced public speaker, and since suffering a near-fatal incident while climbing in 2021, and subsequent injury and amputation, in my speeches, I have addressed the themes of overcoming trauma and living with physical disability. A core theme in all my talks is that of motivating people to make the most of their lives, and recover from setbacks. I continue to climb mountains, and I am working on a book relating my experiences and reflections, which is due to be published in 2027.

In my career, I enjoy being immersed in the field of global banking. I am a keen student of economics and finance, and I am a regular speaker at business conferences, appearing on panels and as a guest speaker. In my weekly column, which appears in English and Arabic respectively in the Gulf Times and the Al Sharq newspaper, I analyse economic and business developments, typically with a view to how wider society can benefit from economic development.