Career

Two decades of leadership in banking and finance, bridging strategic vision with operational excellence across the Gulf region and beyond.

FAHAD BADAR

Chief wholesale and international banking officer

As Chief Wholesale and International Banking Officer at Commercial Bank, I’m responsible for strategic relationships across government, corporates, and financial institutions.

I enjoy the challenges of international banking, and leading a team of people, who have different working styles and ways of motivating themselves. I have led teams, managed complexity, led transformation projects, and built partnerships across borders in a career of more than 25 years.

Alongside my executive role, I serve as a board member at the National Bank of Oman (Chair of the Risk and Compliance Committee, Audit Committee member); United Arab Bank (Risk, Compliance and Credit Committees), and at Alternatif Bank, Turkey.

I believe that leadership, in both business and mountaineering, involves resilience, clarity, and knowing when to listen. That applies whether you’re navigating markets—or standing at 8,000 meters in sub-zero winds.

Experience

Executive General Manager, Chief Wholesale and International Banking Officer | Commercial Bank, Qatar | July 2024 - Present

Executive General Manager, International Banking | Commercial Bank, Qatar | January 2015 – June 2024

Executive General Manager, Head of Wholesale Banking | Commercial Bank, Qatar | February 2013 – January 2015

Executive General Manager, Government & International Banking | Commercial Bank, Qatar | October 2011 – February 2013

Head of Government & Public Sector Relations – Corporate Banking | Commercial Bank, Qatar | November 2010 – October 2011

Various positions in Ops/Cards, Retail and Corporate Banking | Commercial Bank, Qatar | June 2000 – November 2010

Board Positions

Board Member | Alternatif Bank, Istanbul – Turkey | March 2025 – Present

Board Member | National Bank of Oman, Sultanate of Oman | May 2016 – Present

Board Member | United Arab Bank, Sharjah – United Arab Emirates | July 2016 – Present

Vice Chairman | Alternatif Lease, Istanbul – Turkey | April 2016 – October 2018

Board Member | Alternatif Bank, Istanbul – Turkey | July 2013 – October 2018

Education

MBA in Business and Finance | University of Durham, United Kingdom | 2006 - 2007

B.A in Banking and Finance | Bangor University, United Kingdom