Ali Jamal is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Azura Partners. With 25 years of leadership experience,
he merges military and financial expertise. Prior to founding Azura Partners in June 2019, Ali was a
Managing Director and Head of Key Clients Emerging Markets at Julius Baer, leading the bank’s Key
Clients & UHNW division for Southern Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Ali Jamal
Founder, Chairman, and CEO
Ali Jamal
Founder, Chairman, and CEO
Ali Jamal is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Azura Partners. With 25 years of leadership experience,
he merges military and financial expertise. Prior to founding Azura Partners in June 2019, Ali was a
Managing Director and Head of Key Clients Emerging Markets at Julius Baer, leading the bank’s Key
Clients & UHNW division for Southern Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Zeid Akkawi is a Partner and Head of Investment Management & Advisory at Azura, based in Dubai.
With two decades of industry experience, Zeid has established himself as an innovative and
solution-driven advisor to single-family offices and entrepreneurs. Having joined Azura at its
inception, he leads the Investment Management & Advisory group delivering holistic investment solutions
to key clients of the firm.
Prior to Azura, he was the Head of Investment Partners for Key Clients emerging markets at Julius Baer.
Zeid Akkawi
Partner
Zeid Akkawi
Partner
Zeid Akkawi is a Partner and Head of Investment Management & Advisory at Azura, based in Dubai.
With two decades of industry experience, Zeid has established himself as an innovative and
solution-driven advisor to single-family offices and entrepreneurs. Having joined Azura at its
inception, he leads the Investment Management & Advisory group delivering holistic investment solutions
to key clients of the firm.
Prior to Azura, he was the Head of Investment Partners for Key Clients emerging markets at Julius Baer.
Pauline is the Chief People Officer at Azura Partners, based in London. She was formerly Co-Head of
Global Strategic Recruitment at Credit Suisse, responsible for delivering the organic growth ambitions
of the Bank’s Wealth Management division through the placement of senior executives and Relationship
Managers. Prior to this, Pauline held a number of senior HR roles for Merrill Lynch and KPMG, most
notably Head of HR, EMEA Private Banking and Senior Advisor, Employee Relations at Merrill Lynch.
Pauline is a Graduate of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and holds a Certificate in
Psychodynamic Counselling.
Pauline Cahill
Chief People Officer
Pauline Cahill
Chief People Officer
Pauline is the Chief People Officer at Azura Partners, based in London. She was formerly Co-Head of
Global Strategic Recruitment at Credit Suisse, responsible for delivering the organic growth ambitions
of the Bank’s Wealth Management division through the placement of senior executives and Relationship
Managers. Prior to this, Pauline held a number of senior HR roles for Merrill Lynch and KPMG, most
notably Head of HR, EMEA Private Banking and Senior Advisor, Employee Relations at Merrill Lynch.
Pauline is a Graduate of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and holds a Certificate in
Psychodynamic Counselling.
Anthony “AK” Kontoleon is a Partner and the Global Head of Strategic Opportunities, based in New
York. Prior to Azura, Anthony was a Managing Director at Credit Suisse in the Investment Banking
Corporate Finance and Equity Capital Markets divisions. Anthony ran the IPOs for companies such as
Google, Alibaba, Shopify, Zoom, ZoomInfo, DraftKings, Manchester United, and Lyft amongst many
others. He raised private capital for Alibaba, Lyft, Zeta Global, and Epic Games amongst others.
Anthony Kontoleon
Partner
Anthony Kontoleon
Partner
Anthony “AK” Kontoleon is a Partner and the Global Head of Strategic Opportunities, based in New
York. Prior to Azura, Anthony was a Managing Director at Credit Suisse in the Investment Banking
Corporate Finance and Equity Capital Markets divisions. Anthony ran the IPOs for companies such as
Google, Alibaba, Shopify, Zoom, ZoomInfo, DraftKings, Manchester United, and Lyft amongst many
others. He raised private capital for Alibaba, Lyft, Zeta Global, and Epic Games amongst others.
Ali-Abbas Merali serves as a Partner, based in Dubai since 2021. With
over 20 years of experience in wealth and investment management, Ali-Abbas has worked with the World’s
top institutions such as UBS, Citigroup, HSBC, and Julius Baer where he was Head of Key Clients EMEA,
leading the team managing UHNW and institutional relationships in the region from 2014 to 2021. His
focus at Azura is on servicing UHNW, Family Offices and Institutions across the GCC, Africa and the
Sub-Continent.
Ali-Abbas Merali
Partner
Ali-Abbas Merali
Partner
Ali-Abbas Merali serves as a Partner, based in Dubai since 2021. With
over 20 years of experience in wealth and investment management, Ali-Abbas has worked with the World’s
top institutions such as UBS, Citigroup, HSBC, and Julius Baer where he was Head of Key Clients EMEA,
leading the team managing UHNW and institutional relationships in the region from 2014 to 2021. His
focus at Azura is on servicing UHNW, Family Offices and Institutions across the GCC, Africa and the
Sub-Continent.
Mohamed Virani is a Partner and CEO of Azura Middle East, based in Dubai. He is regarded as an
industry-leading expert in Islamic Finance and has spent 20 years in managing and structuring
cross-asset investment solutions and debt capital markets, notably at Société Générale Corporate &
Investment Banking ("SGCIB") in London, Paris, and Dubai. Prior to Azura, Mohamed was a Managing
Director at Bank Julius Baer.
Mohamed Virani
Partner
Mohamed Virani
Partner
Mohamed Virani is a Partner and CEO of Azura Middle East, based in Dubai. He is regarded as an
industry-leading expert in Islamic Finance and has spent 20 years in managing and structuring
cross-asset investment solutions and debt capital markets, notably at Société Générale Corporate &
Investment Banking ("SGCIB") in London, Paris, and Dubai. Prior to Azura, Mohamed was a Managing
Director at Bank Julius Baer.
Yousef Hajjar is a Partner, based in Monaco. Yousef has been with the
firm since its inception and acts as a strategic advisor to his base of global clients, assisting them
across the full spectrum of their financial needs. Previously, Yousef spent 10 years at Credit Suisse as
Vice President in International Wealth Management, focusing on Ultra High Net Worth Individuals
(UHNWIs).
Yousef Hajjar
Partner
Yousef Hajjar
Partner
Yousef Hajjar is a Partner, based in Monaco. Yousef has been with the
firm since its inception and acts as a strategic advisor to his base of global clients, assisting them
across the full spectrum of their financial needs. Previously, Yousef spent 10 years at Credit Suisse as
Vice President in International Wealth Management, focusing on Ultra High Net Worth Individuals
(UHNWIs).
Iskra Martin is a Partner based in Geneva. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades in
Swiss private banking and investment management, she dedicated 17 years to EFG Bank AG in Geneva,
solidifying her position as a seasoned professional in the industry. Iskra's specialization lies in
catering to the unique needs of Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWIs), showcasing her ability to
navigate the complexities of their financial portfolios.
Iskra Martin
Partner
Iskra Martin
Partner
Iskra Martin is a Partner based in Geneva. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades in
Swiss private banking and investment management, she dedicated 17 years to EFG Bank AG in Geneva,
solidifying her position as a seasoned professional in the industry. Iskra's specialization lies in
catering to the unique needs of Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWIs), showcasing her ability to
navigate the complexities of their financial portfolios.
Dr. Vincent Ming is Partner and the CEO of Azura Singapore. Vincent joined Azura Partners from Julius
Baer where he was a Senior Manager covering the Greater China market, instrumental in expanding the
bank's influence in the Greater China region. He holds a Ph.D. in Information Management from National
Central University, Taiwan.
Dr Vincent Ming
Partner
Dr Vincent Ming
Partner
Dr. Vincent Ming is Partner and the CEO of Azura Singapore. Vincent joined Azura Partners from Julius
Baer where he was a Senior Manager covering the Greater China market, instrumental in expanding the
bank's influence in the Greater China region. He holds a Ph.D. in Information Management from National
Central University, Taiwan.
Jerry Garcia is a Partner and leads Azura’s Latin America Wealth Management business, based in Miami,
Florida. With nearly 30 years of industry experience, prior to Azura, Jerry was a Managing Director and
Market Manager for the Central and South America region of the J.P. Morgan Private Bank. He led an
integrated team of specialists who delivered customised solutions and provided strategic advice to
ultra-high net worth families.
Jerry Garcia
Partner
Jerry Garcia
Partner
Jerry Garcia is a Partner and leads Azura’s Latin America Wealth Management business, based in Miami,
Florida. With nearly 30 years of industry experience, prior to Azura, Jerry was a Managing Director and
Market Manager for the Central and South America region of the J.P. Morgan Private Bank. He led an
integrated team of specialists who delivered customised solutions and provided strategic advice to
ultra-high net worth families.
Hazem Shish is a Partner at Azura, of the Strategic Opportunities team based in Dubai. Previously, he
was a Managing Director within the investment banking group of Barclays, where he spent 11 years
building the business from Dubai. In this role, Hazem focused on originating, structuring and
executing complex M&A and Financing transactions for sovereign wealth funds and the financial sector
with a strong focus on Europe and the US.
Hazem Shish
Partner
Hazem Shish
Partner
Hazem Shish is a Partner at Azura, of the Strategic Opportunities team based in Dubai. Previously, he
was a Managing Director within the investment banking group of Barclays, where he spent 11 years
building the business from Dubai. In this role, Hazem focused on originating, structuring and
executing complex M&A and Financing transactions for sovereign wealth funds and the financial sector
with a strong focus on Europe and the US.
Mr Degoumois was previously Vice President, Sales, International, at Bombardier, and has over 17 years
of experience with the company. Mr. Degoumois has over 20 years of experience interacting with the
global audience of UHNW individuals and corporate clients controlling significant financial resources.
His talent and experience in crafting long-term business partnerships and friendships is unique, and he
enjoys remarkable global business, cultural and political relationships across the world.
Christophe Degoumois
Chairman and Partner
Christophe Degoumois
Chairman and Partner
Mr Degoumois was previously Vice President, Sales, International, at Bombardier, and has over 17 years
of experience with the company. Mr. Degoumois has over 20 years of experience interacting with the
global audience of UHNW individuals and corporate clients controlling significant financial resources.
His talent and experience in crafting long-term business partnerships and friendships is unique, and he
enjoys remarkable global business, cultural and political relationships across the world.
Philippe Pillonel is the Chairman of Azura Switzerland. Prior to assuming his role at Azura, Philippe
served as Chairman of Investment Banking Switzerland and Managing Director at UBS supporting the C-Suite
at large multinationals, working with a combination of key shareholders, Board of Directors, and
Executive Committees. Philippe has held senior leadership positions at renowned bulge bracket firms,
including Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs, and Credit Suisse First Boston.
Philippe Pillonel
Partner
Philippe Pillonel
Partner
Philippe Pillonel is the Chairman of Azura Switzerland. Prior to assuming his role at Azura, Philippe
served as Chairman of Investment Banking Switzerland and Managing Director at UBS supporting the C-Suite
at large multinationals, working with a combination of key shareholders, Board of Directors, and
Executive Committees. Philippe has held senior leadership positions at renowned bulge bracket firms,
including Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs, and Credit Suisse First Boston.
Ivan Moiseeff is a Partner at Azura, based in Miami. With over two decades of experience, Ivan has
established himself as a leader in sales, leadership, banking and structuring across Latin America.
Prior to joining Azura, he was the Latin America Head of Lending at Citi Private Bank, where he led the
lending team and regional sales efforts. Ivan began his career in 1998 with U.S. Bank, N.A., and has
held significant roles at Citi and J.P. Morgan Private Bank in New York. He holds a BA in Economics from
the University of Buenos Aires, a Master’s in Finance from CEMA University, and an MBA from Universidad
de San Andres and Columbia University.
Ivan Moiseeff
Partner
Ivan Moiseeff
Partner
Ivan Moiseeff is a Partner at Azura, based in Miami. With over two decades of experience, Ivan has
established himself as a leader in sales, leadership, banking and structuring across Latin America.
Prior to joining Azura, he was the Latin America Head of Lending at Citi Private Bank, where he led the
lending team and regional sales efforts. Ivan began his career in 1998 with U.S. Bank, N.A., and has
held significant roles at Citi and J.P. Morgan Private Bank in New York. He holds a BA in Economics from
the University of Buenos Aires, a Master’s in Finance from CEMA University, and an MBA from Universidad
de San Andres and Columbia University.