Dubai
29 October 2026
Dubai's transformation into a sophisticated financial centre has created unprecedented opportunities in securities finance. This opening panel examines Dubai's competitive advantages, regulatory framework evolution, and strategic positioning within global securities finance networks. Expert speakers will discuss DIFC's role in attracting international participants, the growth of local institutional investor base, and infrastructure developments supporting complex securities finance transactions. Key topics include Dubai's connectivity to Asian and European markets, the emerging role of family offices, and how regional geopolitical stability has enhanced Dubai's appeal as a securities finance hub.
Moderator
Sanaa Clausse BenAbdelhadi
Industry Expert
Panellists
Muneeb Azhar
Director, Fundinc Centre, Mashreq
Matthew Rodwell
Latham & Watkins, Senior Associate, Financial Regulatory, FinTech and Payments
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 has catalysed unprecedented capital market development, creating substantial securities finance opportunities. This panel explores the Kingdom's evolving regulatory landscape, the growth of domestic institutional investors, and international participation in Saudi markets. Speakers will examine the impact of MSCI inclusion, the rise of local asset management industry, and emerging securities lending programs. Discussion will cover PIF's expanding global portfolio, the development of local hedge fund industry, and how Saudi Arabia's economic diversification is driving securities finance innovation across the region.
Moderator
Roy Zimmerhansl
Partner, Capital Markets, WTS Hansuke
Panellists
Andrew Stephen
Executive Director, Buy-Side Trading Services Sales, J.P. Morgan
Amin El Haddani
Director, Relationship Manager Euroclear
Fawaz Talal Mohanna
Head of Securities Services, SNB Capital
Prem Purohit
Vice President, Securities Lending, HSBC Saudi Arabia
Moderator
Gabriele Frediani
TBC
The UAE’s capital markets are evolving rapidly, supported by a growing range of investment, trading and financing tools. This panel explores how securities lending, repo, ETFs and derivatives work together to support liquidity, hedging, funding, collateral management and market making. Speakers will consider how these connected markets can deepen liquidity, broaden investor access and help buy- and sell-side participants manage risk and deploy capital more efficiently.
Moderator
Roy Zimmerhansl
Partner, Capital Markets, WTS Hansuke
Panellists
Dimitri Arlando, Direcotr
Head of EMEA Sales, Equilend
Charlie Badran
Head of AXA Financing, BNPP Asset Management
Darren Crowther
Head of Securities Finance & Collateral Management Solutions, Broadridge
Nina Datta
Director, Prime Sales, Institutional Sales, HSBC
Cameron Watts
Associate Director, Data, Valuation & Analytics, S&P Global Market Intelligence
Sophisticated collateral management has become essential as regional markets integrate with global finance networks. This panel explores advanced collateral optimisation strategies, technological innovations transforming collateral workflows, cross-border collateral mobility, and the growing role of digital assets and tokenisation in reshaping how collateral is sourced, moved, and deployed.
Expert speakers will examine regulatory developments affecting collateral efficiency, the implementation of collateral management platforms, and emerging trends in collateral transformation, including the use of distributed ledger technology (DLT) to enable real-time settlement and more dynamic collateral mobilisation.
Discussion will cover Islamic finance collateral considerations, the role of central securities depositories in a digitising market, regulatory capital optimisation, and how regional institutions are leveraging technology — including tokenised securities and digital collateral rails — to compete globally in collateral-intensive businesses. Panellists will also explore how Dubai and the wider Middle East are positioning themselves as hubs for digital asset innovation, and what this means for the future architecture of collateral management in the region.
Moderator