Waleed Saeed Al Awadhi

With over two decades of progressive leadership, Waleed Saaed Al Awadhi is a strategic architect facilitating the development of international standards of financial regulation, implementing transformative initiatives, and driving innovative advancements. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer at the DFSA, he oversees Authorisation, International Relations, and regulatory matters, ensuring operational excellence while strengthening the DFSA's oversight framework, fostering collaboration with global and regional regulators, and spearheading the development of world-class, innovative solutions and smart initiatives.

Mr Al Awadhi represents the DFSA on strategic initiatives with government entities, local and regional regulators, and international standard-setters. He has been instrumental in building UAE National capabilities both at the DFSA and within broader society. His previous roles include heading the Marketing and Communication division at Abu Dhabi Media, managing Priority Banking at Emirates Islamic Bank, and serving as Deputy Head of Retail Banking and Deputy Chief Marketing Officer at Dubai Bank. Prior to this, Mr Awadhi was the Global Director of Marketing and Sales at Sama Dubai, a member company of Dubai Holding.

Appointed as a board member of Dubai Health by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Mr Awadhi also plays pivotal roles in various national and international committees, including the UAE National Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Illegal Organisations Committee (NAMLCFTC), the General Council on Sustainable Development Goals 17 (SDG17), and the Al Jalila Foundation Board of Directors. Additionally, he contributes to the Dubai International Communication Committee, a Government of Dubai Media Office initiative, and serves as an International Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Assessor for Mutual Evaluation.

An alumnus of the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Leadership Development ‘Impactful Leaders’ Programme and Harvard Business School, Mr Awadhi holds a Master of Law in Commercial Law with a double major in Arbitration & Dispute Resolution and Financial Crimes and Money Laundering, and a Bachelor degree in Applied Business Science.

Mr Al Awadhi has published a book entitled The Sustainability of Family Businesses in the United Arab Emirates – A Legal and Operational Perspective for Best Practice, and is a member of Harvard Business School’s Global Alumni Board and of the Harvard Business School Middle East Alumni Committee.