Meet the team
Management team
Hussain A. Qaragholi
Managing Partner
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Hussain strives to make an impact in the finance world, presently the Managing Partner at Phoenix Finance Partners in the UK, an advisory firm specializing in banking, fintech, and strategic financial project management. He also spearheads Crowd2Fund Limited, a peer-to-peer lending platform regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
His financial voyage commenced at Merrill Lynch in New York, transitioning to influential roles at Citigroup in Dubai and London, and culminating as the Managing Director and Head of Corporate Coverage at Deutsche Bank in London. Here, he led an expansive international team and catered to a broad global clientele.
Hussain's advisory repertoire spans corporates, major banks, sovereign entities, sovereign wealth funds, and global financial behemoths like the World Bank Group. His career highlights encompass instrumental involvements in pivotal transactions: the restructuring of Iraq's Saddam-era commercial debt and the issuance of the Republic’s sovereign bonds, Mubadala and IPIC's $8.8 billion liability management, Abu-Dhabi’s seminal $5 billion bond issuances with a landmark 50-year tranche, and pioneering the UAE's first JBIC-backed auto loan securitization with EmiratesNBD.
Beyond the finance sphere, Hussain contributes to global policy discourse. He's affiliated with the RAND Europe President’s Impact Forum and has collaborated with entities like the Atlantic Council, the RAND Corporation’s Center for Middle East Public Policy, and the US Business Council in Iraq.
Academically, Hussain graduated cum laude in International Relations from The College of William and Mary, acquired a Master’s from the School of Foreign Service and an MBA from Georgetown University, and completed a FinTech Programme at Oxford University’s Said School of Business. His combined academic and professional prowess positions Hussain to make an impact in the global financial domain.
Zainab Kufaishi
Associate Advisor
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Zainab, with over 19 years of experience in the investment industry,
held the role of Head of Middle East and Africa and Senior Executive
Officer at Invesco Asset Management until February 2023. She
excels in technical analysis, marketing, sales, and business strategy
in London and Dubai. Previously, she worked with Fidelity
International in London from 2005 to 2009.
Zainab is known for her leadership, especially in coaching her team.
She's skilled at expanding into new markets, nurturing client
relationships, and shaping global business strategy for multinational
firms. She's a spokesperson for ESG and sustainability, recognized
by Forbes Middle East as a Power Businesswoman in 2021 and 2022.
She's dedicated to diversity and inclusion, mentoring within Invesco
and the industry, and serving on the Board of the Dubai Chapter of
Ellevate. Zainab also has a strong interest in Middle East startups
and venture initiatives.
In addition to her professional endeavours, Zainab is a passionate
humanitarian, particularly focused on refugee and migration issues.
She holds a BSc in Economics and International Studies from the
University of Warwick and is fluent in Arabic and English
Jaffar Agha Jaffar
Associate Partner
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Jaffar Agha Jaffar is a highly experienced senior executive in the electronic financial industry with a 40-year career spanning various aspects of general management in payments, cards, and banking. He has held executive roles with international responsibilities and served on multiple boards, including Techno Ltd (UAE), Enfuce (Finland), Mushtarek (an educational/social start-up internet platform in Iraq), and the Iraqi Welfare Organisation (UK Registered Charity). He has also been involved in various executive positions and consultancies, such as IT Consultant to the Chairman of Trade Bank of Iraq, CIO of Nasik Islamic Bank, and executive consultant for International Smart Card in Iraq. Jaffar's extensive experience also includes roles at TSYS Inc., where he managed a $60 million business division and served as a board director for several international subsidiaries. He founded and led Card Tech Ltd, a company providing credit card software to banks worldwide eventually selling it to TSYS for $54 million. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in establishing credit card operations in various Middle Eastern countries. Jaffar also served as Visa International Systems Advisor.
Ammar Al-Rikabi
Associate Advisor
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Ammar is a seasoned corporate finance professional with 20+ years of experience. He's managed over £1bn in private equity and debt investments for 14 years. Since 2019, he's held senior roles overseeing institutional capital at four funds, including FCA-regulated fund management, fintech ventures, and more. He has an extensive global network of investors and lenders. Ammar is also a partner in a corporate finance advisory firm, specializing in capital raising for real estate and corporate clients.
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From 2011 to 2018, he served as Investment Director at Arch Investment Partners, focusing on diverse sectors. In the past, he held roles in Private Equity, Debt, Corporate Finance, and Capital Markets at institutions like TBI International and Lehman Brothers. Ammar holds an MBA from IESE Business School, Spain, and a BSc in Computer Science from University College London.
Hadeel A. Hassan
Associate Partner
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Hadeel's journey in the legal realm is rooted in a family legacy of jurisprudential excellence.
Over the past two decades, she has emerged as a stalwart, not just in her homeland but also
on the global stage, notably founding the Al HADEEL Al HASAN Law Firm LLC. While her
credentials in the financial and banking sectors shine—highlighted by her prowess in
banking risk assessment and compliance—Hadeel's legal expertise extends much further.
Having served significant tenures at esteemed firms such as Al Tamimi Law Firm, MeyerReumann for Legal Consultancies, and Auss M. Younis Law Office, she's honed her skills
across myriad sectors. From delving deep into the complexities of national energy
regulations, guiding due diligence in Mergers & Acquisitions, addressing challenges in the
Power sector, to offering adept solutions in telecommunications, Hadeel's range is
commendable. This breadth of experience and her aptitude to transition effortlessly
between sectors solidify her stature as a versatile legal powerhouse.
Her achievements, recognized by accolades and her roles in prestigious legal councils
worldwide, are a testament to her unparalleled contributions to the expansive legal
landscape. With a rich tapestry of skills and an unwavering commitment to excellence,
Hadeel stands as a beacon in the international legal domain, proficiently navigating
challenges across a spectrum of sectors.
Chelsea Macleod-Elliott
Digital Production and UK Team Lead
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Chelsea is the Digital Production and UK Team Lead at PFP and Crowd2Fund's Creative Director and Co- House Manager with a background in film and content production, including her work as a Creative Executive at Bee Holder Productions (You Don't Know Jack/ Al Pacino) and Head of Content at Crowd2Fund. Chelsea studied Contemporary Media at the University of Westminster, she has produced BAFTA/Oscar-qualifying award-winning work including "Waiting for Time," and has worked on projects with notable contributors such as Billy Bob Thornton and Stan Lee to raise awareness for clean drinking water. Additionally, she has produced content for Soho House and numerous other commercial clients.
Technical team
Karrar Ketawi
Tech Lead
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A seasoned software architect emphasizing user-centric design and cloud technology. With experience spanning various leadership roles, Karrar champions aligning technology to meet business and customer needs. Having significantly influenced IT strategies across banking and governmental sectors, Karrar passionately advocates for continuous integration and scalable solutions. Committed to industry progression, Karrar thrives where technological innovation meets user experience. A dedicated community participant, Karrar's zeal for continual learning positions his contributions at the cutting edge of tech advances. Always eager to explore new technological horizons, Karrar consistently elevates both team and client engagements.
Abdullah Almodares
Developer
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An experienced front-end developer and team leader, emphasizing user-centric design and scalable solutions. With leadership roles in web and mobile app development, he aligns technology with business and user needs. His expertise in micro-frontend architectures and tools like React, React Native, and TypeScript highlights his commitment to robust, user-friendly systems. Abdullah collaborates closely with UX/UI teams, translating design visions into seamless digital experiences. A proponent of continuous integration and rigorous testing, he ensures software reliability while staying at the forefront of industry advancements.
Hassan Asaad Raheem
Development Lead
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Hassan is an experienced Backend and Cloud Engineer with a background in the banking industry. Specializing in C#, .Net Core, Azure Cloud Services, and AWS, he has over four years of professional experience. Hassan excels in system administration, software architecture, and server performance management. Known for strong communication and problem-solving skills, he has effectively led teams and managed diverse projects in high-stress environments.
Gazwan Nagm
Analyst
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Gawaz is a developer and data analyst with financial expertise. Merging rigorous computer science methodologies with astute financial insights, this work is renowned for delivering precise data interpretations and strategic reporting. Specializing in system optimization, revenue assurance, and intricate data analysis, he is devoted to steering informed financial decisions for clients through a foundation of authoritative, data-driven insights.