Barclays Appoints Khaled El Dabag and Walid Mezher as Joint CEOs to Accelerate Middle East Growth

Barclays Appoints Khaled El Dabag and Walid Mezher as Joint CEOs to Accelerate Middle East Growth

(IN BRIEF) Barclays has appointed Khaled El Dabag and Walid Mezher as Co-CEOs for its Middle East region, reporting to BBPLC President Stephen Dainton. El Dabag, with 25 years of investment banking experience in Dubai and New York, has led MENA Investment Banking since 2014. Mezher, a 19-year Barclays veteran, has overseen MENA Markets since 2017. Together, they will align Barclays’ Investment Banking and Global Markets activities in the region to enhance operational efficiency and client service. Their decade-long collaboration and established client relationships position them to drive the bank’s strategic three-year plan. Barclays has served the Middle East and North Africa for over 150 years, delivering a full suite of financial products to corporate, institutional, and private wealth clients.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 7-Jul-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Barclays today named Khaled El Dabag and Walid Mezher as Co-Chief Executive Officers for its Middle East operations, effective immediately. From their base in Dubai, they will jointly report to Stephen Dainton, President of BBPLC and Head of Investment Bank Management.

Khaled El Dabag brings 25 years of investment banking expertise from both Dubai and New York. Since joining Barclays in 2014 as co-head of Investment Banking for the Middle East and North Africa, he has shaped and driven the region’s strategic agenda. Walid Mezher, with 19 years at Barclays, has led Markets for MENA since 2017, overseeing Sales and Origination across the Middle East and Africa. His leadership background spans Institutional Sales, EFS Solutions, Risk Solutions, and Debt Capital Markets.

Having partnered on numerous landmark transactions over the past decade, El Dabag and Mezher share deep relationships with the region’s leading corporations and institutional investors. Their combined stewardship will unify Barclays’ Investment Banking and Global Markets businesses in the Middle East, fostering greater efficiency and collaboration.

“As the Middle East’s influence in global capital markets grows and the region attracts increasing wealth, cohesive leadership is vital to executing our three-year plan,” said Stephen Dainton. “Khaled and Walid’s appointment ensures we deliver seamless, integrated solutions to our local and international clients.”

Barclays’ presence in the Middle East and North Africa spans more than 150 years, serving corporate, institutional, and private wealth clients through its Investment Bank and Private Bank & Wealth Management platforms.

Notes for Editors

About Barclays

Our vision is to be the UK-centred leader in global finance. We are a diversified bank with comprehensive UK consumer, corporate and wealth and private banking franchises, a leading investment bank and a strong, specialist US consumer bank. Through these five divisions, we are working together for a better financial future for our customers, clients, and communities.

For further information about Barclays, please visit https://home.barclays/

About Barclays Investment Bank

Barclays is a leading, diversified bank with comprehensive UK consumer, corporate and wealth and private banking franchises, a best-in-class global investment bank and a strong, specialist US consumer bank. Through these five divisions, we are working together for a better financial future for our customers, clients and communities. The Investment Bank helps money managers, financial institutions, governments, supranational organisations and corporate clients manage their funding, investing, financing, and strategic and risk management needs.

For further information about Barclays, please visit our website www.barclays.com/ib.

Recent key hires and development at Barclays in Middle East

Jun 2025: Farzad Billimoria to join Barclays as Head of Private Bank for the UAE

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Tel: 0345 7345345
Email: ukpressoffice@barclays.com

SOURCE: Barclays