​​Independent Directors: Governance and Opportunities in Uzbekistan and the Middle East

Impact Boards EM are hosting an exclusive, relaxed and intimate networking lunch and discussion on Thursday 5 November 2026.

This event will take place at the Capital Club in Dubai at 13:00 UAE time. Due to limited spaces available, we encourage you to sign up quickly to secure your place.

We will explore and discuss the following topics:

• How Franklin Templeton, through UzNIF, is shaping corporate governance in Uzbekistan by bringing truly independent directors onto the boards of portfolio companies.  

• What it takes to serve on the board of an industrial company outside the regulated financial sector, where international investors closely scrutinise governance, performance and accountability. 

• The changing corporate governance landscape in the Middle East and the opportunities and expectations for independent directors across the region. 

Moderator:

Olga Pascault, Co-Founder & Chair – Impact Boards EM.

Speakers:

Dr. Martin Fritsch earned a PhD in Business Administration in Vienna before beginning his career in investment banking, where he focused on privatizing state-owned companies in Eastern Europe. After working at General Electric in London, he joined DHL to lead global mergers and acquisitions and later served as CFO of a major division generating more than USD 15 billion in annual sales.

In 2021, he relocated to Dubai to become CFO of VFS Global, successfully overseeing the company’s sale to Blackstone. He serves on the boards of several state-owned companies headquartered in Switzerland and the UAE.

In Uzbekistan, he is a board member of Thermal Power Plants, Regional Electricity Networks, and Railway Infrastructure. He has also published several books on digitisation and artificial intelligence.

His linkedIn profile can be viewed here

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H.E. Maher Al Kaabi is a visionary leader and a seasoned banker with over 30 years of experience in the Banking and IT industry, and Family Business. He has extensive expertise in Board Membership, Islamic Banking, Wholesales & Consumer Banking, Risk Management, Finance, Operation & Technology, Sales & Distribution and Business Development. He serves on various boards of companies, is actively involved in various startup companies and is a co-founder of Blink.

Currently, he is an advisor to the Group Chairman of Alserkal Group of Companies (165+ year old family) and serves as an Independent Board Member. His expertise lies in devising impact and commercial strategies, working with government leaders and private sectors.

H.E. Maher works extensively with various ministries in future technologies, circular economy and sustainability of family businesses by training NextGen on Venture Studio Module. He is on the Advisory Board of UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and other entities.

He is on the Board of Director/Advisory Board:

• UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment – Circular Economy Council

• UAE International Investors Council

• Middle East Energy

• MENA Power Projects

• MIT Sloan CIO Council

• Cybersecurity – CYSEC Global

• The Optimisation Hub

• Chairperson – Start International School

• Chairperson – Copperstone Education

He has worked at Citigroup for over 14 years where he has assumed various senior roles both locally and internationally. Post that, he worked as the Chief Risk Officer at Dubai Bank and then as Group Head of Islamic Banking at Emirates NBD and served as Group Head Chief Operating Officer for Group Wholesale Banking. In addition, he has been honoured with numerous Global Awards. He is currently pursuing his doctorate in the field of AI driven sustainability.

His linkedIn profile can be viewed here

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Expect insightful conversation, valuable connections and a relaxed setting to exchange experiences with fellow board professionals. Registration is complimentary for Directors' Circle & Chairs' Circle members only.