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Eastnets Leadership
At Eastnets, we priortise strong Corporate Governance for the benefit of all our communities. Our values and binding principles promote integrity, transparency and accountability, ensuring sustainable economic development.
Our Board
Hazem Mulhim
Founder and Chair
Hazem Mulhim
Founder and Chair
ConnectOur purpose is to enable safe and secure participation in the global economy
As the digital revolution was just starting worldwide, Hazem moved to the US to get closer to the epicenter of innovation. In the US, Hazem honed his entrepreneurial vision and developed a deeper insight into emerging technologies and markets. In 1984, he moved to Jordan to establish what is now Eastnets.
In 2007, Eastnets acquired SIDE International, a leader in AML solutions based in Belgium. This expansion strategy worked, and now Eastnets serves over 800 financial institutions worldwide.
Hazem’s astute vision and industry insight has helped Eastnets secure multiple prestigious international awards, and achieve a leading position in the global compliance industry.
Hazem had also continued his academic growth, earning a Certificate of Advanced Management Program (AMP) from the prestigious Institute of INSEAD, France, and an OWP from IMD Lausanne, Switzerland.
Jochen Biedermann
Independent Board Director
Jochen is the Managing Partner of FinTech Consult, a network of FinTech experts in Asia, Europe, and Africa supporting FinTechs in raising capital and expanding globally.
Jochen is an expert at the Sino-German Centre for Finance and Economics in Frankfurt, backed by the central banks, government institutions, and leading universities in China and Germany. He is also a Fellow of the Think Tank of the Asian Financial Cooperation Association, based in Beijing.
Jochen is a long-standing advisor at Frankfurt Main Finance, the Frankfurt Financial Centre initiative. He is a mentor at Cyberport in Hong Kong, OneEleven in Toronto, the Plug and Play Tech Center, the Accelerator Frankfurt, and 1000 Black Voices. Jochen is a board member of several FinTech companies. Jochen is also a working group member of Dubai's new DIFC Digital Economy Court.
Jochen has a master's degree in mathematics and computer science from the University of Goettingen, and a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Cottbus, Germany. For two decades, he has been a regular lecturer and external supervisor for the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management and has given guest lectures at leading universities and business schools in Europe, America, and Asia.
Sophie Bertin
Independent Board Director
Sophie Bertin
Independent Board Director
As an entrepreneur Sophie founded Serapy in 2020 with the aim of improving corporate compliance training through the combination of gamification, role play and online tools and offering a better learning experience.
In 2016, prior to Serapy, Sophie set up her own consultancy (Parnima Consulting), where she works with top legal and regulatory firms, consultancy firms and financial clients on matters pertaining to EU Regulations in the area of Financial Services, Foreign Subsidies and State Aid.
Before becoming an entrepreneur, Sophie was Group Head of Corporate Development and Managing Director of SIX Group (in Switzerland), in charge of strategy development, innovation and regulatory affairs.
During the Financial Crisis, Sophie served as Head of Unit at the Directorate General for Competition within the European Commission. In this role, Sophie was responsible for the review and approval of the reorganisation, restructuring or resolution of the European banks during the financial crisis.
Prior to that, Sophie held senior positions within SWIFT, where she was in charge of Asset Servicing globally; with The Bank of New York Mellon; and worked with McKinsey and later with Bain.
Sophie has an international background, being born in Bulgaria, raised in Morocco, and lived, studied and worked in France, Austria, Germany, Belgium, the UK and now Switzerland. She started her studies in Vienna, graduated from the Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Paris. She holds an MBA from INSEAD and a post-graduate diploma in EU Competition Law from King's College. Sophie graduated in 2017 from the Swiss Board Institute.
Sophie is an active member of the INSEAD Alumni organisation, and is also the founder and president of the global INSEAD Women in Business Club.
Marwan M. Bataineh
Independent Board Director
Working with leading global IT firms including Boeing International, Atos Origin, and Hewlett-Packard has given Marwan exposure to a range of industries all over the world, especially the financial sector. This vast experience provided Marwan with deep knowledge and understanding of the forces behind the digital revolution that is still sweeping the globe.
As the Chairman of the Amman Stock Exchange from 2013 to 2017, Marwan provided leadership and guidance to ensure the integrity of all activities of the exchange and protect the rights of all stakeholders, while adhering to regulatory compliance and sound corporate governance. During his tenure, Marwan developed the privatization strategy of the Amman Stock Exchange.
Marwan was Chief Technology and Information Officer at Nest Investments Holdings, whose operations include insurance, reinsurance, banking, and real estate across MENA, the GCC, Europe and the Far East.
Marwan is a founding member of the Jordan Computer Society, and the author of the National Computer Policy for Jordan in 1992.
Thomas Krantz
Independent Board Director
Thomas brings varied experiences to the Boardroom. Recently, this included the policy aspects of capital markets risk management, and serving as advisor to the World Alliance of International Financial Centres on content and membership.
From 1997-2012, Thomas was secretary general of the World Federation of Exchanges, using the power of IT transformations and the algorithmic growth of derivatives and indexing to enable transformative growth. Many bourses transitioned to the for-profit, public listed companies’ business model. He maintained highest-level ties to IOSCO, OECD, and the FSB; and represented WFE to the International Audit and Assurances Standards Board and chaired the Advisory Board for XBRL International, the mark-up software language.
Earlier experiences included financial services audit, institutional portfolio sales, and stockbroking in Paris, treasuries portfolio management at the BIS, and corporate banking at Chase in New York and Paris.
Thomas holds degrees from Berkeley, Harvard, and Oxford, and completed the French Directors’ Institute certification.
Abdulraouf Albitar
Non-executive Board Director
Abdulraouf Albitar
Non-executive Board Director
Abdulraouf invests across a broad range of private and public asset classes, with a sectoral preference for food and beverage, industrial manufacturing, oil and gas, real estate, financial services. The holding company comprises more than 25 companies, several of which operate in partnership with leading multinational or regional firms mostly in the UAE, KSA and Jordan.
Abdulraouf’s diversification strategy and strong interest in innovation and technology has had a profound impact on the outstanding success of Lama Holding’s expansion through the years.
Abdulraouf holds a degree in Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Syracuse University, USA.
Javid Parkar
Non-executive Board Director
Javid Parkar
Non-executive Board Director
Currently, Javid serves as the Executive Director Finance at AREF Investment Group Kuwait, one of the leading investment institutions in the region. Along with its subsidiaries and associates, AREF forms a conglomerate of companies that are diversified in various sectors.
Javid’s expertise spans numerous sectors including Real Estate Development, Joint Ventures, BOT Projects, Banking and Finance, Energy, Logistic Services (including Aviation, Sea, and River Transportation), as well as the Public Services sector encompassing Health, Educational, and IT services.
Javid graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce Specialised in Financial Accounting and Auditing from Bombay University, and Financial Management from Prin. L.N.Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research, India.
Currently serves on the Board of Directors at Rubban Holding Company Kuwait.
Our Executive Team
Hazem Mulhim
Founder and CEO
Hazem Mulhim
Founder and CEO
ConnectOur purpose is to enable safe and secure participation in the global economy
As the digital revolution was just starting worldwide, Hazem moved to the US to get closer to the epicenter of innovation. In the US, Hazem honed his entrepreneurial vision and developed a deeper insight into emerging technologies and markets. In 1984, he moved to Jordan to establish what is now Eastnets.
In 2007, Eastnets acquired SIDE International, a leader in AML solutions based in Belgium. This expansion strategy worked, and now Eastnets serves over 800 financial institutions worldwide.
Hazem’s astute vision and industry insight has helped Eastnets secure multiple prestigious international awards, and achieve a leading position in the global compliance industry.
Hazem had also continued his academic growth, earning a Certificate of Advanced Management Program (AMP) from the prestigious Institute of INSEAD, France, and an OWP from IMD Lausanne, Switzerland.
Deya Innab
Deputy CEO
Deya has been instrumental in developing Eastnets' global growth strategy in alignment with the company's corporate vision. Over her time with Eastnets, Deya has effectively translated this strategy into innovative solutions and products that meet the evolving needs and the dynamic nature of our industry. As a technical expert, Deya has led several development initiatives for Eastnets, to include the industry-leading ChainFeed™ solution — a secure real-time watchlist feed over the blockchain.
Before joining Eastnets, Deya’s worked for several entrepreneurial tech firms, as well as serving global clients with the multinational professional services network, KPMG.
Deya is a graduate of the University of Jordan, where she gained a degree in computer science. In addition, Deya has attended a number of prestigious executive development programs including INSEAD’s flagship intensive Advanced Management Program in Fontainebleau France, and the Orchestrating Winning Performance management program at IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland. Deya is a certified board of directors by Jordan, Institute of Directors – IFC.
Luay Gadallah
Chief Technology Officer
Luay Gadallah
Chief Technology Officer
Driving technological excellence to safeguard financial integrity
In his role, Luay builds partnerships with customers and business leaders to understand the current and future needs of customers and the industry. He also identifies key growth opportunities and new technologies for Eastnets’ suite of offerings. As CTO, he nurtures innovation among multicultural technology teams operating across five continents.
Luay brings more than 20 years of industry experience to Eastnets, with a focus on software development, quality engineering, security, operations and Risk Management. Before Eastnets, Luay worked at Accuity, the payments and compliance division of RELX Group, where he directed technology teams across the US, Europe and India serving multiple business units. Here he was responsible for technology team formation, process optimization, technology financial planning, and enterprise software creation in support of business growth.
Luay has also established offshore partnerships with augmentation partners to flex technology capacity and capabilities. He participated in multiple mergers and acquisitions providing technology due diligence expertise, and was responsible for planning, staffing, budgeting and forecasts for multiple geographically dispersed technology groups.
Fahed Abu Hijleh
Chief Sales Officer
Fahed Abu Hijleh
Chief Sales Officer
ConnectToday, financial crime risk mitigation is all about what you know. At Eastnets we help our customers discover the unknown risks.
Fahed has seen the industry mature and transform during his career. Supported by Eastnets’ innovative product technology, he has consistently worked toward building a customer-centric sales culture, which ultimately has led to impressive levels of client trust and loyalty.
In his time at Eastnets, Fahed has taken on different managerial and leadership roles, covering business development, sales, product conceptualization, management, and strategy. Through planning and managing direct and indirect sales operations, he has consistently grown the company’s sales projections.
Fahed earned BA in Commerce from Assiut University, Egypt, with a major in Accounting. He also attended the Orchestrating Winning Performance (OWP) management program at IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Elie Fernaini
Chief Financial Officer
Elie Fernaini
Chief Financial Officer
ConnectAt Eastnets we are dedicated to achieving and sustaining growth
Prior to ITWORX, Elie served as the CFO at MTN Group in Guinea Conakry. Elie played a leading role in setting up MTN business practice in Guinea, from introduction to overseeing the financial activities, planning, budget control, revenue assurance, and supply chain management.
Elie spent 11 years in France gaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Economy with specialization in Finance from the Conservatoire National des Arts et Metiers, CNAM. He earned his MSF (Masters Specialized in Corporate Finance) in 2001, from the top-ranking international business school, Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Paris – Ecole Européenne des Affair.
In 2012, Elie took an international education program with INSEAD and in May 2014, took the Leadership for Senior Executives program in Harvard Business School.
Will Anderson
Chief Marketing Officer
Will Anderson
Chief Marketing Officer
ConnectWe’re always curious about our customers, and how we can serve them better
Will has worn many hats, and has been fortunate to hold a number of senior roles, working with wonderful people and great organisations. As Chief Communications and Marketing Officer at Featurespace, the AI powered fraud and financial crime prevention technology, he implemented a transformational growth marketing strategy, and helped the wider business leadership team develop process, structure and mindset to deliver operational excellence. As SVP Corporate Affairs and Brand at Careem, the iconic technology platform and ‘SuperApp’ for the wider Middle East region, Will helped deliver the US$3.1 billion acquisition by Uber, and led the refreshed SuperApp positioning strategy. When Partner at the strategic communications firm Brunswick, Will worked with a wide variety of international businesses and organisations on M&A, reputation and crisis programmes.
Will’s formative years were spent serving as an officer with the British Army leaving at the rank of Major. In 2003, he spent a year studying for an MBA with Cranfield University. Will was made an MBE in the 2007 New Year’s Honours List for exemplary leadership.
Our Global Offices
Belgium
Drève Richelle 161 P- Boite 6
1410 Waterloo
Email info@eastnets.com
Tel +32 2 656 0060
Bahrain
Office No. 1001, 10th Floor, Al Jasrah Tower, Bldg. 95, Road 1702, Area 317, Diplomatic Area, Manama - Bahrain
Email info@eastnets.com
Tel +973 17 531581
Hong Kong
Level 66, The Center, 99 Queen's Road Central, Central, Hong Kong
Email info@eastnets.com
Tel +852 3960 6349
Jordan
Shmeissani, Abdul
Hamid Shuman Street
Petra Center
P.O. Box 942128 - Amman 11194 Jordan
Email info@eastnets.com
Tel +962 6 560-0150
KSA
3rd Floor
Riyadh Park, Al Aqiq
Riyadh, 11564
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Email info@eastnets.com
Luxembourg
13 Route d'Esch,
L-1470, Luxembourg
Email info@eastnets.com
Tel +352 26 30 95 100
UAE
Building 2, Office G02
Dubai Internet City
P.O. Box: 500135
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Email info@eastnets.com
Tel +971 4 391 2888
United Kingdom
1st Floor Reception, 3 More London Riverside, London, Greater London, SE1 2RE, United Kingdom
Email info@eastnets.com
Tel +44 2032834044
USA
104 West 40th Street
4th & 5th Floor,
PMB#: 409, New York,
NY 10018
Email info@eastnets.com
Tel +1 212 631 0666
Bahrain
Email: info@eastnets.com
Tel: +973 17 531581
Office No. 1001, 10th Floor, Al Jasrah Tower, Bldg. 95, Road 1702, Area 317, Diplomatic Area, Manama - Bahrain
Hong Kong
Email: info@eastnets.com
Tel: +852 3960 6349
Level 66, The Center, 99 Queen's Road Central, Central, Hong Kong
Jordan
Email: info@eastnets.com
Tel: +852 3960 6349
Shmeissani, Abdul Hamid Shuman Street, Petra Center, P.O. Box 942128 - Amman, 11194 Jordan
KSA
Email: info@eastnets.com
3rd Floor, Riyadh Park, Al Aqiq, Riyadh, 11564, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
UAE
Email: info@eastnets.com
Tel: +971 4 391 2888
Building 2, Office G02, Dubai Internet City, P.O. Box: 500135, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Email: info@eastnets.com
Tel: +44 2032834044
1st Floor Reception, 3 More London Riverside, London, Greater London, SE1 2RE, United Kingdom
USA
Email: info@eastnets.com
Tel: +1 212 631 0666
104 West 40th Street, 4th & 5th Floor, PMB#: 409, New York, NY 10018