NBAD appoints head of M&A to expand advisory activities

The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), the Number One Bank in UAE, has appointed Michael Aissaoui as the Head of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) who will work in the Bank’s Investment Banking Group (IBG) to expand NBAD’s M&A advisory activities.

Mr. Aissaoui joins NBAD from Société Générale in Paris where he served as head of Mergers & Acquisitions for the MENA region.

Mr. Aissaoui has significant experience in corporate finance advisory and mergers & acquisitions, including 15 years in cross-border M&A transactions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), both on the origination and execution side. He has worked in Paris and London advising MENA and European clients.

“Michael Aissaoui has a great banking profile from years of experience in international banking, particularly in M&A. NBAD will benefit greatly from his experience in our plan to expand our M&A activities,” said Nicholas Gilani, the Co-Head of Investment Banking Group of NBAD. “We would position Michael Aissaoui’s know-how to strengthen NBAD capabilities to benefit from M&A opportunities in the MENA region.”

Prior to Société Générale, Mr. Aissaoui worked with the World Bank in privatisation programmes in MENA. He also worked with Lafarge at Strategy Department, handling the company’s MENA's Mergers and Acquisitions operations.   He started his career in strategy consulting in KPMG Peat Marwick.

“From working in capital markets in Europe and MENA, I know the National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) has great reputation and tremendous potentials, this is why I’m honoured and excited to be a part of this bank,” Mr. Aissaoui said. “I look forward to working with Investment Banking Group’s capable team to expand NBAD’s M&A activities.”

Mr. Aissaoui earned an Executive MBA from European School of Management-Paris (E.S.C.P).  He also holds a master’s degree in Corporate Finance from the University of Paris-Dauphine and another master’s degree in Economics and Mathematics from University of Paris-Sorbonne. He speaks English, French, and Arabic.