Robert C. Wages

Deputy Chairman

Robert has more than 30 years of experience in originating, executing, and managing institutional direct private equity investments across multiple industries, spanning the US, Europe, MENA and Asia.

Prior to joining VCBank, he served as Managing Director of US-based Gazelle Capital Investors, a consulting firm advising family offices. Prior to this, Robert was Head of Private Equity with Emirates International Investment Company, the proprietary investment arm of National Holding, Abu Dhabi, UAE; and Executive Director, Private Equity at the government-owned Abu Dhabi Investment Company (Invest AD). He previously spent 17 years with Castle Harlan, a leading New York-based middle market buyout firm, where he rose from an Associate to Managing Director. 

Robert holds a Bachelor’s in Chemistry from Princeton University, USA, and a Master’s in Computational Finance and Risk Management from the University of Washington, USA; He is a Chartered Financial Analyst, Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst, and Financial Risk Manager.

Nasir Maqsood

Board member

Nasir has an impressive track record in global financial services, gained from working with leading multinational institutions in public practice and banking across North America and the Middle East. His experience spans audit and accounting; retail, commercial and investment banking (both Islamic and conventional); private equity and asset management; M&A and capital markets; and regulatory reporting. Nasir joined VCBank in November 2019 as Chief Financial Officer and was appointed Acting Deputy CEO in 2020. Prior to this, he was Chief Financial Officer at HSBC Bank Bahrain, and CFO of Commercial Banking at HSBC Bank Canada.

Nasir previously worked with Ernst & Young Canada, where he provided auditing and business advisory services; and with Ernst & Young Bahrain, where he managed the development of a new Regulatory Capital Framework for Islamic Banks, the first of its kind globally.

Nasir holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the Hayworth College of Business, Western Michigan University, USA; and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Southern Arkansas University, USA. He is an Associate Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.

Mr. Ahmed Abdulrahman

Board Member

Mr. Abdulrahman is an investment banker with extensive experience in investment banking, merger and acquisitions, and private equity, gained from a 23 plus year career in key positions in leading financial institutions. He has served on the board of over 40 companies, which include chairmanships to the board and chairman of various board committees. He has also owned and managed a Bahrain based boutique advisory firm focusing on operational transformation, business development and strategy execution for multinational companies. Ahmed completed his BSc (hons) in Business Systems & Information Technology from the University of Northumbria, Newcastle, UK.

Dr. Abdulrahman Tolefat

Independent Board Member

Dr. Tolefat is a seasoned Islamic banking and insurance executive, and conference speaker. He brings over 20 years of experience in the financial sector, spanning Investment Banking, Asset Management, Islamic Banking and Insurance. He is currently the CEO & Managing Director of NOMW Capital in Saudi Arabia, Chairman of ITQAN Financial Services Company in Bahrain, and a Board Member for various Financial Institutions and Investment Funds. He has served as Chairman of Allianz Takaful Company and held a number of key positions at the Central Bank of Bahrain. He holds a doctorate degree in Islamic Finance from the University of Durham in the United Kingdom and a Master's degree in business administration from DePaul University in the United States of America.