GC Influencers
Most Influential GCs - United Arab Emirates
Samer Abdelhaq of the Abu Dhabi Department of Finance
Samer Abdelhaq took up his current position as general counsel of the Abu Dhabi Department of Finance in February 2020. Previously, he served as general counsel for Amazon Middle East from 2017, and as group general counsel at National Bank of Abu Dhabi, where he oversaw the creation of First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) by way of the merger of National Bank of Abu Dhabi with First Gulf Bank, going on to serve as group general counsel for the combined entity. He has a deeply entrenched background in financial services, having also practised as a banking and finance associate at Allen & Overy and Simmons & Simmons.
His recent career change is regarded by the market to be testament to his “immense capabilities.” Since his arrival at Amazon Abdelhaq has been heavily involved in the ongoing integration of souq.com into Amazon following its USD580 million acquisition shortly before his arrival.
Sources say: “Samer is a strong leader and has been responsible for the rapid expansion of the Amazon MENA legal team. He demonstrates the key combination of technical legal expertise, expert regional knowledge and strong commercial understanding of the Amazon business both locally and globally.”
Most Influential GCs - Global-wide
Samer Abdelhaq of the Abu Dhabi Department of Finance
Samer Abdelhaq recently joined the Abu Dhabi Department of Finance after leaving Amazon Middle East. He joined Amazon in late 2017 after almost a decade in the financial services sector, having served as general counsel to First Abu Dhabi Bank, National Bank of Abu Dhabi and practiced as a banking and finance-focused associate at Allen & Overy and Simmons & Simmons. He takes charge of a legal department that plays a significant role in Amazon’s expansion across the Middle East, which includes integrating and operating ecommerce platform Souq.com, purchased for USD580 million shortly before Abdelhaq’s arrival, and the proposed launch of an Amazon-branded online marketplace in the region. In Abdelhaq, Amazon has a respected legal chief with experience in major transactional mandates, having forged his excellent reputation in negotiating the successful merger between National Bank of Abu Dhabi and First Gulf Bank.