GuarantCo Management Company (GMC) has appointed Layth Al-Falaki as its new Chief Executive Officer starting mid-January 2022. 

GMC is the manager of GuarantCo, a Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) company.

Commenting on his appointment, Al-Falaki said: “I’m delighted to have been appointed as the new CEO of GuarantCo and excited to continue to deliver the important work that can make a difference where it is needed the most. I see this as a vital part of the overall PIDG offer and I’m looking forward to working with the team on innovative solutions to take GuarantCo to the next level.“

Al-Falaki has been the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) at PIDG since April 2018. He is currently also a non-executive member of the Boards of PIDG companies the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund and GuarantCo.

Before joining PIDG, Al-Falaki was CRO at ICICI Bank UK, the European hub of India’s largest private sector bank, where his responsibilities included credit, operational, market and liquidity risk as well as regulatory frameworks. 

Prior to this, he was the CRO at the British Arab Commercial Bank, formerly part of the HSBC group. 

Al-Falaki has had a long career in banking and has in-depth experience of dealing in emerging markets. 

His experience includes trade services, operations, audit, marketing, correspondent banking and compliance. 

He has a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics and Management Science and a Master’s degree in Operational Research from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Yukiko Omura, Chair of the GuarantCo Board and Director of PIDG, said: “I am delighted with Layth’s appointment. His significant banking and emerging market experience, his CRO role at PIDG and his Directorship at GuarantCo will set him up successfully for his new CEO position at GuarantCo whilst ensuring the continuation of leveraging the multiple product propositions that the various PIDG companies can offer to deliver a significant impact to support sustainable, essential infrastructure financing in lower income countries across Africa and Asia.”

Philippe Valahu, CEO of PIDG, added: “This appointment is a great decision for GuarantCo and PIDG. Layth will bring knowledge, experience and a deep understanding of the markets we operate in and will help the PIDG Group further strengthen its position.”