Our reputation is built on innovation, reliability and client service.
About Us
Rasmala is an independent provider and manager of alternative investment products, serving Gulf-based investors, including pension funds, family offices, corporates, endowments and financial institutions.
Our philosophy suits sophisticated investors as we focus on long-term investing rather than seeking short-term returns that, in our experience, tend to lead to poor long-term performance. We access alternative investments that give investors the opportunity to diversify their investment portfolios and our strong balance sheet underpins our ability to underwrite and secure the best transactions.
Although originally founded to serve Gulf investors, our investment universe and corporate culture have always been international. Our experienced team combines in-depth market knowledge and global experience with a strong track record.
Our Values
At Rasmala we offer our clients the same outstanding levels of service and performance, irrespective of where they are geographically based.
Client Focus
We build long-term relationships with our clients and offer customized solutions that support their long-term objectives.
Trust
We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards and take responsibility for the welfare of our company and our clients.
Excellence
We are professional, always learning, have a strong work ethic and excel in everything we do.
Innovation
We are enterprising and innovative in finding solutions to business problems and achieving successful outcomes for our clients.
Passion
Our passion is delivering positive impact in our communities.
Our People
Our team is comprised of experienced professionals, from around the world, who understand that our long-term commitment to investors is integral to our success. Everyone working at Rasmala embodies our ideals of professionalism, performance and innovation, and those values remain our foundation.
H.E. Abdallah Al-Mouallimi
Group Chairman
Rasmala Group, a leading alternative investment manager, has announced the appointment of H.E. Abdallah Yahya Al-Mouallimi, a prominent Saudi businessman and senior diplomat, as its Group Chairman.
Al-Mouallimi served as Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations until 2022. He also served as Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union, as Mayor of Jeddah, and as a member of the Saudi Consultative Council.
Al-Mouallimi’s appointment will accelerate Rasmala's growth plans in Saudi Arabia, including the establishment of a new investment management subsidiary to be licensed by the Capital Market Authority (CMA). A local presence will support Rasmala’s ability to originate investment opportunities in the Kingdom for international investors, to build local partnerships, and to establish and grow its client base in Saudi Arabia.
In past private sector appointments, Al-Mouallimi also served as chair of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce, as Vice- Chairman of Olayan Financing Company, and as Managing Director of Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Saudi Arabia.
Eric Swats, CFA
Chief Executive Officer
Eric is Chief Executive Officer of Rasmala. He was previously Senior Executive Officer at Rasmala Investment Bank Limited. Prior to joining Rasmala, he spent 17 years with Citigroup Asset Management. At Citigroup London, he served as Head of European Private Bank Asset Management and was a member of the Global Asset Allocation Committee and Head of the European Regional Investment Committee. Eric was also fixed income Fund Manager based in Zurich and short-term fixed income Fund Manager based in New York. Eric holds an MBA in Finance from New York University and is a CFA charterholder. He is Board Member of Rasmala Holdings Limited, Rasmala Investment Bank Limited, and various other group entities.
Ruggiero Lomonaco
Head of Products and Real Estate Funds
Ruggiero is responsible for launching new Investment Products. He has over 25 years of experience in the investment management industry and specialises in Sharia-compliant products. Prior to joining Rasmala, Ruggiero held senior management positions at HSBC and ABN AMRO. Ruggiero holds a first-class honours degree in Economics and Finance and is a Certified Public Accountant in Italy.
Haroon Ahmad, CFA
Head of Direct Investments
Haroon is responsible for client relations, sales and business development. Haroon has over 17 years’ experience in the financial services industry across the UK, US and the Middle East with HSBC, HSBC Amanah, Emirates NBD Asset Management and Alinma Bank. He has a broad range of experience covering product, structuring, origination and coverage. Haroon holds an Economics degree from University of Warwick. He is a qualified ACA from England and Wales and a CFA charterholder.
Ali Taqi, CFA
Chief Investment Officer
Ali Taqi joined Rasmala in July 2016 and brings over 22 years of buy- side investment and business development experience. Ali is responsible for Rasmala’s investment strategies, leading and supporting all investment teams covering various asset classes. Ali started focusing on MENA capital markets in 2002 when he moved to Kuwait-based Gulf Investment Corporation as a Senior Equity Analyst. He then became the Head of MENA Asset Management and Co-Portfolio Manager at the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) in 2005, and during his tenure at NBK, assets under management grew to approximately US$500 million in less than 3 years. In 2008, Ali set up A/T Capital Management Limited in Dubai and before Ali’s departure, AUMs had peaked at US$300 million. Ali earned a Master of Engineering degree in Operations Research & Industrial Engineering, and a Dean’s Certificate in Financial Engineering from Cornell University. He is also a CFA Charterholder.
Jawad Ahmad, CFA
Head of Finance, Operations, IT & Admin
Jawad is responsible for finance, operations, technology and administration. He brings over 15 years of experience across telecoms, finance and manufacturing, with a track record of implementing systems and processes to deliver financial and business results. Prior to joining Rasmala, Jawad was Head of Finance at Ravago Middle East, and prior to that worked at British Telecom where he was responsible for enhancing reporting frameworks to support strategic planning. Jawad holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore and an MBA from Lahore University of Management Science. He is a qualified Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA) and a CFA charterholder.
Ghassan El Hitti
Head of Legal and Regulatory
Ghassan is responsible for the legal and corporate governance function across the firm. He also advises the Board and executive management team on various strategic, operational, regulatory and risk issues. He brings over 18 years of legal and regulatory experience to Rasmala. Ghassan headed the SHUAA Capital’s legal and compliance departments. Ghassan worked for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as a senior advisor to the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lebanon where he worked on sovereign debt strategy and issuance. Prior to that, he was Assistant General Counsel at the Municipal Securities Rule Making Board (MSRB) in Virginia, and a trial attorney in the Division of Enforcement of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in Washington, D.C.
Ghassan obtained a BS in Finance and International Business from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. and a JD/MBA from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio. He is admitted to the New York Bar.