Advisory for regulated financial institutions, by people who have run them.

1. 

   Shahid Mustafa

   Partner|Digital Financial Services & Financial Inclusion

   LinkedIn, Shahid Mustafa, opens in a new tab
   Biography

   Shahid Mustafa brings extensive leadership experience in digital financial services and financial inclusion across emerging markets. As former Chief Executive Officer of Telenor Microfinance Bank, he played a central role in scaling Easypaisa into one of the world’s leading mobile money platforms, expanding access to financial services for millions of underserved customers.

   Shahid has worked closely with financial institutions, governments, and development finance organizations on financial inclusion strategies and digital financial services ecosystems. His work focuses on expanding access to digital financial services, strengthening microfinance institutions, and supporting the development of inclusive financial systems that drive sustainable economic growth.

2. 

   Ali Abbas Sikander

   Partner|Financial Sector Policy & Regulatory Strategy

   LinkedIn, Ali Abbas Sikander, opens in a new tab
   Biography

   Ali Abbas Sikander brings deep expertise in financial sector development, regulatory frameworks, and digital financial infrastructure. He has advised governments, central banks, and international organizations including the World Bank and IFC on financial inclusion strategies, regulatory development, and digital financial services policy.

   Ali Abbas has extensive experience working with regulators and financial institutions to design enabling regulatory frameworks and strengthen financial sector ecosystems. His work focuses on supporting policy development, strengthening regulatory capacity, and enabling financial institutions to navigate complex regulatory environments while expanding access to inclusive financial services.

3. 

   Ali Saqib Janjua

   Partner|Digital Banking, GRC & Fintech Strategy

   LinkedIn, Ali Saqib Janjua, opens in a new tab
   Biography

   Ali Janjua brings more than two decades of experience in digital banking, payments, and financial technology across emerging markets. He has held senior leadership roles including Chief Operating Officer of HugoBank and Chief Executive Officer of PayPro, where he led the development of digital financial products, payments infrastructure, and regulatory engagement with financial regulators and central banks.

   Ali has advised financial institutions, fintech companies, and investors on digital banking strategy, payments ecosystems, and technology-driven financial services. His work focuses on helping institutions design scalable digital platforms, launch new financial products, and build technology-enabled financial services that expand access to modern banking solutions.

4. 

   Paula Storch Tjossem

   Associate Partner|Financial Inclusion & Development Finance

   Biography

   Paula brings more than two decades of experience advising financial institutions, development finance organizations, and investors on financial inclusion, SME finance, and rural finance strategies. She has led large-scale investment programs and institutional assessments across Africa, Asia, and emerging markets, working with partners such as the Mastercard Foundation, World Bank, and IFC. Her work focuses on strengthening financial ecosystems and expanding access to finance for underserved communities.

5. 

   Yawer Shamim

   Associate Partner|Risk, Compliance & Financial Sector Governance

   Biography

   Yawer Shameem brings extensive experience in risk management, compliance, and governance within the financial services sector. His work has focused on strengthening institutional risk frameworks, internal controls, and regulatory compliance practices across banking institutions.

   Currently serving as Head of Special Initiatives at the Pakistan Banks’ Association, Yawer works closely with banks, regulators, and industry stakeholders on sector-wide initiatives aimed at strengthening governance standards and compliance frameworks across Pakistan’s banking ecosystem. His work supports collaboration between financial institutions and regulators to strengthen the resilience and stability of the financial sector.

6. 

   Syed Ather Ahmed

   Associate Partner|Cybersecurity & Digital Risk

   Biography

   Syed Ather Ahmed brings more than two decades of experience in cybersecurity, information security, and IT governance across global organizations. He has held senior leadership roles responsible for developing and implementing enterprise cybersecurity strategies, IT control frameworks, and information security programs across regions including EMEA, North America, and Asia.

   Ather advises organizations on cybersecurity risk management, information security governance, and digital risk frameworks. His work focuses on helping financial institutions and enterprises strengthen cybersecurity resilience, implement robust security controls, and protect critical digital infrastructure in an increasingly complex digital environment.

Full biographies →