NAWEED AKRAM

Technical Innovation Leader, Senior Solutions Architect & Digital Transformation Driver

London, UK.

About

Highly accomplished Technical Innovation Leader and Senior Solutions Architect with extensive experience driving digital transformation and FinTech solutions in highly regulated environments. Proven expert in delivering cutting-edge enterprise architectures, leading large-scale IT projects, and spearheading cloud migrations and AI implementations to significantly boost organizational performance and AUM. Adept at strategic planning, senior stakeholder engagement, and mobilizing multinational teams to achieve ambitious business objectives.

Work

Investcorp

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Solution Architect (Deputy Head of IT role) & Senior Business Analyst

London, England, UK

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Summary

Led strategic IT initiatives and digital transformation for Investcorp, a global alternative investments manager with $50BN AUM, deputizing for the Head of IT and leading teams across multiple international locations.

Highlights

Drove a multi-million dollar, 4-year Digital Transformation Programme, implementing modernization, cloud migration, and AI innovation to achieve a strategic goal of growing AUM from $50BN to over $100BN by 2026.

Designed and implemented an omnichannel Investor Portal using Salesforce Experience Cloud, Einstein Analytics, and native mobile apps, integrating with FinTech platforms to increase client base and AUM by 30% while enhancing white-glove service.

Spearheaded cost-saving initiatives, achieving a 30% overall reduction in IT operational expenses through system consolidations and optimization, including replacing Informatica and IVP MDM with customized Azure-based solutions.

Led the architecture and implementation of a firm-wide Data Warehouse and state-of-the-art event Streaming Platform utilizing MS Azure technologies, significantly improving data accessibility and real-time data updates.

Established an AI Centre of Knowledge and led the AI development team, promoting Generative AI adoption and conducting POCs for solutions like an HR Policy Chatbot and Fastest Route Finder.

Investcorp

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Analyst/Programmer

London, England, UK

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Summary

Contributed as a subcontractor to the modernization and global upscale of Investcorp, supporting the firm's growth from $7-8BN AUM to over $50BN AUM.

Highlights

Designed and developed custom software solutions, including a comprehensive workflow system for invoice and payment processing, reducing processing times by 50% and improving cashflow/balance sheet liquidity.

Developed a Know-Your-Customer system for high-net-worth individuals to support compliance with AML regulations, improving compliance rates and significantly reducing financial penalty risks.

Drove systems modernization by developing and implementing major technology platforms, including the Client Communication Platform and the first CRM portal, reducing human error and effort by <10%.

Techno Serv

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Analyst/Programmer

Manama, Capital Governorate, Bahrain

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Summary

Supported the CEO of an IT services & consulting firm, architecting and implementing B2E Intranet systems and developing specialized tracking and management applications.

Highlights

Architected and implemented complex B2E Intranet systems with 30+ functions for First Islamic Investment Bank and BMMI, enhancing internal operations.

Developed cross-country oil spill tracking systems and bespoke intranet portals for the MEMAC oil & gas company, improving operational oversight.

Developed and supported café management & sales tracking mobile apps for various restaurants and real estate businesses, streamlining operations.

SOMAC IT

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Software Engineer

Riyadh, Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia

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Summary

Contributed to software development projects as a Software Engineer at SOMAC IT.

Highlights

Contributed to software development projects, applying foundational engineering principles to deliver functional solutions.

Volunteer

Community Contributor & Advisor

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Various Community Initiatives

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Actively contributed to the tech community through speaking engagements, mentorship, open-source projects, and advisory roles for startups.

Highlights

Spoke at Microsoft events in Bahrain, sharing expertise with a broad audience.

Mentored Microsoft Imagine Cup finalists, guiding emerging talent in technology.

Contributed to open-source projects and developed hobbyist mobile apps.

Served as an Advisor on technical design for start-up ventures, providing strategic guidance.

Ran YouTube forums on mobile technologies and other subjects, fostering knowledge sharing.

Education

University of Oxford

Oxford, England, UK
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Certificate Fintech Programme

University of Bahrain

Manama, Capital Governorate, Bahrain
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MBA Finance

University of Bahrain

Manama, Capital Governorate, Bahrain
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B.Sc. Computer Science

Certificates

PMI-PMP

PMI

TOGAF 9

Open Group

ITIL

Axelos

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Strategic Planning, Budgeting & Execution, Business Transformation, Digital Transformation, IT Project Management, Programme Management, PMO Establishment, Project Tracking & Governance, Product & Portfolio Management, Senior Stakeholder Engagement & Support, Cost Optimisation, Business Process Improvement, Automation, Market Research & Analysis.

Technical Architecture & Development

Solutions Architecture, Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), Cloud Platforms & Migration, Fintech Solutions, Systems Integration, Data Management (MDM, Data Warehousing), DevOps Processes, Technical Documentation, AI & Machine Learning Implementation, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Jira, K2 BPM, Informatica, .NET, Azure, Xamarin/Maui, Flutter, SQL, Excel.

Compliance & Methodologies

KYC & ALM System Development, Compliance, Agile, SCRUM, Waterfall Methodologies, PMI-PMP, TOGAF 9, ITIL.

Team & Project Management

Multi-national Team Leadership, Cross-functional Team Leadership.