Interview – Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountants (CIPFA) (2016)
Asher was spotlighted in the April 2016 issue of the CIPFA Magazine.
Asher Noor is our first Pakistani member to join CIPFA from Saudi Arabia, where he has been working for over 13 years. He has made his mark in the Gulf, receiving the Marcus Evans Middle East CFO of the Year Award in 2014.
Asher works for the AlTouq Group, a Saudi family-owned financial investment company. Their portfolio includes the energy sector, and this has given him expertise in the electric utility market and allowed him shape the focus of that company with the support of the other directors and senior management.
“My role on the board of a utility company has given me a rare and invaluable insight into the challenges and prospects faced by the public sector. From reporting to regulations and from planning frameworks to influencing policy – a CIPFA qualification really helps to stand head and shoulders above the crowd in the public sector.
“I take a keen interest in CPD activities for a few international organisations where I play an active mentor role including conducting workshops and hosting seminars and conferences. This has helped provide valuable learning experiences and a networking platform for accountancy professionals. I have volunteered to get actively involved with CIPFA to help broaden their outreach in Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region.
“I have had the rare honour and privilege of working for two men who now hold the top positions in vital Saudi public sector institutions: the Governor of the Central Bank, His Excellency Dr Fahad Al Mubarak and Chairman of the Capital Market Authority, His Excellency Mohammed A Aljadaan.
“In Saudi Arabia, public sector spending remains the key focus. In recent budgets, there has been a conscious effort to boost non-oil development by investing in infrastructure, municipal services, education and healthcare amongst others. However, as is the case in most developing economies, there are certain common challenges that need to be addressed – change management, increasing efficiency, improving citizen engagement, enhanced governance and accountability.
“Saudi Arabia has been a home away from home for me. It is a technologically advanced and extremely hospitable country. We don’t drive camels to work and the major cities rival the top tier cities of the world with their top-class infrastructure. I invite you to take that leap of faith and visit Saudi Arabia for work and be pleasantly surprised.”
