Dr Yousif Almas

Dr Yousif Almas brings over two decades of industry and academic experience spanning financial services, executive leadership, digital transformation, innovation and artificial intelligence. He holds a PhD from the University of Surrey, where his research focused on artificial intelligence and behavioral finance. Known for his expertise in leveraging emerging technologies to drive institutional innovation, Almas has been recognized as a thought leader at the intersection of banking, fintech, and digital strategy in the Middle East.

At the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance, Almas brings experience in financial services, digital transformation and artificial intelligence. With extensive experience in leadership, academia and digital innovation, he is well placed to lead the institute into its next phase.

Career History

• Group Chief Digitisation Officer and Group Chief Innovation Officer at Bank ABC
• Founding leadership role as Chief Digital Officer at ila Bank
• Board-level positions across financial services and national development sectors
• Researcher at University of Surrey (2004-2008)

Almas has received multiple industry accolades including CDO of the Year from Smart SMB (2019) and the CIO 200 Award from Bahrain Global Enterprise Connect and Bahrain AI Society (2018). He serves as Chairman of the Innovation & Digitisation Committee at the Bahrain Association of Banks and has been an External Examiner at the University of Bahrain since 2013.

What Dr Almas could bring to his role at BIBF: His combination of direct banking operational expertise, proven track record leading digital transformation initiatives, and academic credentials in AI and behavioral finance positions him uniquely to advance BIBF's mission as a leading provider of financial services education and professional development. His experience founding and scaling ila Bank's digital-first operations, coupled with strategic board roles in financial services, suggests an ability to drive institutional modernization while maintaining educational excellence and supporting Bahrain's financial sector development.