Giel-Jan M. Van Der Tol

Giel-Jan M. Van Der Tol brings over three decades of corporate banking and governance expertise, with a proven track record leading organizations through complex environments while maintaining customer-centric and performance-driven cultures. Van Der Tol was appointed Group Chief Executive Officer of Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait in 2025, replacing acting head Abdulla Al Sumait, who retained his position as Deputy Group CEO.

Van Der Tol holds a Master's degree in International Management from the American Graduate School of International Management, Thunderbird, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Nyenrode, Netherlands Business University. He has worked across multiple jurisdictions, including the Netherlands, Ecuador, United States, Pakistan, Lebanon, Aruba, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE. Van Der Tol serves as a Member of the Institute of Directors and Vice Chairman of the Advisory Board UAE Chapter at the GCC Board Directors Institute.

Career history

• CEO and Managing Director, Emirates NBD Bank Egypt
• Group Head Wholesale Banking, Emirates NBD (following the 2012 merger of Dubai Bank with Emirates NBD)
• Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Bank (2010–2014)
• Managing Director, Tier One Capital, Netherlands
• CEO and Managing Director, Saudi Hollandi Bank (2005 onwards)
• Chief Operating Officer, Saudi Hollandi Bank
• Global Head HR of the Global Markets Division, ABN AMRO Bank (Amsterdam/London, 2000)
• International Career Banker, ABN AMRO Bank, Netherlands (21 years)

Since joining Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait, Van Der Tol has led the execution of the ABK2X strategy, improving operational efficiencies and accelerating digital transformation, with the bank improving its cost-to-income ratio to 42.2 percent. His strategic focus includes leveraging ABK's robust foundation to unlock regional aspirations and transforming the organization into a digital-at-core institution. What Van Der Tol could bring to Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait: His extensive experience managing complex mergers and integrations (Dubai Bank's integration into Emirates NBD), coupled with proven expertise in wholesale banking operations, positions him to strengthen ABK's regional diversification strategy and accelerate digital transformation initiatives that have contributed to improved cost management and operational excellence.