Mahmood Zainal

Mahmood Zainal was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain Food Holding Company (Ghitha), a portfolio company of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company. In this role, he oversees Ghitha's strategic direction and operations, working closely with the Board of Directors, portfolio companies, and strategic partners, with focus on portfolio development, business growth, operational excellence, and identifying opportunities across the food value chain.

Zainal brings more than 20 years of professional experience across investment management, private banking, and direct investment, alongside specialised expertise in the food and beverage and agricultural sectors. During his tenure as executive director of investments at Esterad Bank, he managed strategic investments across the food and agriculture sectors. His experience includes portfolio management, executing acquisitions and exits, and serving on the boards of several companies across the GCC, the United States, and Europe.

Zainal holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Concordia University's John Molson School of Business and has completed executive education programmes at the University of Oxford and Ivey Business School. His specialist expertise includes deal origination, valuations and modelling, post-investment management and due diligence, with a particular focus on real estate and private equity. Prior to joining VCBank, he spent five years with Kuwait Finance House - Bahrain, where he worked in Investments, Retail Banking and Customer Service, having started his career with American Express, Bahrain.

Career History

• Chief Executive Officer, Bahrain Food Holding Company (Ghitha) – Current
• Executive Director of Investments, Esterad Bank
• Executive Director - Investments, VCBank
• Investments, Retail Banking and Customer Service roles, Kuwait Finance House - Bahrain (5 years)
• American Express, Bahrain (early career)

What Mahmood Zainal could bring to Ghitha: Drawing on his extensive background in private equity, acquisitions, and strategic investment management across food and beverage sectors, Zainal is positioned to strengthen Ghitha's portfolio consolidation under Bahrain Mumtalakat. His track record managing cross-functional teams, directing investment strategy, and executing transactions across the GCC, US, and Europe suggests he can scale Ghitha's food holdings while identifying growth opportunities to support Bahrain's national food security objectives.