Executive Vice President & Head of ESG & Corporate Strategy
Mashreq Bank · Executive Committee Member
Faisal Mohammed AlShimmari is a senior Emirati executive and strategic leader with over three decades of experience across digital transformation, governance, artificial intelligence, information security, risk and crisis management, and ESG strategy.
Mr. AlShimmari has held a series of high-impact leadership roles within the UAE government, including senior positions at the Ministry of Interior and Abu Dhabi Police. He led national initiatives in digital transformation, cybersecurity, public safety, and institutional governance — work that contributed to the development of advanced digital capabilities, legislative frameworks, and security programs aligned with the UAE's long-term strategic vision.
In his current role at Mashreq Bank he leads the integration of ESG principles into corporate strategy, driving sustainable finance initiatives and aligning institutional objectives with the UAE Net Zero 2050 agenda. He has represented the UAE at COP28, COP29 and COP30.
From founding the UAE's first national child protection centre to leading sustainable finance at one of the region's most influential banks.
Banker, government leader, security strategist, philanthropist, AgriTech founder and AI thought-leader — each role compounding the others.
Leads ESG strategy and corporate transformation at Mashreq Bank, positioning the institution as a key contributor to the UAE's AED 1 trillion sustainable finance target by 2030. Active in the Dubai Sustainable Finance Working Group and UAE Banking Federation ESG Working Group.
Executive Director of Digital Transformation & AI at the UAE Ministry of Interior. Led governance frameworks and strategic roadmaps aligned with UAE Vision 2021 and Centennial 2071. Member of the Ministerial Council for Smart Services & AI.
Chief Information Security Officer at Abu Dhabi Police GHQ. Led national information security programmes, established governance standards and represented the institution at GITEX and IDEX. Promoted through ranks to Colonel.
Founded the Emirates Child Protection Association — a public-benefit body registered with the Ministry of Community Development. Promotes child rights, provides psychological and social services, and builds national awareness programmes.
Founding Partner of Garden of Eden UAE — turning desert into sustainable productive land through AgriTech, robotics and organic farming. Built the proprietary "Bedar" agricultural robots and a 100,000+ tree carbon-offset project.
MBZUAI Executive Program — Cohort 04. AI Instructor at Abu Dhabi Police College. Panelist at Humans in Charge 2024 (Budapest, alongside UNICEF, Cambridge, PHI). Weekly columnist on AI and the UAE digital ecosystem.
Measurable contributions across sustainable finance, governance, AI, and child protection in the UAE and on the global stage.
The UAE is among the first countries to enact laws protecting children's rights and has clear benchmarks in enhancing local and international efforts to protect children from any form of abuse.
— Faisal AlShimmari
Mr. AlShimmari has published more than seventy opinion articles in Emarat Al Youm since 2020, covering sustainability, AI, climate, and the future of the UAE.
Available for speaking engagements, media interviews, advisory roles in ESG, AI, governance and child protection.
Speaking, press, or advisory enquiries — typically a reply within 48 hours.