Page 30 - CMA Journal (Mar-Apr 2025)

CORPORATE

LEADERS OF ICMA

Faran Umar [F - 867]
Group Chief Operating Officer
HMR Group - Karachi

Mr. Faran Umar, a Fellow Member of “
ICMA, is an accomplished finance and The CMA qualification has been the
management professional with over 32 foundation of my professional journey,
years of diverse experience in real estate giving me a significant edge in financial
development, financial institutions, and management. Early in my career, it allowed
consulting. He is an Associate of the me to understand the practical aspects of
Institute of Bankers Pakistan (IBP) and also organizational operations, overcome
holds a Master’s degree in Commerce (Finance) from the University of challenges, and deliver results effectively. To
Karachi. For the past 18 years, Mr. Umar has served as the Group Chief students and young members, I urge you to
Operating Officer at HMR Group, a leading real estate developer in Pakistan
broaden your knowledge and skill set. The
with a strong presence in the UAE. In this role, he manages the flagship HMR
corporate world today is highly competitive,
Waterfront project in Karachi and oversees key functions such as finance,
business development, legal affairs, and project management. He also and the challenges ahead will only intensify.
represented HMR Group in a joint venture and served as CEO of Emaar Giga Equip yourselves by gaining expertise in
Karachi, where he successfully transformed the company from a emerging fields like Information
non-operational state into a thriving business. Earlier, he spent 12 years at Technology, Artificial Intelligence, and
Pakistan Kuwait Investment Company, holding senior roles in Treasury, Risk Fintech. Above all, always remember that
Management, Finance, and Internal Audit, ultimately rising to the position integrity and ethical conduct are the true
of Vice President. He also represented the company on the Board of keys to long-term success “
Directors of Al Meezan Investment Management Limited.

Syed Asad Ali Shah [A - 859]
Chief Executive Officer
Asad Ali Shah Associates - Karachi

Syed Asad Ali Shah is a senior member of ICMA
Pakistan and ICAP and widely regarded as one of “ It is an honor to be featured in ICMAP’s
the country’s foremost experts on governance, Corporate Leaders segment. In today’s rapidly
public policy, and financial reform. With over 35 evolving economic environment, cost and
years of experience, he has held key leadership roles management accountants must evolve
across Pakistan’s corporate, public, and regulatory beyond traditional roles to become strategic
sectors. For nearly a decade, he served as the Country Managing Partner of Deloitte enablers of value. I strongly encourage all
Pakistan, leading transformative initiatives in audit, advisory, and public sector reform. members to actively upskill—particularly in
Currently, he is the CEO of Asad Ali Shah Associates and chairs Befiler, Pakistan’s largest areas like digital transformation, data analyt-
digital tax platform. Mr. Asad also served as Advisor to the Chief Minister of Sindh on ics, and artificial intelligence. These skills are
Finance, Chairman of Pakistan Refinery, and a Board Member of both Karachi Electric no longer optional; they are vital for staying
and the Bank of Khyber. As a member of the SECP’s Policy Board and the Prime
relevant and creating meaningful impact.
Minister’s Task Force on Reforms, he contributed to the modernization of regulatory
ICMAP plays a key role in guiding this shift,
frameworks and the advancement of e-governance initiatives. Internationally, he has and I commend its efforts to future-proof the
served on the Board of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), chaired the profession. Let us embrace innovation and
UNCTAD-ISAR working group on accounting standards, and addressed global forums
organized by the World Bank, ADB, and the World Congress of Accountants. A staunch take the lead in building a more transparent,
efficient, and resilient Pakistan “
advocate for public welfare, Mr. Shah is also a Trustee of the Husun Afroze Memorial
Trust, which supports education for underprivileged children.

28 ICMA’s Chartered Management Accountant, Mar-Apr 2025