Cross-Border Planning: Critical Issues Impacting Middle Eastern Business Families

Faizal is a UK qualified lawyer and for many years has worked and advised, and is a trusted advisor to institutions, corporates and families across the Middle East, Africa and India. Faizal specialises in banking and finance and has advised corporates, family offices and families including on their international investment and holding structures.

Nancy is head of Bedell Cristin's International Private Client practice in Jersey. Nancy has extensive experience in a wide range of offshore matters in both the private client area as well as the corporate sphere. In the private client context, Nancy advises ultra-high net worth families, family offices and intermediaries on all aspects of private client structuring including the use of trusts and foundations, as well as related corporate law issues (including where such vehicles are used for philanthropic purposes). She has considerable experience with high value and complex structures which enable the clients to retain a degree of control over their family assets and achieve effective succession planning. In the corporate area, Nancy is one of the only Jersey lawyers with specific experience in pensions and employee incentive arrangements (having previously worked for Ashurst in London).

Omer Saleem is a seasoned business leader with over 14 years of experience in the finance sector, including roles at Goldman Sachs and Credit Agricole. Currently Managing Director – Saudi Arabia at TMF Group, he has successfully incubated and expanded two thriving businesses in KSA. Omer’s expertise spans financial management, valuations, strategy development, change management, and client relationship management. He has a proven track record in operations, M&A, and business process improvement, with deep experience guiding organizations through complex regional transitions and large-scale projects. Known for his collaborative leadership and practical problem-solving, Omer holds an MBA from the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, and is passionate about driving innovation and building high-performing teams in dynamic environments.

Ian Rumens leads the Private Client Service Line in Jersey. With extensive international experience in both the legal and fiduciary fields, Ian specializes in advising individuals, families, and family offices to achieve their strategic objectives. Drawing on his senior board position experiences, Ian applies a commercial and pragmatic solution-based approach to fulfilling client needs. He is particularly focused on clients from the Gulf Cooperation Council and Europe, serving as trustee and board member on many international family’s structures. His expertise extends to sophisticated, cross-jurisdictional structuring, corporate governance, and acting as a professional trustee and director. Ian is frequently acknowledged in industry rankings as a leading individual in his field and is recognized for his contributions as a writer of pertinent industry articles and a commentator on industry trends.