Team Re/think

GREG SHIPPEE

MANAGING PARTNER

Over eighteen years of corporate finance experience in the US, Europe, Middle East and Africa. Multidimensional expertise in strategy consulting, family office controlling, acquisition due diligence, systems implementation, financial planning, budgeting and control.

GAIL GORING

PARTNER & HEAD OF REGULATORY & COMPLIANCE SERVICES

Experienced corporate lawyer with over 20 years’ experience in regulatory and compliance services spanning across the Caribbean, Cayman Islands and in the UAE. Strong knowledge of international business companies’ regulatory frameworks, financial services (including FinTech as qualified under Oxford/Saïd Business School Fintech Programme) and financial products (particularly Funds). Extensive experience as well as specialized expertise as a certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist and FATF trained Legal expert examiner and certified in FATCA & CRS reporting, ADGM OCAB regime.

Achievement: Awarded 2021 Leading Woman in Private Wealth Management by MENA Wealth Briefing Association.

Formerly: Legal Counsel at Cayman Islands Monetary Authority: 2008-2016;

Formerly: Head of Regulations and Operations for RAKICC (IBC Offshore & Free zone Registry): 2016-2017

Former: Prosecutor/ Regulator & Legislative Drafter

NEIL GUTHRIE

SENIOR DIRECTOR - FINANCE AND TAX

Neil’s career spans almost 40 years, during which he has operated at CFO-level for more than 20 years. A UK citizen, Neil is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, having trained and qualified with KPMG.

He has extensive experience in finance, tax, accounting, treasury, and M&A across several sectors and geographic regions in both SME and large corporations. He is an experienced board member in both finance and non-finance roles.

Neil’s experience has exposed him to the tax and regulatory regimes of numerous countries across the globe including the UAE where he has lived and worked for 7 years.

JOHN KARTONCHIK

SENIOR DIRECTOR - REGULATORY AND COMPLIANCE SERVICES

With over 20 years of experience, working in numerous jurisdictions globally, John is considered a regulatory compliance subject matter expert with a proven track record where he’s been able to successfully blend the ability to interpret complex and ever-evolving global regulations with regulatory and financial services risk management best practices. His experience with implementing best of breed regulatory compliance policies, procedures, systems and controls, and ability to understand regulatory requirements and how to pragmatically overcome challenges has been consistently demonstrated throughout his career.

John has been at the forefront in advancing compliance best practices through participation in regulatory and compliance committees and organizations, and ongoing communications with financial services regulators to interpret the ever-changing regulatory compliance landscape. His activities focus on providing advice and guidance on risk and compliance strategy, with a view to achieve an overall reduction and potential for exposure to legal, regulatory and financial risk.

John has been licensed for the past 15 years as a Compliance Officer and Money Laundering Reporting Officer in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). He has a postgraduate diploma from the University of Manchester Business School, is a member of the International Compliance Association, the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS), and a former board member of the ACAMS Hong Kong Chapter.

HENA IQBAL

DIRECTOR (REGULATORY AND COMPLIANCE)

With over 20 years of experience, working in numerous jurisdictions globally, John is considered a regulatory compliance subject matter expert with a proven track record where he’s been able to successfully blend the ability to interpret complex and ever-evolving global regulations with regulatory and financial services risk management best practices. His experience with implementing best of breed regulatory compliance policies, procedures, systems and controls, and ability to understand regulatory requirements and how to pragmatically overcome challenges has been consistently demonstrated throughout his career.

John has been at the forefront in advancing compliance best practices through participation in regulatory and compliance committees and organizations, and ongoing communications with financial services regulators to interpret the ever-changing regulatory compliance landscape. His activities focus on providing advice and guidance on risk and compliance strategy, with a view to achieve an overall reduction and potential for exposure to legal, regulatory and financial risk.

John has been licensed for the past 15 years as a Compliance Officer and Money Laundering Reporting Officer in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). He has a postgraduate diploma from the University of Manchester Business School, is a member of the International Compliance Association, the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS), and a former board member of the ACAMS Hong Kong Chapter.

Hena is a Compliance professional from the UK, with more than 15 years of Regulatory & Compliance experience primarily in the fund and investment management space. In London, Hena worked for several FCA regulated firms including CQS, F&C Asset Management, Aviva Investors, Amundi Asset Management and the Bank of New York Mellon.

In January 2021, Hena made the decision to relocate to Dubai, where she assumed the role of Head of Legal & Compliance and MLRO (Money Laundering Reporting Officer) for a hedge fund operating within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Prior to this, she held the position of Senior Vice President at Apex Compliance Solutions, where she successfully managed a team of consultants and oversaw the day-to-day operations of the compliance solutions business.

Hena holds the following qualifications from the UK: LLB Honours Law, Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice, CISI Diploma in Investment Compliance and MSc Financial Regulation & Compliance Management. She is also a is a Member (MCSI) of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments, UK.

MUKTA MENON

DIRECTOR OF HR SERVICES AND TALENT ACQUISITION

Seasoned HR Professional with over 15 years of experience in India and UAE with demonstrated track record in HR Consulting, Recruitment, Employee Relations, Payroll, Compensation and Benefits, Grievance management etc. She holds Masters in HR and Business Finance.

NISHA SHAH

DIRECTOR (REGULATORY AND COMPLIANCE)

A Financial Services professional with extensive experience in regulatory and compliance, domestic/international taxation, across India and the UAE.
Nisha is a Chartered Accountant and is a member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments. She has steered complex projects involving onshore/offshore fund structuring, investment or business restructuring, from a tax and regulatory standpoint and has worked on regulatory licenses/approvals and clarifications.

In the UAE, Nisha has been working on FATCA/CRS, AML/KYC Advisory and Implementation for Financial Services companies, assisting clients in seeking regulatory approvals/clarificationsfrom the Regulators for financial services business in the UAE including cryptocurrencies.

CHARU SPALL

DIRECTOR (ACCOUNTING SERVICES)

Charu is a qualified CPA (US) with over 15 years of experience in accounting and financial reporting. She is experienced in finance and accounting with a demonstrable history of working in the Oil and gas, corporate service provider, legal services and BPO industries. She is skilled in Management Information Systems (MIS), system implementation, Accounting, Financial Analysis, Budgeting, Financial Model & valuation, Consolidation.

She manages team of Accountants, Senior Accountants and Finance Manager. She is responsible for overall accounting & controls and reporting of several DFSA/FSRA regulated and non-regulated entities.

KEERTHI VOODIMUDI

DIRECTOR (TAX)

Keerthi is a tax professional with over 10+ years of demonstrated experience in tax advisory, implementation, compliance, and tax audit support in the UAE, Bahrain, and India.

In the past five years in the UAE, Keerthi focused on VAT optimization and risk mitigation for businesses in Banking, Investment Fund Management, Real Estate, and Oil & Gas sectors and assisted companies in making strategic tax decisions on mergers & acquisitions and key projects in the UAE. At Rethink, Keerthi steered varied projects involving GCC VAT Law, Economic Substance Regulations, and Beneficial Owner Regulations in the UAE.

Keerthi is now using her tax proficiency to direct the implementation and advisory projects on the upcoming Corporate Tax in the UAE

ATEEQ SHAIK

SENIOR FINANCE MANAGER

Ateeq has over 12 years of corporate finance experience in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and MENA regions while working in Aviation, IT, Consultancy, Digital Media, Events and Promotions, Defence and Government, Logistics and Supply Chain, Retail and Hotel/Restaurant industries. With a background in process optimizations, he has Project Managed multi-million USD contracts performing Accounting, Financial Analysis, Commercial Pricing, Budgeting, Forecasting, Financial Modelling and Consolidation.

Ateeq is an effective business partner who uses data to support in making meaningful strategic decisions.

KENT SABEJON

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - FINANCE

A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with 9 years’ experience in accounting, financial analysis, and corporate finance, Kent started his career in Rethink as a Senior Accountant in 2017. Having worked with clients from various industries – trading, consultancy, asset management, academe – he has developed a deep understanding of financial reporting implications of high-complexity transactions with respect to accounting standards.

Well-versed in system implementation, management reporting, and process improvement, Kent has steered projects involving high-complexity business consolidations, multiple-year backlog accounting and VAT implementations, and Finance Officer responsibilities for regulated entities in UAE financial free zones.

Now managing his own team, Kent continues to support the business by providing more value-adding services, leading onto client satisfaction.

JAMES SWELL

SENIOR FINANCE MANAGER

James is a CIMA qualified accountant with over 10 years of post-qualification experience in fund management and financial services companies in Dubai, Luxembourg, and London. He is skilled in system implementation, financial analysis and creating financial models. He now holds the Finance Officer position for a number of DFSA/FSRA regulated clients.

BARRY MADLIN

HR & RECRUITMENT MANAGER

Barry has gained 18 years of HR and Recruitment Management experience in United Kingdom and GCC region within consulting and in-house environments. He offers expertise in Contingency & Executive Search, Recruitment Strategy and Recruitment Project Execution.

Currently managing the Recruitment Team, he provides solutions to client staffing requirements including; sourcing, screening and shortlisting of candidates with extensive experience in niche roles and industries. The placements include high level senior executive roles and complex technical requirements.

MEIRAS MEBAYEV

SENIOR TAX MANAGER

Meiras is a highly experienced tax professional whose work experience includes seven years at EY, where he provided corporate taxation, customs, litigation, accounting, and tax advisory & compliance support to clients in diverse economic sectors, including FMCG, oil and gas, mining, pharmaceuticals, construction, and telecommunications.

Meiras has speciality knowledge in tax planning, the application of double taxation treaties, financial and tax audit support, tax due diligence, international taxation, development and implementation of tax control procedures and policies, as well as transfer pricing.

He holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Gävle, Sweden, and a Bachelors Degree in Accounting, Audit and Finance from the Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economics, and Strategic Research (KIMEP), Kazakhstan.