Vince Cook

Senior Advisor

Dr. Vince Cook, Senior Advisor at EMIR, brings over 30 years of executive leadership experience across the financial sector, spanning retail, corporate and commercial banking, investment banking, and wealth management. He advises clients on market entry, organisational and governance structures, and key market relationships, helping institutions achieve sustainable growth and resilience in an evolving global landscape.

Vince’s career is defined by transformative leadership and international impact. As Managing Director for the Gulf at Barclays, he played a key role in shaping the bank’s regional strategy. He later drove Qatar National Bank’s ascent to prominence as General Manager before founding and leading the Islamic Bank of Asia in Singapore, demonstrating his ability to build and scale financial institutions from the ground up. Most notably, he served as CEO of the National Bank of Fujairah for nearly 15 years, steering it to significant success in an evolving financial landscape.

Beyond the financial sector, Vince is deeply engaged in corporate governance, education, and sustainability. He serves as a board member of Dubai English Speaking Schools, the UAE’s longest-established British curriculum institution, and previously held the position of President of the Board of Trustees. His commitment to advancing sustainable solutions is reflected in his role as chairman of Sustainable Energies Scotland Ltd.

In recognition of his contributions to UK-UAE business relations and the British community in Dubai, Vince was awarded an MBE in King Charles III’s inaugural New Year’s Honours list. He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Liverpool and is a member of the UK’s Institute of Directors.

With a wealth of experience and a global strategic mindset, Vince helps organisations navigate complexity, seize new opportunities, and build long-term resilience.