COMMERCIAL BANK OF DUBAI
“ After many years of telling clients what to do , I figured I wanted to get my hands dirty . Of course , it ’ s far more challenging but it ’ s also a lot more rewarding ”
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— Stefan Kimmel , Chief Operating Officer , Commercial Bank of Dubai
Microsoft Teams or Zoom ,” he recalls . Coming from a long-term career working at some of the world ’ s most renowned consulting firms , Kimmel recognised the opportunity of working at CBD as a chance to put his consulting advice into execution . “ After many years of telling clients what to do , I figured I wanted to get my hands dirty . Of course , it ’ s far more challenging but it ’ s also a lot more rewarding .” It was the bank ’ s proud history , trajectory and outstanding track record of consistent revenue growth and profitability that captured his attention , as well as its promising commitment to digital transformation . The latter , he explains , is a direct result of CEO Bernd van Linder ’ s clear and committed longterm strategy .
Part of the new vanguard of ‘ nextgen ’ COOs , those who maintain a tech-focused outlook and holistic ( non-siloed ) team structures , Kimmel combines this with his outsider experience gained from working as a consultant . Having gained a solid understanding of what good performance means in a banking context , he is determined to achieve nothing short of the finest results for a bank in the Middle East . When considering how these outcomes will be achieved at CBD , Kimmel emphasises that technological advances will be crucial , although not , perhaps , in the way that
OCTOBER 2020