Arjun Vir Singh

Partner

Head of Financial Services, Middle East

India, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates

Arjun’s consulting expertise is focused on Banking, Insurance, Payments, and Fintech Sector. He advises clients on multiple topics including Growth Strategies, Digital Ecosystems, Data led transformation, M&A

Areas of Focus

Education

Fuqua School of Business (Duke University) & Warwick Business School
MBA
University of Mumbai
Masters in Commerce
Delhi University
Bachelor in Commerce
Certified Business Architect
Master Black Belt: Six Sigma

Past Experience

Al-Futtaim Group
EVP: Cards & Payments
PA Consulting Group
Associate Partner

Arjun is a Partner, Head of Financial Services in the Middle East focused on serving the needs of Banking, Insurance, Investment Management, and Fintech clients.

He is also a Board Member of the Middle East Fintech Ass. and a Member of the Executive Committee at The Entertainer. He is actively engaged within the Fintech ecosystem across the Region as an advisory board member to several start-ups and a commentator on the evolving scene.

Arjun was previously the EVP - Cards and Payments at the Al-Futtaim Group (A UAE HQ conglomerate with a presence in 30 countries in MEA and APAC). Prior to Al-Futtaim, Arjun held senior roles in Management Consulting, Private Equity, Insurance, and the Financial Services sector with PA Consulting, AXA, Marconi, and GE Capital.

Arjun has led consulting engagements across MEA, Asia, Europe, and the USA.  A selection of his MENA based engagements include:

  • Five Year strategy for the MEA for a Global Payments Network with a focus on New Market Entry, M&A, Financial Inclusion, Gov and Merchant engagement
  • MEA based Payment Processor: Strategy and Restructuring of the op. model following a PE investment
  • Multi-line Insurer: Post Merger integration between 2 of the Top 3 insurers in Oman
  • Captive Shared Services for two leading banks: Strategy, operating model definition, and delivering a captive shared services operation for two of the largest banks in UAE
  • Leading Islamic Bank: Design and implementation of the OD & HR strategy for the bank
  • Leading KSA Composite Insurer: Developed and implemented the operating model for the multi-line insurance company including launching their Life Insurance Business (Greenfield project)

Embedding climate financing with net zero focus
Embedding climate financing with net zero focus
One of the biggest challenges for delivering on the world’s climate change commitments is how to finance the huge costs involved. As climate-tipping points approach ever closer, there is a pressing need to embed climate change–related issues into investment and funding decision-making, both public and private. In this Viewpoint, we look at what this entails and set out some priorities for businesses, financial institutions, and government — working collaboratively — to narrow the funding gap.
Realizing potential of fintech in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Realizing potential of fintech in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Over the last five years, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has already made great advances in developing fintech into a flourishing industry marked by rapid growth, diversifying services, and increasing contribution to its national economy. However, there are some challenges ahead for KSA to meet its goal of becoming a leading global fintech hub. In this Viewpoint, we look at what has already been achieved and suggest some priorities for KSA’s fintech ecosystem to achieve its ambitious goals.
The open insurance conundrum: Bridging innovation & reality
The open insurance conundrum: Bridging innovation & reality
Open insurance — sharing insurer-held data and capabilities within a specialized partner ecosystem — offers benefits to customers and industry players alike. As a key enabler for embedding insurance solutions within product and service purchases, it provides customers greater convenience, flexibility, and personalization. For insurers, it allows for better targeting, efficiency, product/service enhancement, and data accuracy. Yet there are significant barriers hindering progress toward the open insurance model.

Arjun is a Partner, Head of Financial Services in the Middle East focused on serving the needs of Banking, Insurance, Investment Management, and Fintech clients.

He is also a Board Member of the Middle East Fintech Ass. and a Member of the Executive Committee at The Entertainer. He is actively engaged within the Fintech ecosystem across the Region as an advisory board member to several start-ups and a commentator on the evolving scene.

Arjun was previously the EVP - Cards and Payments at the Al-Futtaim Group (A UAE HQ conglomerate with a presence in 30 countries in MEA and APAC). Prior to Al-Futtaim, Arjun held senior roles in Management Consulting, Private Equity, Insurance, and the Financial Services sector with PA Consulting, AXA, Marconi, and GE Capital.

Arjun has led consulting engagements across MEA, Asia, Europe, and the USA.  A selection of his MENA based engagements include:

  • Five Year strategy for the MEA for a Global Payments Network with a focus on New Market Entry, M&A, Financial Inclusion, Gov and Merchant engagement
  • MEA based Payment Processor: Strategy and Restructuring of the op. model following a PE investment
  • Multi-line Insurer: Post Merger integration between 2 of the Top 3 insurers in Oman
  • Captive Shared Services for two leading banks: Strategy, operating model definition, and delivering a captive shared services operation for two of the largest banks in UAE
  • Leading Islamic Bank: Design and implementation of the OD & HR strategy for the bank
  • Leading KSA Composite Insurer: Developed and implemented the operating model for the multi-line insurance company including launching their Life Insurance Business (Greenfield project)

Embedding climate financing with net zero focus
Embedding climate financing with net zero focus
One of the biggest challenges for delivering on the world’s climate change commitments is how to finance the huge costs involved. As climate-tipping points approach ever closer, there is a pressing need to embed climate change–related issues into investment and funding decision-making, both public and private. In this Viewpoint, we look at what this entails and set out some priorities for businesses, financial institutions, and government — working collaboratively — to narrow the funding gap.
Realizing potential of fintech in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Realizing potential of fintech in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Over the last five years, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has already made great advances in developing fintech into a flourishing industry marked by rapid growth, diversifying services, and increasing contribution to its national economy. However, there are some challenges ahead for KSA to meet its goal of becoming a leading global fintech hub. In this Viewpoint, we look at what has already been achieved and suggest some priorities for KSA’s fintech ecosystem to achieve its ambitious goals.
The open insurance conundrum: Bridging innovation & reality
The open insurance conundrum: Bridging innovation & reality
Open insurance — sharing insurer-held data and capabilities within a specialized partner ecosystem — offers benefits to customers and industry players alike. As a key enabler for embedding insurance solutions within product and service purchases, it provides customers greater convenience, flexibility, and personalization. For insurers, it allows for better targeting, efficiency, product/service enhancement, and data accuracy. Yet there are significant barriers hindering progress toward the open insurance model.

More About Arjun
  • Fuqua School of Business (Duke University) & Warwick Business School
    MBA
  • University of Mumbai
    Masters in Commerce
  • Delhi University
    Bachelor in Commerce
  • Certified Business Architect
  • Master Black Belt: Six Sigma
  • Al-Futtaim Group
    EVP: Cards & Payments
  • PA Consulting Group
    Associate Partner