Arjun Vir Singh
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
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)
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.
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.
From transactions to interactions
The global loyalty management market is forecast to continue growing rapidly at more than 20% CAGR to the end of the decade. Still, consumer attitudes are constantly changing, requiring ever more sophisticated approaches. Embedded loyalty, in which rewards are integrated into daily experiences and transactions, is an increasingly prevalent solution. In this Viewpoint, we look at what embedded loyalty is all about and how companies can go about introducing it.
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.
When the real estate crisis hits again
The Global Financial Crisis of 2008 revealed deep interconnections between financial institutions and real estate markets. In today’s globalized economy, these interconnections continue to hold relevance, as property market issues spill over to financial institutions and vice versa. This Viewpoint explores the complex relationship between these sectors, examining how challenging market environments characterized by rising interest rates affect real estate markets and how financial institutions can protect against looming consequences.
The intersection of AI & financial services
In our evolving digital landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) is driving innovation across multiple sectors. It has now intersected with embedded finance, which weaves financial services into nonfinancial platforms, enhancing user experiences and streamlining processes. AI has the potential to lift embedded finance to its fullest, offering tools to combat fraud, curate personalized experiences, and manage risks.
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)
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.
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.
From transactions to interactions
The global loyalty management market is forecast to continue growing rapidly at more than 20% CAGR to the end of the decade. Still, consumer attitudes are constantly changing, requiring ever more sophisticated approaches. Embedded loyalty, in which rewards are integrated into daily experiences and transactions, is an increasingly prevalent solution. In this Viewpoint, we look at what embedded loyalty is all about and how companies can go about introducing it.
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.
When the real estate crisis hits again
The Global Financial Crisis of 2008 revealed deep interconnections between financial institutions and real estate markets. In today’s globalized economy, these interconnections continue to hold relevance, as property market issues spill over to financial institutions and vice versa. This Viewpoint explores the complex relationship between these sectors, examining how challenging market environments characterized by rising interest rates affect real estate markets and how financial institutions can protect against looming consequences.
The intersection of AI & financial services
In our evolving digital landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) is driving innovation across multiple sectors. It has now intersected with embedded finance, which weaves financial services into nonfinancial platforms, enhancing user experiences and streamlining processes. AI has the potential to lift embedded finance to its fullest, offering tools to combat fraud, curate personalized experiences, and manage risks.
More About Arjun
- Fuqua School of Business (Duke University) & Warwick Business SchoolMBA
- University of MumbaiMasters in Commerce
- Delhi UniversityBachelor in Commerce
- Certified Business Architect
- Master Black Belt: Six Sigma
- Al-Futtaim GroupEVP: Cards & Payments
- PA Consulting GroupAssociate Partner