The Bahrain Asset Managers Association (Bama) has appointed its first board.

This includes the appointment of J Equity Partners chief executive Dr Ahmed Al Jawhary as chairman and Alpine Wealth Management managing partner Munther Al Kooheji as vice-chairman, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

Joining them on the board are industry veterans PineBridge Investments Mena chief executive and alternative investments co-head Talal Alzain, Tadhamon Capital chief executive Ahmed Sultan amd The Family Office Company deputy chief executive Adel Al Mangrou.

Appointees to the board represent Bama's founding member firms and were elected to serve for a three-year term.

The five-member board will oversee the activities of the association and its efforts to help grow and promote the kingdom's asset management industry, which includes both Islamic and conventional financial institutions, specialised in asset management.

Bama’s primary activity will be to develop and maintain close working relationships with all relevant industry and related bodies including regulators, decision-makers and legislators, professional development organisations, and regional and global peers.

Key among its objectives will be advocating on behalf of members, working to positively influence and shape regulations governing the sector and helping asset managers to enhance operational, professional and ethical standards across the industry to ensure full alignment with global best practices.

“With the support of our founding members and the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), we have established an organisation that aims to play an active role in shaping the future of the asset management industry through collaboration, consultation and the representation of our members on a local, regional and international basis,” Dr Al Jawhary said.

The establishment of Bama was officially announced in May last year by the CBB, under whose supervision it now operates.

It will now commence with the induction of additional member firms with invitations being extended to all investment firms and other financial institutions licenced by the CBB.

Bama is also in the process of announcing a calendar of events and activities for the year.

This includes a series of round-table sessions with its international and regional affiliates and counterparts and sector specific forums to be hosted by the association.

It will also participate in major banking and financial conferences both in the region and globally in effort to promote the sector, build awareness and effectively introduce and position the organisation.

The association was established in May last year and its founding members comprised five leading asset management firms: Alpine Wealth Management, J Equity Partners, PineBridge Investments, Tadhamon Capital and The Family Office Company. - TradeArabia News Service