BARCLAYS Bank PLC said Sunday that it is continuing to expand its corporate banking offering through the expansion of debt finance origination capabilities in the GCC.

Alexander Harrison has been appointed as head of Debt Finance, UAE and GCC. He will be responsible for driving the debt finance business in the Gulf region by providing the best lending solutions to clients, and managing the bank’s debt portfolio.

Rezwan Mirza, Managing Director, head of Corporate Coverage, UAE and GCC, said: "This expansion has been realised in response to the increasing demand for debt financing in the region, with the backdrop of economic recovery and regional government expenditure on infrastructure and industry. The continuing development of the corporate team following Kersi Patel’s appointment as the Head of Trade and Working Capital is evidence of our continued investment in the Middle East, our drive to develop and implement market leading capabilities that deliver to client needs and leverage the tremendous synergies across the group."

He added: "Alex will be able to use his experience in accelerating Barclays’ efforts towards achieving its ambitions in the GCC by delivering deal excellence, providing strategic structuring advice and thought leadership around the provision of capital to our regional clients."
Alex has relocated to the UAE from Barclays UK where he has worked with Barclays for over 13 years. — SG