Board of Directors

‎

Mr. Ismail Waheed

Chairperson
Non-Executive / Independent Director

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Mr. Ismail Rasheed

Executive Director,
Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director

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Mr. Andrew Kvålseth

Deputy Chairperson, Non-executive / Independent Director

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MS. REEM ALTAJER

Non-executive / Independent Director

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Mr. Faisal AlJalahma

Non-Executive / Independent Director

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Shaikh Bader Alkhalifa

Non-executive / Independent Director

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MS. ASIATH RILWEENA

Non-executive / Independent Director

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MR. ABDUL MUNNIM MOHAMED MANIK

Non-Executive / Independent Director

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UZA. FATHIMATH FAZEELA

Non-Executive / Independent Director

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Mr. Ismail Waheed

Chairperson, Non-Executive / Independent Director

Nationality
Maldivian

Appointed by
Government of Maldives

Tenure
Since November 2018

Experience and Qualifications

Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Dhiraagu from 2004 to 2015 and held key positions including Head of Networks, Marketing and Customer Services. Mr. Ismail was also an Executive Director of the Indian Ocean Region of Cable and Wireless Plc from 2006 to 2008.
Mr. Ismail held various positions in Cable & Wireless Maldives from January 1977 to October 1988, including Earth Station Technician and Engineer Earth Station.
Mr. Ismail previously served in the Government and held the position of Senior Secretary at the Ministry of Education from 1977 to 1978 and as a Senior Protocol Officer from 1975 to 1976 at the Ministry of External Affairs.
Holds a Bachelor’s Degree (Hons) in Telecommunications Management and System Design from Anglia Polytech University, Chelmsford (UK)
Executive Leadership Diploma at Darden Business School, University of Virginia, USA

Other Board Representations
None

Committee Membership
Chair of Remuneration Nomination & Governance Committee

SHAIKH BADER AL KHALIFA

Non-Executive / Independent Director

Nationality
Bahraini

Appointed by
Beyon

Tenure
Appointed on 7 January 2026

Experience and Qualifications

Shaikh Bader is the Beyon Chief Communications & Sustainability Officer where he is responsible for Beyon’s corporate and marketing communications, creative lab, and sustainability function. Previously, he held several managerial and executive positions in Batelco, having joined the Company in 2010.
Shaikh Bader has over 27 years of experience across diverse fields including people management, communications, and sustainability.
Prior to Batelco, Shaikh Bader worked in Aluminum Bahrain (Alba), where he led the Human Resources and Communications functions.
Shaikh Bader holds a BA in Business Administration from New England College and Master of Science in Management from Boston University, USA. He also completed leadership and executive development programmes in the Leadership Trust (UK), and Harvard Business School.

Other Board Representations

Umniah Mobile Company PLC. (Jordan)
Beyon Connect B.S.C. Closed
Digital City Company W.L.L.
Digital City Development Company W.L.L.
INJAZ Bahrain

Committee Membership
None

Mr. Ismail RASHEED

Executive Director, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director

Nationality
Maldivian

Appointed by
Batelco Group

Tenure
Since September 2015

Experience and Qualifications

CEO & MD of Dhiraagu since September 2015. Previously served as Chief Executive of Dhiraagu for 8 years, and held key positions including Director of Networks (2000-2007), Manager Networks Planning and Projects (1999-2000). Over 30 years of extensive telecoms experience.
Holds an MBA from University of Reading (UK), BEng (Hons) in Telecommunications Systems Management & Design - Anglia Polytechnic University (UK), member of the Institute of Engineering & Technology (UK).

Other Board Representations
Chairperson - Dhiraagu Fintech Pvt. Ltd.

Committee Membership
None

MS. ASIATH RILWEENA

Non-Executive / Independent Director

Nationality
Maldivian

Appointed by
Public shareholders

Tenure
Since April 2026

Experience and Qualifications

Served as Executive Director at Transparency Maldives from (May 2020 - August 2025)
Held the position of Chief of Party – USAID PRIME Program at Transparency Maldives from (March 2021 - May 2025).
Worked as Company Secretary & Manager Investor Relations at Dhiraagu Plc from (October 2013 - August 2018) and National Programme Officer at UNDP Maldives from (October 2007 - May 2009).
Served as Financial Advisor at the Ministry of Economic Development from (July 2011 - September 2013).
Held the role of Project Manager at the Ministry of Higher Education, Employment & Social Security, Maldives from (August 2005 - September 2007).
Currently Serving as Executive Council Member at Asia Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), Thailand since May 2023.
Rilweena holds an MSc in International Business and Emerging Markets from University of Edinburgh, Master of Commerce Finance, from University of Western Australia and a BSc in Accounting & Finance from University of Birmingham

Other Board Representations

None

Committee Membership

None

Mr. Andrew Kvålseth

Deputy Chairperson, Non-Executive / Independent Director

Nationality
Norwegian

Appointed by
Beyon

Tenure
Appointed on 17 October 2024

Experience and Qualifications

Appointed as Beyon Chief Executive Officer in August 2024 to lead the Group’s operations in Bahrain and internationally.
Brings over 20 years of experience across telecoms, online marketplaces, e commerce, and digital transformation, including serving as EVP Growth & Investments and CIO at Schibsted, where he also led new ventures.
Previously Group Chief Commercial Officer at Ooredoo, and earlier held CEO and various C level roles at Telenor Group; concurrently founded and served as CEO of Line Mobile.
Holds an MBA from Oxford University and a BBA from the Wisconsin School of Business.

Other Board Representations

Beyon Solutions W.L.L
Digital City Company W.L.L
Batelco Financial Services B.S.C.
Batelco Remittance Service B.S.C.
Beyon Money Investments B.S.C.
Bahrain Network B.S.C. Closed (BNET)
Beyon Connect B.S.C.
Umniah Mobile Company Plc
BTC Sure Group Limited

Committee Membership

Member of Remuneration, Nomination and Governance Committee

Mr. Faisal AlJalahma

Non-Executive / Independent Director

Nationality
Bahraini

Appointed by
Beyon

Tenure
Appointed on March 2022

Experience and Qualifications

Leads HR strategy for the Beyon Group and oversees the company’s real estate investments.
Brings over 20 years of telecom experience, contributing to major transformations including Beyon’s evolution and the establishment of its digital companies.
Previously Director of Finance, IT & HR at the Bahrain Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), where he led digitalization initiatives and contributed to the 4th National Telecommunications Plan (NTP4).
Holds an MBA from the University of Strathclyde, UK, with executive qualifications from Harvard Business School, Harvard Kennedy School, and London Business School.

Other Board Representations

Sabafon Telecommunication Company (Yemen)
Batelco International Company (Bahrain)
Batelco Middle East Holding Company (Bahrain)
Digital City Company (Bahrain)
Beyon Cyber W.L.L (Bahrain)
Total CX W.L.L. (Bahrain)
Gulf Air Group Bahrain

Committee Membership
None

MR. ABDUL MUNNIM MOHAMED MANIK

Non-Executive / Independent Director

Nationality
Maldivian

Appointed by
Government of Maldives

Tenure
Since 7 January 2024

Experience and Qualifications

Deputy Vice Rector Admin & Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Villa College (2007 to Present). Successfully led Villa College through significant growth and expansion
Chief Financial Officer- Bristol institute of Business Management, Sri Lanka (2019 to Present)
Non- Executive Director and Chairman of Audit Committee Gulhifalhu Investments Limited 2015 to 2016
Non- Executive Director and Chairman of Audit Committee - Greater Male Industrial Zone Limited (GMIZL) 2017 to 2019
Urbanco (HDC) Non- Executive Director and Chairman Audit and Risk Committee 2020 to 2023
Associate Member of Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA,UK)
Master of Business Administration (Finance) from Open University of Malaysia
Association of Chartered Certified Accounting (ACCA) Skill Level completed

Other Board Representations

Board Member and Director - Villa Educational Services Private Limited
Board Member - Villa Educational Services Lanka Private Limited.
Board Director - Bristol Institute of Business Management Private Limited, Sri Lanka

Committee Membership

Member of the Audit Committee.

UZA. FATHIMATH FAZEELA

Non-Executive / Independent Director

Nationality
Maldivian

Appointed by
Government of Maldives

Tenure
Since 8 February 2024

Experience and Qualifications

Senior Legal Officer – Department of Juvenile Justice (August 2022 – Present).

Senior Legal Officer – Department of Juvenile Justice (August 2022 – Present).
Social Service Officer – Ministry of Gender and Family (2007 to 2012).
Masters of Shariah and Law (Specialization in Criminal Law) from Villa College.
Bachelors of Shariah and Law from Villa College.

Other Board Representations
None

Committee Membership
Member of Audit Committee

MS. REEM ALTAJER

Non-Executive / Independent Director

Nationality
Bahraini

Appointed by
Beyon

Tenure
Appointed on 27 February 2024

Experience and Qualifications

Appointed as Beyon Chief Financial Officer in May 2023, after serving as General Manager Finance at Batelco since 2022.
Joined Batelco in 2004 and gained broad experience across roles including Internal Audit Manager, Subsidiaries Finance Manager, and Director of Treasury, Planning and Assurance.
Began her career with Ernst & Young as an external auditor, developing strong foundations in finance and assurance.
Holds a Fellowship of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales and is a Certified Internal Auditor and Certified Investor Relations Officer.

Other Board Representations

BTC Sure Group Limited (UK)
Beyon Solutions Company W.L.L. (Bahrain)
Digital City Company W.L.L. (Bahrain)
Batelco Financial Services LTD ADGM (UAE)
Umniah Mobile Company PLC(Jordan)
Batelco International Infrastructure Company W.L.L. (Bahrain)

Committee Membership
Chairperson of Audit Committee

Nationality
Maldivian

Appointed by
Government of Maldives

Tenure
Since 7 January 2024

Experience and Qualifications

Deputy Vice Rector Admin & Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Villa College (2007 to Present). Successfully led Villa College through significant growth and expansion
Chief Financial Officer- Bristol institute of Business Management, Sri Lanka (2019 to Present)
Non- Executive Director and Chairman of Audit Committee Gulhifalhu Investments Limited 2015 to 2016
Non- Executive Director and Chairman of Audit Committee - Greater Male Industrial Zone Limited (GMIZL) 2017 to 2019
Urbanco (HDC) Non- Executive Director and Chairman Audit and Risk Committee 2020 to 2023
Associate Member of Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA,UK)
Master of Business Administration (Finance) from Open University of Malaysia
Association of Chartered Certified Accounting (ACCA) Skill Level completed

Other Board Representations

Board Member and Director - Villa Educational Services Private Limited
Board Member - Villa Educational Services Lanka Private Limited.
Board Director - Bristol Institute of Business Management Private Limited, Sri Lanka

Committee Membership

Member of the Audit Committee.

Board Committees

The Board of Directors of Dhiraagu Plc has two standing committees; the Audit Committee and the Remuneration, Nomination and Governance Committee. Both committees operate in accordance with approved terms of reference.

Audit Committee

Composition & Membership

In compliance with the Corporate Governance Code (CG Code) of Capital Market Development Authority (CMDA) of Maldives and Dhiraagu Corporate Governance Code, the Audit Committee of the Board is composed of 4 members. The members of the committee are all Non-Executive and Independent Directors.

Terms of Reference

The Committee is responsible for monitoring and advising the Board on matters relating to financial reporting, risk management, compliance, external audit, internal control, internal audit and matters that may significantly impact the financial condition or affairs of our business.

Members of the Committee
The following members represent the Audit Committee

MS. REEM ALTAJER

Audit Committee Chairperson

Non-Executive / Independent Director

MR. ABDUL MUNNIM MOHAMED MANIK

Audit Committee Member

Non-Executive / Independent Director

UZA. FATHIMATH FAZEELA

Audit Committee Member

Non-Executive / Independent Director

Remuneration, Nomination and Governance Committee

Composition & Membership

The Remuneration, Nomination and Governance (RNG) Committee of the Board is composed of 3 members, who are non-executive and independent Directors. The RNG Committee was reconstituted in August 2013 to combine the functions of remuneration, nomination and governance. This is to facilitate effective and efficient discharge of duties as most members were in both Remuneration, Nomination Committee and the Governance Committee.

Terms of Reference

The main responsibility of the RNG Committee is to assist the Board if formulating remuneration policies, framework for nominating the public Director and monitoring the performance of our corporate governance framework and compliance with relevant regulations.

Members of the Committee
The following members represent the RNG Committee

Mr. Ismail Waheed

RNG Committee Chairperson
Non-Executive / Independent Director

Mr. Andrew Kvålseth

RNG Committee Member

Non-executive / Independent Director