On March 23, 2025, Iqbal Ahmed OBE DBA was re-elected as Chairman of NRB Bank PLC by six independent government-appointed directors.
Mr. Ahmed also serves as Chairman and Chief Executive of the Seamark Group of Companies and IBCO Food Industries Limited.
Widely recognized as one of the most successful British-Bangladeshi entrepreneurs in the UK, Iqbal Ahmed was born in Sylhet and moved to Britain during the Bangladesh Liberation War. His remarkable journey, from a modest family-run business to international business leadership continues to inspire generations across both nations.
In 1976, he founded Iqbal Bros (now IBCO Limited), which later gave rise to Seamark, a company that reflected the scale and ambition of his growing empire in the importing and processing of frozen seafood and perishable products.
Under his visionary leadership, Seamark flourished, earning a string of prestigious accolades in the UK, including the Queen’s Award for Export Achievement and the inaugural Business in Europe Award and multiple Gold Trophy Awards from the Government of Bangladesh.
Driven by a deep commitment to empowering the Bangladeshi diaspora, Mr. Ahmed envisioned a financial institution tailored for Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs). This vision materialised in the form of NRB Bank, one of his most significant achievements. He successfully united 46 NRB entrepreneur-investors from around the globe to invest in Bangladesh, fostering economic growth by facilitating inward and outward investments. The bank also plays a pivotal role in helping Bangladeshi enterprises access international markets, thereby boosting foreign remittance inflows and strengthening the national economy.
As he embarks on his second term as Chairman of NRB Bank, his commitment to digital transformation will position the bank at the forefront of modern banking, delivering smarter and more inclusive financial solutions to customers across the region.
His leadership will continue to shape the bank’s future, ensuring it plays a vital role in strengthening Bangladesh’s economy and connecting its diaspora to opportunities to invest in the country.
Despite his demanding schedule, Mr. Ahmed remains deeply committed to philanthropy, actively supporting charitable initiatives in both the UK and Bangladesh. His contributions span education, healthcare and community development. In Sylhet, he founded the Burunga Iqbal Ahmed High School and College, providing quality education to over 1,600 students.
In the UK, he has raised funds for major healthcare causes including the Manchester Children’s Hospital Appeal, the Royal Manchester Eye Hospital Appeal, Christie’s Cancer Appeal and Oldham Royal Hospital MRI Scanner Appeal. He personally oversees his companies’ CSR efforts and chairs the Iqbal Bros Foundation, a UK-registered charity that has supported Rohingya refugees and funded scholarships at Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge University and Manchester Metropolitan University.
Mr Ahmed also plays a key role in promoting entrepreneurship. He is Chairman of UKBCCI (UK Bangladesh Catalyst of Commerce & Industry), an organization that fosters trade, investment and collaboration between business communities in the UK and Bangladesh.
He participated in Mosaic, an initiative under the Prince’s Trust “Seeing is Believing” programme, attending events and engaging in select activities. While no longer actively involved, his early support reflected his interest in mentoring and community upliftment.
In addition, he founded and chairs the Masjid ul Aqsa Islamic Centre in Oldham, a mosque and community hub offering prayer facilities, religious education and cultural programs.
Mr Ahmed received his highest personal recognition when he was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in the Queen’s Honours List of 2001 for his outstanding services to international trade. He has also been recognised as a Commercially Important Person (CIP) in Bangladesh since 2009, in acknowledgment of his contributions to the country’s economic development.
In July 2017, Iqbal Ahmed was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration by Manchester Metropolitan University, recognising his outstanding achievements in business and his significant contributions to the economic development and regeneration of both Manchester and Bangladesh.
Iqbal Ahmed has served on numerous UK and international advisory bodies, including SAAG (Southern Asian Advisory Group), the Competitiveness Council, BOND (UKTI), MOSAIC, New East Manchester, Ethical Trading Champions’ Group, Catalyst UK and Bridge2Bangladesh (B2B). He was appointed advisor to the Board of Trade by Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox MP to support British exports and international trade missions. In 2007, he was invited by then-Chancellor George Osborne to join the New Enterprise Council, a think tank focused on entrepreneurship and investment.
He is a sought-after speaker at global forums and universities, having presented at the Bangladesh Investment Summits (London, Singapore), World Islamic Economic Forum (Dubai), Entrepreneurs Festival (Manchester) and institutions such as University of Dhaka, UCL and Manchester University Business School.
In 2018, he was personally invited by Michael Bloomberg to be a founding delegate at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore and later attended the second forum in Beijing in 2019.
In February 2017, Iqbal Ahmed published his autobiography, King Prawn – Dreaming Big and Making It Happen, which chronicles his journey from humble beginnings to international business success. His second book, Sylhet to Manchester, was launched at the Dhaka Book Fair in February 2020.
Mr Ahmed is currently involved in the farming of Vannamei shrimp in Bangladesh, a high-yielding species widely cultivated across the globe. He personally oversaw the development of the infrastructure from its inception, ensuring sustainable and environmentally responsible practices.
The project got off the ground with the support of CPF Thailand, a leading aquaculture company known for its expertise in shrimp fry and feed production. Driven by his passion for innovation and economic growth, Iqbal Ahmed played a key role in rallying government support to approve commercial farming of Vannamei shrimp, a move expected to contribute billions to Bangladesh’s economy through increased exports and job creation.
Iqbal Ahmed is married to Salma and they have three children, all of whom are professionally successful.
Mr. Md. Quamrul Islam Chowdhury was appointed as an Independent Director to the Board of Directors of NRB Bank PLC in March 2025.
Mr. Chowdhury is a highly respected and accomplished banker with over four decades of experience in the banking and financial services sector in Bangladesh. He served as the Managing Director and CEO of Mercantile Bank PLC from February 2019 to November 2024, where he led the bank through significant operational and strategic milestones. Prior to becoming CEO, he held various key leadership positions in the bank including Additional Managing Director, Deputy Managing Director, Zonal Head of Chattogram Region, and Head of the Main Branch in Dhaka.
Before joining Mercantile Bank, Mr. Chowdhury began his banking career in 1984 as a Probationary Officer at National Bank Limited. He later served as SAVP and Head of Jubilee Road Branch at National Credit & Commerce Bank Limited from 1994 to 2001. In 2001, he joined Mercantile Bank PLC and played a pivotal role in the expansion of the bank's regional and operational footprint.
Mr. Chowdhury’s expertise encompasses corporate banking, SME finance, international trade, treasury and liquidity management, credit risk management, and regulatory compliance. His leadership was instrumental in the successful implementation of the TEMENOS T24 Core Banking System at Mercantile Bank and in maintaining the bank's strong asset quality and governance standards.
He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Commerce in Marketing from the University of Dhaka. Throughout his career, Mr. Chowdhury has actively participated in numerous seminars, workshops, and executive leadership development programs both at home and abroad. He attended key international programs in the USA, UK, Japan, UAE, Oman, India, Hong Kong, and Malaysia, covering topics such as banking operations, risk management, total quality management, and leadership development.
Mr. Chowdhury is known for his commitment to ethical banking, institutional integrity, and sustainable growth. His rich experience and proven track record in strategic leadership make him a valuable asset to the Board of NRB Bank PLC.
In his personal life, Mr. Chowdhury is passionate about reading and traveling. He hails from Noakhali and presently residing in Chattogram.
Mr. A K M Mizanur Rahman FCA is a distinguished Independent Director at Standard Ceramic Industries Ltd. He also served as an Independent Director for several prominent organizations including Padma Islami Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Beach Hatchery Ltd. and Gemini Sea Food Ltd.
Mr. Rahman completed his Chartered Accountancy qualifications from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) in 1983 and earned his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Dhaka in 1975.
He is the Managing Partner of Shafiq Mizan Rahman & Augustine, Chartered Accountants. With a career spanning decades, he has earned a reputation as a seasoned professional in the field of accounting and corporate governance.
In addition to his professional career, Mr. Rahman has been deeply involved in various social and professional organizations. He is a life member of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, and the Bangladesh Lions Foundation. Furthermore, he is an active member of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
Mr. Rahman attended numerous seminars and conferences both domestically and internationally. He served as the Chairman of the Dhaka Regional Council of ICAB in 1997 and held the position of Past President of the Lions Club of Dhaka Shahabagh. He has also been an International Director & Chairman, Bangladesh National Chapter of OISCA International, Japan & Director of Sadaran Bima Corporation (An 100% state owned organisation).
His distinguished leadership, strategic vision, and enduring contributions to the field have not only advanced the standards of the accounting profession but have also earned him widespread recognition and deep respect among his peers, regulators, and the broader business community.
Mr. Shaikh Md. Salim is a former Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank, the central bank of Bangladesh.
Mr. Salim an impressive academic background having earned a Master of Business Administration in Financial Management from the University of Hull, UK, in 2003. Prior to this, he completed his Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a focus on Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) from Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET) in 1987. Later, Mr. Salim has accumulated six years of valuable professional experience working with various private-sector firms, honing his skills in real-world business environments. Additionally, in 1997, he enriched his knowledge by obtaining a Certificate Course in Economics from the National University.
Mr. Salim began his banking professional journey as an Assistant Director at Bangladesh Bank from January 1993, the central bank of Bangladesh, and advanced to the esteemed role of Executive Director over the course of his career. With over 30 years of extensive experience at Bangladesh Bank, he has developed a profound expertise in various domains, including financial analysis, project management, data-driven decision-making, credit appraisal, and evaluation of the performance of banks and non-bank financial institutions.
His significant contributions encompass policy formulation and implementation, particularly aimed at promoting the development of Cottage, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (CMSMEs). Mr. Salim has been instrumental in enhancing the financial capabilities of CMSMEs through targeted financing initiatives and by managing diverse promotional events, fairs, and rallies.
Additionally, he has excelled in supervision and evaluation of banking sector operations, ensuring compliance and performance excellence. His teaching and training experience at the Bangladesh Bank Training Academy includes course design, coordination, preparation of study materials, development of annual training programs, course delivery, and evaluation of examination scripts. Mr. Salim's multifaceted skills and extensive background position him as a highly regarded professional in the banking and financial sectors.
Ferdous Ara Begum is the former Additional Secretary to the Government of Bangladesh and former DG of Bangladesh Television. She is a distinguished Gender and Ageing issues specialist in Bangladesh.
As a former civil servant, she was the first woman to lead Bangladesh Television as Director General, and also the first female Commissioner of Taxes in Bangladesh. She served as a Board Member of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Grameen Bank for six years.
Ferdous Ara Begum just concluded her nine years tenure as the member of the Board of Trustees of HelpAge International (2016 to 2025). She is also the former member of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW - 2007-2010) at the UN.
As a CEDAW Committee Member she worked to realize equality between men and women through ensuring women’s equal excess to and equal opportunity in every aspect of their life including public and political life. She took the lead role to formulate the General Recommendation on protection of human rights of older women, which is called G.R.27.
As the member of the Board of Trustees of HelpAge International, she influenced the policy guide line of the organization for the benefit of the older people, so that they have a dignified life with adequate social protection, access to health services, protection from violence and they have a voice.
In her 32 years of continuous public service, she has been active in educating and creating public awareness on the importance of women’s rights and actively influenced women’s financial independence. She helped to mainstream women's and child rights issues in government policies, creating awareness for ageing issues and reproductive rights. She has taken initiatives for GO – NGO collaboration and NGOs engagement as a partner of the development programs implementation. While working at the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, one of her important responsibilities was to oversee 34 gender specific projects that were designed to provide social and legal protection for women and children.
Ms. Begum possesses remarkable educational credentials. She completed her BA (Honors) and MA in Economics from the University of Dhaka. After that, she obtained her Master in Public Administration degree (MPA) from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, USA. She also completed a Certificate Course in Development Administration at Princeton University, USA, and studied Gender Issues and Participatory Governance at KIT, The Netherlands.
She is the CEO of the Active Ageing and Research Centre, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
For more details, please click on her personal website as follows: https://www.ferdous.info/profiledl.htm
Mr. SK. Matiur Rahman is a highly accomplished financial professional previously held the position of Deputy Managing Director at Prime Bank PLC.
With over 35 years of diverse leadership experience in the financial sector, Mr. Rahman began his career as a Probationary Officer at Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd. in 1989. Throughout his career, he has gained invaluable expertise, particularly in the fields of Treasury Management, Foreign Remittance, Correspondent Banking, International Trade, and Foreign Exchange. Notably, he served as the Chairman of the Technical Committee for the Bangladesh Foreign Exchange Dealers Association (BAFEDA) in 2021, further demonstrating his influential role in shaping the country’s financial landscape.
A graduate of Dhaka University, Mr. Rahman holds both an Honours and Master’s degree in Finance. He has continually enhanced his knowledge through various local and international training programs, seminars and workshops, further solidifying his reputation as a seasoned leader in the financial industry.
Mr. Tarek Reaz Khan has recently joined NRB Bank PLC. as the Managing Director & CEO for 3-years tenure. Prior to joining NRB Bank PLC., Mr. Tarek served as the MD & CEO of Padma Bank PLC.
After completing Masters in Marketing from the University of Dhaka in 1994, Mr. Tarek served in multiple Large Local Conglomerate before starting his banking career with the Standard Chartered Bank as a Trainee Officer in 1997. In his long colorful career of 30 years, he had served at Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh in different positions including senior management positions particularly in the domain of Retail and Branch Banking, where he served for 16 years. He also served at The Premier Bank PLC. as Deputy Managing Director, COO and CAMLCO, Bank Alfalah Bangladesh as Country Head of Retail Banking and Branches and Mutual Trust Bank PLC. as the Deputy Managing Director, COO and CAMLCO.
Mr. Tarek has led multiple strategic organizational transformation initiatives across different banks, where he served and contributed significantly towards the fundamental improvement in the specific areas of Business, Risk, Operations, Support Functions, Technology and HR, which ensured growth of those banks. He had overseas attachment exposure in the UAE, India and Malaysia during his time with Standard Chartered Bank. He also had attachment exposure in Pakistan during his time with Bank Alfalah Bangladesh Operations. He participated in many professional and management development trainings, workshops and seminars both at home and abroad. He has travelled to 33 countries of the world.
In his personal life, he is married and father of three children.
