Ohoud Akbar: Building Retail Banking Growth Through Strategic Leadership

Saudi Women Leaders

Ohoud Akbar is a seasoned banking leader with more than 20 years of experience in Retail Banking, with a career defined by progressive leadership, business growth, customer experience, and strategic execution. Today, as Area Manager at Emirates NBD KSA, she oversees three branches in Jeddah, with responsibility for business performance, growth, customer experience, and people leadership.

From Teller to Banking Leader

Akbar began her banking career in 2006 as a Teller with Alawwal Bank, now part of SAB. From her initial frontline role, she progressively moved into operational and leadership positions, building a broad understanding of retail banking and branch operations.

A significant milestone came when she was selected for an intensive Future Branch Manager development program. The program provided exposure to a wide range of banking areas, including credit facilities, trade finance, letters of credit and guarantees, treasury, SME financing, and retail banking products. Following the program, she was selected to lead a branch, marking an important step in her transition into branch leadership.

Leading the Western Region’s Women’s Branch Network

Two years later, Akbar was promoted to Cluster Manager, taking responsibility for the women’s branch network across the Western Region. The role expanded her leadership scope and strengthened her experience in managing branch performance, teams, and business priorities across multiple locations.

Her progression through these roles established a strong foundation in operational management, customer service, business development, and people leadership.

Joining Emirates NBD KSA

In 2018, Akbar joined Emirates NBD KSA during an important stage of the bank’s growth in Saudi Arabia. She initially joined as Branch Manager of the Ladies Branch, where she was entrusted with leading a key branch while contributing to the bank’s broader ambition of expanding its presence and branch network in the Kingdom.

Following the integration of the ladies’ and men’s sections, her leadership scope expanded from managing the Ladies Branch to taking full responsibility for the entire Jeddah Main Branch. She was subsequently promoted to Senior Branch Manager, a position she held for more than seven years before advancing to her current role as Area Manager.

Growing Business Through People and Strategy

As Area Manager, Akbar’s responsibilities have expanded to overseeing three branches in Jeddah. Her leadership focus encompasses business performance, business growth, customer experience, and people development.

Her professional expertise is reflected in three core areas: Customer Experience, Business Strategy, and Business Growth. She combines strategic execution with a strong emphasis on building high-performing teams and developing talent to support sustainable business performance.

A Journey Built Through Teamwork

Reflecting on her Emirates NBD KSA journey, Akbar highlights the importance of teamwork in achieving organizational progress. Being part of the bank’s development from an early stage to its present position in Saudi Arabia is a milestone she takes particular pride in.

For Akbar, that progress represents a collective achievement rather than an individual one—driven by strong teamwork, shared commitment, and people working toward a common vision.

Looking Ahead

Akbar’s leadership ambitions extend toward further expanding her scope, particularly in branch network expansion and distribution. She aims to contribute to the continued growth and transformation of the banking sector in Saudi Arabia while creating sustainable value through strong execution, talent development, and customer-focused leadership.

Her career demonstrates how continuous professional development, broad banking exposure, and progressive responsibility can build a strong foundation for long-term leadership in Retail Banking.

Education and Professional Foundation

Akbar holds a B+ degree in Accounting and Finance from King AbdulAziz University, completed between 1998 and 2002.

Her academic background, combined with more than two decades of practical banking experience, has supported her progression across frontline operations, branch management, cluster leadership, and regional management.

Saudi Women Leaders Recognition

Ohoud Akbar is recognized for her more than two decades of progressive leadership in Retail Banking and her contribution to business growth, customer experience, and organizational performance. Her journey from Teller to Area Manager reflects sustained professional development, strategic leadership, and a strong commitment to people and long-term business growth in Saudi Arabia.