Executive Director
RIAD BECHARA OBEGI
Biography
Riad Bechara Obegi is a seasoned Syrian-Lebanese banker and business leader having more than 40 years of extensive
experience in banking, finance, and corporate governance. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board and General
Manager of Banque BEMO SAL (Lebanon), and holds several leadership positions across financial institutions and
investment companies in the region.
Throughout his distinguished career, Riad has held executive and board-level positions across Lebanon, Syria, France,
Belgium, and Luxembourg. He has led major banking institutions, overseen strategic growth initiatives, and contributed
significantly to the development of financial services and capital markets in the region. He has undertaken several leadership
positions included Chairman and General Manager of Banque BEMO SAL, Chairman of Unifert Holding SAL, Chairman of
BSEC (BEMO Securitisation), Chairman of BBSF Microfinance (Syria), Vice Chairman of BBSF (Syria), and Chairman &
General Manager of Banque BEMO Europe (France), among others.
Recognized as one of the region’s leading banking executives, Riad has played a key role in strengthening financial
institutions and advancing banking excellence across the Middle East and Europe.
Riad holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Lyon Lumière University, a PMD from Harvard Business School, a Diploma in
Economics and Finance from IEP Paris, a Degree in Business Law from Paris ASSAS University, and a Master’s Degree in
Management from Paris IX Dauphine University.
experience in banking, finance, and corporate governance. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board and General
Manager of Banque BEMO SAL (Lebanon), and holds several leadership positions across financial institutions and
investment companies in the region.
Throughout his distinguished career, Riad has held executive and board-level positions across Lebanon, Syria, France,
Belgium, and Luxembourg. He has led major banking institutions, overseen strategic growth initiatives, and contributed
significantly to the development of financial services and capital markets in the region. He has undertaken several leadership
positions included Chairman and General Manager of Banque BEMO SAL, Chairman of Unifert Holding SAL, Chairman of
BSEC (BEMO Securitisation), Chairman of BBSF Microfinance (Syria), Vice Chairman of BBSF (Syria), and Chairman &
General Manager of Banque BEMO Europe (France), among others.
Recognized as one of the region’s leading banking executives, Riad has played a key role in strengthening financial
institutions and advancing banking excellence across the Middle East and Europe.
Riad holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Lyon Lumière University, a PMD from Harvard Business School, a Diploma in
Economics and Finance from IEP Paris, a Degree in Business Law from Paris ASSAS University, and a Master’s Degree in
Management from Paris IX Dauphine University.