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Salim Mohammad

CFO

Salim is a CPA, MBA and seasoned finance executive with over 25 years of senior leadership experience, shaping financial strategy and driving business transformation across private, PE-backed, and owner-managed businesses in retail, distribution, logistics, hospitality, and manufacturing.

He is recognised for his people-first leadership, strong cross-functional alignment, and pragmatic approach to finance transformation and decision support. Salim has led the restructuring of finance functions, secured complex banking facilities, enhanced ERP-enabled reporting, and supported major strategic shifts, including transitioning a leading retailer from a franchise model to a joint venture structure during challenging market conditions.

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Track record highlights

  • Implemented an AI-enabled automation solution that streamlined invoice capture, three-way matching, exception flagging, and ERP integration for accounting entries, reducing AP function headcount by 50%
  • Negotiated and secured $100M+ in working capital and capex facilities to fund market expansion, store investments, and logistics assets aligned with long-term strategic objectives
  • Oversaw financial operations and capital structures across a regional retail and distribution group, managing cross-border investments, debt facilities, tax efficiency, and cash flow optimization
  • Led the transition of a luxury brand from franchise to joint venture across five GCC countries, establishing entities from inception and contributing to over 40% revenue growth
  • Led a buy-side M&A transaction for an owner-led distribution business, supporting the full deal lifecycle from opportunity sourcing and target identification through due diligence, valuation support, negotiation, and integration planning
  • Developed and led an SKU and inventory optimization program for an industrial lighting manufacturer, using an ABC/XYZ segmentation matrix, structured planning stages, and RACI ownership to reduce stockouts, simplify portfolio complexity, and reduce stock cover from 9 to 5 months

Sector Experience

  • Retail & Distribution: Luxury, Apparel & Accessories, White Goods, Tech Accessories, Beauty, Consumer Goods
  • Hospitality & F&B: Restaurants, Hotels, Food Services, Farming & Agriculture
  • Logistics: Freight Forwarding, Warehousing & Transport
  • Manufacturing: Industrial Lighting, Sustainable Packaging
  • Family-Owned Conglomerates: Tech, Healthcare, Shools, Power Generation, General Contracting

Salim's specialist skills

Strategic Thinker

Develops and leads strategic planning processes, identifying risks and growth opportunities while shaping business models, including transitions from franchise to joint venture structures aligned with long-term objectives.

Leadership

Leads finance teams and manages complex stakeholder relationships with owners, investors, and lenders, providing stability and direction through transformation, high-growth phases, and critical business inflection points.

M&A, Capital & Transaction Support

Lead buy-side M&A, due diligence, financial modeling, valuation, and integration for two successful transactions, including one for a high-stakes acquisition for an owner-managed distribution business.

Technology & Data Enablement

Implements ERP-enabled controls, integrates financial systems with analytics platforms, and develops user-friendly dashboards that enable finance and commercial teams to make faster, data-driven decisions.

Banking Relationships

Negotiated and secured multi-million-dollar in working capital and capital expenditure banking facilities to support market expansion, store investments, logistics assets, and business scaling.

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