Alternative financier Falcon Group has hired Nasser Saidi to its board as non-executive.

From 2006 to 2012, Saidi was the chief economist, strategist and head of external relations of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), where he also established the Hawkamah Institute for Corporate Governance and the Mudara Institute of Directors.

He previously served as Lebanon’s minister of economy and trade as well as minister of industry between 1998 and 2000. He was first vice-governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon for two successive terms between 1993 and 2003.

Saidi is also the president and founder of economic and financial advisory company Nasser Saidi and Associates. He is deputy chair of Eureeca, a crowd-funding platform, and an IMF regional advisory group member for Mena, as well as co-chair of the OECD Mena Corporate Governance Working Group.

Falcon Group founder and chairman, Kamel Alzarka, says Saidi’s expertise will be invaluable in helping “cement the group’s place at the top of the alternative financing industry”.

Commenting on his new role, Saidi says: “I want to be a part of Falcon Group’s exciting growth and development as the leading alternative finance provider in emerging markets.”