Exiled: Madiha Aslam, Innovo
Today’s Exile is Madiha Aslam, Director and Head of Structured Finance At Innovo Group. Madiha admires people who forge their own path, drawing on their experience without being restricted by what’s gone before.
Welcome to Exiled: Dealmakers on a Desert Island, a podcast where we ‘strand’ a guest on a remote island and ask them who from their professional past, present, and future they’d choose to be Exiled with. After all, it’s people that make a profession.
Today’s Exile is Madiha Aslam, Director at Innovo Group. Madiha admires people who forge their own path, drawing on their experience without being restricted by what’s gone before. She recognises that, much like on a desert island, navigating uncertainty with creative thinking is crucial in export finance. With a resident doctor, a solutions provider, a sailor, and an optimist on board, Madiha’s Exile is full of people prepared to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in.
From her past
From her past, Madiha selected Miguel Nunes, Former Head of Operations at Innovo. Although he has a lot of admirable qualities, it’s his confidence to be himself that Madiha admires most in Miguel. He’s a fantastic negotiator with a dry sense of humour and, to top it off, he’s a ship’s skipper!
From her present
Yoshi Ichikawa, Managing Director & Head of Europe, at Standard Chartered is Madiha’s second pick. Yoshi has influenced a lot of people in the industry, which regular listeners will know from Christine Jordan’s Exile! He helped Madiha shift into export finance, and has a canny way of helping individuals work their own way to a conclusion that he always knew was right.
From her future
Although they haven’t worked together much yet, Madiha would love to collaborate more with Alyson Henshaw, Managing Director, Head of Export and Agency Financing - Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, at Citi Bank. An industry stalwart, Alyson understands the unique challenges of export finance brings. But, crucially, her optimism champions all. Whatever the challenge, Aly approaches issues with a smile, and is always ready to roll up her sleeves and find a solution.
Bonus round
Madiha’s final island companion would be her lifelong friend, Madusha Weeratunga. Madusha was a successful veterinarian working with the government of Australia when she couldn’t help but see the lack of healthcare provisions for the indigenous population. And so, mid-career, Madusha retrained as a doctor with a clear goal to help indigenous Australians to access and trust healthcare. Madusha was always clear on her ultimate goal, her ‘North Star’ - and Madiha sees her friend as her very own ‘North Star.’
Tune in next week, where we’ll be speaking to our next Exile!
