
CyberArk strengthens EMEA financial services and insurance leadership with appointment of Andy Parsons
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: CyberArk, the global leader in identity security, has appointed Andy Parsons as Director for the EMEA Financial Services & Insurance (FSI) Vertical. Andy will lead efforts to strengthen CyberArk's presence across the region, as financial institutions continue to invest in identity security and modernise their infrastructure.
His appointment reinforces CyberArk's focus on supporting financial services and insurance customers across EMEA with solutions that meet their evolving security, regulatory and operational needs.
Andy brings over 35 years of experience in engineering, technology, leadership and strategy — including 25 years in financial services. He has held senior roles at global institutions such as HSBC, Citi, JP Morgan, Mastercard and Admiral Insurance, serving as CIO, CTO, CISO and CRO.
'The FSI business in EMEA continues to thrive as companies prioritise resilience and embrace a modern identity security model,' said Christophe Escande, Head of Industries GTM, CyberArk. 'Andy's appointment reflects our ongoing commitment to this important sector. His deep industry knowledge and proven leadership will be instrumental in helping our customers protect what matters most in an increasingly complex threat landscape.'
Andy joins CyberArk at a pivotal time, as the company builds on strong momentum for its identity security platform and continues to meet the evolving needs of regulated industries across the region.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Web Release
3 hours ago
- Web Release
UAE Deepens Investment in Social Infrastructure Amid Population Growth and Strategic Reforms
The Middle East will see a 25% increase in social infrastructure project activity in the next two years, according to a new report by Ansarada, a leading procurement platform. As population growth accelerates and quality-of-life standards become increasingly central to national agendas, governments across the Middle East are intensifying investment in social infrastructure projects. In 2024, the Middle East had a total value of US$1.6 billion in social infrastructure transactions, which is expected to grow to US$2.0 billion by 2027. According to the report, almost half (46%) of EMEA stakeholders cite population growth and improved quality of life as key investment drivers. Ansarada's Social Infrastructure Outlook 2025 explores key themes such as procurement efficiency, risk allocation and the shift towards workflow digitalisation, providing up-to-the-minute insights into prevailing procurement trends. explores key themes such as procurement efficiency, risk allocation and the shift towards workflow digitalisation, providing up-to-the-minute insights into prevailing procurement trends. Justin Smith, Managing Director, Ansarada, said, 'We're seeing a notable shift in how infrastructure capital is being deployed across the Middle East, with the UAE playing a leading role in this evolution. Through strategic reforms, ongoing population growth, and government initiatives promoting technology-enabled procurement, the UAE appears to be enhancing project delivery while working toward higher standards for sustainable urban development. This progressive approach is contributing to changes in how healthcare, education, and housing infrastructure are funded, built, and managed throughout the region.' The UAE federal government has allocated over AED 27 billion ($7.4 billion) to upgrade infrastructure, its most ambitious investment to date, driven by 4% annual population growth and rising global investor interest. To meet demand, the government is increasingly using public-private partnerships (PPP) models to fast-track delivery and leverage private sector expertise. At the same time, EMEA has emerged as the most competitive region, with 30% of professionals reporting very high levels of competition during the bidding stage of their most recent projects, significantly higher than any other market surveyed. By comparison, only 10% of respondents in Asia-Pacific reported similar levels of competition, pointing to deeper structural differences and market maturity across regions. More broadly, healthcare has emerged as the top investment priority for EMEA, with 68% of procurement professionals indicating the sector will see the greatest increase in value over the next two years. This is followed by leisure (56%) and education (52%), reflecting a broader focus on community well-being and long-term social resilience. The findings come amid growing complexity and urgency in delivering high-impact social infrastructure projects, particularly in rapidly developing markets such as the UAE, where demand for quality healthcare and education is accelerating The report confirms the UAE's emergence as the Middle East's infrastructure innovation hub, where digital-first procurement models are enabling faster, more cost-effective, and sustainable project delivery.


Arabian Business
3 hours ago
- Arabian Business
UAE real estate: 6 major hotspots to invest in right now, delivering 9% returns
The UAE's real estate sector recorded transactions worth over AED 239 billion (approximately $65 billion) in the first quarter of 2024, according to official figures. Property consultancy Whitewill has identified six locations drawing investor attention during the summer period. According to the analysis, the market favours projects combining lifestyle, location, and financial returns. 1. Dubai Creek Harbour Dubai Creek Harbour continues to generate demand from buyers seeking waterfront properties with access to Downtown Dubai. The development features master-planned waterfront living with green spaces and views of the Dubai Creek Tower. Waterfront apartments in the area start at AED1.45 million, whilst luxury villas exceed AED5 million. The location delivers rental yields between 6 per cent and 6.8 per cent with consistent appreciation rates. The Albero at Green Gate development by AHAD represents a low-rise project within the high-rise zone, offering landscaped privacy and smart layouts designed for end-users. 2. Al Marjan Island Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah has experienced increased demand, particularly ahead of the upcoming Wynn Resort development. The resort will transform the area into a hospitality hub with gaming and entertainment facilities. Property prices begin at AED585,000 for apartments, with ultra-luxury homes reaching AED30 million and above. The location provides rental yields of 8 per cent to 9 per cent and above, with some areas recording over 20 per cent year-on-year appreciation. SORA by AARK exemplifies current developments with hotel-style amenities, sea views, and curated interiors. 3. Business Bay Business Bay continues attracting buyers focused on income-generating assets in central Dubai. The area combines proximity to the Dubai International Financial Centre and Downtown Dubai with access to the Dubai Canal. Studios and one to two-bedroom apartments average AED1.4 million, delivering yields between 6 per cent and 7 per cent with strong resale demand. The Waldorf Astoria Residences provides a branded address combining high-end services with practical living standards. 4. Abu Dhabi Yas Island Yas Island in Abu Dhabi draws buyers seeking leisure amenities alongside family appeal and short-stay rental opportunities. The island features theme parks, golf courses, marinas, and cultural attractions within a planned residential setting. Villas average AED 4.5 million, with apartments priced between AED1.2 million and AED3.8 million. Yields remain steady at 6.5 per cent to 7 per cent. The Waldorf Astoria Yas Island offers waterfront living backed by a hospitality brand. 5. Dubai South Dubai South attracts investors seeking affordability aligned with UAE infrastructure development. The location sits near the planned Al Maktoum Airport International Airport expansion, logistics hubs, and Expo 2020 legacy infrastructure. Off-plan units start at AED 800,000, with projected value growth of 15 per cent to 25 per cent by 2030 and rental returns between 6 per cent and 8 per cent. Al Waha in Expo City features a wellness-focused, car-free community design in the innovation hub. 6. Jumeirah Village Circle Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) remains popular with buyers seeking strong yields without compromising lifestyle elements. The area provides rental income and resident satisfaction. Apartments begin at AED 650,000 and entry-level villas at AED 1.6 million, offering yields between 7 per cent and 8.6 per cent. Consistent rental demand makes the district suitable for first-time investors. Havelock Heights by HMB delivers boutique living with rooftop amenities and rental potential. 'While each area is unique, Al Marjan Island and Dubai South hold exceptional long-term promise. The former is becoming the UAE's entertainment capital with hospitality-led growth, while the latter is powered by airport expansion, creating a foundation for sustained capital growth and end-user migration. Both represent early-stage opportunities in rapidly maturing ecosystems—a perfect fit for investors with vision. While Dubai Creek Harbour and Yas Island remain strong lifestyle markets, the real long-term multiplier effect will come from assets in these high-conviction, underpenetrated districts where supply is still limited and strategic government investment is ongoing,' Whitewill said in a statement.


Khaleej Times
7 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Watch: Dubai expat to build mini Burj Khalifa using 2 million chopsticks
Dubai-based businessman Charles Jabbour is on a mission to boost recycling and up-cycling one chopstick at a time. He plans to spare millions of disposable wooden utensils from going to landfills with projects that give them a second life as new, practical products. And to demonstrate just how many disposable chopsticks a big city like Dubai gets through, a replica of the Burj Khalifa is being constructed at The Arbor School, Al Furjan, led by students, with help from teachers, parents, and Jabbour's team. The Burj Bambusa Project, as it has been named by the school, will result in what is being touted as a potential record-breaker: the world's tallest structure made entirely from recycled bamboo chopsticks. 'We are using close to two million chopsticks, which I believe is about the equivalent number used at restaurants in a week in Dubai,' the 57-year-old Lebanese entrepreneur told Khaleej Times over the weekend. He views the project as a powerful symbol of circular economy principles, environmental innovation, and community engagement, and says the six-metre tower will raise awareness of the vast amount of reusable materials thrown away daily by hundreds of UAE restaurants. Jabbour and his team started collecting chopsticks from restaurants around Dubai 18 months ago and have since harvested at least two million to be repurposed to make attractive items such as 'climate-positive' furniture. He started a franchise, ChopValue, a global circular economy brand headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, and set up a micro-factory in Dubai under his company Art & Culture LLC. The Arbor School, meanwhile, prides itself on its focus on ecological literacy and sustainability, and on embedding compassion and curiosity into the fabric of the curriculum. So students have been directly involved in various stages of the project, including constructing chopstick bundles and conducting waste audits, evaluating the design of the structure, calculating environmental impact, and documenting the process. Since embarking on his campaign, Jabbour has partnered with popular restaurant chains The Noodle House and Wagamama, plus Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek, whose staff gather chopsticks used by customers for collection by Jabbour's team. 'As it currently stands, the majority of chopsticks in restaurants are used once and then thrown out,' Jabbour noted. 'This represents a tragic waste of resources, including wood, energy, and water, but also represents a great opportunity.' Jabbour and ChopValue intend to prevent about 250 tonnes of chopsticks per year locally from going to landfill. They will turn them into attractive items through a carbon-neutral, community-based production model, and give these humble wooden implements a new lease of life. Once clean of food and liquids, the chopsticks and wooden utensils can be engineered to form fresh items such as tables, chopping boards and coasters, thereby saving on carbon emissions and resources used in creating products from raw materials. 'This way, the chopsticks get more than one use and are repurposed creatively for products that look stylish and also come with a story,' Jabbour explained. Three weeks to go Jabbour wants The Arbor School's Burj project to draw attention to the 'breathtaking volume' of chopsticks used by the F&B industry, not only in the UAE but worldwide. The Burj replica construction began in early May and should be completed within three weeks, when Jabbour will seek a new temporary home for the structure. These chopsticks will also later be repurposed as new products.'By getting the school involved, we can demonstrate to the next generation how an item with a very short lifespan is treated as waste by many, but can still have an enduring new purpose,' Jabbour says. 'The project also shows the power of up-cycling and how this imaginative and growing sector can develop not only attractive new products using items destined for landfill but also create jobs for those who wish to pursue a sustainable career direction.' Jabbour said: 'There is a little bit of irony that these chopsticks will actually be around for longer now than they would have been for the purpose for which they were first designed. That is reassuring to know - and even better for the forests, our ecosystem, and the planet.'