Bapco Leadership - Senior Women Profiles

Huda Yusuf currently leads Bapco’s Internal Audit Department, responsible for implementing audit process in line with international best practice. Huda’s professional qualifications include several certifications and Charterships from US and UK Associations.

Huda graduated from the University College of Bahrain with a Bachelors in Accounting and Finance. From there she joined KPMG Fakhro Bahrain, a partnership delivering national audit and accounting services within the Kingdom of Bahrain. During her career at KPMG Fakhro Bahrain, Huda was responsible for audits of leading Bahraini companies and became a local ambassador for KPMG’s Global Mobility Programme, advising local talent on the opportunities of cross-border assignments. Huda finished as a Deputy Manager at KPMG Fakhro Bahrain.

Huda then moved to London to work for KPMG as a Manager and External Auditor, responsible for a wide range of client assignments and staff management duties. During her career at KPMG Huda mentored and managed more than 100 colleagues in the UK and overseas. Huda also participated in the selection of KPMG joiners from their school leavers programme and used her career experience to provide counselling on education, career and their professional choices.

After a successful period with KPMG, Huda returned to KPMG Fakhro Bahrain before moving on to GFH Financial Group, a leading financial group who offer Islamic investment banking services within the region. This represented a change in career for Huda as she became an Internal Auditor - Senior Manager. Her new responsibilities included managing some of their largest audit programmes exceeding USD 1 billion of USA-based investments across nine states; conducting site inspection visits; and reviewing asset management process. Huda succeeding in improving GFH’s internal audit programme through efficiency increases in early detection of fraud and errors.

Huda joined Bapco in 2021 after some 14 years of experience in Internal and External Auditing to head the Internal Audit Department. Huda was delighted and honoured with the appointment as it was the first time a female had been appointed to this position. The Department reports directly to the CEO and Bapco’s Board Committee.

Huda’s responsibilities also include leading the restructuring of the internal audit department to align with international standards. This transformation has been initiated in response to the needs of BMP and comprises three pillars of enabling technology, audit methodology and governance.

Huda comments that on joining she immediately recognised the strong feeling of belonging and family at Bapco. This collegiate spirit is especially noticeable across Departments as many within Bapco have moved several times within their career and retain those links to friends and colleagues.

Huda feels privileged to have joined Bapco and believes that the hiring of senior women at Bapco will be just the first of many milestones.