The global agenda has never been so varied, so pressing or so complex. It demands of the international community new approaches, new resources and new commitments of commercial and political will. We cannot wait for governments to do it all.
Our advisory council comprises of influential and inspiring individuals whose guidance influences Qismat’s philanthropic, humanitarian and developmental agenda. By leveraging not only their experience but also their network of contacts, we are able to further Qismat’s beneficiary reach.
WIQAR ALI KHAN – Actor, Executive Producer & Creative Director
Wiqar Ali Khan begun his rise to fame behind the camera at the BBC and since, his career has spanned the fields of TV, print, electronic, media and broadcasting having worked with large production and media companies such as MTV, SKY TV, Celador, Channel 4, and Zee TV to name but a few. The quintessential BritPak and icon of style, Wiqar is an influential force amongst the youth Asian population having hit the scene with a bang when he was crowned the world's first Asian Supermodel in 1996 and later being the brand ambassador and face of internationally recognized brands such as Motorola, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Calvin Klein and Pepsi amongst others. Alongside his day job of acting and modelling, Wiqar is also an award-winning director, producer and entrepreneur having directed music videos, TV series and short documentaries. He has worked extensively for MTV within the Asian subcontinent helping launch the franchise in Pakistan as well as introducing 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire' in the region. Wiqar has a genuine love for media and all its facets from films to music and sees that as the bridge to start a cultural exchange dialogue within developing nations as a catalyst to escaping the trappings of poverty. Whilst having strong Pakistani roots, Wiqar is globally recognized and has also worked alongside Hollywood & Bollywood celebrities from Abishek Bachan to Xzibit, Shahrukh Khan to Adrien Brody, Salman Khan, Ne-Yo, Naomi Campbell, Kareena Kapoor and Bipasha Basu, and as such is a true ambassador of popular Asian culture. When not launching new media channels, acting, producing or modelling, Wiqar also serves as the Creative Director for AWAKE (A Wiqar Ali Khan Endeavour) and can be found globe-trotting around with the Gumball Rally.
DANIEL BENDAVID – Director, Brydg
Daniel Bendavid has worked as a structured finance director for Sanwa Bank Limited from 1989 to 1995. Deputy General Manager of BayernLB, Paris Branch from 1995 to 2005. Daniel joined BNP Paribas as Head of Europe/ Real Estate Lending to set up the bank's commercial structured real estate lending platform. Daniel co-founded Aeriance in May 2008. Aeriance Investments SA is an investment management group with a focus on real estate debt investments in Europe. Since September 2013 Daniel has joined Helios Capital LTD, a real estate finance and asset back lending investment company. Daniel graduated from Paris IX Dauphine and the University of Riverside California in 1989, majoring in Finance. Daniel has made investment for over EUR 2bn in European debt transactions since 2008 with a main focus in the UK.
VALENTIN TSVETANOV – Partner, Aquila
Valentin Tsvetanov is a senior economist who has held several high profile positions in the public and private sectors. As the former Director of the EBRD (European Bank of Reconstruction & Development) and Governor of the Central Bank of Bulgaria, Mr. Tsvetanov posses a great deal of financial background with experience in mutual funds, financial regulation, governance, capital markets, corporate finance, M&A and banking. Mr. Tsvetanov has previously held two Managing Director roles amongst other senior financial positions within banks and companies in London, Sofia and Moscow. Mr. Tsvetanov has also consulted for the World Bank and the IMF and is fluent in English, Russian, Bulgarian, Macedonian, and Croatian.
