— Founder & Chief Executive · Yasaar Limited · London
Majid
Dawood
Pioneer of Islamic Finance & Ethical Capital Markets.
Shaping the global Shariah-compliant economy since 1992.
Islamic FinanceShariah AdvisoryCapital MarketsSukuk StructuringFTSE Yasaar IndexESG & Green Finance
— About
The Mind Behind
Ethical Finance
“Islamic finance is about financing real growth with real money. Money shouldn’t make money — building things should make money.”
Majid Siddique Dawood is one of the world’s foremost authorities on ethical and Shariah-compliant finance. His decades-spanning career has taken him from the early corridors of Islamic banking in Pakistan to the commanding heights of London’s global financial institutions — leaving an indelible mark on the way the world understands and practices principled finance.
As the Founder and Chief Executive of Yasaar Limited — the first independent Shariah advisory and compliance firm of its kind — Majid has guided major banks, sovereign wealth funds, asset managers, and regulators across more than 140 countries in structuring Shariah-compliant instruments, from complex Sukuk issuances to equity screening and Takaful products.
His landmark partnership with FTSE Russell (London Stock Exchange Group) produced the FTSE Yasaar Global Equity Shariah Index Series — now celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026, comprising over 150 indices, and recognised as a cornerstone benchmark of the global Islamic finance industry valued at approaching $10 trillion in assets.
A regular keynote speaker at global conferences, a published author of industry articles and book chapters, and a trusted counsellor to institutions including Societe Generale, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Bank of Ireland, Majid is widely celebrated as a thought leader, innovator, and institution-builder in ethical finance.
Beyond finance, Majid is an avid photographer with a deep appreciation for visual storytelling, a lover of music and the arts, and a devoted mentor to the next generation of Islamic finance practitioners. Those who know him speak of a rare combination: technical mastery married to genuine warmth, wisdom, and integrity.
CURRENT ROLE
Yasaar Limited · London, United Kingdom
COMPANY FOUNDED
First independent Shariah advisory & compliance company globally
Industry Landmark
Board & Advisory Roles
Industry Body Membership
Prior Career
— CAREER Journey
A Life Spent
Building the Future
Majid established BRR Investments — one of the very first Islamic leasing companies in Pakistan — with shareholders including Robert Fleming and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). A defining early move that planted the seed for an industry-shaping career.
— AREAS OF Expertise
Mastery Across
Every Dimension
Shariah Advisory & Compliance
End-to-end Shariah compliance services for banks, fund managers, and fintech firms — from product review and fatwa issuance to ongoing Shariah audit and supervisory board management across global jurisdictions.
Sukuk Structuring & Capital Markets
Deep expertise in structuring Shariah-compliant capital market instruments including Sukuk, Murabaha, and Ijara — advising on issuances for sovereign, corporate, and institutional clients across GCC, Southeast Asia, and Western markets.
Islamic Equity Indexing & Screening
Architect of the FTSE Yasaar Global Equity Shariah Index Series — over 150 indices used by institutional investors worldwide. Pioneer of proprietary screening methodologies balancing rigorous Shariah standards with real-world investability.
Regulatory & Policy Advisory
Trusted counsel to central banks, regulatory bodies, and policymakers on developing supportive frameworks for Islamic financial institutions — promoting regulatory innovation and access to Shariah-compliant financial products globally.
ESG & Green Islamic Finance
A leading voice on the natural alignment between Islamic finance principles and the global sustainability agenda — including Green Sukuk, ESG-integrated Shariah screening, and opportunities at the intersection of climate finance and ethical investment.
Thought Leadership & Publishing
Prolific author of articles in industry journals and chapters in academic texts on Islamic economics. Debut publication in Institutional Investor (2026). Founding publisher of Islamic finance industry publications, with over 23 years as a leading editorial voice in the sector.
— Recognition
Honours &
Distinctions
2004 — Kuala Lumpur Islamic Finance Forum
2006–2026 — London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG)
Ongoing — AAOIFI
UK — Board of Trustees
NEST Pensions
2026 — Institutional Investor
— WHAt OTHERS SAY
Voices of
Colleagues & Peers
— Beyond Finance
The Human Behind
the Professional
“An innovator, author, speaker, thought leader, ethical finance industry expert — and
very down to earth, with the good fortune of some superb friends.”
— Global Presence
An Industry That
Spans the Globe
🇬🇧 United Kingdom Headquarters – London
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates Regional Office – Dubai
🇲🇾 Malaysia FTSE Bursa Malaysia / Kuala Lumpur Office
🇸🇬 Singapore SGX Partnership — First Pan Asian Islamic Index
🇺🇸 United States New York Representative Office
🇵🇰 Pakistan BRR Investments — Pioneer of Islamic Leasing
🌍 140+ Countrie FTSE Yasaar Indices reach across the globe
$10T
Islamic Finance Assets Globally (Projected)
150+
FTSE Yasaar Shariah Indices
20
Years of the FTSE Yasaar Index Series
140
Countries where Islamic Finance Operates
1998
Year Yasaar Was Founded
30+
Years of Industry Leadership
— GET IN TOUCH —