The Middle East Investor Relations Association (MEIRA) has appointed Paolo Casamassima as its new CEO, effective December 4.
He will succeed John Gollifer, the organization’s general manager for nearly five years, who is taking up the role of CEO at GCC Board Directors Institute.
Most recently, Casamassima worked at issuer solutions provider Orient Capital where he was head of global market intelligence, investor relations. Prior to that, he was a research manager at Ipreo, which is now part of S&P Global.
Casamassima also brings with him experience of the non-profit sector. He is founder and CEO of Bighous, a social impact investor which provides housing to homeless and other vulnerable people.
‘With the regional capital markets seeing unprecedented change as well as ever-increasing international interest, these are important times for IR,’ says Andrew Tarbuck, chair of MEIRA, in a statement.
‘We are thrilled to have Paolo Casamassima join us as our new CEO to develop and lead MEIRA in these exciting times. He brings outstanding and relevant experience to his new role, both in association management and IR.
‘While we are sad to see John Gollifer go, having taken MEIRA up so many levels and creating an outstanding executive team, I am confident that Paolo will contribute enormously to the further development of MEIRA’s offering for the benefit of our members and partners.’
Casamassima adds: ‘It is a privilege and an honor to step into John’s shoes and be given the opportunity to lead MEIRA into the future.
‘The region is probably at its most exciting point. Yet, with Vision 2030, among other important national agenda, still a few years away, I believe the best is yet to come!’
The announcement comes shortly before MEIRA’s 2023 annual conference – taking place on November 13 in Manama City, Bahrain – when the association will celebrate its 15th anniversary.
