Helping build a nation

LEGAL eagle Rima Al Masri, who this week was acknowledged as one of the ‘very best’ corporate counsels in the Middle East, has revealed that she nearly threw her career away before it even started, writes Stan Szecowka.

The general counsel and corporate secretary of Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat was yesterday named on The Legal 500’s GC Powerlist: Middle East 2017.

“I cannot tell you how much I love what I do,” said the 40-year-old mother-of-two. “I wake up each morning looking forward to the day ahead and the challenges that come with it,” she said. “This is a blessing. To be able to do what you are passionate about and make a living out of it.

“No one day is like the other. I strongly believe that the work I undertake is a small contribution in the building of a nation, and this is not only an honour for me, but I am grateful for the opportunity to do something meaningful that will leave a legacy.”

But it could have been all so different had it not been for her mother. An Australian of Lebanese descent, she attended Western Sydney University. “I actually entered university to fulfill my childhood dream of becoming a journalist specialising in politics and war correspondence,” she explained.

“During my first year studying towards journalism, I found out that I could apply to transfer degrees. After obtaining all the forms that I needed, I chickened out as I thought I would not be good enough and didn’t have faith in my abilities.

“My mother found out that I did not submit my application the day before it was due and forced me to fish out the transfer application from the weekly garbage bin. And so, covered in food stains and dried food scraps, I filled out my application and drafted my essay and attached my grades.

“A week before the university term was due to start I received my acceptance into law school. Actually, I had been interning at the office of my local member of parliament that summer, writing his press releases. I opened the correspondence from the university while riding the bus to work and arrived at the office jumping for joy with my face tear-streaked!

“At the time, I was interested in law, as I felt I could make a difference to the world and it was a challenging environment that befitted my personality.”

She believes the area of the profession she concentrated on even ‘chose her’. “I found myself more interested in commercial corporate law during my last year, as this is where the transactions that were impacting our society on a day-to-day basis were being concluded,” she explained.

“I was not interested in just a ‘job’ or a ‘salary’; I wanted a career that would permit me to be a participant in a greater legacy.”

Rima has been living and working in the kingdom for 15 years, holding positions both in private practice as well as leading legal departments of Bahraini companies. Prior to coming here, she held various roles including litigation solicitor of a specialist legal centre in Australia, where she convened and facilitated law reform submissions and presented them to state and ministries and parliament.

“Working for Mumtalakat has enabled me to work on fulfilling my desire of being an active participant in a legacy, which allows many to benefit and prosper,” she said. “As the investment arm of the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Mumtalakat is working towards growing the wealth of the nation, as well as being an instrumental stakeholder in strategic investments within particular sectors, that in turn benefit the population on a social and economic level.”

Mumtalakat holds stakes in more than 40 commercial enterprises spanning a variety of sectors, including industrial manufacturing and services, financial services, tourism, telecommunications, real estate, logistics, consumer and healthcare.

And one of its most prominent international interests is a major stake in a giant of motorsport and British sports car manufacture. Rima sits on the board of McLaren Group.

“The McLaren Group has been an amazing force to watch over the years. Its technology division and solutions are remarkable, touching our lives in so many places while the automotive division represents the star jewel in the crown in other ways. It has been a privilege to represent Mumtalakat on the board and support the many directions the Group has taken,” she said.

Rima has made a positive impression at home and abroad which has been highlighted by being named on the GC Powerlist, which acknowledges the most influential in-house lawyers in business today. She was selected following a ‘comprehensive research process’ conducted over many months.

“This nomination is a credit to the hard work and effort that has gone into my day to day work,” Rima said. “It is an honour to be recognised by one’s own peers, especially on an international level.

“This is not the first time that the Legal500 Powerlist has recognised our efforts both individually and as a legal team. Only last year the legal team of Mumtalakat was named within the top 100 in-house legal teams in the Middle East. This is a true testament to our professionalism and the fact we have maintained the same levels over the years.”

And, hopefully, her success will inspire young people to follow their dreams. “To young Bahrainis considering a legal career, I say the world is your oyster,” said Rima. “Seek the best education and qualifications, but then come back to Bahrain and invest back into your country’s growth and prosperity.

“Bahraini lawyers are hard-working and have a hunger for challenge - I should know, my entire team consists of brilliant legal practitioners. The road to success will always be challenging, but the opportunity to be a part of the success and prosperity of your own country is priceless.

“To expatriates seeking a legal career in the kingdom, I say take the time out to learn the culture and always respect it. You will never succeed in a copy-paste approach towards your work in Bahrain. What may work in other legal systems and other countries is not necessarily fitting for Bahrain. Understand this and respect this, for it is only approaches that are tailored to the commercial, corporate and legal culture in Bahrain, which will be successful, without compromise on ethics or morals.”

Rima was also quick to thank the members of the legal team at Mumtalakat for their support and professionalism alongside its executive management board of directors.

And likewise, Mumtalakat is proud of their colleague. CEO Mahmood Alkooehji told GulfWeekly: “Our congratulations go out to Rima for being selected for The Legal 500’s GC Powerlist Middle East 2017. GC Powerlist recognises the top General Counsels in the Middle East and we are proud of Rima’s accomplishments.

“This achievement is not only a testament to the calibre of the professionals we have at Mumtalakat, but also highlights how we are uniquely placed to set an example for gender parity in Bahrain, which will ultimately support the further growth and empowerment of the female workforce in the country.

“Rima plays a crucial role in adding value to both our management and legal teams and we look forward to her continuous contributions to the company in the future.”