Torben H.
Chair of the Audit Committee
Experience
Jul 2025 - Present
5 monthsDubai, United Arab Emirates
Chair Audit Committee
Tabby L.L.C & Tabby Payments L.L.C
- Lead the Audit Committees for both entities, strengthening financial oversight, transparency, and governance in alignment with fintech regulatory requirements.
- Oversee recruitment of the Chief Audit Executive and establishment of the internal audit function, embedding best-in-class compliance and risk practices.
Sep 2024 - Aug 2025
1 yearDubai, United Arab Emirates
Group Chief Audit Executive
Confidential (private equity group)
- Built the internal audit function from scratch, including strategy, risk-based audit planning, and direct reporting to the UBO.
- Designed and implemented a lean, scalable governance framework across all group entities.
- Defined, documented, and operationalized UBO Reserved Matters, including approval workflows and escalation paths.
- Collaborated with the Family Office to ensure governance across international holdings and structures, including BVI entities.
- Introduced risk-based control standards for payments, capex, supplier selection, and contract management.
- Integrated governance principles into new business setups, acquisitions, and strategic projects.
- Applied data-driven audit procedures and continuous analysis (e.g., payment flows, procurement behavior, cost trends).
- Established a group-wide governance model to enhance decision-making reliability.
- Standardized and digitized the UBO Reserved Matters process with e-signatures and structured documentation.
- Clarified roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines at group level.
- Strengthened the internal control environment in key risk areas such as procurement, treasury, capex, and HR.
- Promoted a unified governance culture supporting the group’s strategic growth initiatives.
Nov 2023 - Present
2 years 1 monthJeddah, Saudi Arabia
Member of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Audit Committee
Fakeeh Care Group
- Provided key leadership and direction on the Board, contributing to overall organizational success.
- Chaired the Audit and Risk Committee, ensuring rigorous financial reporting, internal controls, and risk management compliance.
- Developed comprehensive risk assessment frameworks.
- Guided the committee in assessing financial accuracy, identifying and mitigating risks; ensured financial statements were accurate and compliant with IFRS and other standards.
- Spearheaded initiatives to enhance corporate governance, compliance, and ethical practices; developed and implemented robust compliance programs.
- Provided financial insights and risk assessments for strategic initiatives, contributing to long-term planning.
- Facilitated transparent communication between the Board, executive management, and external auditors.
- Drove initiatives to enhance efficiency in financial and risk management processes, leading to significant cost savings and performance improvements.
Aug 2023 - Sep 2023
2 monthsMünster, Germany
Auditor
Westfalen AG
- Analyzed and advised a subsidiary to ensure sustainable financial success in the medical gases sector.
- Conducted a cost-benefit analysis and recommended forward-looking strategic KPIs for a logistics project.
- Audited business processes and the internal control system of a subsidiary in France.
- Provided actionable recommendations and best-practice approaches to ensure financial success.
- Developed strategic KPIs to optimize major projects.
- Improved internal control processes and increased efficiency.
Jan 2023 - Jan 2024
1 year 1 monthGermany
Risk and Controls Manager
MHC Mobility GmbH
- Introduced an effective risk management system and advised local management on risk management and compliance.
- Identified, quantified, monitored, controlled, and reported all risks and key controls to the holding company in the UK.
- Focused on continuously improving the risk management and control environment.
- Advised and supported the CFO in planning and conducting assessments of internal control systems, particularly for SOX/J-SOX requirements.
- Actively participated in international committees as a representative of the risk and control area.
- Tested internal controls, conducted trend and variance analysis, and quality control.
- Designed and implemented customized risk tools and processes to increase efficiency.
- Supported the finance organization in the HGB-IFRS transition, focusing on IFRS 16 integration.
- Provided conceptual support for implementing prospective depreciation under IAS 16.
Apr 2019 - Mar 2022
3 yearsAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Group Internal Audit Director
Abu Dhabi Healthcare Services Company
- Led a department of eleven professionals overseeing 13 hospitals, several dozen clinics, and major projects.
- Transformed the internal audit function into a high-performing, technology-savvy team.
- Implemented a state-of-the-art internal audit vision, mission, and strategy aligned with organizational goals.
- Completed several process-mining projects and promoted big data analytics-based continuous auditing, improving operational efficiency.
- Advised the Management Board on group-wide transformation with expert insights and strategic recommendations.
- Implemented an agile internal audit reporting system, reducing reporting cycle time by over 80%.
- Achieved over 75% cost reductions in consultancy fees within a year.
Nov 2018 - Present
7 years 1 monthJeddah, Saudi Arabia
Board Audit Committee Member - Non-Executive Director
flyadeal
- Recruited a Chief Audit Executive and several internal audit team members, ensuring the airline had the necessary expertise to manage its risk and compliance functions.
- Provided strategic insight and aviation risk assessment to identify new growth opportunities and mitigate risks.
- Participated in regular Audit Committee meetings and oversaw corporate governance for transparency and accountability.
- Oversaw internal audit, statutory auditors, and financial reporting (IFRS) to ensure accuracy, reliability, and compliance.
- Ensured robust internal controls over financial reporting to manage financial risks.
Jan 2014 - Apr 2019
5 years 4 monthsAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
SVP Internal Audit
Abu Dhabi Airports Company
- Led a department of nine professionals overseeing five airports, several subsidiaries, and major capital projects.
- Received the Award for Excellence as Distinguished Executive Director.
- Tripled internal audit performance in the first year, increasing reports from 13 to 45.
- Implemented a whistleblowing mechanism and promoted a compliance culture.
- Completed forensic and fraud investigations in Abu Dhabi and the UK.
- Implemented effective internal audit performance management and measurement.
- Improved processes and contributed to governance and risk management of a major construction project.
- Coached and built a team in a multicultural environment.
Oct 2008 - Jan 2014
5 years 4 monthsZürich, Switzerland
Senior Director Internal Audit
Swiss International Air Lines Ltd.
- Managed the internal audit team overseeing the SWISS group, its subsidiaries, and over 40 outstations worldwide.
- Prepared the annual audit plan for approval by the Audit Committee.
- Planned and executed internal audits across all continents, divisions, and hierarchical levels.
- Supported coordination and implementation of the internal control system and risk management process.
- Conducted special forensic investigations.
- Reviewed control adequacy in relation to corporate strategy, goals, plans, and processes.
- Reviewed reliability and security of systems and business activities providing financial and managerial information.
- Quadrupled internal audit productivity from 7 to 30 audits per year; improved report quality and quantity with one-page executive summaries.
- Introduced process improvements for complex financial accounting and revenue recognition.
- Reduced catering inventories from CHF 13 m to CHF 8 m and improved logistics and supply chain processes.
- Increased utilization of supplier discounts by CHF 700k per year through process improvements.
Aug 2006 - Sep 2008
2 years 2 monthsMönchengladbach, Germany
Deputy Head of Internal Audit
OC Oerlikon AG
- Deputized for the head of internal audit in a team of six across Europe and Asia.
- Managed revision projects in Europe, America, and Asia, including general control reviews of the internal control system.
- Led a project to implement an internal control system according to Swiss OR in Europe and the United States.
- Conducted financial audits (accounting, balancing, budgeting, controlling, and treasury).
- Audited purchasing, production, R&D, sales, HR, and after-sales processes.
- Performed audits in the SAP R/3 environment.
- Ad-interim managed the internal audit team of the Saurer Group before its takeover by OC Oerlikon.
- Recruited two experienced auditors and implemented a best-practice internal audit follow-up process.
- Conducted hands-on international internal auditing work and supervision with around 80% global travel.
Nov 2005 - Jul 2006
9 monthsBonn, Germany
Head of Audit
IVG Immobilien AG
- Managed and supervised a team of four, coordinating all audit activities with the Director Organisation and Audit.
- Prepared the annual audit plan for Board approval.
- Planned and managed audit projects in Germany, Belgium, and the UK.
- Significantly reduced audit cycle times and improved audit productivity.
- Triggered notable improvements in SAP R/3 controls and user access.
Apr 2005 - Sep 2005
6 monthsStuttgart, Germany
Managing Consultant
Horváth & Partners
- Redesigned management board reporting for a leading German energy supply group.
- Supported development of a controlling vision for a major insurance company.
- Delivered customer training on value management (investment controlling) and financial analysis.
- Enhanced finance excellence approaches for harmonization of accounting, reporting, and corporate governance.
Jan 2001 - Mar 2005
4 years 3 monthsParis, France
Finance
Alcatel Lucent Gruppe
- Participated in and monitored group-wide IFRS implementation.
- Defined group-wide IFRS standards, including revenue recognition of long-term contracts according to IAS 11.
- Advised on group-wide financial procedures.
- Harmonized and modeled financial business processes for budgeting, accounting, planning, and reporting.
- Resolved issues related to implementing an SAP R/3 Business Warehouse.
Jan 2001 - Dec 2003
3 yearsStuttgart, Germany
Auditor
Alcatel
- Managed international auditing projects at group and company level focused on operational audits, internal control reviews, and financial audits.
- Performed SAP R/3 system audits and SOX-related audits.
- Improved auditing processes and implemented a database-supported follow-up process, increasing efficiency by over 90%.
Apr 2000 - Dec 2000
9 monthsWiesbaden, Germany
Finance
Elster Group
- Developed comprehensive controlling instruments in a French subsidiary, including process and structure analysis, internal control system guidelines, and organizational adaptation.
- Redesigned cost accounting (cost type, cost centre, cost unit).
- Participated in acquisition projects such as the merger with Instromet NV.
- Coordinated controlling activities for the Industrial business unit (EUR 85 m turnover), including reporting and budgeting.
May 1997 - Mar 2000
2 years 11 monthsStuttgart, Germany
Finance
Arthur Andersen
- Supported and led statutory audits, M&A projects, and due diligence for single entity and group financial reporting.
- Audited financial statements according to HGB, IFRS, and US GAAP.
- Participated in company valuations and consulting projects.
- Audited internal control systems and organized final examinations.
- Resolved complex accounting questions.
Summary
Proficient Audit Committee Chair, Non-Executive Director, and Governance Leader with over 25 years of international experience across Saudi Arabia, GCC, and Europe.
Recognized for strengthening corporate governance frameworks, risk cultures, and shareholder trust through effective board leadership and financial stewardship.
Proven ability to enhance board efficiency, lead audit committees with impact, and embed robust oversight of internal control and compliance functions.
Adept at driving audit transformation, digital audit innovation, and data-driven decision-making, ensuring board-level transparency and long-term stakeholder confidence.
Languages
German
NativeEnglish
AdvancedFrench
AdvancedEducation
University of Stuttgart
Diplom-Kaufmann · Stuttgart, Germany
Certifications & licenses
Certified In Cybersecurity
ISC2
Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
Association Of Certified Fraud Examiners
KaiZen Training
Shingijutsu USA Corporation, Japan
Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
The Institute Of Internal Auditors
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