Hosted by the RFI Foundation and Swiss Arab Network, the Responsible Finance & Investment Summit (RFI Summit) is a two-day event aimed at building awareness of how the convergence of social and environmentally responsible investment, social and governance, and Islamic finance can create a positive impact.

Graham Burnside, a consultant at leading UK law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn, which has the largest banking team in Scotland, joins an impressive speaker line-up at the event in Zurich, Switzerland.
Regarded as the country’s leading expert in Islamic finance, Graham has a formidable track record and is considered a pioneer in the field. Best known for having structured and documented the first and only Shariah-compliant mortgage products operating under Scots law, he has also advised on the first fully Shariah compliant commercial real estate financing in Scotland.

He is also a founding member of the advisory board of the Islamic Finance Council UK (UKIFC), a Scottish-based not-for-profit specialist advisory and development body established to promote and enhance the global Islamic and ethical finance industry. In 2015, the UKIFC was recognised by Ethical Finance Innovation Challenge Awards (EFICA), winning the $100,000 Islamic Finance Industry Development Award.

Graham has been invited to take part in the RFI Summit panel looking at financial inclusion and responsible finance. Chaired by Mr Daud Abdullah, CEO of the Global University of Islamic Finance, the panel will also include:

• Prof. Dr. Azmi Omar (Director General, IRTI)
• Mr. Husain Benyounis (Secretary-General, New Zealand Awqaf)

Of the event, Graham said: “This is a unique opportunity to connect with professionals in the sector and to share and exchange new ideas. I look forward to hearing from others in responsible finance, building connections and opening up growth opportunities.”

The Responsible Finance & Investment Summit will be held on 3 and 4 May 2017 in Zurich, Switzerland.