What does it take to turn a mid-market enterprise into a national champion? 🚀

In this episode of the SME Souk Podcast Series, powered by Rakbank Business, Thomas Baxendale, Executive Vice President and Head of Digital Business Banking at Rakbank, sits down with - H.E. Khalifa Al Hajeri, CEO of the Emirates Growth Fund, to explore what it takes to help founder-led businesses scale into market leaders.

The conversation goes beyond the balance sheet to discuss the role of trust, transparency, strong governance, and strategic decision-making in building resilient businesses. 

They also explore how the Emirates Growth Fund is bridging the "missing middle" by providing growth capital and corporate governance support to unlock the next stage of growth for promising UAE companies.

Whether you're preparing for your next phase of growth, strengthening your governance, or considering a future capital raise, this episode is packed with practical insights for ambitious entrepreneurs.

📺 Watch on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/wOJxu5LSgjc?is=LIebIq3JvEZYMiVV

#Rakbank​ #DigitalWithAHumanTouch​ #BusinessBanking​ #SMESouk​ #EmiratesGrowthFund​ #VentureCapital​ #UAEEntrepreneurs​ #SMEGrowth​

On 27 June, in celebration of International Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Day, we recorded this special podcast episode during the launch of RAKBANK's She Means Business proposition, in collaboration with Crunchmoms.

Hosted by Thomas Baxendale, Executive Vice President, Head of Digital Business Banking at RAKBANK, the episode featured Claire Louvet*, Founder of Ô Naturel Boutique, Oraib Kazimi, Founder of Nibblz, and Nada Al Awadhi, Managing Cofounder of SPIN UP Indoor Cycling Studio, who shared their journeys, challenges, and lessons from building successful businesses in the UAE.

From turning personal pain points into thriving businesses to embracing AI, finding the right community, and navigating the realities of scaling, the conversation offered practical insights for founders at every stage. It also highlighted why the UAE continues to be one of the world's most supportive ecosystems for entrepreneurs and the importance of having a banking partner that combines digital innovation with a human touch.

Whether you're launching your first venture or growing an existing business, this episode is filled with inspiration and actionable advice to help you take the next step.

🎥 Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/4qCyBedKPZc?si=IV2jAn6MxQWBM9Jk 

#RAKBANK #DigitalWithAHumanTouch #BusinessBanking #50yearswithyou #InternationalMSMEDay #SheMeansBusiness #WomenEntrepreneurs #Crunchmoms

From strategy to SME success 🚀✨

Vishal Shah, Managing Director and Head of Business Banking at RAKBANK, joins Thomas Baxendale, Head of Digital Business Banking at RAKBANK, for an insightful conversation on leadership, the resilience of SMEs, and how the UAE continues to empower businesses to grow and thrive.

From supporting entrepreneurs to driving innovation across the business banking landscape, Vishal shares the mindset, experiences, and lessons shaping the future of SMEs in the UAE.

🎧 Watch or Listen now:
▶️ YouTube: https://youtu.be/8ZliIzIM06Y
🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vishal-shah-managing-director-head-of-business/id1721512791?i=1000768856567
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1KoA2MJoG1IZwMALqQd3FX?si=48dee9e585b54ebb

#RAKBANK #DigitalWithAHumanTouch #SMESouk #BusinessBanking #SMEs

From scrubs to boardrooms 🩺 ✨

Dr.Sana Sajan, Director at Danube Properties, joins Thomas Baxendale, Head of Digital Business Banking at RAKBANK, for an inspiring conversation on turning medical expertise into business success.

From caring for patients to building thriving businesses, Dr. Sana shares the mindset, ambition, and lessons behind her journey from medicine to leadership.

🎧 Watch or Listen now:
▶️ YouTube: https://lnkd.in/d6Y26692
🍎 Apple: https://lnkd.in/dRS-K87U
🎧 Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dn7CRDTx

من سماعة الطبيب إلى طاولة القرارات 🩺 ✨

تنضم الدكتورة سناء ساجان، مديرة شركة دانوب العقارية، إلى توماس باكسنديل، رئيس الخدمات المصرفية الرقمية للأعمال في راك بنك، في حوار يسلّط الضوء على كيفية تحويل الخبرة الطبية إلى مسيرة أعمال ناجحة.
من العناية بالمرضى إلى قيادة مشاريع مزدهرة، تكشف الدكتورة سناء عن العقلية والطموح والدروس التي شكّلت رحلتها من الطب إلى عالم القيادة.

🎧 اكتشفوا القصة كاملة:

▶️ يوتيوب: https://lnkd.in/d6Y26692
🍎 آبل: https://lnkd.in/dRS-K87U
🎧 سبوتيفاي: https://lnkd.in/dn7CRDTx


#RAKBANK #DigitalWithAHumanTouch  #SMESouk #Danube  #BusinessBanking

From a home experiment to a global brand 🐪✨

Stevi Lowmass, Founder & CEO of The Camel Soap Factory, joins Thomas Baxendale, Head of Digital Business Banking at RAKBANK, to share how a unique idea turned into a global success.

🎧 Watch now:

▶️ YouTube: https://youtu.be/3VzDdSYDA60

#RAKBANK #digitalwithahumantouch #SMEsouk #UAEbusiness #SMEs #Entrepreneurship #BusinessBanking

Heritage. Vision. Legacy.

Fatma Ahmad Al Moosawi in conversation with Thomas Baxendale on building a business that honours the past and inspires the future.

Press play. 🎧
Watch. Listen. Grow.

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Dtq2m4gpsbc

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brewing-more-than-tea-fatma-ahmad-al-moosawi-on-culture/id1721512791?i=1000751917124

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1mqcLgBsNztcqFuKrb0kwP?si=40aa829697934e7f

#RAKBANK #DigitalWithAHumanTouch #Entrepreneurship #Legacy

🎙️ First one for the year — and it’s Made in Dubai.

What does it really take to build a business in Dubai’s fast-moving ecosystem? 👀

Spencer Lodge, Host of the Made in Dubai Podcast, joins Thomas Baxendale to talk growth, entrepreneurship, and what it means to build for Dubai, from Dubai.

Press play. 🎧
Watch. Listen. Grow.

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/dn-MJYnV
🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/dUuUDmPZ
🎧 Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dsTCuy_d

🎙️ انطلاقة العام تبدأ من دبي مع حلقة «صُنع في دبي».

ما الذي يحتاجه فعلًا بناء مشروع ناجح في منظومة دبي الديناميكية وسريعة الإيقاع؟ 👀

ينضم سبنسر لودج، مقدم بودكاست «صُنع في دبي»، إلى توماس باكسنديل في حوار مُلهم حول النمو، وريادة الأعمال، وما يعنيه تأسيس مشاريع تُبنى لدبي ومن قلب دبي.

اضغطوا تشغيل. 🎧

شاهدوا. استمعوا. ازدهروا.

📺 شاهدوا عبر يوتيوب: https://lnkd.in/dn-MJYnV
🎧 استمعوا عبر آبل بودكاست: https://lnkd.in/dUuUDmPZ
🎧 استمعوا عبر سبوتيفاي: https://lnkd.in/dsTCuy_d


#RAKBANK #DigitalWithAHumanTouch #DubaiBusiness Made in Dubai with Spencer Lodge

🎙 Don’t Miss the Last Episode of the Year!

How are you staying ahead of the tax game in a world that never stops evolving? 👀

Thomas Vanhee, Partner at Aurifer and Affiliate Professor of Tax Law, joins Thomas Baxendale to share insights on the latest tax strategies and how businesses can thrive while staying smart and compliant.

Watch. Listen. Grow.

🎧 Apple Podcasts:

🎧 Spotify:
📺 Watch on YouTube:

#RAKBANK #DigitalWithAHumanTouch #RAKBANKBusinessBanking #TaxStrategy #TaxLaw #BusinessTax

🎙 New Episode Drop!

How’s your personal brand holding up in a digital world that never stops changing? 👀

Robyn Abou Chedid joins Thomas Baxendale to break down what makes a brand truly authentic and how to build one that shines.

Watch. Listen. Grow

🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8MgBZKOHTxA

#RAKBANK #DigitalWithAHumanTouch #RAKBANKBusinessBanking

Thomas Baxendale sits down with Dishang Patel, EVP & Head of Digital Assets at RAKBANK, and Nadeem Ladki, Global Head at Bitpanda Technology Solutions, to explore a true market first , RAKBANK’s partnership with Bitpanda giving retail customers the ability to buy and sell digital currencies.

From the vision behind this collaboration to what it means for everyday banking, this conversation is packed with insights on the future of finance.

Watch. Listen. Grow.

Your journey to understanding digital assets starts here and it starts now.

 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HSNmdomIzbQ 

#RAKBANK #digitalwithahumantouch #RAKBANKBusinessbanking #UAEbusiness #DigitalAssets #Innovation #Fintech