
Episode #11
Thomas Baxendale sits down with - H.E. Khalifa Al Hajeri, CEO of the Emirates Growth Fund
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/Vx9_NvrhhOk #Rakbank #DigitalWithAHumanTouch #BusinessBanking #SMESouk #EmiratesGrowthFund #VentureCapital #UAEEntrepreneurs #SMEGrowth

