GEMicro is headed by Dr Ralf M. Kroessin, a development economist with over 20 years’ experience working with development and financial institutions. He formerly worked with Chambers of Commerce/Training & Enterprise Councils and the Centre for Enterprise in the UK. Before this he was Assistant CEO of Muslim Aid and then Head of Islamic Relief’s Global Islamic Microfinance Unit.
He holds a Masters in International Economy (University of Kent), a Masters in Development Administration (Westminster Business School), and a PhD in International Development Economics (University of Birmingham) where he also was a research associate. He was also a visiting research fellow at Aston Business School where he focused on microfinance impact assessment. He is also a founding lecturer of the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management course “Certified Expert in Islamic Microfinance”.
As an experienced strategic leader, as an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investments and with the ‘Islamic Finance Qualification’ under his belt, he currently serves on the board of two Islamic microfinance institutions in Bosnia and Kosovo. He has also worked with Islamic financial institutions in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe.