AUK Gala 2025: Award-Winning Adviser Yasir Al-Din Announced as Guest of Honour

فريق التحرير 21 November 2025

Al-Arab in UK (AUK) is set to welcome one of the most recognisable Arab professionals in the country’s financial sector: Yasir Al-Din, a mortgage and financial adviser whose two-decade journey — spanning the Gulf, Iraq and the UK — has shaped him into a trusted figure in a highly competitive field where credibility is everything.

His selection as Guest of Honour for the third annual AUK Gala reflects a career defined by integrity, determination and a reputation built steadily in a sector where trust is essential and hard-earned.

From Banking Halls to National Recognition

Al-Din began his career in major UK banks — Yorkshire Bank, Barclays and HSBC — before taking a major step in 2010 to go independent at the height of the financial crisis. What began as a risky move soon transformed into a steady rise marked by important national and regional accolades:

● Mortgage and Protection Specialist of the Year, Personal Finance Awards 2022/2023 — becoming the first British Arab to win the national title.
● Mortgage Broker of the Year, Yorkshire Financial Awards 2021.
● Top Rated Adviser for five consecutive years.
● A recognition certificate from the Iraqi Embassy in London after achieving Chartered Status — the first British Iraqi to reach this professional level.
● Appearances on BBC, CNBC and Al Mashad TV, alongside regular contributions to Arab community media in the UK.

Today, through Palm Financial Services, he provides mortgage, investment, pension and insurance advice to more than 1,500 clients from over 60 nationalities.

Inside Yasir Al-Din’s Journey

Speaking exclusively to Al-Arab in UK (AUK), Al-Din reflects on a childhood shaped by movement between England, Kuwait, Iraq and Jordan — a period he describes as “not just travelling between countries, but gathering experiences and values” that later became central to his work ethic.
He attributes much of his professional grounding to the principles instilled by his Iraqi family: honesty, integrity and respect for trust. “People place their future in your hands,” he says. “Without integrity, nothing in this line of work stands.”

His early years working within Yorkshire Bank, Barclays and HSBC showed him how competitive the financial sector can be, driving him to consistently invest in further qualifications until he achieved Chartered Status, one of the highest professional designations in the UK financial industry.

The major turning point, however, came in 2010 when he left institutional banking and launched his independent practice. With no client base and during a turbulent financial period, he relied on persistence, long hours and treating every client with equal care. Gradually, word-of-mouth recommendations helped establish his reputation.

Palm Financial Services: A Name with Roots

The choice of “Palm” for his company carries personal meaning. For Al-Din, the Iraqi palm tree is a symbol of cultural resilience, heritage and continuity — a representation he wanted at the heart of his professional identity.
Today, his firm serves clients from more than 60 countries and diverse professional backgrounds, offering advice across mortgages, investments, pensions and insurance.
He believes his commitment to transparency has been central to his success. “Sometimes the right advice for a client won’t benefit you commercially — but that’s the advice you give,” he says. “That’s how long-term relationships are built.”

Navigating a Volatile Financial Landscape

Reflecting on recent economic shifts, Al-Din notes that the sharp rise in interest rates between 2022 and 2024 — followed by a gradual easing — has changed public perceptions and financial behaviour. He believes that advisers today must go beyond offering solutions, playing a broader role in educating clients and helping them navigate uncertainty.

Commitment to Community

Al-Din stresses that Arab business professionals in the UK have a responsibility to support their community, particularly younger generations facing uncertain career paths. His sponsorship of the annual Al-Arab in UK Gathering stems from his belief in the platform’s role in raising awareness and connecting the community.
He sees no conflict between maintaining one’s Arab identity and integrating into wider British society. Instead, he describes multiculturalism as a powerful asset that has strengthened his ability to relate to clients from across the world.

Looking Ahead

Over the next two years, Al-Din plans to expand his firm by bringing in new talent and increasing his presence on platforms that serve Arabic-speaking audiences in the UK. His advice for young people entering the housing market is clear: start saving early, stick to a realistic budget, and seek professional guidance before making major decisions.

He sums up the legacy he hopes to leave in one simple line: “If my name is linked to integrity, then I’ve done my job.”

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