The CEO of Emirates NBD drops thirteen places this year, reflecting a rocky first half for the UAE's biggest bank by assets. The lender last week posted a 53 percent decline in second-quarter profit, missing analysts' estimates, as it set aside money to cover bad loans.

Net income dropped to $108m from $231.9m, a year earlier, falling short of analysts' estimates of a profit of $167m. The bank is also one of the seven largest lenders to the debt-troubled Dubai World.

Banking veteran Pudner, however, remained bullish. "Credit metrics remain in line with our expectations and profitability remains good," he said. "We have continued to invest... and are well-positioned to capitalise on expected improvements in economic activity."

British-born Pudner joined Emirates NBD as CEO in 2006, following more than 24 years at HSBC. Today, he oversees the biggest banking group in the Middle East in terms of assets, with outposts in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UK and Jersey. Emirates NBD has also made inroads into India, Iran and Singapore.

Pudner currently holds board positions with Emirates Investment Service, the Economic Development Council, Emirates Fund Managers (Jersey) and Emirates Financial Services.