Howard Leedham MBE

Senior Executive Officer

Howard is the CEO of Dalma Capital Management Limited, a hedge fund manager headquartered in he Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). He achieved UK FSA licensing for Argent and became the Dubai International Financial Centre’s first Category 3 license holder. Howard also established the first DIFC domiciled Hedge Fund and financial analysts platform in India.

Howard is a former Royal Navy Commando Pilot, Clearance Diver and UK Special Forces Officer; he twice won gallantry awards and was decorated by Her Majesty the Queen. In 2003 he was invited to accept a (post 9/11) senior advisory position constructing and commanding a night capable, heli-borne militia force on the Pakistan/Afghan border. He took a year out from the financial industry and became accredited by the Department of State as making the “single most important individual contribution” to border security in this infamous region. He has since published a book recounting these exploits.

Howard was educated in the UK and attained a Queen’s commission from Britannia Royal Naval College. He subsequently graduated from Camberley Army Command and Staff College, he served with the United States Marine Corps in the Gulf War and was the first British officer to take temporary command of a United States Marine Corps Squadron; he holds a UK Commercial Pilots License and US Air Transport Pilots License.