A graduate of California Polytechnic State University, Al Ghurair joined Mashreq Bank in 1977. He has been a board member since 1979 and was appointed CEO in 1991. In addition, he is the chairman of the UAE Banking Federation, vice chairman of the higher board of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and chairman of Oman Insurance. He was the recipient of the Cal Poly Alumni Excellence Award presented by the California Polytechnic State University.