EMAAR PROPERTIES BOARD MEMBERS

With world-renowned destinations such as Downtown Dubai, Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall to his name, the needs and experiences of his guests and team of great talent are what lies at the core of Mr. Mohamed Alabbar’s national and international projects and services.

A true visionary and the founder of Emaar, he has played a key role in boosting the UAE’s economy, and a vital role in shaping and expanding the tourism industry of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, India, Pakistan and the United States of America; each of which are nations that form part of Emaar’s diverse and ever expanding international portfolio.

Mr. Alabbar is defining characteristics of today’s market and sees turbulence as an opportunity to thrive. In his own words, Emaar is facing a golden opportunity. As a leader, he stays ahead of the curve and has established a number of management principles he calls Positive Paranoia, which if correctly channeled as a tool against complacency can amplify efficiency and productivity. Mr. Alabbar’s hard work and perseverance coupled with that of his team over the last 22 years has secured Emaar’s place as one of the world’s greatest real estate developers.

Mr. Alabbar’s Positively Paranoid principles focus on hiring the best people and creating a team of superstars that raise-the-bar on a daily basis. As such, Emaar’s team are motivated, hungry, hard-working and avid learners.

Mr. Alabbar is responsible for enhancing and diversifying the UAE’s e-commerce offering. Thanks to its quick delivery time and vast range of products, which are currently supplied by over 700 international and local brands, Namshi has quickly grown to become the go-to e-retailer for millions of locals and expats residing in the Middle East. Its success lies in the Positive Paranoia principle of ‘speed’ – being constantly aware of the competitor’s speed, acting faster and evolving quicker to win in a rapidly changing market.

Furthering his mission of improving the lives and standards of living for the people, Mr. Alabbar is the Founder and Chairman of Africa Middle East Resources, which uncovers Africa’s abundant natural resources and introduces them to Asia’s vibrant consumer market. He is also a board member of Eagle Hills, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and real estate development company that funds and develops large-scale projects in rapidly expanding international markets.

The Emirati businessman and property developer is also Chairman of Tradewinds Corporation, a company that aims to develop world-class real estate developments in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. He is also the founder and principal shareholder of RSH. With over 60 international lifestyle and fashion brands, 70 outlets and with a reach extending to over 20 countries, RSH Limited is the leading pan-Asian marketer, distributor, and retailer of top international brand-names in fashion, active lifestyle and sports.

The avid equestrian is also the former founding Director General of the Dubai Department of Economic Development. He was also a member of the Dubai Executive Council and Dubai Economic Council.  Mr. Alabbar is also a trustee of the Seattle University, a prestigious private American university from which he received his Degree and an Honorary Doctorate in Finance and Business Administration.

Mr. Jamal Bin Thaniah, born in 1958, holds a bachelor degree in Public management.

Mr. Ben Thaniah joined Port Rashid in October 1981 and have progressed through the management up until May 1991 when Dubai government merged port Rashid with Jebel Ali port under Dubai Ports Authority (DPA) and he has been appointed as Assistant Managing Director.

In the year 1999, one of the first initiatives of Mr Thaniah along with DPA chairman in the international port operation market encompassing, Beirut, Djibouti and Jeddah led to the creation of Dubai Ports International (DPI).

In 2001 he has been appointed as a Managing Director to master plan the development of Jebel Ali as one of the biggest terminal in the world increasing its capacity from 20 million TEUs at that time to 50 million TEUs.

In 2004, Bin Thaniah played a major role in the acquisition of Sealand world terminals to give DPI a real international footprint.

Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah is the Co‐ Founder of DP World, the 4th largest port operator in the world with a capacity of 100 Million TEUs as in the year 2006, DPI conclude the acquisition of P&O Ports to become the 3rd largest port operator in the world and DPW was created to become a real international port operator company worth USD 22 billion.

In 2006 Bin Thaniah has been appointed a Vice Chairman and GCEO of Ports & Freezone world, which include DP World, Freezone world and P&O Ferries until his retirement in January 2017.

In 2008, following the global crisis Bin Thaniah led the restructuring of Dubai World, a conglomerate in the real estate (Nakheel), private equity (Istithmar) and Dry dock world.

Since 2012, Mr. Ben Thaniah sits as an independent member on the board of Directors of Emaar Dubai, and having previously served as a board member in different entities.

In Sep 2017, Mr. Ben Thaniah has been elected as a non‐executive board member of Emaar the Economic City.

Mr. Bin Thaniah is a common speaker in the international ports and maritime conferences and is amongst few who won 3 international prestigious awards:

In 2006 he won Lloyds list personality of the year,

In 2007 he won the personality off the year by Sea trade,

In 2010 he won the highest lifetime award by sea trade ‘’ the life time achievement award’’.

He is known and well respected by the major international ports operators and the shipping lines and has the knowledge of developing large scale port operation and logistic zone including the business knowledge process in the shipping line routs and rotations.

Chairman, President & CEO, Starling Holding Limited

Mr. Ahmed Jawa embodies the Middle East’s success story. As Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer of Starling Holding Limited, Mr. Jawa has continually set business and entrepreneurial excellence standards.

The renowned Saudi Arabian entrepreneur established Starling Holding, an international investment group dedicated to private equity and venture capital, just after graduating from college, when private equity was in its infancy in the Middle East region.

Mr. Jawa’s impeccable corporate expertise in oil and gas, healthcare, hospitality, home entertainment, and real estate development helped grow Starling Holding into a global investment leader, with business interests in the Middle East, Europe, USA, North Africa, and South Asia.

His business acumen was recognised in 1996, at the highest level, when he was honoured as one of the ‘Global Leaders of Tomorrow’ at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Mr. Jawa’s expertise and entrepreneurial skills have seen him become a trusted advisor for global companies that operate in the Middle East.

He is the Vice-Chairman of Emaar Properties, the developer of global icons including Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai, and Chairman of its Emaar Properties’ Investment Committee and Risk Committee. He is also a member of its Audit Committee, offering advice on Emaar’s global expansion plans.

Mr. Jawa is also a Board Member of Emaar Development, the leading developer of residential and commercial build-to-sell assets in the UAE, and a member of its Investment Committee and Nomination & Remuneration Committee.

Mr. Jawa is Chairman of Emaar Middle East (KSA), developer of high-value projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In addition, Mr. Jawa is the Chairman of Emaar Turkey and serves on Emaar Misr’s board in Egypt. He is also the Chairman of its Audit Committee and a member of its Investment Committee.

He is on the Board of RAK Petroleum, an Oslo Børs-listed oil and gas investment company and serves as the Chairman of its Audit Committee.

Mr. Jawa is also on the Board of National Pipe Company Ltd (NPC), a joint-venture between Saudi-based enterprises and Sumitomo Corporation Group of Japan that manufactures and supplies quality pipes for the oil, gas, water and construction services.

He is a former member of the Board of ‘Emaar, The Economic City’ and its Nomination & Remuneration Committee. A public joint-stock company listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul), ‘Emaar, The Economic City’ is undertaking the modernisation and execution of King Abdullah Economic City, the largest masterplannned community of its kind in the Middle East region.

Mr. Jawa was previously Chairman of Disney Jawa Enterprises, which introduced a range of Walt Disney licenced products to the Middle East region. He was the Chairman & CEO of Stallions Home Video, which redefined home entertainment in the region, and Coflexip, a joint venture with France’s Elf Aquitane, to lay underwater pipes for crude oil distribution.

Mr. Jawa holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, from the University of San Francisco. He is fluent in Arabic, English, and French.

As Executive Board Member – Emaar Properties PJSC, Ahmad Al Matrooshi oversees the day to day operations within Emaar including government affairs, media, public and community relations.

Al Matrooshi is the Chairman of Emrill Services LLC; Vice Chairman of Emaar Malls PJSC, member of the Consultation Committee for the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, a member of the Committee at UAE Council of UAE companies invested abroad. He holds memberships to a number of important organisations.

Prior to joining Emaar in November 2005, Al Matrooshi held the position of Chief Executive Officer at the government-run Dubai Development Board (DDB) for almost a decade. At the DDB, he ensured affordable housing and competitive financing rates to all residents across the Emirate. Before this move, Al Matrooshi was Deputy Director of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry for 14 years.

Born and brought up in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Al Matrooshi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and a Diploma in Property Management from NCFE – UK.

Mr. Jassim Mohammed Abdul Rahim Al Ali is the Chief Executive Officer of Al Ali Property Investments (API). He has gained experience in planning, construction and development of the family assets.

He is also the Chief Executive Officer of API Hotels and Resorts and works with operators such as Accor and IHG.

In 2006, Jassim finished his Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the American University of Sharjah (AUS). After graduation, Jassim joined his family business – API, in 2006, as the Commercial Director. During his tenure, he worked on numerous projects and is currently accountable for over 50 property assets in the UAE.

Jassim is an out of the box thinker and innovator, keeps himself updated by investing his time in books, current global affairs and market economy.

He is a true visionary for tenants residing in his properties. He aims to deliver a change from the traditional way of living to a unique experience by introducing technology and new ways of making tenants lives better.

H.E. Eng. Sultan bin Saeed AlMansoori 

Minister of Economy 

His Excellency Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori has been appointed as Minister of Economy in the UAE, effective 17th of February, 2008. His Excellency Sultan holds a Bachelor’s degree (B. Sc.) in Industrial Engineering & Management Systems from Arizona State University – USA . He also has a Diploma in Computer System Analysis from the Institute of Computer Technology, Los Angeles, California – USA. 

In addition to his position as Minister of Economy, His Excellency Sultan holds the positions below : 

1. Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection 
2. Chairman of the Coordinating and Economic Cooperation Committee 
3. Chairman of the National Committee for the Follow-up Program of Investment Climate 
4. Chairman of the UAE international Investors Council 
5. Chairman of The UAE SME Council 
6. Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Securities and Commodities Authority 
7. Chairman of the insurance Authority 
8. Chairman of the Federal Civil Aviation Authority 
9. Chairman of The Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre 
10. Chairman of The Emirates Authority For Standardization & Metrology 
11. Chairman of CSR UAE Fund Board of Trustees 
12. Member of Education and Human Resources Council. 
13. Member of the Ministerial Committee for Legislation 
14. Member of the National Committee on Population Composition 
15. Member of the Committee of Finance and Economy 

In addition to his position, His Excellency Sultan holds the previous positions below: 

1. Senior Airport Coordinator, then Vice President Operations at Dubai Civil Aviation Authority during the period of 1988 – 1991 
2. Director – Dubai Cargo Village during the period of 1991 – 1996 
3. Deputy Director General – Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry during the period of 1996 – 1998 
4. Group Managing Director of Saeed & Mohamed Al Naboodah Group during the period of 1998 – 2004 
5. Vice President of Dubai Islamic Bank during the period of 1999-2008 
6. Chairman of Aman (Dubai Islamic Insurance Company) during the period of 2002-2008 
7. Minister of Transport and Communications during the period of 2004 – 2006 
8. Minister of Government Sector Development during the period of 2006 – 2008 
9. Member of GCC Consulting Authority for Supreme council 

His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri has been Director General of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) since 2013. He is a member of the Executive Council of Dubai,   a member of the Board of Directors of the Investment Corporation of Dubai and also the Director General of the Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA).

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), is the government authority responsible for continuously furthering Dubai’s position as a leading global tourism destination and business hub. In his capacity, Almarri is accountable for the planning, oversight, and delivery of Dubai’s vision and aspirational targets for the sector. His mandate also includes a strategic focus on driving sustainable tourism – contributing to the economic development of the emirate of Dubai and ensuring that tourism as a sector with all related adjacencies are effectively growing their contribution to Dubai’s GDP.

Almarri’s responsibilities span both leisure and business aspects of the city’s value proposition. As such his role entails enhancing Dubai’s positioning as the preferred international hub for the global business community to network from, establish and expand their presence in, and service the broad range of markets across EMEASA. To facilitate delivery, he is equally responsible for forging collaborations and partnerships across the industry ecosystem globally, and Dubai government, private and public sector stakeholders.

Helal Almarri also heads up the DWTCA, which encompasses the UAE’s leading event venue and the largest event and exhibition centre in the whole region. He is responsible for developing the centre’s strategic and development plans that aim to position Dubai as a leading global MICE destination. In his capacity, Almarri is mandated to manage various sides of the business including exhibitions and conferences; real estate; and hospitality – all collectively driving towards the company’s  growth strategy in line with Dubai’s vision to create a global platform for business tourism, as mandated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Almarri also serves as a member of the Supreme Committee of the Expo 2020 and board member at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Emaar Malls PJSC and Taaleem PJSC.

Helal Almarri holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the London Business School (LBS). Almarri is a Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and previously worked at consulting firms, McKinsey and KPMG.

In January 2020, Eman Abdulrazzaq was appointed as the Group Chief Human Resource Officer and Executive member of Emirates NBD Group where she is responsible for the people agenda for over 26,000 employees across 9 countries. Eman was instrumental in leading a dynamic and proactive working practice cultural change ensuring that our employees were supported. Eman is driving Future Skills development to reskill and build out an agile workforce that can embrace the developing digital landscape in addition to being a proactive advocate of attracting and retaining a diverse and talented workforce whilst building out robust succession plans. 

Prior to joining Emirates NBD, Eman was Regional Head of Strategy, Planning and Chief of Staff for HSBC Bank Middle East Limited for the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (MENAT) countries where she also had responsibility for overseeing Sustainable Finance. 

Eman started her career with HSBC as a Corporate Banker and then spent the following 15 years within Human Resources, leading the function through various complex strategic initiatives and programs across the MENAT region. 

When her role at HSBC expanded to include Chief of Staff she led on all internal and external people related matters as they affected the business and their impact to deliver on strategic goals, directly supporting and advising the Regional CEO. This involved a high degree of engagement with external stakeholders and multiple regulators. Eman led on a program of critical and strategic projects which resulted in accelerated growth and increased revenue. 

Eman has been an active board member on the Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies (EIBFS) where she plays a key role in encouraging and supporting the youth of the UAE to pursue careers in banking and finance. She is also a board member of the HSBC Middle East Finance Company. 

Throughout her career Eman has also mentored and coached numerous individuals and is passionate about the recruitment, development, and retention of Emirati talent. 

Eman is currently the Chairperson of the UAE Banks Federation (UBF) HR Committee, and has worked closely with regulators and central banks on introducing sound remuneration policies across the UAE, Bahrain Oman and KSA. 

Eman has spoken at various public forums on topics as diverse as regional economics and unconscious bias in the workplace and, participated in a panel discussion on Future Skills in the Workplace at the World Economic Forum in Davos.