< Previous60 September 2023 100 MOST INSPIRING LEADERS 54. FADI GHANDOUR 55. PIERRE CHOUEIRI Executive chairman WAMDA CAPITAL Chairman and CEO CHOUEIRI GROUP Ghandour, the vision- ary behind Aramex, stands as a central figure in the flourishing start-up landscape of the MENA region. Alongside founding Aramex, he also established Wamda Capital, a venture capital rm with a $75 million growth fund. This entity not only injects capital into early-stage tech start- ups but also cultivates entre- preneurship ecosystems throughout the region. Before this, Ghandour occu- pied the role of CEO at Aramex for over three decades since co-founding it in 1982. Under his guidance, Aramex transformed into a leading logistics company within emerging markets, Choueiri Group was estab lished b y Antoine Choueiri over four decades ago as a family-owned enterprise. Leading the group today, his son Choueiri took over the reins in 1987, after he attained his bachelor’s degree in economics from The Amer- ican University of Beirut, Lebanon. Rooted in forward-thinking and family values, the group's success stems not only from strate- gic partnerships but also from its passionate profes- sional teams. Boasting a versatile portfolio of over 50 media entities spanning TV, radio, print, OOH, digital, cinema, and offering top-tier data, tech, and boasting a network of over 250 o ces across 90 coun- tries. Ghandour took Aramex public on both Nasdaq and Dubai Financial Market. Ghandour has sold his remaining 10 per cent share- holding in the logistics company to Boson Ventures Corporation. Built upon an unwavering entrepreneurial ethos, Ghandour's involve- ment extends beyond Aramex. He has consistently invested in, founded, and launched various companies and non-profit organisa- tions. His diverse ventures encompass sectors ranging from tness and wellness to digital technology, hospital- ity, and security. Notably, Ghandour is a dedicated philanthropist, having founded Ruwwad Al-Tanmeya, a community development NGO that uplifts displaced communi- ties across Lebanon, Pales- tine, Jordan, and Egypt through avenues like educa- tion, nancial inclusion, and civic engagement. He's also a co-founder and supporter of Al-Riyadi, a prominent not-for-pro t sports club in Jordan. content capabilities, the group empowers brands to achieve impactful outcomes across platforms. With a TV MENA reach of 27 million, digital reach of 98 million, over 100 partners, and oper- ations across 11 markets, key companies include Arabian Media Company, Arabian Outdoor, Diginet Arabia, Times Int’l, and more. The group’s global pres- ence extends to offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Cairo, and Riyadh, as well as representative offices in Paris, Tokyo, and Warsaw, serving as a testament to its enduring commitment to innovation and excellence. In January 2023, Choueiri Group's Digi Net Arabia FZ-LLC (DNA), a division operating within Choueiri Group, announced its latest role as the exclusive media representatives for Alsuma- ria TV Network in Iraq. This partnership will span an initial five-year period during which DNA will assume responsibility for commercial advertising sales across various media platforms for the Iraqi media powerhouse. INVESTMENTMEDIAarabianbusiness.com 61 100 MOST INSPIRING LEADERS 56. FAHAD AL HASSAWI 57. COLM MCLOUGHLIN CEO DU Executive vice chairman and CEO DUBAI DUTY FREE In the landscape of the ICT sector, Al Hassawi helms telecom opera- tions within du’s digital life- style and innovation divi- sions. His responsibilities span a diverse spectrum, including steering infra- structure development, technological implementa- tions, network investments, and the ongoing expansion of 5G capabilities. Beyond his operational roles, his in u- ence extends to nurturing the growth of the next generation of Emirati entre- preneurs and business lead- ers. A pivotal role under- taken by Al Hassawi involves leading du through a trans- formative digital journey. This strategic endeavour McLoughlin played a key role as a member of the consultancy team from Aer Rianta, the Irish Airport Authority, which was contracted by the Dubai government to initiate the new duty-free operation in 1983. Remaining in Dubai, he held the position of general manager for the new opera- tion and later advanced to the role of managing direc- tor. In July 2011, McLoughlin was appointed executive vice chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free, overseeing its subsidiary businesses including The Irish Village, Studio One Hotel, The Century Village, the Dubai aims to enhance customer experiences while unlocking the full potential of the company's operational capacities. As a thought leader, his in uence reso- nates through his commit- ment to fostering the devel- opment of Emirati talents, thereby shaping the trajec- tory of the industry. Al Hassawi started his career as the rst lieutenant engineer for the Dubai Police. He also worked across multiple leadership roles at Emirates for seven years including as senior industrial engineer, perfor- mance development manager, manager of National Recruitment & Development, and vice pres- ident of Human Resources. Al Hassawi"s journey within du dates to its inception in 2006 when he was appointed as the executive vice presi- dent of Human Resources in April 2006 to December 2009. His responsibilities encompass various business units, ranging from enter- prise and consumer engage- ment to branding, commu- nication, strategic planning, and government relations. Duty Free Tennis Stadium, and Jumeirah Creekside Hotel. His philanthropic e orts are signi cant and in 2004, McLoughlin established the Dubai Duty Free Foundation, supporting 45 local and 56 overseas charities, including Al Jalila Foundation, Hand in Hand for Haiti, The Moodie Report Great Travel Retail Educathlon, Smile Train, and the construction of 32 houses in the DDF GK Village in the Philippines. Founded in 1983, Dubai Duty Free recorded first- year sales of $20m and has grown into one of the biggest travel retail operators in the world. Under his leadership, Dubai Duty Free experi- enced substantial growth over nearly four decades, with the business expanding from $20m in 1984 to $2.029bn in 2019. Despite facin g a pandemic-induced slow- down for two years, Dubai Duty Free demonstrated resilience by achieving remarkable sales of $1.74bn in 2022, representing a 78 percent increase compared to its 2021 gures. TECHNOLOGYRETAIL62 September 2023 100 MOST INSPIRING LEADERS 58. LUBNA OLAYAN 59. HAIDER ALI KHAN Chairperson SAUDI AWWAL BANK (SAB) CEO BAYUT AND DUBIZZLE As of 1 January 2023, Olayan was reap- pointed as chair of the board of directors at Saudi British Bank (SAB) for an additional three-year term. This marks her contin- ued in uential presence in the nancial landscape, as she rst assumed this role in 2019 following the merger of SAB with Alawwal Bank. On 5 April 2023, the Saudi British Bank (SABB) revealed its new name, SAB. This change comes after two years of significant e orts following the merger of SABB and Alawwal Bank. The merger process, which took around 18 months, saw the combined entity oper- Leading Bayut and Dubizzl e, Khan pursued his educa- tion in electrical engineer- ing at the University of Texas at Austin, US. His professional journey began as a programming analyst at Goldman Sachs in 2000. He then transitioned to National Instruments, where he spent six years in product management. At Silicon Laboratories, Khan's role in the broadcast divi- sion's systems engineering connected him with tech giants like Apple, Nokia, and Bose, collaborating on inte- grating Silicon Labs solu- tions. His tenure as a section manager at National Instru- ating as the 'Saudi British Bank' until now. With the final approvals from both regulators and sharehold- ers, the bank is now all set to continue its journey under the name 'Saudi Aww al Bank.' SAB's forward-looking approach aligns with Vision 2030's objectives as the bank's adoption of blockchain technology for international trade transactions in 2022 re ects the push for digital transformation and innova- tion in the industry. Olayan’s appointment as the chair of a Saudi-listed entity was a ground-break- ing achievement, making her a trailblazer in the region and an emblem of women's empowerment. Her career spans diverse leadership positions, including her role as the CEO of Olayan Financing Company (OFC) for over 35 years. After resigning from the CEO position in April 2019, she remains a member of OFC's board and is also the chair- person of the board and executive committee of the Saudi-Swedish Business Council (SSBC). ments from 2007 to 2014 saw him leading a global team of 20 managers and over 100 employees across the US, Europe, China, and India. Dubizzle and Bayut’s story commenced in the mid2000s. While Dubizzle emerged as a classifieds platform in 2006, Bayut was born in 2008, which trans- lates as ‘house’ in Arabic. The Khan brothers, Haider, Imran, and Zeeshan, saw untapped potential in the real estate sector, leading them to establish Bayut. Expanding their vision, Zameen.com was intro- duced in 2012, catering to Pakistan’s real estate market. Since Bayut’s inception, they have rapidly solidi ed their position as pioneers in the UAE’s real estate domain. With their users’ needs taking prece- dence, Bayut has stream- lined and enriched their property exploration jour- ney with a website that boasts cuttingedge tools like 2D and 3D Floor Plans, Map View, and authentica- tion features like Checked and TruCheck™. FINANCEREAL ESTATEarabianbusiness.com 63 100 MOST INSPIRING LEADERS DIVERSIFIED An international businessman, philanthropist, and entre- preneur based in the UAE, Aboud is the founder and chairman of the multi-business conglomerate, Ghassan Aboud Group (GAG). Following his short-lived career in media, in 1994, he recognised the potential for international traders in Dubai with the launch of his trading company. And just around three decades later, his small automotive trade venture expanded to become a successful conglomerate, spread across multiple business sectors and a global market reach. Notably, the group has been a front runner in public-private partnerships with two major projects in the food and automotive sectors. The rise to global expansion Today at the helm of over 2,500 employees, his Group is based in the UAE with additional o ces in Jordan, Turkey, Belgium, and Australia across industries spanning retail, hospitality, media, food, digital marketplaces, automotive, and more. The group launched Live Point Art Production in 2008, followed by Crystalbrook Collection, a hotel development and management company in Australia, and then Grandiose Supermarket in 2016 with hypermarkets, supermarkets, and convenience stores across the UAE. He also steered GAG’s foray into digital ecommerce with its B2B marketplace BuyGro launched in 2020 in the UAE which integrates over buyers from cafes, grocery stores, and restaurants. This was followed by the launch of another successful marketplace for auto parts, with the stated ambition of disrupting traditional busi- ness models. About Ghassan Aboud Group Engaged in several key business sectors, including catering, healthcare, digital marketplaces, hospitality, logistics, auto- motive, retail, media, and FMCG, Ghas- san Aboud Group is an international conglomerate was established in 1994 and today, has transformed to become a respected conglomerate holding several highly coveted brands across multiple sectors, both internation- ally and in the region. Backed by their motto, ‘Building a better future, together’, the Group has achieved key successes with their services, products, and experiences as they ambition towards even more accomplishments and expansion in the future. GAG’s multiple industries Inculcating the 21st century principles of digital transformation, sustainability, customer centricity, and reliability, GAG consists of multiple companies within key industries spanning both inter- nationally and across the region. With a robust portfolio of auto- motive products, GAG is a leading exporter of automotive prod- ucts supplied to over 100 countries with solid experience spanning over 28 years and continues to disrupt current indus- try approaches to business with its cutting-edge digital solutions for auto parts, vehicles, and lubricants. Also supplemented by the power of technology and convenience, the Group provides food and FMCG services via their food distribution and award-winning catering subsidiaries. Retail and logistics Across retail, GAG’s retail arm, Grandiose Supermarket, prides itself as a sustainable and responsible retailer. Grandiose is well entrenched in the UAE as the fastest growing grocery retail chain, with an emphasis on premium food and shopping experience. Across logistics, through GAG’s seamless supply chains, provides storage, transportation, and supply chain needs as a preferred 3PL logistics partner. 60. GHASSAN ABOUD Founder and chairman GHASSAN ABOUD GROUP64 September 2023 100 MOST INSPIRING LEADERS 61. NOOR SWEID 62. FARAZ KHALID Managing partner GLOBAL VENTURES CEO NOON.COM Sweid is deeply committed to empow- ering disruptive tech- nology companies and their emerging market founders, enabling them to address real-world challenges and create tangible global impact. Sweid assumes roles as a founder, investor, and operator. Her previous responsibilities encompass her position as the CIO at The Dubai Future Founda- tion, and her role as founder of the ZenYoga studio chain, which was later acquired by Cedarbridge. A pivotal achievement in her career was her accom- plishment as the rst Arab woman to successfully scale, Previously the co-founder and managing director of Namshi, Khalid’s wealth of experience and practical knowledge in building, launching, and scaling successful e-commerce enterprises in the region gives him the edge to lead noon.com towards further growth and expansion in the region. A joint venture between the KSA’s PIF and Mohamed Alabbar. noon’s consumer platform first went live in 2017 in KSA. An ecosystem of homegrown digital companies from the region, noon.com is a pioneer in the region’s digi- tal landscape that has trans- formed into the region’s leading online shopping IPO, and operate a public company in the MENA region. She achieved this milestone by listing Depa on the NASDAQ Dubai and the London Stock Exchange (DEPA:DU) for $1.1 billion in April 2008. Beyond her achievements, Sweid plays an active role on the boards of companies within Global Ventures’ portfolio. She also holds the position of Chair- person at the Middle East Venture Capital Association and serves as a director for MIT Sloan and TechWadi. Additionally, she holds the independent chairperson role for Clue Health. Sweid holds bachelor’s degrees in Finance and Economics from Boston College, an MBA from MIT Sloan, and an early career as a consultant specialising in biotechnology and pharma- ceutical strategy in the US. She is recognised by her membership in the inaugu- ral class of the Finance Leaders Fellowship and her inclusion in the Aspen Global Leadership Network. She is also honoured as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. destination with operations in the UAE, KSA, and Egypt. Noon.com has launched noon Pay, a P2P payment service that offers ease, security, and flexibility to users in KSA and the UAE. Individuals can transfer noon credits to anyone, anytime, with secure trans- actions. These credits work within the noon super app and SIVVI or can be sent to others via mobile number or email. In Q1 2023, noon.com completed its acquisition of the UAE-based fashion shopping platform Namshi. Fo unded in 2016 by Mohamed Alabbar and Sam Shirazi Maqam, noon is an e-commerce platform and digital marketplace that o ers products and services across multiple categories. Namshi, founded in 2011 by Khalid, Hisham Zarka, Hosam Arab, Louis Lebbos and Muhammed Mekki, is an online e-commerce site offering footwear and apparel fashion brands. This acquisition will expand noon’s digital ecosystem of products to include more fashion and lifestyle o er- ings for consumers. INVESTMENTECOMMERCEarabianbusiness.com 65 100 MOST INSPIRING LEADERS RETAIL For more than three decades, Jagtiani has been helming Landmark Group's corporate strategy, and in doing so, has propelled the group to emerge as the foremost omnichannel retailer of trusted, locally established brands in the MENA region. At the core of the group's journey, her in u- ence played a crucial role in the founding of the high-street fashion brand Splash in 1993. Her visionary leadership facili- tated the group's seamless entry into the realm of e-commerce over a decade ago. In her present role, she is concentrated on nurturing the group's vision, shaping its strategy, and explor- ing emerging business opportunities. In her capacity as the chair of the Landmark board, Jagtiani closely collaborates with leadership teams, contrib- uting her insights to shape strategic decisions that guide the group's direction. Her unwavering commitment and strategic expertise have not only been the foundation of Landmark Group's success but also symbolised its dedication to inno- vation and expansion. Landmark Group has profoundly reshaped Dubai's retail landscape, embarking on an extraor- dinary journey from a solitary store in Bahrain in 1973, estab- lished by her husband, Micky Jagtiani. This journey has evolved into an extensive network of over 2,200 retail establishments. For over two decades, Jagtiani has played a pivotal role in steering the group's corporate strategy, encapsulating its growth and vision. At the core of Landmark Group's evolution is Jagtiani's profound in uence. In 1993, she catalysed the creation of the high-street fashion brand, Splash, which quickly gained prominence under her leadership. Beyond that, her visionary approach led the group to explore e-commerce and invest in the MENA region's largest privately-owned logistics and distribution hub. This strategic vision aimed to bring the group's offerings to customers, regardless of their shopping prefer- ences or locations. Philanthropic initiatives Beyond its commercial success, Landmark Group has also emerged as a champion for a diverse range of critical causes. For over 14 years, the group has ardently supported early diabe- tes detection, raised awareness about diabetes in the region, and enhanced care within UAE communities. By fostering awareness about diabetes risks and complications, the group promotes active lifestyles and encourages regular diabetes testing among residents. The group’s philanthropic commitment extends beyond borders, collaborating with the Jagtiani Foundation and The LIFE Foundation. Through partnerships with reputed local non-pro t organisations across India such as Apnalaya, Jan Sahas, Oscar Foundation, and SAVE, the group addresses vital issues like textile and garment worker rights and child labour eradication. Also, in the face of adversity during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the Jagtiani Foundation and The LIFE Foundation demonstrated unwavering dedication. They directed their e orts towards providing essential food rations and hot meals to those in need while also supplying crucial PPE kits to frontline workers, exemplifying their commitment to the well-being of communities. Landmark Group, guided by the visionary leadership of Jagtiani, continues to rede ne the retail realm through its transformative journey, enriching lives both within its busi- ness operations and its extensive philanthropic e orts. 63. RENUKA JAGTIANI Chairwoman LANDMARK GROUP66 September 2023 100 MOST INSPIRING LEADERS REAL ESTATE In his current role since April 2021, Bibi began the establishment of a centralised marketing division at Nakheel, propelling growth, introduc- ing innovative o erings, and optimis- ing revenue across all business units through cross-platform marketing and communication strategies. Helming Nakheel’s branding and marketing strategy, he leads Nakheel's digital transformation spanning all facets of the business to ensure the company's customer-centric identity. Steered by a wealth of experience With a wealth of experience behind him, Bibi is an entre- preneur and creative leader with over 30 years of expertise in the UAE. He has steered innovative digital marketing ventures across diverse sectors, including real estate, start- ups, multinationals, and SMEs. A graduate in computer science and accounting from the American University in Beirut, Lebanon, his creative spirit redirected his career from an early role as an electronic data processing and nancial accounting auditor towards becoming a regional marketing and branding luminary. He is also the co-founder of Yougotagift.com and partner at HoneyBee Tech Ventures in Dubai, UAE, since January 2011. Initially co-founding HoneyBee Tech Ventures as a start-up incubator with two partners, they focused on nurturing UAE start-ups. Bibi managed the branding and marketing launch of a brand and supported the development of another concept initiated by a partner. Recognising a gap in the Middle East market for an online gift card service, Bibi launched Yougotagift.com. Here, he forged connections with international brands, introduced a mobile app, and diver- si ed into B2B o erings through 'For Business'. Bibi played an instrumental role in driving revenue growth in recent years and avidly explored expansion opportunities, includ- ing integrating gift cards into airline loyalty programmes and HR employee reward schemes. Prior to this, Bibi held the position of chief marketing o cer at Meraas in Dubai from July 2015 to December 2017, steering the transformation of the Meraas brand, unveiling a new vision centred around the concept of 'active urban life'. He also explored further prospects through a partnership with Visa and pioneered the Meraas gift card programme and corporate employee discount initiative. Collaborating with an external third party for branding earned them multi- ple awards and recognition for their exceptional work. Rebranding and repositioning In September 2022, Nakheel unveiled its fresh positioning and brand promise for its upcoming phase. In alignment with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which is dedicated to enhancing people's well-being and quality of life, Nakheel is now dedicated to 'cultivating happiness and prosperity'. In bolstering Dubai as a global destination of choice and establishing the emirate as the ultimate city for living, Nakheel is endorsing the plan's objectives of providing top-tier urban infrastructure and amenities, nurturing diverse and vibrant communities, stimulating increased economic activity, and presenting Dubai as an inspirational city for residence and visitation. The Nakheel rebrand campaign will be evident through various communication platforms, encompassing digital, outdoor, and social avenues. Backed by this new branding, Nakheel is commit- ted to consistently providing the utmost living standards accomplished through secure communities. 64. ABED BIBI CMO NAKHEELarabianbusiness.com 67 100 MOST INSPIRING LEADERS 65. RASHID AL GHURAIR 66. ROBERT BOOTH Founder and CEO CAFU Co-founder and managing director ELLINGTON PROPERTIES Aglobally oriented entrepreneur and tech pioneer with a forward-looking perspec- tive, Al Ghurair is dedicated to disrupting conventions and enhancing lives with consumer-centric, trans- formative services that endure well into the future. In his current role at CAFU, the foremost global platform for fuel delivery and vehicle services, he is propelling innovation and technology to align with the demands of tomorrow. Under his guid- ance, CAFU has grown from a 20-truck eet in 2018 into the preferred hub for all vehicle services. Its network, comprising over 300 vehi- cles, links the community to an extensive array of main- Booth’s extensive experience in the realm of real estate renders him a distinguished veteran in the field. His accomplishments span the globe, encompassing the development, marketing, and successful sale of key projects across five conti- nents. Originating from his native Canada, he embarked on his professional journey by crafting the largest master-planned urban community in the country, Concord Pacific Place in Vancouver. This landmark project was undertaken for the Hong Kong magnate, Li Ka-shing. This was followed by his appointment at Concord Adex Develop- tenance and service part- ners. Al Ghurair dons numerous hats as a accom- plished entrepreneur. Acknowledged for his business acumen and innovation prowess, he serves as a board member for the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy. This position centres on navi- gating the transition to a digital economy, ensuring Dubai's global competi- tiveness for the most inventive start-ups. Al Ghurair is also an active participant in Al Ghurair Investment, steering the group's interests in its commodity businesses, Al Ghurair Resources, and Al Ghurair Foods. Al Ghurair champions the environment through the Ghaf Tree Seed Project, an initiative that aims to plant a million seeds using custom-designed drone technology, with the goal of addressing climate change. He also serves as a member of the board of trustees for the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foun- dation for Education, a privately funded education initiative worldwide. ments Corporations where he assumed the role of director of Development and orchestrated a $2 billion development initiative in Toronto. In 2001, Booth's journey led him to Dubai, where he became an inte- gral part of Emaar Proper- ties. His tenure within the company was marked by pivotal roles, including CEO of the North America region and CEO of the comprehensive Real Estate division. His influence extended to shaping devel- opments like Arabian Ranches, Emirates Hills, The Greens, and The Dubai Marina, collectively adding 40,000 residential units to the market. His most illus- trious accomplishment is with the agship Downtown Dubai project where he had steered diverse aspects ranging from the engage- ment of master planners to the unveiling of the hotel, retail, and residential components, including the Burj Khalifa. His pivotal role in establishing international construction standards made him an advisor to the Emaar’s chairman. ENERGYREAL ESTATE68 September 2023 100 MOST INSPIRING LEADERS DIVERSIFIED Considered an international pioneer in the manufacturing of traditional men’s clothing, as well as textiles and readymade cloth- ing in the MENA region across multiple sectors, Alajlan has steered the Group on an upward trajectory of growth and expansion to become the international conglomerate that it is today. Estab- lished originally as a textile business in 1979, a segment where it remains a key player in the Middle East and North Africa region, Ajlan & Bros is also considered to be one of the biggest investment and commercial groups in the King- dom. With its head o ce located in Riyadh, today, it employs over 15,000 people in 25 countries across 75 companies and is backed by a vision to be a leading global investment conglomerate that enriches the prosperity of the Kingdom and delivers Vision 2030. In recent years the Group has diversi ed into sectors which are aligned to and in support of the vision. This includes water, power, environment, oil & gas, healthcare, food security, facility management, tour- ism, logistics, blockchain, industrial manufacturing, real estate, textiles, technology, mining and minerals, as well as FMCG, events & entertainment, gaming, nancial services in addition to Fintech. Experience across multiple leadership roles; with 40+ years experience spanning across the commercial, industrial and investment elds, Alajlan also holds several positions/ memberships including the Chairman of the Riyadh Cham- ber of Commerce & Industry; the Ex-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federation of GCC Chambers; and the Ex-Chairman of the Federation of Saudi Chambers. He is also a member of the Council of Riyadh Region; a member of the Board of Directors of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology; a member of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Export Development Authority, as well as is a member of the Board of Directors of the Saudi American Business Council. Other key leadership roles include the Chairman of the Economy and Development Committee in the Coun- cil of Riyadh Region, the Chairman of Dispute Resolution Commission, in addition to the Chairman of the Develop- ment Initiatives Committee at the Council of Saudi Cham- bers. A diversi ed portfolio Established to invest in a diversi ed portfolio of projects across KSA’s key economic growth sectors and aligned with Vision 2030, Ajlan & Bros Holding Group has embarked on signi cant diversi cation both regionally and globally as re ected in the company’s investments in real estate in KSA, Europe, Asia, the US, and China. One of the largest real estate owners in KSA, Ajlan & Bros has launched several commer- cial, housing, and industrial projects throughout di erent cities of the Kingdom. 67. AJLAN BIN ABDULAZIZ ALAJLAN Chairman AJLAN & BROS GROUP (and all its subsidiaries)arabianbusiness.com 69 100 MOST INSPIRING LEADERS INDUSTRY Athought leader backed by over 18 years of profes- sional cross-industry experience spanning retail, petrochemical, engineering, oil and gas, logistics, and more, Al Roomi has a history in managing HR depart- ments for global organisations. With diverse experience in developing leaders of the future, he has supervised multi-million-dollar nancial budgets for strategic business transformation initiatives and adding e ciency to complex organisational processes. As a visionary HR leader and quali ed executive coach, he has accumulated over 3,000 hours in empowering indi- viduals to progress through the challenging company ranks thanks to one-on-one career coaching. Having worked with leading organisations in the Middle East, Al Roomi is the rst Arab author endorsed by Marshall Goldsmith & Jack Zenger Folkman for his book, Prevail, which ranked number one on Amazon. In his current position at Boubyan Bank Group, Al Roomi spearheads the development of current and future leaders, leading learning interventions to meet strategic goals, and helps in enhancing the group’s culture and engagement. Previously, he was appointed the CHRO for Abyat Megastore where he managed HR for over 2,000 employees. He also worked for Equate for over nine years, where he steered efficiency improvements within HR and financial processes. Al Roomi was also the senior HR specialist in lead- ership and organisational development, HR supervisor, IT trainer, and entrepreneur. Growth and expansion Al Roomi reveals that as an HR leader, author, and executive coach, this year marked the kick-off of his journey towards changing the perception regard- ing HR through his writings, trainings, interviews, talks, and gatherings. He adds, “While HR has always been perceived as a backend people supporter of organisations, today, I am happy to take part in breaking the standard stereotype of this industry and proving the signi cance of the role of HR and its potential in the leader- ship world. I have widened my network this year, delivered more one on one coaching sessions, was invited to speak at interna- tional conferences, and conducted sessions and workshops for wide audiences of HR & coaching professionals.” Roadmap According to Al Roomi, some challenges that emerged during the year include fast-moving digitisation and AI which made retaining and developing talents, motivating people, and even acquiring talents challenging. “In this digital era, being inno- vative, and creative with my solutions, training and always staying up to date is much more crucial than ever.” Another challenge is changing the perception about HR and how impor- tant their role is in leadership. He explains, “I've had the privilege of being featured on national TV and radio shows, university lectures, and global training programmes, and these opportunities have allowed me to share insights on professional development concepts with audiences from diverse backgrounds who wish to grow in a dynamic, digital world. My solution will always focus on bringing exposure to global best practices, persistence to continuous learning, and a mindset to help others help them- selves in their journey.” 68. ABDULAZIZ AL ROOMI HR Leader, author and executive coach BOUBYAN BANK GROUPNext >