Fairservice founded Motivate in 1979 with the launch of What’s On, the UAE’s first independent magazine. With a wide range of award-winning publications, including Gulf Business, Emirates Woman and Identity, MMG’s established consumer and trade brands reach an audience of over 2.5 million users per month. The group’s Books division was established in 1986 and has published more than 300 titles. As well as books and magazines, Motivate also produces content across other platforms including video, digital media, exhibitions and events, social media, influencer marketing and out of home, talent, training, and cinema.
Mishal Kanoo is the Chairman of The Kanoo Group, one of the Gulf region’s largest and oldest independent family-owned conglomerates. The group operates across multiple sectors and is widely regarded for its long-standing contribution to the economic development of the Middle East.
A respected business leader and futurist, Mr. Kanoo is known for his strategic foresight and economic commentary. He holds key leadership roles in a number of companies, including Gulf Capital, KHK & Partners, Dalma Capital, Crane Industrial Services, Akzo Nobel UAE Paints, and KAAF Investments.
In recognition of his impact on regional business and leadership, he was named Gulf Business’ Lifetime Achievement Award recipient in 2024.
Mr. Kanoo began his professional journey within the family business before gaining external experience as an auditor with Arthur Andersen in Dubai. He holds two MBAs—one in finance from the University of St. Thomas, Texas, and one from the American University of Sharjah.
Beyond business, he is a published writer in regional media and business journals, and a motivational speaker committed to mentoring others. He is driven by a passion for helping people achieve their goals and upholds the Kanoo family’s long tradition of excellence, integrity, and philanthropy.
Jawad Jalal Abbassi is the Head of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region at the GSMA, overseeing activities across 25 countries. He leads the GSMA’s regional advocacy and strategic programmes—including those focused on 5G, the internet of things, AI, and digital identity—working closely with mobile operators, regulators, and policymakers to promote sustainable investment in mobile broadband.
Jawad’s team collaborates with experts across GSMA’s global offices, engaging key stakeholders to advance the mobile sector’s contribution to national and regional economic development. He regularly advocates for the industry at high-level forums and is a frequent speaker at regional conferences focused on technology and communications.
He joined GSMA in October 2015 after founding the Arab Advisors Group in 2001, a leading research and consulting company acquired in part by Arab Jordan Investment Bank. Earlier in his career, Jawad worked with the Yankee Group and the Economist Intelligence Unit in Boston as a telecoms and technology analyst.
He holds a BSc in engineering from the American University in Cairo, and an MSc in information systems from the London School of Economics. He has also completed multiple executive programmes at Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School, focusing on finance, infrastructure, tax policy, and green growth.
Das is a published author, global speaker, researcher, consultant, growth coach, and visionary thought leader. She currently serves as Partner and Senior Vice President at Frost & Sullivan—becoming the first woman to hold a Partner title at the firm.
She is also the founder of GLOW (Growth and Innovation of Women), a programme dedicated to advancing women in business, and serves on the board of High Tech High Heels Silicon Valley, a non-profit that promotes gender diversity in STEM.
In her role, Das leads a global healthcare business, focusing on long-term forecasting and reimagining how consumer-centric models will shape the future of health and wellness. She also identifies cross-industry opportunities for non-healthcare companies to bring disruptive innovations into the healthcare sector.
Her thought leadership has also contributed to Frost & Sullivan receiving the “Best Consultancy within the MedTech Industry” award at the 2025 MedTech World Awards.
Gareth van Zyl is the group editor of Gulf Business, with over 15 years of experience reporting on technology and business news in the UAE and South Africa. In recent years, he has held several top editorial roles in South Africa, including bureau chief for News24’s business section, working at Africa’s largest IT publisher, ITWeb, and serving as deputy editor at BizNews.com. Earlier in his career, he lived and worked in Dubai from 2008 to 2012, where he held various roles at technology magazine Windows Middle East, 7DAYS newspaper, and The National.
Gareth van Zyl
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