Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar Julfar is the face of Etisalat, one of the Middle East and Africa’s largest telecoms operators with operations in 19 countries and more than 140 million subscribers. He has been with the firm since 1986, having slowly worked his way up the ranks before being appointed group chief executive in 2011. Last year, the company’s… Julfar is the face of Etisalat, one of the Middle East and Africa’s largest telecoms operators with operations in 19 countries and more than 140 million subscribers. He has been with the firm since 1986, having slowly worked his way up the ranks before being appointed group chief executive in 2011. Last year, the company’s share price surged following the loosening of foreign ownership restrictions but it suffered a number of costly regulatory issues and an 8.6 per cent decline in third quarter profit. Shareholders will be hoping Julphar can steer a steady course in 2016 as he strives to make the UAE the first country to achieve nationwide 5G services before 2020. Outside of Etisalat, he also serves as chairman of mobile satellite communications firm Thuraya. Group CEO, Etisalat Origin:UAE Residence:UAE Sector:Telecoms