A trusted advisor to Dubai’s Ruler, HH Sheikh Mohammed, the property chairman has been instrumental in shaping the region’s real estate landscape. In a sign that Emaar has balanced its books after Dubai’s real estate crisis, the company announced a H1 2012 net operating profit of $332 million – 45 per cent higher than the same period in 2011. Charismatic Alabbar runs 60 global companies beneath the Emaar banner, spanning global real estate, health and services.