HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum The uncle of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum takes his position at the top of our list this year in part due to the diminishing fortunes of those around him, but few would argue he doesn’t deserve to be here after decades overseeing some of Dubai’s most important businesses, and a particularly… The uncle of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum takes his position at the top of our list this year in part due to the diminishing fortunes of those around him, but few would argue he doesn’t deserve to be here after decades overseeing some of Dubai’s most important businesses, and a particularly impressive 2017. He was appointed as president of Dubai’s Department of Civil Aviation in 1985 and has since led its associated businesses – Dubai Airports and Dubai Duty Free – plus the carrier founded at the same time, Emirates, to punch far above their weight and become global leaders in their respective fields. Among the highlights of the last 12 months was a return to form at Emirates, which saw net profit rise 111 per cent in the first half of its fiscal year despite challenging conditions. He also oversaw a partnership of the airline and its low cost sister flydubai and major Boeing aircraft orders by the two at the Dubai Airshow worth $42.1bn at list prices. This is of course not to mention the progress at the various other entities Sheikh Ahmed chairs including rising passenger traffic at Dubai International Airport, a 17 per cent Q4 profit rise at Dubai’s largest bank Emirates NBD and the ground breaking of the UAE pavilion at the Expo 2020 site. Chairman, Emirates / Emirates NBD Origin:UAE Residence:UAE Sector:Diversified