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Interviews

Middle East Sunglasses – A Saturated Market?

Marco Bonapace, founder of Vision EyeWear, explains how boutique brands can crack the sunglasses market.

Prototype CEO: Why Your Company Needs Mobile Apps

Alexander Rauser, CEO of mobile application builder Prototype Interactive, shared his insights on the industry in the Middle East with Gulf Business.

Jaguar Land Rover: Gearing Up For 2014

Jaguar Land Rover’s sales director for MENA, Justin Weaving, spoke to Gulf Business in the lead up to this week’s Dubai Motor Show, from November 5 to 9 at Dubai World Trade Centre.

30 Seconds On The Business Of…The F1 Hospitality Industry

Gulf Business speaks to Chris Buncombe, co-founder and director of Halcyon Events.

The Business Of Securing The Web – Kaspersky Interview

Garry Kondakov, chief sales, marketing & support officer at internet security firm Kaspersky Lab, talks increased IT security awareness, B2B and B2C trends and expansion plans in the Middle East.

Five Minutes With… Reda Raad, COO TBWA\RAAD

The regional advertising industry still needs to mature, says Reda Raad.

Biker Chic: Interview With Harley Davidson GM

Steve Beattie, general manager of Harley Davidson UAE, talks about expansion plans for the brand and the MENA HOG rally.

EXCLUSIVE: Al Habtoor Group Could File IPO In 2016 – Chairman

Khalaf Al Habtoor said he would list the firm once Al Habtoor City is completed in ’30 months’.

How Business Powers Polo – And Vice Versa

In an exclusive on-the-field interview, Ron Wahid, CEO of RJI Capital, reveals how polo and business go hand-in-hand in the English countryside.

Five Minutes With…Saygin Yalcin, founder, SellAnyCar.com

The used car market in the UAE is a $2 billion business and is growing by 15 per cent year on year, says Saygin Yalcin.

A Brand New Claw: Markus Thesslef Interview

Dubai restaurateur Markus Thesslef speaks to Gulf Business about his latest venue, plans for a hotel and the region’s F&B bubble.

Private Banking Special: Arjuna Mahendran, Emirates NBD

Emirates NBD has lowered its bad debts forecasts and paid back Dhs7.8 billion of crisis-era funding to the Ministry of Finance.

Private Banking Special: Arnaud Leclercq, Lombard Odier

Lombard Odier plans to increase its assets in the Middle East to 20 per cent of its global business by the end of 2017.

Private Banking Special: Pierre Masclet, Credit Agricole Suisse

Having roughly $54 billion assets under management, private banking contributes to around 70 per cent of the total group’s revenues.

Private Banking Special: Daniel Savary, Julius Baer

Julius Baer’s total client assets amounted to CHF 304 billion ($321 billion) at the end of June 2012, with assets under management accounting CHF 218 billion for ($230 billion).

Private Banking Special: Eduardo Leeman, Falcon Private Bank

The Swiss bank has 40 years of wealth management experience and is owned by Abu Dhabi government vehicle Aabar Investments.

Private Banking Special: Khaled Sifri, Emirates Investment Bank

Founded in 1976, EIB changed its strategy away from pure asset management to a wealth management platform offering private and investment banking services to a broader client base.

Private Banking Special: Ayman Abuhabsa, Mashreq

Strong fundamentals and attractive valuations are driving the Middle East market, says Ayman Abuhabsa, head of Private Banking at Mashreq.

Five Minutes with… Ashraf Khairallah, Regional MD, De’Longhi Group

The luxury Italian coffee machine maker is looking to reach out to discerning customers in the Middle East.

30 Seconds On The Business Of… The UAE’s Audio Retail Industry

Gulf Business speaks to Amit Malani, president of Harman Middle East

Five Minutes with… Jihad El Eit, Founder And CEO, Manoushe Street

The home-cooked style restaurant is planning to expand across the UAE and the wider region, says El Eit.

5 Minutes With… Chris Buncombe, Co-Founder & Director, Halcyon Events

Halcyon Events, a luxury hospitality company, operates concierge style packages to Grands Prixs around the world.

Wooing The Wealthy – StanChart’s Head Of Private Banking, EMEASA

Stephen Evans, SCB’s head of private banking for Europe, Middle East, Africa and South Asia, reveals why Dubai is set to become a global private banking hub.

5 Mins With… The Co-Founder of Philip Stein

Will A. Stein, president of well-being firm Phiip Stein, says 2013 will be a year of growth.

Five Mins With.. The Founder of Urban Yogi

Nisha Varman Shetty is the managing director of Urban Yogi, a pop-up sustainable home furniture store, founded in Dubai last year.

Interview: How Dubai’s Entertainer Group Became A Global Brand

Donna Benton, founder of the Entertainer discount books, reveals the secret to building an international brand with a Dhs120,000 start up budget.

Yemeni Nobel Winner: Egypt Coup Deadly For Arab Democracy

Karman was the first Arab woman and second Muslim woman to win the Nobel peace prize.

Exclusive Interview: Rory Tapner, Coutts CEO

Rory Tapner, Coutts CEO, reveals how the UK’s most famous private bank is set on carving out a slice of the region’s rapidly growing wealth.

Interview: Mpetjane Kgaogelo Lekgoro, South African Ambassador To The UAE

Exclusive: Lekgoro tells Gulf Business about growing trade and business ties between South Africa and the UAE.

Five Minutes with David Butler, Owner, Offbeatours

The UAE-based tour operator Offbeatours offers visitors an intrepid travel experience.