#Interview

Barbara Muckermann CEO_copyright Kempinski Hotels

Kempinski’s Barbara Muckermann on inclusion, expansion and human connections

Kempinksi has an ambitious expansion plan that includes setting up more than 30 new hotels and residences across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa

Jayesh Patel - CEO, Wio Bank

CEO Jayesh Patel on Wio Bank’s rise in UAE’s digital banking space

Patel discusses the strategic thinking behind Wio Bank’s success, its unique approach to serving SMEs and customers, and his vision for the future of banking in the region

Titanium Escrow's CEO on crossing $5bn in transactions, regional M&A activity

Titanium Escrow’s CEO on crossing $5bn in transactions, regional M&A activity

Ibrahim Kamalmaz discusses the firm’s key milestones, regional M&A growth, and evolving corporate payment infrastructure in the Middle East

r David Wartenweiler, CIO at Habib Bank AG Zurich on seizing opportunities in Islamic investing

Habib Bank AG Zurich’s Dr David Wartenweiler on building purpose-driven portfolios 

As demand for Sharia-compliant portfolios rises, Habib Bank AG Zurich’s CIO explains how the bank blends Islamic principles with Swiss best practices to deliver purpose-driven, ethical investments

IFFCO’s Melahat Yildirim shares the blueprint for resilient, ethical, and digitally empowered supply chains

IFFCO’s Melahat Yildirim shares the blueprint for resilient, ethical, and digitally empowered supply chains

Yildirim outlines how IFFCO is building a future-ready, responsible, and agile food system across the Middle East and beyond

Arabian Automobiles' Hussam Baghdadi on driving customer-centric innovation

Arabian Automobiles’ Hussam Baghdadi on driving customer-centric innovation

Baghdadi shares how Arabian Automobiles Company is redefining customer experience and staying ahead of evolving consumer expectations

Air Arabia group CEO Adel Al Ali on its success and strategy

Air Arabia CEO Adel Al Ali on the strategy behind the airline’s rise 

Group CEO Adel Al Ali shares insights on the airline’s journey, strategy, and future plans 

St. James’ Place's Angelina Lai on the US concentration conundrum, volatility, diversification

St. James’s Place’s Angelina Lai on mega-cap stocks, volatility, diversification

Investors in the region face unique challenges, from energy price volatility to regional political tensions, and these factors can have a profound impact on local markets and investor sentiment, says Lai

Qatar’s Msheireb Properties offers a distinct and more rooted alternative, blending tradition, sustainability and intelligent urbanism, sayd CEO Ali Al Kuwari

Msheireb Properties’ Ali Al Kuwari on heritage, innovation and sustainability 

In an era of megaprojects, Qatar’s Msheireb Properties offers a distinct and more rooted alternative, blending tradition, sustainability and intelligent urbanism

HONOR's Laurance Li on the Magic V5, AI's impact and future of foldables

HONOR’s Laurance Li on the Magic V5, AI’s impact and future of foldables

The GM for HONOR GCC delves deeper into the technical advancements, strategic market positioning, and HONOR’s overarching vision for the future of foldables

ADNOC Drilling's Youssef Salem on H1 2025: Strong growth, tech-driven efficiency, and strategic expansion

ADNOC Drilling’s Youssef Salem on H1 2025: Strong growth, tech-driven efficiency, and strategic expansion

CFO Youssef Salem shares insights into the operational drivers behind the company’s robust H1 numbers, its ambitious technology roadmap and key goals

Dell's Haidi Nossair on why the shift to AI PCs is becoming a competitive necessity

Dell’s Haidi Nossair on why the shift to AI PCs is becoming a competitive necessity

The senior director – Client Solutions Group – META at Dell Technologies, outlines how the company is helping organisations transition to Windows 11, manage demanding AI workloads, and build sustainability into design

Georgetown University’s Paul Almeida on leadership and business education

Georgetown University’s Paul Almeida on leadership and business education

Executives need to close gaps not only in digital fluency or innovation management, but also in geopolitical literacy, strategic adaptability, and cross-cultural leadership, says the dean of the McDonough School of Business

OceanQuest's CEO on why deep-ocean science should be globally collaborative but locally relevant

OceanQuest’s CEO on why deep-ocean science should be globally collaborative but locally relevant

OceanQuest to explore deep ocean frontiers with cutting-edge research and global collaboration

Kaan Terzioğlu on how VEON is building digital ecosystems across frontier markets

Kaan Terzioğlu on how VEON is building digital ecosystems across frontier markets

Gulf Business spoke with Terzioğlu about VEON’s digital strategy, its move to the UAE, and the vision behind creating “digital nations”

Quantum leap: Why SandboxAQ says the Gulf must lead on GPS alternatives

Why SandboxAQ says the Gulf must lead on GPS alternatives

Luca Ferrara, GM of AQNav at SandboxAQ, on their new quantum-based navigation system, and why it could offer the Gulf a strategic edge in aviation resilience

MAG Group chairman Moafaq Ahmad Al Gaddah

MAG Group’s chairman on shaping sustainable, wellness-centric communities

Moafaq Ahmad Al Gaddah discusses the long-term thinking behind Keturah Ardh and how it ties into the UAE’s evolving urban and investment priorities

Thales' Roque Carmona on its supply chain strategy and the future of procurement

Thales’ Roque Carmona on its supply chain strategy and the future of procurement

With Thales now working with more local suppliers through its Go to UAE initiative, the company’s investment in the Emirates continues to deepen, shares Carmona

Johnny Karam, MD and  VP, International Emerging Markets, (Left) and Mark Molyneux, EMEA CTO (right) at Cohesity

Cohesity’s Johnny Karam, Mark Molyneux on raising cyber resilience among UAE employees

Employees must feel supported, and clear reporting channels should be made visible and simple to follow, says Cohesity’s MD and VP, International Emerging Markets, Johnny Karam

In conversation with Ahmed Soudodi, VP of Product & Marketing for Kia’s Regional HQ in the Middle East & Africa

Kia eyeing broader EV, PBV expansion, says Ahmed Soudodi

The VP of Product & Marketing for Kia’s Regional HQ MEA explains how the brand is targeting younger, tech-savvy buyers, embracing off-road culture, and laying the foundation for growth in electric and modular mobility with its new EV3, EV4, and PV5 platforms

Vítor Papão, GM of Middle East, Russia and Türkiye at Gilead Sciences, on key partnerships and the role of tech in public health

Gilead’s Vítor Papão on key partnerships and the role of tech in public health

Papao shares insights on the evolving role of public-private collaboration in healthcare, and how emerging technologies and policy innovation are reshaping patient care across the region

Mudrick Ramadhan Soragha, Minister of Tourism of Zanzibar, outlines the island’s vision for high-value, low-impact tourism, discussing everything from strategic partnerships with Gulf nations to rising GCC visitor numbers to the island

Zanzibar’s Tourism Minister on its vision for growth, GCC visitors and eco-tourism

Minister Mudrick Ramadhan Soragha shares Zanzibar’s high-value, low-impact tourism vision, highlighting Gulf partnerships, rising GCC visitors and cultural preservation

Sukna Capital's Fares Bardeesi on launching Saudi first open-ended direct lending fund for SMEs, startups

Sukna Capital’s Fares Bardeesi on launching Saudi’s first open-ended direct lending fund for SMEs, startups

The CEO of Sukna Capital outlines their investment strategy, timing, and how this fund aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambitions

Sterling Perfumes' Dr Ali Asgar Fakhruddin on turning a family-run company into a global brand

Sterling Perfumes’ Dr Ali Asgar Fakhruddin on turning a family-run firm into a global brand

Sterling Perfumes’ vision is to be recognised worldwide not solely as a perfume company, but as a lifestyle curator that empowers individuals to express themselves more vibrantly, says the chairman and CEO

Zain Iraq's Emre Gurkan on empowering Iraq's digital future

Zain Iraq CEO Emre Gurkan on empowering Iraq’s digital future

The CEO of Zain Iraq outlines the company’s strategic roadmap, the role of innovation and inclusion, and how public-private collaboration is shaping a digitally empowered Iraq

Sahil Dhawan, Head – India, Middle East, and Africa (IMEA) Business, Tech Mahindra

Tech Mahindra’s Sahil Dhawan on its AI roadmap, local partnerships, and focus on innovation

Dhawan outlines the immediate and long-term priorities for the region, explains how Tech Mahindra is aligning with initiatives such as the UAE Digital Government Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030

GCC luxury market has defied global slowdown, says Chaloub Group's Jasmina Banda

GCC luxury market has defied global slowdown, says Chalhoub Group’s Jasmina Banda

Seven new malls featuring luxury brands are scheduled to open across the UAE and Saudi Arabia by 2027, and these developments will definitely help boost the GCC luxury sector further, says Banda

From a key new law to tech at DIFC Courts: Ayesha Bin Kalban shares her insights

From a key new law to tech at DIFC Courts: Ayesha Bin Kalban shares her insights

The DIFC Courts’ registrar on leading court operations, the impact of the new law, and how mediation, technology, and a user-first approach are reshaping dispute resolution in Dubai

Aziz Koleilat, President & CEO – METCIS, GE Aerospace

GE Aerospace’s Aziz Koleilat on the forces powering the Middle East’s aviation boom

Koleilat shares insights on GE Aerospace’s priorities as it marks its first year as an independent company and the region’s rising importance as a aviation hub

Family Office Summit's Obediah Ayton on trends impacting generational wealth transfer

Family Office Summit’s Obediah Ayton on trends impacting generational wealth transfer

The chair of the summit shares insights, ranging from next-gen leadership and gender diversity to wealth tech and sustainability