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Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed
Chief Executive Officer at Khalifa Economic Zones Abu DhabiMohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed is the Chief Executive Officer of Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi KEZAD Group, AD Ports Groups integrated trade, logistics and industrial hub that falls under its Economic Cities Free Zones portfolio.
As CEO, Al Khader oversees the development and operations of KEZAD Group, and is directly responsible for planning, developing, managing, and promoting 12 Economic Zones, which today cover a total of 550 square kilometres of land, free zones and 42 staff accommodations in Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain, and Al Dhafrah.
Prior to his role in KEZAD Group, Al Khadar was Chief Executive Officer of ZonesCorp, one of the largest operators of purpose-built economic zones in the Middle East Africa.
Under his leadership, ZonesCorp advanced several milestone projects and developments to enhance Abu Dhabi s competitiveness and its attractiveness for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
With a breadth of government and private sector knowledge and experience in aviation, investment, ports, urban planning, and municipalities spanning over 20 years, Al Khadar is an expert in driving and executing proven projects development and business strategies that have powered economic expansion, development projects, and infrastructure.
Prior to joining ZonesCorp Al Khadar held executive positions in several government organisations, including Executive Director of Strategic Affairs Sector with the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport as well Executive Director of the Urban Development Sector with Abu Dhabi s Urban Planning Council.
In 2020 while serving as a General Coordinator, Al Khadar successfully organised, launched, and managed the World Urban Forum the 10th in partnership between DMT and UN Habitat the first ever to be hosted in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and the Arab World He also played an instrumental role in implementing Abu Dhabi s Development Acceleration Programme (Ghadan 21).
Al Khadar previously served as Regional Commercial Director of the Africa Region with DP World until 2012 As part his role, he took charge of commercial business across 12 business units in five countries across the continent He also served as Chief Executive Officer of DP World Algeria.
Al Khadar holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Sciences from Metropolitan University of Denver (USA) and Executive MBA from the American University of Sharjah ( He holds an Executive Education in Leadership from INSEAD (Abu Dhabi), Executive Education in Governance from Harvard University and Executive Education in Competitive Strategy from INSEAD (France).
Khalid Al Marzooqi
Vice President International Business Development at Khalifa Economic Zones Abu DhabiKhalid Al Marzooqi is a seasoned business development professional with more than 15 years of experience in the field. Since 2007, Khalid has been leading the international business development for Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi KEZAD Group .
He is also responsible for creating and developing sales channels, strengthening the presence of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in KEZAD, managing mega industrial projects and enhancing relations with government agencies. From 2013 2018, Khalid was a senior sales manager at the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), responsible for the Asia Pacific region, where he managed six overseas JAFZA offices.
During his time with JAFZA, Khalid attracted a number of companies to the free zone, including several Global Fortune 500 companies. Khalid also held the position of acting head of the business development department at DP World, where he managed KPIs, the budget and was the regional manager for Europe and America. Khalid holds a Master of International Business from Wollongong University in Dubai and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the American University of Sharjah.
The Rt Hon Baroness Symons Of Vernham Dean
Chairman at ABCCThe Rt Hon Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean is a senior Labour member of the House of Lords and a business leader. Formerly Deputy Leader of the House of Lords, Baroness Symons was a Minister in the UK Government from 1997 until stepping down in 2005. Among her government posts she was Minister for the Middle East, Minister for International Trade and Minister for Defence Procurement, and the Prime Minister’s envoy to the Gulf.
Previously a trade union general secretary, she was an Equal Opportunities Commissioner and a governor of the London Business School. As well as working closely with DLA Piper, Baroness Symons is now involved with a number of other commercial organisations, including roles as a non-executive director of British Airways, and as an advisor to other companies, including those with strong Middle East links, and with a number of not-for-profit organisations, including the International Red Cross.
Mr Bandar Reda
Secretary General & CEO of ABCCMr Bandar Ali Reda joined the Arab British Chamber of Commerce, on 1st March 2019, as Secretary General and CEO, becoming the fourth person to lead the Chamber since its foundation almost five decades ago.
As CEO, Mr Reda contributes his expertise by drawing on his wealth of experience as a diplomat and extensive time spent in the private sector to ensure the Chamber moves to the next level.
Mr Reda has a distinguished professional career of more than a decade in banking and corporate industry at SABB HSBC Saudi Arabia, prior to senior positions in the diplomatic service of his country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he served as Commercial Attaché in the UK & Europe, based in London, and in Italy and as part of the Saudi delegation to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) in Paris.
Mr Reda holds a BA in Economics and Business Administration from Orlando, USA. He has been an Executive Member of the Saudi-Italian Business Council, the Council of Saudi Chambers; a Member of the Business Youth Committee, Jeddah Chamber of Commerce; a Member of the Saudi Economy Association; and a Member of the Saudi Arabian legal accountants. Mr Reda has demonstrated his experience and abilities in his roles in both public and private sectors.
Since taking up his post, Mr Reda has successfully steered the Chamber throughout the difficult months of the pandemic and lockdown, a period which presented unprecedented challenges for international trade and the business community. Under Mr Bandar Reda’s guidance and leadership, the Chamber not only continued all its activities uninterrupted but extended its services during this period and has reinforced its reputation as the leading strategic business services organisation in the UK dedicated to strengthening Arab-British trade and building closer business co-operation.