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His Excellency Mansoor Abulhoul
United Arab Emirates Ambassador to the UKAmbassador Mansoor Abulhoul has served as the United Arab Emirates’ Ambassador to the United Kingdom since June 2019.
Ambassador Abulhoul’s focus is on developing the long-standing close relationship between the UAE and the UK.
The key character of the relationship is partnership. Signed in September 2021, the UAE-UK Sovereign Investment Partnership (SIP) saw the UAE pledge to invest £10 billion in UK life sciences, energy transition, technology, and infrastructure over a five-year period. In less than three years, the SIP has already achieved results way beyond its targets. These investments, in sectors vital to the future, serve to strengthen the bilateral UAE-UK relationship for years to come.
The UAE has also launched a new, ambitious Partnership for the Future with the UK, illustrating the strengthening ties between the two nations. Additionally, since the Ambassador’s appointment, annual bilateral trade between the UAE and UK has surpassed £25 billion. This is a record high – making the UAE the UK’s largest trading partner in the GCC and its 19th largest trading partner globally.
The UK has welcomed the Abraham Accords, which the UAE signed in 2020, and takes a strong interest in the opportunities for diplomatic cooperation that have come from this ground-breaking move. The UK was also a key advocate of both Expo 2020 and the COP28 meetings in Dubai.
With British and Emirati parents, Ambassador Abulhoul is part of a family with deep connections in both the UK and UAE. He attended schools in the UAE and Scotland, later studying at the University of Leeds. After graduating, he spent three years working in finance in both Dubai and London before managing his family’s UAE-based business.
Ambassador Abulhoul has developed a personal ‘cycle diplomacy’ programme, whereby he is cycling – in intermittent sections – from John o’ Groats to Land’s End. This has enabled him to use his passion for cycling to meet, listen, and learn, while fostering deeper cultural understanding throughout the UK, not just the capital. In the process, Ambassador Abulhoul is raising funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital, which has a historic connection with the UAE. One of the many highlights so far was attending COP26 in Glasgow as part of his tour across Scotland, energising his own efforts in the buildup to COP28.
The Ambassador and his wife, who is French, met through their mutual interest in horseracing. The couple have a young son and daughter.
His Excellency Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed
CEO of KEZAD GroupMohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed is the Chief Executive Officer of Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi - KEZAD Group, the integrated trade, logistics and industrial hub that falls under the Economic Cities & Free Zones portfolio of AD Ports Group.
As CEO, Al Khadar oversees the development and operations of KEZAD Group, and is directly responsible for planning, developing, managing and promoting 12 Economic Zones with a total area of 550km 2 including 100km 2 designated as FreeZones, in addition it has more than 578,000m 2 of prebuilt facilities and more than 40 staff accommodation complexes with a capacity of over 450,000 beds (Located in Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain City and Al Dhafra Region). KEZAD Group hosts more than 1,850 investors in 17 industrial & economic sectors, catering to a range of key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, metals, automotive, polymers, building materials Recycling, Food & Agtech , lastics & Polymers, Retail & Logistics, Hi Tech& Green Energy, Life Sciences, Oil & Gas, Specialty Chemicals.
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 (DMT), as well Executive Director of the Urban Development Sector with Abu Dhabi’s Urban Planning Council (UPC).
In 2020, while serving as a General Coordinator, Al Khadar successfully organised , launched, and managed the 10th World Urban Forum (WUF10) 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 holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Sciences from Metropolitan University of Denver (Colorado, USA) and Executive MBA from the American University of Sharjah (UAE). He holds an Executive Education in Leadership from INSEAD (Abu Dhabi), Executive Education in Governance from Harvard University (USA) and Executive Education in Competitive Strategy from INSEAD France).
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.
Khalifa AlMahmoud
Head of Europe & MENA Operations at Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO)Khalifa AlMahmoud currently Heads the Europe & MENA markets within International Operations at the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, a role that underscores his expertise in networking, strategic investment, and international relations. Khalifa's career trajectory has seen him seamlessly transition across various high-impact roles, culminating in his current position where he is poised to leverage his extensive network and deep understanding of international markets to foster significant investment opportunities and partnerships.
His prior experience at prestigious entities like the Emirates Council for Rural Development and the Presidential Court, alongside a pivotal role as a diplomatic advisor, has equipped him with unparalleled skills in asset management, strategic analysis, and policy development. With a BSBA in International Business from Notre Dame de Namur University, and fluency in Arabic, English, and Hebrew, Khalifa is a dynamic leader committed to enhancing the global standing of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office.
Though early in his tenure, Khalifa's strategic vision for expanding Abu Dhabi's investment footprint across Europe and MENA is a testament to his leadership and foresight. His role is instrumental in navigating complex international landscapes, fostering innovation, and driving economic growth.
Ms. Jameela Ahli
Director Commercial & Business Development of KEZAD GroupJameela Ahli is an accomplished professional in the field of international market expansion, with a wealth of experience spanning over a decade.
Currently, as the Director of Commercial & Business Development at KEZAD Group, a subsidiary of AD Ports, Jameela is at the forefront of shaping our company’s strategic growth initiatives. She joined the KEZAD Group in August 2023, taking charge of the commercial and business development efforts for the Economic Cities and Free Zones within Abu Dhabi. Her commitment to sustainable and economically beneficial business practices aligns seamlessly with the leadership’s vision.
From 2015 to August 2023, Jameela held a prominent role in the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai. As the Head of Region & 360 Lead for the UK, Ireland, Italy, and the Nordics International Operations, she successfully formulated and executed market strategies aimed at enhancing Dubai's allure as a premier travel destination. She oversaw B2B activities, forging partnerships with key industry players and airlines to stimulate growth in Dubai's tourism sector.
Jameela Juma Ahli’s career trajectory has consistently demonstrated her exceptional ability to drive success through strategic planning, budget management, and partnership development. She holds a Master of Arts with Merit in International Relations from Queen Mary University of London,
and a Bachelor of Business Sciences with Honours from Zayed University, Dubai.
Mr. Khalid Al Marzooqi
VP-International Business Development at KEZAD GroupKhalid 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.
Philip Harwood
Regional Investment Director of Department for Business and TradePhilip Harwood is the Regional Investment Director for Middle East, within the UK’s Department for Business and Trade. Based in the United Arab Emirates he has responsibility for managing the UK’s sovereign investment partnerships across the Gulf in addition to attracting capital inflows and increasing trade volumes with the UK. Philip joined government following a career in international banking.
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.
Saleh Shahrestani
Chairman at Metal Park - KEZADSaleh Shahrestani, Founder, Chairman, and CTO of Metal Park, holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from Imperial College London (1992) and an MSc in Computer Integrated Manufacturing from the University of Surrey, Guildford (1993). With more than three-decade track record in metals, property investment, and technology, Saleh is currently spearheading the $300 million startup of Metal Park, backed by the Abu Dhabi Ports Authority. The venture spans storage, logistics, processing, fabrication, and support services, with the first phase slated for completion by Q2 2024.
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