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Shaban Whiba
CEO of Whiba HoldingMr. Shaban Whiba is an influential business leader with over two decades of experience in managing and developing high-impact business ventures across multiple sectors. As CEO of Whiba Holding Group since 2009, he has been instrumental in driving the group’s strategic vision, overseeing investments across industries including renewable energy, food manufacturing, industrial production, and ICT. Under his leadership, Whiba Holding has expanded significantly, establishing landmark projects such as the largest pasta, couscous, and semolina factory in North Africa, the Wadi Al Rabie wheat production facility, and Cayan Company for Renewable Energy.
Mr. Whiba’s core expertise includes corporate governance, risk management, and strategic organizational development, with a demonstrated commitment to social responsibility and environmental sustainability. His roles extend beyond Whiba Holding, with numerous board memberships, including as Chairman of LIGOS Company and Dafniya Complex for Food Industries, and as a member of the Libyan Chamber of Industry and the Libyan Businessmen Council.
In recognition of his impact, Mr. Whiba was ranked as the number one young African leader in 2022 by Choiseul 100 Africa – Economic Leaders of Tomorrow, which honors the top 100 African leaders aged 40 and under poised to play significant roles in the continent’s economic development. He has also been honored by the Libyan Investment Committee and Zliten Municipal Council for his entrepreneurial achievements and dedication to charitable initiatives. His leadership continues to support Libya’s economic growth, fostering sustainable development and strengthening community ties.
Daniel Kawczynski
Former Conservative MPDaniel Kawczynski served as the Conservative MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham from 2005 through to 2024.
He is an expert on international relations and global trade and has developed a close engagement with the Arab World and Africa travelling extensively in the MENA region and around the world, often on official parliamentary delegations. He has authored numerous parliamentary reports and served on the All-Party Parliamentary group on Saudi Arabia for ten years. Currently, Daniel is establishing a think tank with young graduates and is about to publish a book Emotional Intelligence in Politics due for publication in 2025. He previously authored, Seeking Gaddafi, a biography of the Libyan leader.
Baroness Symons Of Vernham Dean
Chairman at Arab British Chamber of CommerceThe 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, Minister for Defence Procurement, and the Prime Minister’s envoy to the Gulf.
A former General Secretary of the First Division Association (FDA), she was also an Equal Opportunities Commissioner and a governor of the London Business School and London School of Economics.
As well as working closely with DLA Piper as Head of Government Relations, Baroness Symons was formerly a non-executive director of British Airways and Manchester Airports Group and was on the advisory boards of several companies including those with strong Middle East links, and a number of not-for-profit organisations including the International Red Cross.
Alaref Hassan
CEO of Libyan Businessmen CouncilAlaref Hassan is the Chief Executive Officer of the Libyan Businessmen Council, a position he has held since December 2018. With over ten years of leadership experience, he is responsible for developing high-quality business strategies and ensuring their alignment with short- and long-term objectives. He also plays a critical role in overseeing the council's operations and activities, ensuring they align with the organization's mission to advance and enable Libya's business environment as the official representative of the Libyan private sector.
Before his role at the council, Alaref co-founded Fly Nawras, where he served as the PR Manager from 2014 to 2018, shaping the company’s vision and establishing service standards that meet international criteria. He also managed long-term relationships with clients and partners, promoting the company’s values. Additionally, Alaref was CEO at Tassili Media from 2013 to 2014, managing events and media services within the Libyan market, which was undergoing significant changes at that time.
Bandar Reda
Secretary General & CEO of Arab British Chamber of CommerceMr 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.
Abdeslam El-Idrissi
Deputy CEO & Secretary General of Arab British Chamber of CommerceMr Abdeslam El-Idrissi is proud to have served the best part of over 36 years with the Arab British Chamber of Commerce, serving both as Director of Trade Services, Acting General Manager and now his present position as Deputy CEO and Secretary General. During this time, he has cultivated strong relationships with British Chambers, Government bodies, educational institutions, NGOs across both the Arab world and the UK regions, as well as the UK-Arab business communities as a whole.
To this end, Mr El-Idrissi is in much demand across the regions as a keynote speaker and as one of the UK’s leading experts on UK-Arab trade relations.
He is also a key member of the Institute of Export where in the past he has held the position of Vice Chair of the Institute of Export, London Branch for a period of 7 years.
Peter Millett
Chairman at Libyan British Business CouncilPeter Millett was appointed as Chairman of the LBBC on 2 March 2022.
He served as British Ambassador to Libya from June 2015 to January 2018. During that time he played a role in supporting the UN’s efforts to negotiate and then implement the Libya Political Agreement. He met and built relationships with all the key political, security and economic players in Libya and in the international community. He also managed the return of the British Embassy from Tunis to Tripoli.
Before Libya, he was British Ambassador to Jordan from 2011 to 2015 and High Commissioner to Cyprus from 2005 to 2010. Earlier in his career he had diplomatic postings in Venezuela, Qatar, Brussels and Athens.
Mohamed Kara
Chairman of the board at Kia LibyaMr. Kara is a leading visionary Libyan entrepreneur with a proven track record of 20 years experience in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector and in real estate investment.
Apart from being a real estate investor, Mr Kara is an environmental advocate.
He received his education from the University of Tripoli and the International Leadership University of Florida, USA.
Dr. Hanaa Al Banna, PhD
MENA Executive Director of CSR AccreditationDr. Hanaa Al-Bannaq is a specialist in SDGs, Corporate Social Responsibility, and sustainability. She holds the positions of lecturer and module leader at Northumbria University London, CSR Accreditation MENA Executive Director and adjunct lecturer at Hamad Bin Khalifa University. Dr. Al-Banna has earned a PhD in Marketing, Social Media, and Public Relations from Cardiff Metropolitan University. She also possesses a professional diploma in Public Relations from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and a Master's degree in Marketing.
Hanaa serves as an executive committee member of the United Nations funded program, "the Alliance of NGOs and CSOs for South South Cooperation," where she plays a crucial role in empowering organisations within the Global South. With a vision to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, she fosters the exchange of knowledge, resources, skills, expertise, and innovative ideas among participating entities. Recognised for her exceptional contributions, Hana was honoured with the International CSR Excellence Award at the prestigious International Annual Summit of Leading CSR Institutions in July 2020. Furthermore, she was listed as one of the 100 most influential people in the MENA region for both 2020 and 2021. In September 2020, she joined CSR Accreditation UK as a global representative and partner, further solidifying her commitment to promoting corporate social responsibility.
With over 17 years of experience in the field of international development, Hana has closely collaborated with various non-profit Organisation, international development entities and the private sector. Her expertise extends to strategic management, entrepreneurship, innovation, corporate communications, corporate social responsibilities, sustainability, ESG, and the Sustainable Development Goals. Her journey as a young professional has traversed diverse domains, from marketing and public relations to international development, cross-cultural communication, women's leadership, and faith-based community transformation.
Apart from her academic and professional endeavours, Hana actively serves as a Board Member for CSR Accreditation and the Excellence and Entrepreneurship Center at Al Bayt University. Joined the esteemed King Abdullah Award for Youth Innovation and Achievement in 2022 as a judge, where she played a crucial role in recognising and supporting innovative young minds contributing to positive change. In June 2023, Hanaa received a prestigious invitation to serve as a judge for the international Excellence CSR Awards in London. The event, organised by the Green Foundation in collaboration with CSR Accreditation UK, recognised her expertise and significant contributions to the fields of CSR and sustainability. As a distinguished judge, Hanaa played a pivotal role in evaluating and honouring outstanding achievements in corporate social responsibility and environmental
Ahmed AlNajar
Financial Manager at Libyan Authority for Scientific ResearchMr. Ahmed Alnajar is the financial Manager for the Libyan Authority for the scientific Research.
He financial expertise during the last 15 years came through different positions that he chaired such as, financial manager at the ministries of higher education, commerce and industry.
Mr. Ahmed Alnajar has served as a financial auditor for the Tripoli and AL Javara Municipality.
Ghassan Atiga
Vice President at Bank ABCGhassan has a two-decade long career in banking, specializing in global markets such as MENA, Europe, and North America. With roles at Bank ABC in London and New York, he has navigated corporate finance in Libya and MENA, alongside ventures in real estate, oil refineries, and telecom acquisitions. Ghassan’s academic background includes earning an MBA from the University of Hertfordshire (2004), diploma in Management from the University of Hertfordshire (2003), Diploma in Italian from Università per Stranieri - Perugia (2000), and BA in English Literature from the University of Tripoli (1999). In 2022, he also earned a Certificate of International Trade and Finance (CITF) from the London Institute of Banking and Finance.
Professor Kamal Bechkoum
Programme Director of Right Brain Thinking InternationalProfessor Kamal Bechkoum is the Chair of the Minsky Academy (dedicated to pioneering the frontiers of technology and education) and Right Brain Thinking International’s (RBTI’s) Programme Director for AI and Cybersecurity. At RBTI, providing customised courses and solutions in AI and Cybersecurity to companies in Libya and the GCC countries that address the specifics of company transformational requirements and their organisational and strategic management and operational goals.
A co-founder of both the National Institute of Coding and the Swindon and Wiltshire Institute of Technology, a former Head of the School of Computing and Engineering at the University of Gloucestershire and former Head of the School of Computing at the University of Derby, Professor Bechkoum has also been a Pro-Vice Chancellor at the University of Northampton. With over 30 years of experience in the Higher Education sector, he has also contributed to Higher Education courses in Dubai and was a key speaker this year at the 1st International AI Conference in Iraq.
Robert Bobroff
International Sales Manager at Symphony Environmental LtdRobert Bobroff joined Symphony in 1998 and is responsible for managing Symphony's Distributors in the Middle East, Eastern & South Eastern Europe and parts of Asia, including Pakistan, Bangladesh and India.
This includes advising on the marketing of d2w biodegradable and the various d2p technologies, plus assisting with technical queries together with Symphony’s Technical Department.
Part of Robert’s work entails ensuring that the correct legislation is adopted in each Country, together with the Distributor and the relevant Local and National Government Departments.
Andrew Elia
Managing Director of ArishiAndrew is a hard-wired technology expert who has helped hundreds of clients create seamless, trusted applications for the fintech, commercial and advertising sectors.
Understanding the power of agile development and secure, highly performant software, his company, Arishi delivers solutions that are practical, imaginative and robust, with the flexibility to adapt to changing regulatory conditions.
Combining enthusiasm, experience and humour, Andrew is an inspiring speaker on technology. He has written for magazines and spoken at conferences, on how startups should use technology, mobile payments and the sometimes awkward union between technology and business.
Andrew has delivered ground-breaking technology across a variety of areas within financial services and artificial intelligence that others couldn’t, wouldn’t (or just plain didn’t) develop, often years ahead of the competition.
Arishi has become highly regarded in industries across the globe, where split second improvements in performance, usability and visual appeal are becoming increasingly important – government, health, finance, fintech, advertising, and international business, to name a few. Arishi has delivered exceptionally performant digital projects for major clients in the Middle East and has now established an office in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
When he’s not immersed in the virtual world, or pursuing his passion for retro computers, Andrew enjoys spending as much time as possible with his family, who all enjoy exploring the GCC region.
Mohamed Karem
Chairman at Al Karem holding CompanyMr Mohamed Karem is a member of the Libyan Businessmen Council.
He also is the Chairman of Al Karem holding company which includes construction, general contractors, businessmen VIP services and fire prevention and safety companies.
He is an active entrepreneur and has participated in different private projects that added value to the Libyan private sector.
Adrian Pook
Solicitor at Albertson SolicitorsAdrian is a solicitor with extensive experience of commercial litigation in the English and Welsh courts and tribunals at all levels including the Supreme Court. His practice includes contract, company, insolvency and property disputes. His cases include international disputes which involve questions of the jurisdiction of the courts and of arbitrators. He deals with cases where emergency injunctions are needed such as freezing injunctions, search orders and “springboard” injunctions to prevent the misuse of confidential information. Adrian deals with settlement of cases out of court where appropriate as an integral part of the strategy in any commercial dispute. He has extensive experience of all types of negotiation and settlement and has successfully conducted many mediations, often as lead negotiator.
Alan Rides
CEO of West London Chambers of Commerce LtdAlan is the CEO of West London Chambers of Commerce who specialise in international trade.
Alan back started his export career in Diageo export customer services department dealing with global exports. Since graduating from the Institute of Export he has been a front line businessman across Libya, North Africa, Asia and the Middle East for 25 years working for UK Export trading companies with manufacturing arms who set up local successful offices and dealerships for UK companies in Libya. This propelled Alan’s career to Director level as sales grew and local offices were set up in 4 overseas markets. then on to set up his own Consultancy (ARC) and be a British Government (UKTI / DIT) Trade Officer.
West london Chambers of Commerce now have over 2100 members, have delivered 25 International trade event in 2024 and have signed MoU agreements with many Chambers overseas including withTripoli Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture.
Alan is also a guest lecture at King’s College London, Brunel University and University of West London plus local colleges.
Assad Riyany
Acting CEO of Bank ABC - LibyaAssad Riyany is responsible for Bank ABC’s Libyan relationships including, Banks, Corporate and non-Banking Institutions covering all wholesale banking products with a particular focus on Trade and Transaction Banking.
He has extensive knowledge of the Libyan market, its financial institutions and corporates through his work covering Libyan for more than 15 years, as well as his position as holding a board membership of Libya’s biggest commercial bank for approximately 10 years.
In his capacity as the head of Bank ABC Libyan business he stays very close to all market developments through his network of contacts in the FI and corporate sectors (both Public and private) and regular travels to Libya.
Professor Howard Ware
Medical Director, Strategic Partnership of Cleveland Clinic LondonMr Howard Ware is a Professor of Surgery and the Medical Director of Strategic Partnerships at Cleveland Clinic London. Previously he was a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust and Director of the Wellington Hospital’s Knee Surgery Unit. He has more than 30 years’ experience in orthopaedic surgery and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons . Mr Ware is also a member of several professional societies, including the British Association Knee Surgery, and is a reviewer for the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, British Volume.