Welcome to the Dubai Centre for Family Businesses’ exclusive directory of Dubai-based family business advisors. This curated list features highly qualified professionals with extensive expertise in guiding family enterprises towards sustainable growth and success. Our advisors include graduates from our esteemed Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA) and Certified Family Wealth Advisor (CFWA) programs, as well as seasoned advisors with substantial experience in Dubai. Whether you seek advice on navigating complex family dynamics or enhancing your business strategies, our trusted advisors are here to provide unparalleled support and insights.
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Organization: Dubai Centre for Family Business I Dubai Chambers
Areas of expertise: Corporate Governance, Family Office Structure, Succession Planning, Next Generation Development, Strategy and Corporate Structure
Languages spoken: Arabic & English
Advisory Certification(s): Advance Certified Family Business Advisor (ACFBA), Advance Certified Family Wealth Advisor (ACFWA), Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA) and Certified Family Wealth Advisor (CFWA)
Professional bio:
Adib is the Director of the Dubai Center for Family Business that works under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers focused on empowering multigenerational family enterprises.
With over 2 decades of experience in specialized advisory services for diversified businesses with big four firms, Adib leads a team of experts to deliver innovative solutions and services to Dubai based family business to enhance knowledge, training and development programs of family members, advocating for family business as well as providing bespoke advisory services to enhance family business governance and continuity.
He oversees the creation of cutting-edge educational programs, workshops and seminars designed to equip family business leaders with the tools and insights necessary to navigate complex challenges.
Adib is a Fellow of the Family Firm Institute where he served as a Board member and holds multiple professional certifications in family business and family wealth advisory from FFI and STEP.
Areas of expertise: Family Business Governance, Ownership and Shareholding Structures, Drafting Family Constitutions and Protocols, Board Formation and Evaluation, Succession Planning and Generational Transition, Corporate Governance Frameworks and Board Charters, Family Office Design and Operating Models, Governance Compliance with Evolving Legal Frameworks, Strategic Alignment of Family and Business Goals, Customized Governance Solutions for Regional Business Families
Languages spoken: Arabic & English
Advisory Certification(s): Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA)
Professional bio:
Akram Okeili is the Founder and Managing Partner of Okeili & Co., the region’s leading advisory firm specializing in governance, succession, and transformation of family-owned businesses. With over 17 years of hands-on experience in the field, Akram has played a pivotal role in guiding regional family enterprises through complex governance transitions, strategic restructurings, and constitution drafting processes.
Throughout his advisory career, Akram has worked closely with over 75 family businesses across the region, supporting them in establishing tailored ownership, corporate, and family governance frameworks. His approach blends international best practices with deep cultural and regulatory understanding, ensuring that each solution reflects the unique values, dynamics, and aspirations of the families he advises.
Akram is also a contributor to regional policy development. Notably, he played an instrumental role in shaping the new company law introduced in January 2023, particularly the articles related to enterprising families and governance structures. He is frequently invited to speak at regional forums and chambers of commerce on topics related to family business governance and regulatory evolution.
Alia Al Mulla
Senior Associate and Head of Family Offices and Shareholder Disputes Practice
Designation: Senior Associate and Head of Family Offices and Shareholder Disputes Practice
Organization: Habib Al Mulla & Partners
Areas of expertise: Dispute Resolution, Civil and Commercial Litigation, Ultra-High Net Worth, Shareholder and Family Disputes
Languages spoken: Arabic & English
Advisory Certification(s): Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA) and Certified Family Wealth Advisor (CFWA)
Professional bio:
Alia Al Mulla is an associate in Habib Al Mulla and Partners Dispute Resolution practice group, based in Dubai. She focuses on civil and commercial litigation matters, appearing in courts throughout the Emirates.
As a licensed UAE lawyer, Alia has full rights of audience in local and federal courts of the UAE and represents individuals and multinational corporates on commercial disputes across a variety of industry sectors, including the real estate, construction and insurance sectors.
Areas of expertise: Family and corporate governance, Succession Planning and Generational Change, Next Generation Development, Corporate finance, Business and family strategic planning, Creating Family Constitution and Protocols, Conflict Management, Sectors: Family Offices and Conglomerates , Retail, Manufacturing, Construction, Trading Real Estates and Investments
Languages spoken: English & Swahili
Advisory Certification(s): Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA)
Professional bio:
Amin Nasser is a Senior Adviser Advisor to PricewaterhouseCoopers’s (PwC) Private Business Practice.
He is an ex-PwC senior Partner in the UAE and was with the firm in Dubai and London for over 35 years.
Amin was the Middle East Entrepreneurial and Private Clients leader for PwC Middle East and headed the firm’s Family Business Forum in the region, responsible for developing the firm’s activities in Family Business Advisory .
Amin was also a member of the PwC Middle East Leadership team and a director in the PwC Middle East Region Board.
Amin’s experience with Family Businesses in the Middle East is considerable. He has worked with a large number of Families advising them on key Family issues such as Strategy, Continuity, Succession Planning and Conflict Management. He has also helped these Families establish their Ownership governance and their Family Constitution or Protocols. He has also advised family businesses on corporate governance issues
In doing so , he has helped families develop strategic plans on their business and family and to create various Family structures to help these Families achieve sustainable long term continuity and success.
Amin is a regular speaker at Family business conferences and forums and a regular contributor to a number of business media and magazines.
He also has a wide range of business advisory and corporate finance experience gained in the UAE and in the UK in a variety of business sectors including Retail, Manufacturing, Construction, Trading, Aviation, Government and Oil & Gas.
In 2015 , Amin joined a Family business conglomerate , Gulf Marketing Group (GMG), as the CEO. The group operates 12 business divisions across a wide range of industries including Sports & Lifestyle, Healthcare & Nutrition, Food processing and distribution, Education, Outdoor Furniture and Logistics. Amin was responsible for driving the Group’s overall growth and productivity across the Middle East working closely with the Deputy Chairman to develop and execute the Group’s long term strategy.
Basma Alzamil
Family Business Governance Advisor, Regional Head - ME
Designation: Family Business Governance Advisor, Regional Head - ME
Organization: Lansberg Gersick Advisors
Areas of expertise: Governance Structures, Conflict Resolution, Succession Planning
Languages spoken: Arabic & English
Advisory Certification(s): Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA)
Professional bio:
Basma Al Zamil advises leading families in the region working as advisor in Lansberg Gersick Advisors (LGA) Global, supporting the families to navigate complex issues while maintaining a harmonious family dynamic. She is regarded both in her family and the country as an expert in family enterprise transitions through governance, succession planning, leadership development, and technology.
Basma is currently an active member of several government and nonprofit organizations, serving on their boards and committees. She is currently a member of the local city council in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, member of Businesswomen Executive Council and on the Board of Trustees at Royal University of Women in Bahrain. She is a prolific speaker and contributor to regional conferences and forums on all areas of family enterprise.
Basma hails from a well-renowned family enterprise, the Zamil Group based in Saudi Arabia. She has the distinct privilege of being one of the first female family members to work in the family enterprise, and through her various accomplishments, has risen to become one of the new generation of leaders within the group.
Basma started her professional journey at Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University then worked for Michael Baker International in the United States, before joining Zamil Group in Human Resources, bringing structure and change well ahead of her years, which led to her assuming the role of General Manager for Corporate Human Resources. She later held the position of Head of Corporate Social Responsibility where, driven by her belief in the positive impact that businesses can have on society, she spearheaded the development and implementation of various social initiatives. In addition, she worked on preparing the family members to create the best future for them and designing a comprehensive plan for a smooth transition of leadership, ownership and governance.
Basma holds a master’s degree in Adult and Community Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a Doctorate degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from Nova Southeastern University. Her dissertation focused on Conflict Dynamics and Opportunities for Second-Generation Family Businesswomen in Saudi Arabia, and highlighted recommendations to manage conflict, enhance family dynamics and improve outcomes for women in family enterprises.
Areas of expertise: Governance Architecture and Strategic Planning; Governance Structures Implementation; Family Dynamics and Conflict Resolution; Ownership & Board Development; Succession Planning; Next Gen Development Programs
Languages spoken: English
Advisory Certification(s): Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA) and Certified Family Wealth Advisor (CFWA)
Professional bio:
Bob Kohli has almost two decades of experience as a global advisor and consultant, nine of them advising family enterprises across the world, predominantly in the Middle East and South Asia. He currently serves as a Board Director for a Saudi-based family conglomerate and as a board advisor for several family businesses in the region. His specializations include long-term strategic planning, family enterprise governance, conflict resolution, next-generation development, and succession planning.
A “third culture person” with international work experience, Bob has a keen awareness and sensitivity of the cultural nuances of increasingly global families, which help him to engage and connect with families from various backgrounds and to support them in finding the right balance between traditions and transitions. He enables multigenerational alignment by creating a psychologically safe environment in which family leaders can openly discuss, debate, and decide on the future of their legacy.
In advising leading G2 and G3 families, Bob supports the design and launch of foundational governance structures like councils, constitutions, and boards to stabilize, sustain, and grow their family enterprises. He has extensive experience working with leadership teams consisting of family and non-family executives, and driving an analytical and performance-based leadership rooted in accountability, transparency, and collaboration. Bob also works with next-generation family members to help them develop an owner mindset and prepare for collaborative stewardship. He firmly believes that sustainability in family enterprises is achieved by nurturing transgenerational entrepreneurship, which enables the growth of both the enterprise and the family leadership team.
Earlier in his career, while at Bain & Company, Bob led several projects in strategy (investment, growth, turnaround) and change management for Fortune 100 clients. His sector experience includes pharmaceuticals & healthcare, oil & gas, tech, private equity, venture capital, and consumer and luxury goods across verticals of retail, trade, manufacturing, supply chain & logistics, and services.
Bob holds an MBA from Columbia Business School in New York, a combined Bachelors and Masters in Computer Science from Loyola University Chicago, and Advanced Certificates in Family Business Advisory (ACFBA) and Family Wealth Advisory (ACFWA) from the renowned Family Firm Institute in Boston. Bob is also an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation, an accredited Belbin Team Roles Coach, and an accredited Advanced Practitioner of Enneagram Personality Types.
Bob is married with a teenage daughter. He is a family man and spends his free time being a doting father, spending quality time with his retired parents, and keeping up with global affairs and family enterprise literature.
Areas of expertise: Family Governance, Next Generation education and preparation, Children and Wealth, Succession Planning, Structuring, Wealth Management
Languages spoken: Arabic & English
Advisory Certification(s): Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA)
Professional bio:
Carol is an experienced wealth advisor working with families across the Middle East for over 18 years. Advising on all matters with regards to succession planning and structuring, family governance and wealth management.
Areas of expertise: Restructuring and Succession Planning
Languages spoken: English
Advisory Certification(s): Certified Family Wealth Advisor
Professional bio:
As Managing Director, Dave has overall responsibility for Trident’s Dubai operations. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant, with over 15 years of experience in financial services and investment funds. After spending five years with a Big Four accountancy firm, Dave moved into the private equity real estate sector, first in portfolio management and then later as CFO of a listed REIT before joining Trident Dubai in 2019.
Dave also holds a BCom (Acc) (Hons) from the University of Johannesburg and an MSc (Property Studies) from the University of Cape Town.
Areas of expertise: Diana's private practice in HNW & Private Client is focused on Matrimonial, Succession planning, Immigration and Property laws. The services provided include litigation, as our law firm is comprised of local lawyers and legal professionals qualified and experienced in several jurisdictions and in cross border litigation. We have right of audience before all UAE courts, Federal & Emirate, including DIFC Courts. We are registered in DIFC as Wills Draftsmen, and in ADJD Wills & probate court. Our clientele includes individuals, families and businesses whom we represent before the courts and ADR tribunals as well as outside the courtroom. We are the only local litigation firm with Private Client Expertise ranked by Chambers and Spears as the top High Net Worth firm in the Middle East in Family Law. We are also the only known firm in the UAE that provides expert evidence on Civil Law matters.
Languages spoken: Arabic, English & French
Advisory Certification(s): Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA)
Professional bio:
Diana Hamade is the founder of Diana Hamade Attorneys at Law in Dubai, her boutique law firm in the UAE. Diana is a UAE -licensed lawyer with right of audience before all UAE Courts including DIFC.
Diana is an expert in civil and sharia law, specializing in family law matters with emphasis on succession planning and private client. She also provides expert witness evidence before courts and dispute resolution forums, on family law matters including divorce, child custody, child relocation/abduction, surrogacy, prenuptial/postnuptial agreements, inheritance matters, and the enforcement of foreign court judgements. She has acted as expert witness before legal forums in foreign jurisdictions including England, France, Australia, Switzerland, and the U.S. She is also a known practitioner in succession planning, advising on Foundations, Trusts and Waqf, and providing practical guidance on structures for estate and succession planning under Sharia, Dubai, DIFC, ADGM & UAE Laws.
Diana is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), a member of the International Bar Association (IBA), where she served as Vice Chair for the IBA Arab Regional Forum, and a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) serving on the board of SIGS. Diana is also a member of the Emirates Lawyers Association and held the chair of the International Relations Committee.
Diana is a contributor to several publications, including the UAE chapter on The Family Law book, Jurisdictional Comparisons, published by Thomson Reuters; the Middle East & North Africa Overview chapter of The International Comparative Legal Guide to International Arbitration, Litigation & Dispute Resolution; among others. Diana was the Legal Affairs columnist in The National from 2009 to 2012, she authored a regular column for The Brief (Thomson Reuter) in 2008 and had a regular article published in Villa88 magazine titled the Legally Stylish Column from 2016 until 2020 turned into a digital book. Diana is also a contributor to LexisNexis Gulf Legal Guide and the MENA Business Law Review, the Legal 500 matrimonial law in the UAE chapter in 2024, Thomson Reuters Family Law Book sixth Edition, the Bluebook in 2024, and is regularly sought after for speaking opportunities in legal conferences, workshops, and events worldwide.
Diana appears on Sky News Arabia as the Legal Advisor on the morning show segment, and she appeared in 2021 & 2022 on MBC Arabia on the Morning show speaking on matters of the law in the GCC.
Diana is also ranked by Spears as the Family Lawyer in the UAE in 2023 & 2024, she also won the 2021 LexisNexis Women in Law Award, and law firm of the year in the Women Law awards by Lexis Nexis. Diana. Diana is ranked by Chambers in 2020, 2021, 2023 & 2024 as band 1 HNW succession & matrimonial lawyer in the UAE and as band 1 in HNW Matrimonial Law in 2022. Diana was awarded the “Most Influential Female Lawyer in the UAE” by Thomson Reuters in 2011, “Best Legal Affairs Author” by the National in 2012 and the “Arab Woman of the Legal chapter 2018” by ITP.
Areas of expertise: Family Governance, Succession Planning, Corporate and Board Governance, Subsidiary Governance
Languages spoken: Arabic & English
Advisory Certification(s): Certified Family Business Advisor
Professional bio:
Dina Khoury is a Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Dubai, specialising in corporate and family governance. She has extensive experience advising family businesses across the Middle East, helping them establish robust governance frameworks that ensure long-term sustainability and professionalization.
Dina has played a key role in governance transformation initiatives for both private enterprises and public sector entities, helping organisations build and strengthen their governance frameworks. Her expertise includes developing Family Constitutions, Governance Protocols, and Board and Committee Charters, ensuring institutionalised decision-making, structured succession planning, and effective shareholder engagement. She also advises on subsidiary governance, assessing board structures, delegation of authority, and governance policies to enhance oversight, accountability, and strategic alignment across business entities. Through her work, she supports organisations in achieving professionalisation, continuity, and long-term sustainability.
Dina holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Industrial Engineering (with Distinction) from the American University of Beirut. She has earned multiple professional certifications, including the Certificate in Family Business Advising from the Family Firm Institute, demonstrating her expertise in governance and succession planning for family enterprises. She is also a certified Governance, Risk, and Compliance Professional (GRCP) by the Open Compliance and Ethics Group (OCEG), equipping her with a strong foundation in regulatory frameworks and risk management. Additionally, she holds a Six Sigma Green Belt certification from the American Society for Quality (ASQ), reflecting her proficiency in process improvement and operational efficiency.
Dina is committed to enhancing governance practices that drive resilience, strategic growth, and intergenerational success for family businesses and corporations across the region.
Areas of expertise: Arbitration, Construction, Corporate Structuring & Restructuring, Commercial, Litigation, Infrastructure, Regulatory, Mergers & Employment Law
Languages spoken: Arabic & English
Advisory Certification(s): N/A
Professional bio:
Dr. Habib is one of the UAE’s most highly respected legal authorities. He has over 40 years’ experience in UAE laws. Dr. Habib is a strong advocate for the improvement and modernization of UAE Laws. He is a frequent commentator on the legislation and economy of the UAE and is often consulted to draft and advise on Federal and Emirate level laws.
Dr Habib focuses his practice on litigation and arbitration. He was Chairman of the CIArb (Chartered Institute of Arbitrators) UAE Committee and served as Chairman of the board of trustees for the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC). He is also a Member of the Board of Dubai International Chamber.
He created the concept of financial free zones in the UAE and was the architect of the legal framework establishing the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the first financial free zone in the UAE. Dr Habib also served as Chairman of the Legislative Committee of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).
Dr. Habib has held numerous prominent government positions over the years, including being a member of the UAE Federal National Council, the federal parliament of the UAE, member of the Legislative Committee, in charge of reviewing federal legislation, member of the Economic Committee, in charge of reviewing fiscal and economic policy of the federation, Director of the Institute of Advanced Legal and Judicial Studies, in charge of training judges and prosecutors in the Emirate of Dubai and Chairman of the UAE Jurists Association.
Areas of expertise: Family Business and Private Wealth, Mediation and Arbitration, Family Business & UHNWI, Wealth & Investment Advisor, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Intellectual Property, Public Policy, Foreign direct investment, Sustainable Economic Development, Art, Consumer Protection, Competitiveness, Youth development, Ease of doing business, Sustainability, Green Economy, Future governments & cities, Economic and Financial Free Zones, General Counsel, CSR, Entertainment, Media, Aviation, Corporate Governance, Strategy, Business Development, Mediation & Arbitration, Org restructuring, Advisory Board, Banking, Insurance, Hotel & Resorts Management, Real Estate Development, Start ups, SMEs, Branding.
Languages spoken: Arabic & English
Advisory Certification(s): Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA) and Certified Family Wealth Advisor (CFWA)
Professional bio:
Dr. Tarek Hajjiri has over 25 years of international experience both in private and public sectors (Middle East, GCC, United States and Canada), working closely with international organizations such as the World Bank, IMF, EX-IM Banks, Economic Development Banks, UNDP, INSOL, UNCITRAL, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and many others.
Dr. Hajjiri held senior leading positions in both private and government sectors in the UAE during the years 2008 – September 2023 including Senior Vice President for the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Legal Affairs as well as Commissioner of Intellectual Property when he was appointed in January 2020 by UAE Deputy Prime Minister, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Minister of Finance, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and President of the DIFC.
Dr. Hajjiri has successfully established and led the well-known DIFC Family Wealth Centre where he was appointed as the first Chief Executive Officer for the Centre leading over one trillion US dollars of global private wealth.
Dr. Tarek Hajjiri earned his Master’s degree in Intellectual Property Law and his PhD in Commercial Law – Family Wealth. He is a registered and licensed arbitrator and Mediator at the Dubai International Arbitration Centre and has published many books with well-known world class publishers in London such as Palgrave Macmillan on bankruptcy and financial restructuring, family wealth, Small and medium Enterprises, Intellectual Property (IP) rights and recently published his third book, the first book of its kind on regulating family businesses and private wealth which was officially launched by the UAE Ministry of Economy, H.E Minister Abdullah Bin Touq, Minister of Economy. Dr. Hajjiri has achieved number of professional excellence awards as well as recognitions from well reputed organizations for supporting foreign investment, innovation, entrepreneurship and economic growth.
Ismael Hajjar
Partner - International Private Wealth & Family Office Leader
Designation: Partner - International Private Wealth & Family Office Leader
Organization: PricewaterhouseCoopers
Areas of expertise: International wealth structuring, estate planning, international tax advisory, family office advisory (set-up and enhancement), family governance, advice on trusts / foundations.
Languages spoken: English, French, Arabic, Spanish & Dutch
Advisory Certification(s): Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA)
Professional bio:
Ismael Hajjar is a Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Middle East where he leads the firm’s awards-winning International Private Wealth & Family Office practice across the Middle East. With over 18 years of experience across Europe and the Middle East, he specializes in international tax & wealth structuring, family office and private capital advisory, serving high-net-worth individuals (HNWI), entrepreneurial families, family offices and royal households.
Prior to joining PwC, he led the Private Client Services division of another Big Four firm, where he built a regionally recognized advisory practice for successful families and was responsible for the overall firm strategy regarding privately owned companies and their owners.
Ismael acts a trusted advisor to families, guiding them through complex cross-border matters and helping them to preserve, grow, and transition their wealth across generations. In this context, Ismael has contributed to building and currently serves Family Offices. This involved designing their strategy, operations and organizational structure as well as advising them on global tax matters.
In addition to his private client activities, Ismael also regularly advises and supports government entities across the GCC in the context of the design of HNWI / family office attraction programs. He is a member of various wealth management industry committees and working groups, and he currently serves on the Advisory Board of the DIFC Family Wealth Centre.
A frequent speaker at regional and international conferences, Ismael is recognized as a thought leader on topics such as private wealth institutionalization, cross-border tax planning, multi-generational succession planning, family governance and the evolving role of a family office.
He is a Certified Chartered Accountant in Luxembourg and holds a Master’s in Business Administration from HEC-Ulg School of Management in Belgium. He is also a Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP), holds a Certificate in Islamic Finance from the Institute of Islamic Banking & Insurance (UK), and is certified in Family Business Advising (CFBA) by the Family Firm Institute.
Areas of expertise: Holistic Legacy Transition Readiness, Estate Planning, Exit Planning, Family Business Transition
Languages spoken: Arabic & English
Advisory Certification(s): Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA) and Certified Family Wealth Advisor (CFWA)
Professional bio:
Karim Ghandour is on a mission to help founders break free from the “forever mindset” and confidently design their endgame. As the founder of LegacyLine™, Karim is revolutionizing the way business owners approach ownership transition, offering a path to true business, personal, and financial freedom.
With certifications in exit planning, family wealth advising, and as a Value Builder expert, Karim brings a powerful mix of strategic insight and lived experience for over 20 years. Having personally navigated the emotional and financial weight of business transitions, he understands how easily founders can get stuck believing they have infinite time to plan their exit—until life proves otherwise.
Karim created LegacyLine™ to solve this exact problem. The platform provides a holistic, always-on solution for founders to stay ready—no matter where they are in their journey. Through a subscription model, LegacyLine™ gives clients 24/7 access to key strategic, financial, and personal data, supported by a dedicated team that enables real-time decision-making from anywhere in the world.
Designed to integrate global jurisdictional timelines, business value drivers, and personal milestones, LegacyLine™ recalibrates every 90 days to keep founders aligned with their long-term goals. It’s not just a dashboard—it’s a dynamic roadmap that evolves as life and business do.
Whether founders are focused on growing enterprise value, navigating complex family ownership across borders, or preparing for a seamless exit, Karim’s approach is built around one core principle: you can’t control the timeline, but you can control your readiness.
Karim believes that ownership transition shouldn't be stressful, overwhelming, or reactive. With the right mindset, tools, and team, founders can reclaim their freedom—and enjoy the wealth and legacy they’ve worked so hard to build.
Design your endgame. Reclaim your freedom. Welcome to LegacyLine™.
Lynda O Mahoney
Group Head of Business Development - Private Clients
Designation: Group Head of Business Development - Private Clients
Organization: Ocorian
Areas of expertise: Wealth Structuring, Governance using Foundations, Trusts, Companies and Private Funds
Languages spoken: English
Advisory Certification(s): N/A
Professional bio:
Lynda has been in Dubai for over 20 years and has developed a very strong sense of cultural differences, regional sensitivities and the importance of long-standing relationships built on trust in these markets. During her time in the region Lynda has worked with clients and intermediaries in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Lebanon, and Egypt.
As Commercial Development Director, Lynda is responsible for maintaining and enhancing Ocorian’ s existing relationships and client base in the Gulf and identifying new business opportunities – with particular focus on delivering wealth structuring and governance solutions to UHNW families and Family Offices around the region. Lynda has a 1st class Honors Degree in Business Studies and holds an Islamic Finance Qualification and Investment Advice Certificate.
Areas of expertise: Working with regional UHNW to develop their investment strategies & ISPs. Help UHNW families establish a functional family office
Languages spoken: Arabic & English
Advisory Certification(s): N/A
Professional bio:
A professional Private Banker with 18 years of experience in this field. He also accumulated expertise with corporate and investment banking in the GCC and MENA markets. Mohamed works predominantly with family offices in the region and successfully manages a solid book of UHNWI in the region.
Areas of expertise: Strategic Business Leader | Certified Family Business & Wealth Advisor | London Business School With over 24 years of extensive experience, Mohammad has established myself as a trusted advisor specializing in asset management, transaction advisory, and business restructuring across the MENA region. Mohammad's career spans critical leadership roles, including acting as the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate with diversified portfolios in real estate, hospitality, energy, and investment management. Key areas of expertise: o Business Transformation & Restructuring: Directed large-scale restructuring and re-engineering projects, including ERP implementation, and financial process optimization. o Family Business & Wealth Advisory: Certified expert in advising on governance frameworks, succession planning, and intergenerational wealth transfer for family-owned businesses. o Asset Management: Extensive experience managing investment portfolios, operational companies, and real estate assets, optimizing returns and operational efficiency for stakeholders. o Transaction Advisory: Led high-impact pre-transaction due diligence, business planning and asset valuation reviews, regulatory compliance reviews. o Fact-finding and litigation support, including quantification of loss, independent business review Mohammad's experience comes from working with global and regional clients in various industry sectors, including banking, energy, real estate, hospitality, construction, FMCG, automotive, sovereign wealth funds, private equities, insurance, telecom, pharma, maritime ports, aero and others.
Languages spoken: Arabic & English
Advisory Certification(s): Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA) and Certified Family Wealth Advisor (CFWA)
Professional bio:
Strategic Business Leader | Certified Family Business & Wealth Advisor | London Business School
With over 24 years of extensive experience, Mohammad has established myself as a trusted advisor specializing in asset management, transaction advisory, and business restructuring across the MENA region. Mohammad's career spans critical leadership roles, including acting as the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate with diversified portfolios in real estate, hospitality, energy, and investment management.
Key areas of expertise:
Business Transformation & Restructuring: Directed large-scale restructuring and re-engineering projects, including ERP implementation, and financial process optimization.
Family Business & Wealth Advisory: Certified expert in advising on governance frameworks, succession planning, and intergenerational wealth transfer for family-owned businesses.
Asset Management: Extensive experience managing investment portfolios, operational companies, and real estate assets, optimizing returns and operational efficiency for stakeholders.
Transaction Advisory: Led high-impact pre-transaction due diligence, business planning and asset valuation reviews, regulatory compliance reviews.
Fact-finding and litigation support, including quantification of loss, independent business review
Mohammad's experience comes from working with global and regional clients in various industry sectors, including banking, energy, real estate, hospitality, construction, FMCG, automotive, sovereign wealth funds, private equities, insurance, telecom, pharma, maritime ports, aero and others.
Areas of expertise: Family Business Restructuring, Corporate Governance & Compliance, Shareholder Arrangements, Succession Planning, Asset Ownership Restructuring, Sharia-compliance, Dispute Resolution, Sustainability of Family Business, Complec Domestic and Cross-border Corporate Restructuring
Languages spoken: Arabic & English
Advisory Certification(s): Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA)
Professional bio:
Nora is a partner in Gateley Middle East’s corporate team and is based in the Dubai office. Nora has more than 15 years’ experience as a corporate lawyer.
Nora has advised on several corporate transactions, working with clients operating in the education, healthcare, infrastructure, real estate, and retail and consumer sectors. She advises family businesses on restructurings, corporate governance and compliance, shareholder arrangements, succession planning, asset ownership structuring, Shari’a-compliance, dispute resolution, and sustainability of family businesses. In addition, Nora advises clients on their complex domestic and cross-border corporate restructurings.
Areas of expertise: Developing and implementing of Family Governance processes, structures, and alignments. Comprehensive family constitution; family roles & responsibilities and governance structures; succession planning; conflict management. Enterprise Governance, Board of Directors; management roles and responsibilities; organization structures, and functional alignments.
Languages spoken: Arabic, English, French
Advisory Certification(s): Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA)
Professional bio:
Background
A seasoned C-level executive and Principal at Flairworks Management Consultancies, Samir brings a distinct mix of hands-on executive leadership experience and professional governance insights to family-owned businesses. Over two decades in his corporate leadership roles, he has worked closely with large family businesses in the MEA countries to develop and implement strategies for business growth and profitability. This involved building strong trust and communication, maintaining the highest standards of market knowledge and service levels, and fostering excellence in leadership and operational teams.
Family Business Advising
Our work in family business advising focuses on family and enterprise governance. As insiders to the Middle East markets and cultures, our extensive executive experience and insights into family business dynamics enable us to assess the issues and needs and guide the development of bespoke solutions for longer-term sustainability. Our approach is collaborative, guiding the processes with full participation of the stakeholders.
Areas of Focus
Family governance focuses on organizing how the family communicates and interacts with itself, the shareholders, and the business. This involves developing the comprehensive pillars of good governance that the family may require: the family constitution, conflict management processes, governance structures, and succession planning.
Enterprise or corporate governance involves developing the processes and structures that increase the effectiveness of managing the family business for greater sustainability. This includes the board of directors, a clear organizational structure based on clear and well-documented roles and responsibilities, and policies and procedures across all parts of the enterprise.
Regional Experience, global thinking
Based in Dubai, we bring both regional insight and an international perspective. We understand the cultural nuances that shape family enterprises and we craft solutions tailored to each unique environment, applying best practices with local sensitivities.
Education
Samir is a graduate in economics from the American University of Beirut, and holds an advanced certificate (ACFBA) in family business advising from the Family Firm Institute in the U.S.
Areas of expertise: Hospitality, Real Estate, Finance & Management, Family Office Structuring and Re-Structuring and Capital Raising & Re-structuring
Languages spoken: English, Hindi & Bengali
Advisory Certification(s): Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA) and Certified Family Wealth Advisor (CFWA)
Professional bio:
Sanjeev, the Founder & CEO of ARIA Consultancy in Dubai, established in 2021, specializes in family office consulting, hospitality, finance, management, and real estate. He is skilled in setting up family trusts and foundations, succession planning, corporate governance, wealth preservation, and the transgenerational transfer of wealth, with extensive experience in the DIFC jurisdiction for corporate structuring and restructuring. Sanjeev served as Asset Manager and Owner Representative for the floating hotel asset "Queen Elizabeth Hotel" in Dubai, owned by the Government of Dubai and operated by ACCOR, from May 2022 to August 2023. He also served as an Independent Non-Executive Director on the Board of ASIAN HOTELS (North) Ltd India, overseeing the 508-key Hyatt Regency New Delhi from October 2021 to April 2024.
Prior to founding ARIA Consultancy, Sanjeev spent over two decades with Al Habtoor Group, a leading family office in Dubai, holding key roles such as Board Member, Assistant Group MD, Group COO, Group CFO, and CIO from 1997 to 2021. He played a pivotal role in hospitality, investments, real estate, finance, and management operations, including the acquisition of The Ritz Carlton Hotel in Budapest and the divestment of The Monkey Island Hotel in the UK. From 2003 to 2006, he was Assistant CEO for Lebanon Operations at Al Habtoor Group, where he contributed to the development of several key projects in Lebanon. He was also Chief Strategy Officer and VP of Funding & Investments at Meraas Holding from 2014 to 2016, leading the funding for mega projects and raising approximately AED 18 billion.
Sanjeev holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai, is a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) in India, and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the USA.
Areas of expertise: At BNY Wealth, we manage over $50 trillion in assets for our clients, which is 20% of the investment on this planet. As a Globally Systematically Important Bank, we are always prepared for the future and ensuring that money works for the world. Our 240 years of experience working with multiple generations have given us unique insights into how to help family offices institutionalize while remaining resilient. We offer a wide range of services, including custody, investment accounting, performance reporting, institutional money management, security lending, and outsourced CIO services.
Languages spoken: Arabic & English
Advisory Certification(s): N/A
Professional bio:
Although Shadi works for BNY, ultimately, he is an extension and part of your family office! he is invested and have a vested interest in your success especially if it is about reducing the overall cost of running your family office.
Shadi is responsible for the family office business in EMEA at BNY, where they have the privilege of helping families safeguard and manage their wealth. The team and Shadi have developed a reputation for breaking down complex financial concepts into straightforward, pragmatic advice.
The primary focus is on helping families manage their wealth in a way that feels right to them. BNY Wealth provides a broad spectrum of services tailored specifically to the unique needs of family offices. This includes asset safekeeping, investment management, and performance reporting.
Shadi's personal values mesh with the firm ones; being strong advocate for fiduciary principles and governance within the financial industry.
Shadi enjoys sharing insights and latest trends at industry conferences on topics such as family governance, philanthropy, succession planning, and impact investing.
His approach to working with families is deeply personal and relationship-driven. The team and Shadi view their roles not just as advisors, but as partners and an extension of the family office, guiding families through the ever-changing global financial markets. Shadi's ultimate goal is to ensure that regional family offices wealth and legacy are preserved for generations to come.
Areas of expertise: Thought Leadership, Dynastic Planning, Family Governance Transformation, Generational Transition Preparedness, Mediation & Conflict Management, Legal Strategy, Board Membership
Languages spoken: Arabic, English & French
Advisory Certification(s): Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA)
Professional bio:
Walid S. Chiniara, Esq., is an international finance lawyer, a family business advisor, and a thought leader in the field of governance, its history, and philosophical foundation, with over forty years of experience.
As the author of Dynastic Planning: A 7-Step Approach to Family Business Succession Planning and Related Conflict Management, Walid offers insights drawn from his extensive experience working alongside over 170 prominent families around the world. His innovative 7-Step Methodology™ has earned him the reputation as the go-to expert for 'mission impossible' family business succession planning.
In July 2024, Family Capital recognized Walid as the leading advisor to family enterprises in the GCC, ranking him among the top five advisors globally in his field.
Areas of expertise: Single and Multi-Family Offices, Foundations, Legacy and Group & Family Holdings
Languages spoken: English, French, German and Czech
Advisory Certification(s): Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA)
Professional bio:
Yann is the Managing Partner of M/HQ. He chiefly focuses on private wealth and Intergenerational planning.
He has vast experience advising successful individuals and entrepreneurial families with Middle Eastern exposure on implementing intergenerational wealth transfer strategies and structuring their operational assets and global wealth through Family- and Group- Holdings, Single- and Multi- Family offices, Foundations, and other asset consolidation/protection and legacy structures. He is regularly involved in the ongoing management of such structures – as a board member, council member, guardian, or protector. Strong practical experience of working with regulators.
A two-time WealthBriefing MENA Leading Individual awardee [2020 & 2021], Yann is recommended by all of Chambers & Partners Private wealth, Legal Week’s Private Client Global Elite, and Who’s Who legal private client. He was the Chair of STEP Arabia from 2015 to 2018.
Areas of expertise: Family Governance. Family Office, Wealth Planning
Languages spoken: Arabic & English
Advisory Certification(s):
Professional bio:
Yasmine has spent her career working with families in business across the Middle East. Yasmine's practice focuses primarily on devising multi–generational succession plans and governance systems using region specific tools designed to propagate harmony, fairness and transparency within a family business context. She helps families define their goals and is adept at developing processes and establishing the structures and relationships that support families going through changes both within the business and family systems, supporting them in the wealth structuring on the family side, and in corporate re-engineering and governance on the business side.
Her expertise in creating bespoke governance frameworks and specifically tailored family constitutions contributes to the successful implementation and activation of the proposed policies and frameworks.
Yasmine earned the STEP Advanced Certificate in Family Business Advising in 2015.
