Trusted Advisors - Dubai Chamber of Commerce

Sophia Randall

Shatha Alsayyah

Mohannad Seder

Mohamed Aldnhani

Mahabba Alteneiji

Hamza Algailani

Dr. Mohamed Ali Maricar

Dr. Fatima Al Ali

Conor Higgins

Ammar Al Nasr

Amira Fayad

Alyazia Almarri

Aisha Al Ali

Abeer Moustafa

Abdulla Al Ghurair

Waleed Alkalash

advisor-name: Waleed Alkalash

advisor-designation: Founder & CEO

advisor-organization: Business Experts Consulting & Training Group

advisor-area-of-experties: Family Business Consulting, Family Wealth Consulting, Corporate Governance, Executive Coaching, Management and Finance Consulting, Management and Finance Training, Self-Development Training, Life Coaching and Private Personal Fitness Training

advisor-langauges-spoken: Arabic & English

advisor-advisory-certification: Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA) and Certified Family Wealth Advisor (CFWA)

advisor-professional-bio:

Waleed, https://waleedalkalash.com, is a PhD researcher in Business Administration / Family Business. He has extensive experience with more than 25 years in leading positions in the private sector: Finance, Corporate Banking, Credit & Risk, Management, Social, Self-Development, and in the public sector at Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development as former Assistant Deputy Minister for Labor Policies. He worked also as Deputy Sector Head of City Operators and Compliance, Head of Delivery Office, and Head of Control Center at Ministry of Municipal & Rural Affairs & Housing.

Waleed is a licensed expert by Consulting Profession Management at Ministry of Commerce in Saudi Arabia in Finance (CFE) and Management (CME) as well as a licensed consultant in Labor (CLC). Waleed is a certified trainer (CT) by Technical & Vocational Training Corporation in Management, Finance, Social, and Self-Development. He is also Certified Credit Risk Professional (CCRP). Waleed is also a writer and journalist by General Commission for Audiovisual Media, and a member of Saudi Journalists Association. Celebrity License (Mawthooq) for Advertisement in Waleed’s Social Media accounts, issued by General Authority of Media Regulation.

Raghad Bseiso

Sanjeev Agarawala

advisor-name: Sanjeev Agarawala

advisor-designation: Founder & CEO

advisor-organization: ARIA Consultancy LLC

advisor-area-of-experties: Hospitality, Real Estate, Finance & Management, Family Office Structuring and Re-Structuring and Capital Raising & Re-structuring

advisor-langauges-spoken: English, Hindi & Bengali

advisor-advisory-certification: Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA) and Certified Family Wealth Advisor (CFWA)

advisor-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.

Racha Khalil

Norlisa Hanlon Rosslee

advisor-name: Norlisa Hanlon Rosslee

advisor-designation: Associate

advisor-organization: Clyde & Co. LLP

advisor-area-of-experties: Norlisa advises family businesses, across a range of sectors from education to retail, 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, Norlisa advises clients on their complex domestic and cross-border corporate restructurings.

advisor-langauges-spoken: English

advisor-advisory-certification: Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA) and Certified Family Wealth Advisor (CFWA)

advisor-professional-bio:

Norlisa is an associate in Clyde & Co’s corporate group and is based in the Dubai office. She advises family businesses and corporations on corporate restructurings, succession planning, and general corporate and commercial matters. Norlisa has advised on a number of corporate transactions, having worked with clients operating in the retail and consumer sectors. She also advises governments and public bodies on legislation relating to family businesses in the UAE and KSA.

Her experience includes advising family businesses in the UAE and KSA on their restructuring of regional and global asset portfolios to assist with succession planning and ensuring the sustainability of the business. She was also a member of a working group that provided legal recommendations to a public body, contributing to the UAE Federal Law for family businesses introduced in 2022 and effective from January 2023. Norlisa also has experience drafting constitutional documents for foundations and holding companies, as well as amending family protocols in line with a family business’ new ownership structure.

Norlisa is admitted as a Solicitor in England and Wales. She graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB) from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London in 2014.

Mohammad Khair Shaaban

advisor-name: Mohammad Khair Shaaban

advisor-designation: Partner

advisor-organization: Ernst & Young

advisor-area-of-experties: Business Transformation & Restructuring, Family Business & Wealth Advisory, Asset Management, Transaction Advisory, Fact-finding and litigation support

advisor-langauges-spoken: Arabic & English

advisor-advisory-certification: Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA) and Certified Family Wealth Advisor (CFWA)

advisor-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:

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.

Mohammad Khaled

Khalid Dajani

advisor-name: Khalid Dajani

advisor-designation: Associate Managing Director - Intelligence, Diligence and Compliance

advisor-organization: Kroll

advisor-area-of-experties: Investigations; business intelligence; market entry; reputation management,; in depth due diligence on sponsors, potential JV partners and targets; sectoral analysis; senior management hires screening; family office disputes; corporate culture checks; whistle blowing.

advisor-langauges-spoken: Arabic & English

advisor-advisory-certification: Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA)

advisor-professional-bio:

Khalid has over 25 years of experience working in the corporate and private banking sector, particularly assisting clients in navigating risks to identifying and mitigating reputational issues relating to UHNW clients, in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Jordan with wide-ranging expertise in financial services, risk management and business development. Khalid also assisted clients with credit and relationship performance concerns on behalf of financial institutions.

Prior to joining Kroll, Khalid served as a Senior Director at Emirates NBD (Private Bank) and as an Executive Director at Standard Chartered Bank, covering corporate and investment banking and private banking for the MENA market.

Prior to that, Khalid was a Director at Citigroup, where his responsibilities included financial, transactional and individual client due diligence; credit facility origination, management and distribution; debt and equity capital markets issuances; and portfolio reviews.

In addition to his banking background, Khalid has conducted several extensive investigation and intelligence projects across the Middle East, covering market entry, in-depth due diligence on sponsors and targets and sectoral analysis. Khalid’s acumen is especially pertinent in his adept navigation of the intricate dynamics inherent to the Middle Eastern business landscape. His portfolio underscores a commitment to delivering strategic insights that empower clients to make well-informed decisions, ensuring the success of diverse projects in the Middle East.

Khalid’s experience in the Middle East includes assisting clients working on family office disputes, reputational concerns, etc. while working with western investors to help them assess the risk of their investment opportunities in the area. Khalid also supports multinational companies evaluate counterparty, legal and political risks while maintaining corporate culture checks relating to Middle Eastern business conduct and governance appraisals. He also supports them in their appraisal of macroeconomic, regulatory and geopolitical risks in the region.

Khalid holds an M.A. in Economic Development and Policy Analysis from the University of Nottingham. He also holds a B.Sc. in Economics from the London School of Economics.

Karim Yazbeck

Jina Matar

advisor-name: Jina Matar

advisor-designation: Lawyer

advisor-organization: Independent

advisor-area-of-experties: Legal structuring, Corporate restructuring, Drafting family charters and shareholder agreements, Setting governing bodies, Shareholder exit strategies and lock-up periods and Dispute resolution

advisor-langauges-spoken: Arabic, English & French

advisor-advisory-certification: Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA)

advisor-professional-bio:

Jina Matar's unique expertise lies in her dual role as a family business advisor and an accomplished lawyer with a deep understanding of diverse legal jurisdictions in the Middle East. With a Master’s degree (LLM) in Corporate Law, she has specialized expertise in establishing appropriate legal structures for family businesses as well as restructuring.

She excels in drafting family charters and shareholder agreements and setting up appropriate governing bodies. Her insights further provide valuable guidance on business continuity across generations, including strategies for shareholder exits, and ownership succession planning choices.

Additionally, she is skilled in both amicable and adversarial dispute resolution mechanisms, ensuring the preservation of family relationships and the company's public reputation. Jina's expertise is underpinned by her extensive experience in various legal jurisdictions in the region, especially in the UAE, KSA, Lebanon, Kuwait, and Oman. This allows her to provide expert legal counsel to family businesses operating in these regions.
By seamlessly integrating her legal background with her role as a family business advisor, Jina ensures that her clients receive strategic and well-informed guidance, adeptly addressing both the legal complexities and specific needs of family-owned enterprises. This approach empowers her clients to navigate legal challenges and familial dynamics with confidence, fostering sustainable growth and future success for their businesses.

Farah Demeisi

Faisal Alshehhi

Fabian Celik

advisor-name: Fabian Celik

advisor-designation: AI Educator and Advisor

advisor-organization: celik.ae

advisor-area-of-experties: AI Due Diligence for VCs & Family Offices: Evaluate AI startups’ scalability, compliance, and risks, delivering in-depth analysis of tech and governance for informed investments. Training & Lecturing for AI in Family Offices: Provide expert-led workshops to equip executives and teams with secure, ethical AI tools for market success.

advisor-langauges-spoken: English, German, Turkish

advisor-advisory-certification: Certified Family Wealth Advisor (CFWA)

advisor-professional-bio:

Fabian Celik is an AI Educator and Advisor specializing in bespoke AI training and advisory for family offices. With over six years of experience guiding AI-driven ventures, he empowers wealth stewards to make informed, future-proof investment decisions. As a former CTO of a software startup and current community leader at a global healthcare firm, Fabian brings deep technical and strategic expertise. Through celik.ai, he evaluates AI startups for scalability, compliance, and risk—key factors for family offices seeking sustainable returns.
Fabian provides tailored governance insights, helping family offices navigate the complexities of AI investments while mitigating risks and ensuring ethical alignment. His guidance equips principals and advisors to assess opportunities confidently, from due diligence to portfolio scaling. A lecturer in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University, he translates cutting-edge concepts into practical strategies for secure, impactful AI adoption. Certified in Machine Learning and Ethical AI, with a B.Sc. in Business Information Systems and an MBA, Fabian bridges technology and wealth management with precision.
For family offices, Fabian offers a trusted partner to demystify AI, align investments with long-term goals, and drive innovation success. His proven track record and academic rigor ensure clarity and trust in an evolving landscape.

Egor Babkin

Diana Hamade

advisor-name: Diana Hamade

advisor-designation: Managing Partner

advisor-organization: Diana Hamade Attorneys at Law

advisor-area-of-experties: 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.

advisor-langauges-spoken: Arabic, English & French

advisor-advisory-certification: Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA)

advisor-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.

Dr. Fatima Al Ali

advisor-name: Dr. Fatima Al Ali

advisor-designation: Director

advisor-organization: Accounts Icon for Auditing

advisor-area-of-experties: Financial Management & Accounting, Forensic Accounting & Financial Dispute Resolution, Expert Testimony in Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Ministry of Justice Courts, Corporate Financial Analysis & Compliance, Family Business Governance & Succession Planning, Financial Risk Assessment & Crisis Management, Strategic Advisory for Family Enterprises

advisor-langauges-spoken: Arabic & English

advisor-advisory-certification: Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA)

advisor-professional-bio:

With over 25 years of experience in accounting and finance, Dr. Fatima is a seasoned expert in financial management, corporate accounting, and forensic financial analysis. Holding a PhD in Financial Management, Dr. Fatima brings deep technical expertise and strategic insight to complex financial matters, ensuring compliance, financial efficiency, and business sustainability.

Her extensive experience includes working within the legal and regulatory frameworks of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the Ministry of Justice courts, where shes serves as a recognized expert in financial disputes and forensic accounting. She has provided expert financial analysis and testimony in high-stakes cases, offering her knowledge to support legal proceedings and financial dispute resolution.

In addition to her financial expertise, she is actively involved in the family business sector, with a particular focus on financial governance, succession planning, and conflict resolution. As a member of the Family Business Dispute Committee, she contributes to resolving intricate financial and structural challenges within family-owned enterprises. Recognizing the unique dynamics of family businesses, she earned a certificate in Family Business from the Family Firm Institute (FFI) in the United States and is a member of the institute. These credentials reinforce her ability to navigate the complexities of multi-generational businesses, ensuring financial stability and long-term success.

Throughout her career, Dr. Fatima has been dedicated to providing financial leadership and expert advisory services to businesses, legal professionals, and family enterprises. Her ability to analyze financial structures, optimize financial performance, and resolve disputes has made her a trusted advisor in the field.

Dr. Fatima's professional approach is built on integrity, precision, and a commitment to excellence, ensuring that her clients receive the highest level of financial expertise tailored to their unique challenges and objectives.

Dr. Mohamed Ali Maricar

advisor-name: Dr. Mohamed Ali Maricar

advisor-designation: CEO

advisor-organization: BBMC

advisor-area-of-experties: Strategic leadership, business excellence, family business governance, corporate finance, process optimization, risk management, executive coaching, multi-family partnerships, succession planning, building materials, dry-bulk shipping strategy, market expansion, business transformation, organizational development, AI in business strategy, negotiation, stakeholder management, and cross-border trade

advisor-langauges-spoken: English, Urdu, Tamil, Malayalam, Arabic (manage)

advisor-advisory-certification: Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA)

advisor-professional-bio:

Dr. Mohamed Ali A.H. Maricar
Chief Executive Officer | Strategy & Business Excellence Leader | Family Business Advisor

Dr. Mohamed is a dynamic and a strategic business leader with extensive experience in corporate leadership, business excellence and family business governance. Currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of BBMC, a leading building materials trading company, he has been instrumental in driving growth, optimizing processes and fostering a culture of innovation across multiple outlets. His deep understanding of business strategy, financial management and operational efficiency has positioned BBMC as a key player in the industry.

Beyond his role at BBMC, Dr. Mohamed is the Strategy Head of a dry-bulk shipping company, navigating the complexities of a high-risk, low-reward industry. He plays a crucial role in process improvement, financial oversight and leadership mentoring, ensuring that strategic decisions align with long-term sustainability. His expertise in mitigating risks, improving corporate governance and balancing operational efficiency with market volatility makes him an invaluable asset in the shipping sector.

A seasoned C-suite executive, business owner, management consultant and board advisor, Dr. Mohamed has a keen eye for corporate strategy and business transformation. He actively engages in business excellence frameworks, such as EFQM's ‘Journey for Excellence,’ to enhance organizational performance and build resilient business models. His commitment to continuous improvement is reflected in his leadership approach, where he integrates modern management techniques with traditional business wisdom.

Dr. Mohamed has a strong academic foundation in strategic management and leadership, holding a PhD qualification in the field. He is also a Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA) from FFI, which equips him with deep insights into the complexities of multi-family partnerships, succession planning and governance structures. As a second-generation leader in a multi-family business, he has firsthand experience in navigating the delicate balance between ownership, management and family dynamics. His ability to mediate conflicts, design sustainable business structures and foster unity within family enterprises has made him a sought-after advisor in the field.

His expertise extends beyond corporate leadership into strategic alignment and executive coaching. He has successfully conducted workshops on business processes and strategic alignment, making complex frameworks engaging and actionable for senior management teams. Recognizing the importance of structured growth, he has been proactive in initiating internal assessments and excellence-driven reviews for his company’s multiple branches.

With a passion for continuous learning, Dr. Mohamed is exploring AI’s impact on business strategy and leadership, aiming to integrate emerging technologies into corporate decision-making.

A frugal yet elegant professional, Dr. Mohamed values strategic investments over extravagance, ensuring that every decision he makes aligns with long-term value creation. With a strong ethical foundation, a commitment to excellence and an ability to balance growth with sustainability, he continues to shape the future of the businesses he leads.

Dr. Bassam Ajoul

advisor-name: Dr. Bassam Ajoul

advisor-designation: Managing Partner

advisor-organization: Masters Legal Accountants Bassam Ajoul

advisor-area-of-experties: Accounting, Auditing, Bookkeeping, Tax Agent, Court Accounting and Banking Expert, Arbitration proceedings, Arbitration Support, Banking, Banking Disputes, Business Analysts, Financial reorganization and bankruptcy

advisor-langauges-spoken: Arabic & English

advisor-advisory-certification: Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA) and Certified Family Wealth Advisor (CFWA)

advisor-professional-bio:

Dr. Bassam Ajoul is the founder and managing partner of Masters Legal Accountants (MLA), a leading audit, accounting, and tax firm in the UAE. He earned his License in Economics & Commerce with a focus on Business Administration from the University of Damascus in 1980, followed by a Diploma in Commercial Accounting and Auditing from the Al Jazairi Institute of Science in 1981.

From 1981 to 1992, Dr. Ajoul gained valuable experience as the Finance & Administrative Manager at Gulf Industries Company (PSC) and as a Senior Auditor at Al Khader & Co. In 1992, he founded MLA, which has since become one of the most respected firms in the region.

Dr. Ajoul holds numerous professional certifications, including the Arabic Certified Public Accountant (1999) and Certified Islamic Professional Accountant (2009). He also completed a Management Skills Placement Test at the American University of Dubai in 2018 and earned an MBA from the Leadership & Management Global Organization. Additionally, he holds an Emirates Certified Public Accountant designation, a Certificate in Team Leading from the Institute of Leadership & Management (UK), an Honorary Doctorate from the World Federation of United Nations Friends (WFUNF) College of Diplomatic Studies, and certifications in Family Business Advising and Family Wealth Advising from the Family Firm Institute Global Education Network.

In 1993, Dr. Ajoul was registered as an Authorized Accountant and Auditor in Dubai, and in 1998, he was registered as an Authorized Auditor with the UAE Federal Ministry of Economy and Commerce. He is also a certified Tax Agent with the UAE Federal Tax Authority. His extensive experience includes being registered in the Roster of Accountants and Banking Experts in Dubai Courts in 1996, where he has handled around 3,000 court-appointed cases, including those related to accounting, liquidation, bankruptcy, legal guardianship, insolvency, and estates/inheritance. He has also issued over 500 consultancy reports for civil and criminal courts and participated in approximately 75 arbitration cases, serving as a solo arbitrator, chairman, and tribunal member.

Dr. Ajoul is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Accountants and Auditors Association in the UAE, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Arab Society of Certified Accountants (ASCA), and the Accounting & Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI). He is also involved with the Arab Anti-Corruption Organization (AACO), the General Union of Arab Experts, and the World Federation of United Nations Friends (WFUNF). Additionally, he is an associate member of the Association of Certified Accountants in Syria.

As an accredited arbitrator, Dr. Ajoul is recognized by numerous arbitration centers, including the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the Egyptian Chamber for International Commercial Arbitration, and the International Islamic Center for Reconciliation and Arbitration. His contributions have solidified his reputation as a leading expert in accounting and legal matters in the UAE.

Basma Alzamil

advisor-name: Basma Alzamil

advisor-designation: Family Business Governance Advisor, Regional Head - ME

advisor-organization: Lansberg Gersick Advisors LGA

advisor-area-of-experties: Helping family-owned businesses establish and maintain effective governance structures that promote long-term sustainability, conflict resolution, and succession planning. It is about balancing the unique aspects of family dynamics with the needs of the business to foster growth, sustainability, and harmony within the family business environment.

advisor-langauges-spoken: Arabic & English

advisor-advisory-certification: Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA)

advisor-professional-bio:

Basma Al Zamil advises leading families in the region working as advisor in 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.

She 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.

She 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.

Badreya Almutawa

Ali Abduljabbar Abdulla Ali Gargash

Adib Rashid

Amin Nasser

advisor-name: Amin Nasser

advisor-designation: Family Business Senior Advisor

advisor-organization: PwC

advisor-area-of-experties: 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

advisor-langauges-spoken: English & Swahili

advisor-advisory-certification: Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA)

advisor-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.

Carol Mushriqui

Dave Lange

Nora Almuhamad

Walid Chiniara

Yann Mrazek

Harendra Kailath

advisor-name: Harendra Kailath

advisor-designation: Senior Director

advisor-organization: PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)

advisor-area-of-experties: Family Governance, Corporate Governance, Subsidiary Governance, Organization restructuring,, Business and operational strategy, Business planning, Profitability & process improvements, Performance management.

advisor-langauges-spoken: English & Hindi

advisor-advisory-certification:

advisor-professional-bio:

Harendra is a Senior Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers based in Dubai. He has over 26 years of experience including 20 years in advisory services.

Within PwC Risk Advisory, Harendra is the Lead Director for Governance advisory services (both family and corporate) and is a specialist in advising owner managed including privately owned businesses.

Within the Middle East, Harendra has worked with several leading family businesses over the last 14 years to assist multi generational family businesses in ensuring smooth succession by developing structures and processes designed to ensure the continuity of the family and the business. In addition, he has worked with several PIF entities in the KSA, SWFs and large corporates in the UAE to develop fit for purpose corporate governance frameworks.

His experience through leading the development and implementation of integrated family and corporate governance and structuring solutions for dozens of family businesses across the ME, has provided him with unique insights into best practices adopted by successful owner managed businesses.

In addition, he has supported various GCC government's in developing white papers that identified key challenges and provided recommendations across multiple domains, aimed at enhancing family business business sustainability across the region.

Harendra has also led multiple projects to assist government and privately owned businesses comply with Capital Markets regulations; developing corporate governance frameworks for large corporates including areas related to board structures composition, roles; board secretarial and board assessments.

Dr. Habib Al Mulla

advisor-name: Dr. Habib Al Mulla

advisor-designation: Founder & Chairman

advisor-organization: Habib Al Mulla & Partners

advisor-area-of-experties: Arbitration, Construction, Corporate Structuring & Restructuring, Commercial, Litigation, Infrastructure, Regulatory, Mergers & Employment Law

advisor-langauges-spoken: Arabic & English

advisor-advisory-certification:

advisor-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.

Alia Al Mulla

Lynda O Mahoney

Shadi Alnasr

advisor-name: Shadi Alnasr

advisor-designation: Director, Senior Cient Strategist

advisor-organization: BNY Wealth

advisor-area-of-experties:

advisor-langauges-spoken: Arabic & English

advisor-advisory-certification:

advisor-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.

Yasmine Omari