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Stuart Deeson is the new VP of operations for the Middle East and Africa at Hyatt Hotels

‘Constantly evolving’ Mena key to Hyatt growth plan, says new VP

Hyatt Hotels, the US-based hospitality giant, is placing emphasis on the Middle East and Africa for its global growth strategy. Stuart Deeson, newly appointed vice president of operations for the region at Hyatt, told AGBI that Saudi Arabia in particular was witnessing a “significant point in history”. He also believes Qatar, Kuwait and Morocco offer […]

Horacio Pagani, Argentine-Italian founder, CEO and chief design officer at his supercar company

Cars, property and superjets: Pagani plots future with PIF

Horacio Pagani, founder of the supercar that bears his name, is open to further partnerships with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund as his company expands into luxury real estate and private jet design. PIF acquired a 30 percent stake in the Italian business in 2021. Pagani, who acts as its CEO and chief design officer, […]

Talabat managing director Tatiana Rahal previously worked on data analytics for Visa and Mazda

Cashless economy is at the door, says food delivery boss

A cashless economy in the UAE is no longer just an ambition, according to Tatiana Rahal, managing director of food delivery giant Talabat UAE. “The future in the UAE is digital and we see cashless payments as the primary currency,” said Rahal, the company’s first MD who has previously worked on data analytics for brands […]

Movie star Leonardo DiCaprio has largely focused on films about the environment for the past decade

Di Caprio-backed fintech to set up offices in Abu Dhabi

California-based fintech company Aspiration Inc. will be setting up offices at Abu Dhabi Global Market. Aspiration is supported by Access Abu Dhabi, the business expansion program by Maven Global Access and Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), which serves as a conduit to fast-track entry to the UAE capital, the company said in a statement.  The […]

Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the UAE's minister of industry and advanced technology as well as the group CEO of Adnoc, will preside over Cop28

Adnoc chief Sultan Al Jaber named president of Cop28

Sultan Al Jaber, head of state oil giant Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), has been named president of the Cop28 climate conference, which is being hosted by the UAE later this year. Al Jaber, who is also the UAE’s minister of industry and advanced technology, has served as special envoy for climate change over […]

Emirati PhD science student Ayesha Abdulla of Khalifa University is recognised for her research converting CO2 to fuel

Emirati student offers solution to combat global warming

An Emirati student is blazing a trail for female participation in science with her pioneering research that aims to offer a cost-effective way to help combat global warming. Ayesha Abdulla Alkhoori, a PhD student of materials science and engineering at Khalifa University, was one of five women from across the GCC to be recognised by […]

Ronaldo will wear his iconic No 7 shirt at Al Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo joins Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo has signed for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia in a deal that is expected to earn him over $200 million a year. The Portuguese striker, 37, agreed a contract yesterday that runs until 2025. He was a free agent after leaving Manchester United by mutual agreement in November following an interview he gave […]

Person, Man, Adult

Kemal Yazici, founder, Bedia Gallery

Kemal Yazici is founder of Bedia Gallery, an art gallery and studio located in Al Khayat Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai.  What does your company do? Currently Bedia Gallery is exhibiting my artworks. However, in the very near future we will work together with Turkish and German artists and curators. Also, in the long term we […]

Smile, Person, Face

Katie Wachsberger, co-founder, Dana Global

Dana Global is an Abu Dhabi-based venture builder for women-led startups in desert technology: agtech, foodtech, water solutions, circular economy, and renewable energy specifically geared for the unique desert climate of the Middle East.  What does your company do? We work closely with our portfolio companies – early-stage businesses and entrepreneurs – to guide them […]

Bill Gates speaks to Rima al Mokarrab at the Catalytic Philanthropy Forum

Bill Gates hails UAE president’s action on Covid and polio

Bill Gates has praised his foundation’s partnership with Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s president, for its progress in tackling Covid-19 and polio.  The philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder told an event in Abu Dhabi on Sunday: “We’ve worked with the [UAE] president on a number of things – he has been very generous […]

Slattery

Irish aviation tycoon to help grow Gulf agtech startup

Irish entrepreneur Dómhnal Slattery, best known for scaling companies in the aviation sector, has been appointed a special adviser to one of the Gulf’s biggest startups, and is open to more potential investments in the region. Pure Harvest Smart Farms, the agtech startup based in Abu Dhabi, in July raised $180 million in funding from […]

Proposal Boutique

Caroline Ralston, founder, Proposal Boutique

Proposal Boutique is a Dubai-based luxury marriage proposal planning company, helping couples enjoy an unforgettable “will you marry me?” experience. What does your company do? We work closely with men from all over the world to help them deliver the most romantic and unforgettable proposal. We source the venue, flowers, decorations, musicians, fireworks, and much […]

Coat, Clothing, Suit

British model David Gandy to expand fashion brand to the Gulf

British model David Gandy is planning to expand his sustainable fashion brand to the UAE. “The Gulf region is a very interesting market for us,” Gandy told AGBI. “We are global with direct-to-consumer sales with David Gandy Wellwear, but what we’ve done in London and Paris, and what we are looking to do in New […]