CEO Today Global Awards

88 www.ceotodaymagazine.com CEO Today Global Awards 2020 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES SULTAN AHMED BIN SULAYEM Group Chairman and CEO of DP World Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DP World and Chairman of Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation, is one of Dubai’s leading businessmen. Mr. Bin Sulayem’s expertise and visionary leadership spearheaded the rapid expansion of Dubai’s infrastructure, including ports and free zones, contributing significantly to the stellar growth trajectory of the United Arab Emirates. He was also a leader in developing the infrastructure supporting Dubai’s successful tourism industry, among various other sectors. Highlights of his three-decade business career include: Leading marine terminal operator DP World’s expansion internationally, including the purchase of the P&O group for US$6.8 billion in March 2006, which propelled it to one of the largest global port operators and trade enablers in the world with 78 marine and inland terminals in six continents Overseeing the rapid development of the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) into an unrivalled business park of more than 7300 companies. Establishing and leading Nakheel, a real estate and tourism property development firm that has created many iconic Dubai projects including The Palm, the world’s largest man-made islands Establishing and leading Istithmar World, a major investment house focusing on private equity with a portfolio of investments in diverse sectors across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East including retail, financial services, industry, tourism and hospitality, and healthcare www.dpworld.com We began life as a local port operator with our first project, the development of Dubai’s Port Rashid, in 1972. Seven years later we opened Jebel Ali Port, the busiest port outside of Asia and a facility that has propelled us on our journey to becoming a leading enabler of global trade. Our successes around the region in the late 1990s – when we took on operations in Saudi Arabia, India and Romania – set us up to expand into the business we are today, while the evolving demands of international trade spurred us to look even further. Our strategy is to provide clear guidance on how we aim to lead the future of world trade. Our vision is to maximise shareholder value through leveraging our portfolio of world-class infrastructure assets, strengthen global supply chains and generate sustainable economic growth. To meet the needs of dynamic global supply chains, DP World develops and operates trade-enabling, strategically located and state of the art infrastructure and services, including marine terminals, inland terminals, and cruise terminals. FIRM PROFILE