Global Travel & Tourism Summit Printed Programme

Profiles
The Programme
PATRON
HE Sultan Ahmed bin sulayem
Chairman
Dubai World
His Excellency Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem is one of Dubai's leading businessmen.
He chairs Dubai World, a holding company that manages and supervises a diversified
portfolio of businesses and projects and contributes to Dubai’s rapid economic growth across the globe through
several sectors, including Transport& Logistics, Urban Development, Dry Docks& Maritime and Investment and
Financial services.
Born in the UAE in 1955, Mr Bin Sulayem is a BS graduate in Economics – Temple University Philadelphia,
USA. His educational background, expertise and visionary leadership spearheaded the rapid expansion of Dubai
World’s portfolio of investments.
Recent highlights of his long business career include:
• Leading DP World’s purchase of the P&O group for US$6.8 billion in March 2006, propelling it into the top
four global port operators.
• Overseeing the rapid development of Jafza (Jebel Ali Free Zone) into an unrivalled business park and establishing
its global arm, Jafza International.
• Establishing Nakheel, a real estate and tourism property development firm developing iconic projects like The
Palm and the World.
• Establishing Istithmar, a major investment house focusing on private equity and real estate
• Pioneering the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), a market for gold and precious metals, diamonds
and colored stones, energy and other commodities.
• Founding Limitless, an integrated, international real estate developer.
Mr Bin Sulayem is also head of Dubai Maritime City; Chairman of Dubai’s Ports, Customs & Free Zone
Corporation; Chairman of Tejari.com; He is a board Member of the Executive Council and Executive Economic
Council, Government of Dubai; Emirates International Forum and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and
Industry. He is also a Member of the World Economic Forum.
PATRON
38
Gerald Lawless
Executive Chairman
Jumeirah Group
In 1997, Gerald joined Jumeirah in Dubai as Managing Director. His remit was to develop
a hospitality portfolio that would deliver a completely different experience. Jumeirah Beach
Hotel, Wild Wadi Water Park, and Burj Al Arab quickly set the standard for the regional and international growth
to follow.
In January 2007, Gerald was appointed Executive Chairman of the Jumeirah Group and continues to lead its
ambitious growth to become the most distinctive and innovative hospitality group in the world. This ambition is
expressed by the brand as ‘Jumeirah – STAY DIFFERENT TM ’.
Gerald spent the first 23 years of his career with Forte Hotels managing properties in the United Kingdom,
South Africa, Ireland and the Caribbean. In 1991 he established Forte’s Middle East office in Dubai, and oversaw
growth in the region from three to twenty hotels in six years.
Gerald is an Honour’s Graduate of Shannon College of Hotel Management in Ireland and was awarded an
Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration in Hospitality Management by the Johnson & Wales
University, State of Rhode Island in the USA. He is a Member of the Executive Committee of the World
Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and a Fellow member of the Institute of Hospitality (formerly HCIMA). In
addition, Gerald is a Member of the Board of Directors of DIFX, a Member of the Board of Directors of Tatweer,
a Member of the Dubai Holding Executive Committee and a Member of the Board of ENDP. Gerald also serves
as the Chairman of the Board of Governors of The Emirates Academy.