CBD Board of Directors

H.E. Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar currently serves as the Vice Chairman of Emirates Integrated Telecom Company. He has dedicated 30 years to the Etisalat Group both in the UAE and abroad, holding numerous positions, most notably as Chief Executive Officer. His distinguished career includes roles such as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Thuraya Group and Etisalat Services Holding, as well as Deputy Chair of the GSM Association. His numerous achievements have been widely recognised. In 2014, he was honoured as Telecom Leader of the Year by the Mobile World Congress, and in 2013, he was named CEO of the Year – Telecom by CEO Middle East. In 2016, H.E. Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar was appointed as Director General of the Dubai Community Development Authority.

Mr. Buti Al Ghandi serves as the Managing Director of Al Ghandi Group Enterprises LLC and Desert Group Investment LLC, and as Chairman of the Board of Emirates Investment and Development Company PSC. He is also the Managing Director of Meethaq Employment Agency, Chancellor of the Canadian University of Dubai, Vice Chairman of Dubai World Trade Centre, and a Board Member of the Dubai Chamber. He was a Board Member of Zakat Fund, Union National Bank PJSC, and Dubai Islamic Bank. Additionally, he was Vice Chairman of Union National Bank in Egypt and Vice Chairman of Oman Insurance Company.

Mr. Khalid Al Rostamani was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Board of Commercial Bank of Dubai in 2012. He is the CEO and Chairman of the A.W. Rostamani Group of Companies and the founder and Chairman of BCD Travel, Transport and Freight Forwarding. Additionally, he serves as a Board Director for Dubai Insurance Company (P.S.C.) and Etisalat Group (e&).

Mr. Saod Obaidalla currently serves as a Director at Dubai World Trade Centre. Previously, he was a Board Member of prominent organisations, including Emirates NBD Securities, National General Insurance, and Oman Insurance Company.

His career journey is marked by significant roles within Emirates NBD PJSC, where he held various positions, including Manager of Credit, Guarantee, and Trade Finance from 1993 to 1995, Branch Manager, and Commercial Manager in the Middle Corporate Company. He also served as Head of Private Banking from 2016 to 2023, Head of UAE & GCC Private Banking from 2014 to 2016, and Head of Royal Accounts Private Banking from 2010 to 2014.

Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Al Maktoum is the President of JBC Properties DMCC, Wisal Developments LLC and ME DO RE Projects DMCC. He is also the Chairman and President of Dubai International Holding. He served as Executive Director of SHUAA Capital, Chairman and President of A1 Grand Prix Limited and was the founding investor of Virgin Megastore in UAE. He was honoured as a “Young Global Leader” by the World Economic Forum in 2007 and was named ‘CEO of the Year’ by CEO Middle East in both 2008 and 2009. In 2010, he was further recognised for his humanitarian efforts, receiving the ‘Humanitarian of the Year’ award.

Dr. Abdulla Al Karam currently serves as a Board Member of Orient Insurance PJSC, Dubai Sports Council, Dubai Media Council, and Dubai Cares. Internationally, he is a member of the International Positive Education Network (IPEN) advisory board and an Education Committee member of the Global Council for Happiness and Wellbeing.

He served as the Director General of the Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority from 2004 to 2006. Additionally, he has held positions as a Board Member for The Digital School, the Higher Committee for the Protection of the Rights of People with Disabilities in Dubai, the Emirati Human Resources Development Council, and UAE University.

Ms. Moza Al Futtaim passion for artificial intelligence has shaped her role as Chief AI Officer at Al-Futtaim Group, where she’s driving innovation in both customer engagement and operations.

Mr. Abdulwahed Al Fahim is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nasdaq Dubai and a Board Member of EGA since 2014. He also serves as a Board Member of DUBAL Holding LLC and Emirates Development Bank. With over 25 years of experience in banking and finance with the Emirates NBD Group, he has held significant roles including serving as a Board Member of both Emirates NBD Capital and Emirates NBD Asset Management. Mr. Al Fahim has also served as General Manager of the Corporate and Wholesale Banking divisions of Emirates NBD Bank, before being appointed as Group Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Bank in 2009.

Mr. Ali Al Fardan currently serves as a Board Member of Dubai Investments PJSC, National General Insurance Co. PJSC, and Al Mal Capital. He also holds the position of Vice Chairman at Naif Marine Services Co. PJSC and is the Chairman of several organisations, including Al Fardan Group LLC, Al Fardan PTC Holding Limited, and Embassy Capital Limited He is also the Owner of ABF Investments LLC.

Mr. Hadi Badri is currently the CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation. Prior to this, he held several key positions, including CEO of Emaar International from 2019 to 2022 and Group Chief Strategy Officer from 2017 to 2018. He also served as the Chairman of Namshi between 2019 and 2022. In addition, Mr. Badri has contributed his expertise as a Board Director for Emaar Properties, where he was involved in various sectors such as real estate, e-commerce, and hospitality. Notably, he played a significant role in overseeing Emaar's real estate development ventures in India, Turkey, Pakistan, Morocco, and Jordan, serving on the boards of 15 different companies within these sectors. Mr. Badri has also served as a Board Director at Sandooq Al Watan and Rivoli Group. Furthermore, he has been a Member of Investment Advisory Committees at Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP) and Carlyle MENA Partners.