Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem stands as a prominent figure in Dubai’s business landscape, renowned for his visionary leadership and remarkable achievements. Holding the esteemed positions of Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at DP World, as well as Chairman of the Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation, Bin Sulayem has played a pivotal role in driving the exponential growth of Dubai’s infrastructure and economy over the past three decades.
Throughout his illustrious career, Bin Sulayem has overseen numerous groundbreaking initiatives, shaping Dubai into a global economic powerhouse. Some notable highlights include:
- Spearheading DP World’s international expansion, including the acquisition of the P&O group in 2006 for a staggering US$6.8 billion, catapulting DP World into one of the largest port operators worldwide with a presence across six continents.
- Instrumental in the rapid development of the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), transforming it into a premier business hub housing over 7,300 companies.
- Founding and leading Nakheel, a pioneering real estate and tourism development firm responsible for iconic projects such as The Palm, the world’s largest man-made islands.
- Establishing and guiding Istithmar World, a leading investment house with diverse holdings spanning North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East across sectors like retail, finance, tourism, and healthcare.
- Pioneering the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), a pivotal market for commodities including gold, precious metals, diamonds, and energy.
Bin Sulayem holds a BSc in Economics from Temple University, USA, and serves on various boards including the Dubai Executive Council and the UAE Federal Tax Authority. Additionally, he serves as the Non-Executive Chairman of Virgin Hyperloop One, showcasing his commitment to innovation and transformative technologies.
In 2022, Bin Sulayem’s dedication to gender equality was recognized as he was named the MENA region’s inaugural HeForShe Champion by UN Women.
