SimplyAbuDhabi XLIII

S ultan Ahmed bin Sulayem epitomizes Dubai’s entrepreneurial elite, wielding his prowess as the Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DP World and Chairman of the Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation. His multifaceted acumen and foresight have been instrumental in sculpting the emirate’s skyline and propelling its global ascendancy. A luminary figure in the annals of Dubai’s economic narrative, bin Sulayem’s illustrious career spans over three decades, marked by a string of transformative endeavors. His indomitable spirit has steered DP World’s meteoric rise on the international stage, orchestrating landmark acquisitions such as the monumental purchase of the P&O group for a staggering US$6.8 billion in March 2006. This audacious move catapulted DP World into the echelons of the world’s premier port operators, boasting an impressive network of 78 marine and inland terminals across six continents. Not content with mere maritime conquests, bin Sulayem’s entrepreneurial canvas extends to the realm of real estate and tourism. As the visionary force behind Nakheel, he masterminded iconic projects that have become synonymous with Dubai’s grandeur, none more so than The Palm, a marvel of engineering prowess and the world’s largest man-made islands. Further underscoring his Midas touch, bin Sulayem steered the helm of Istithmar World, a bastion of private equity ventures spanning North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. His stewardship fostered a diverse portfolio of investments encompassing retail, financial services, industry, tourism, hospitality, and healthcare. Amidst his multifaceted ventures, bin Sulayem remains a beacon of advocacy and leadership, championing gender equality as the MENA region’s inaugural HeForShe Champion by UN Women in 2022. His commitment to societal progress and economic prosperity is mirrored in his pivotal roles as a Board Member of the Dubai Executive Council and the UAE Federal Tax Authority, alongside his chairmanship of Virgin Hyperloop One. Rooted in academic excellence, bin Sulayem holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Temple University in the USA, underscoring his intellectual rigor and strategic acumen. His enduring legacy as an architect of Dubai’s modern renaissance and a stalwart champion of global progress exemplifies the epitome of visionary leadership in the contemporary era. Simply Abu Dhabi | 239