🚀 Episode 43: Building Responsible, Sovereign AI with Andrew Jackson, Ex CEO of Inception (a G42 company), and Group Chief AI Officer at G42. Honored to host Andrew Jackson, a trailblazer in AI and technology leadership, on the latest episode of The Market Makers in MEA Podcast! 🎙️ Join us as we dive into: 🧠 Andrew’s journey—using AI for high-frequency trading and leading AI innovation across finance, healthcare, and national security. 🌍 G42’s vision to commercialize AI research and bui...

Episode 41: Transforming Financial Services with Haisam Odeimeh, Group CEO of Financial Services at Al Ramz Honored to host Haisam Odeimeh, Group CEO of Financial Services at Al Ramz, on the latest episode of The Market Makers in MEA Podcast! 🎙️ Join us as we explore: 📈 Haisam’s journey and key milestones in leading Al Ramz’s financial services division. 🌍 Vision for the future of Al Ramz in the evolving financial sector. 💡 Innovation & AI—how Al Ramz is leveraging technology to reshape f...

Episode 40: Honored to have an insightful conversation with Bashar Kilani, Founder & Managing Director of AI360 Innovations, on the latest episode of The Market Makers in MEA Podcast. 🚀 Join us as we explore: 🤖 The AI Revolution – How AI360 Innovations is driving AI-powered digital transformation in the UAE and MEA. 🏛️ AI & Government Transformation – How AI is reshaping public services in Dubai with real-world impact. 📊 Challenges in AI Adoption – Key obstacles businesses and governm...

Episode 39: Honored to have an insightful conversation with Rajesh Garg, Group Chief Financial Officer & Chief Sustainability Officer at Landmark Group, on the latest episode of “The Market Makers in MEA” Podcast. 🌍 We explored: 💼 Rajesh’s journey in driving financial strategies and sustainability initiatives at Landmark Group, one of the largest retail businesses in MEA. 🌱 How Landmark Group is leading the way in the fashion industry by prioritizing sustainability in its business practic...

Episode 36: Engaged in an insightful discussion with Sevgi Gur, Chief Marketing Officer at Property Finder, exploring the dynamic realm of real estate marketing. 🚀 Here’s what we covered: 📈 Key marketing strategies that have propelled Property Finder to its current market position, navigating through digital transformation’s impact on the real estate industry. 💡 Impactful campaigns at Property Finder, their significance, and the results achieved. 🚀 Balancing innovation with consistent brand m...

Episode 34: Thrilled to dive into a dialogue with Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of DXB Interact, fäm Properties Dubai, and other fäm group entities, shaping the real estate landscape in Dubai and beyond! Firas is also a self-made successful entrepreneur running fäm group companies with over 700 agents with a commitment to make a positive change! 🌆 Here’s what’s on our agenda: 🏢 Firas shares his remarkable journey of founding DXB Interact and fäm Properties Dubai, and his vision for these promine...

Episode 32: Thrilled to have an engaging conversation with Dr. Shanila Laiju, Group Chief Executive Officer at Medcare Hospitals & Medical Centres. 🌟 Join us as we delve into the incredible journey and insights of this dynamic leader, overseeing Medcare’s profound impact in the healthcare sector. Here’s what you’ll gain from the conversation: 👩‍⚕️ Dr. Laiju’s inspiring journey to becoming the Group CEO at Medcare. 💡 The integration of technology and innovation to enhance patient exp...

Episode 12: The Market Makers in Middle East & Africa’ Video Podcast with Abrar Hussain is now live. In this episode, I had a discussion with Ruban Shanmugarajah, Chief Executive Officer of Babyshop at Landmark Group. Ruban shares his view on: 👉🏼 Factors that have contributed to the growth of Babyshop in UAE, MEA and South Asia. 👉🏼 We explored how Babyshop harnessed the power of the Omnichannel retail model to seize opportunities and cater to our customers' evolving n...

Episode 11: The Market Makers in Middle East & Africa’s Video Podcast with Abrar Hussain is now live. In this episode, I had a discussion with Katarina Hasbani, Partner at AESG Katarina shares her view on: 👉🏼 Defining Sustainability – Environment, Social impact and governance. 👉🏼 How sustainability can help companies run better. 👉🏼 How organizations can build sustainability across their supply chains. 👉🏼 What governments and business can do to educate various stake...

Episode 10: Driving Innovation and Sustainability in the Financial Sector with Andrea Prazakova, Senior Vice President, Mastercard Foundry & ESG, EEMEA at Mastercard. Andrea shares her inspiring story and provides valuable insights into her role at Mastercard, where she spearheads innovation, CX, UX, UI, research, and ESG efforts across the EEMEA region. During our conversation, Andrea sheds light on: Successful partnerships and collaborations that @Mastercard has undertaken to drive inno...

Episode 05: On the occasion of International Women’s Day, I had the privilege of having a discussion with H.E. Maryam AlSuwaidi, CEO of the UAE’s Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) and Forbes’ 11th most powerful businesswoman in the Middle East for 2023. Our conversation centered on women in leadership, and how she is leading the way as the first woman to head the UAE market’s regulator and the first woman in the GCC countries to hold such a position. We also discussed the UAE’s role ...

In this episode, I had a discussion with Sandeep Chouhan, Chief Business Transformation and Technology Officer at Network International, the leading enabler of digital commerce in the MEA region with presence across 50+ countries. He is Ex COO of Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank and Mashreq Bank as well. Sandeep shares his views on: 👉🏼 Technology-led transformation as the most sustainable transformation 👉🏼 Banking & Payments Landscape in MEA 👉🏼 The ways Banks & Payment solutions companies can t...

In this episode, I had a discussion with Onur Kirazci, VP at Sandvine, and Advisory Board Member at Neterra. In this Episode, Onur shares his views on: 👉🏼 Establishing and scaling up businesses in MEA Region 👉🏼 Importance of customer success in MEA region that creates snowball growth effect 👉🏼 Leadership style that’s works to lead diverse teams in MEA region Enjoy and share your thoughts in the comment section after you listen to our conversation!

In this episode, I had a discussion with Francesco Burelli, Partner at Arkwright Consulting, about the future of fintech and banking ecosystem in MEA region. Francesco brings over 23 years’ experience in corporate and product strategy, innovation and corporate venturing, and digital transformation. He advises clients across Middle East, Asia and Europe and devising a strategy for them to be future ready. In this Episode, Francesco shares his view on: 👉🏼 How Banking system will change in comin...

In this episode, I had a discussion with Noelle Homsy, Co-Founder of ENVI Lodges, about the future of hospitality, changes in the industry value chain after the pandemic and ways to drive sustainability. Noelle is the Co-Founder of ENVI Lodges, a brand and hotel management company focused on operating luxury ecolodges in remote destinations. She is passionate about driving regenerative tourism in underserved destinations and empowering local talent to form part of the value chain. In this Epi...