Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum (Arabic: أحمد بن سعيد آل مكتوم; born 1 December 1958) is an Emirati businessman and member of Dubai's ruling Al Maktoum family. He is the president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, CEO and founder of the Emirates Group, and chairman of Dubai World.[1]
Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum | |
|---|---|
أحمد بن سعيد آل مكتوم | |
 | |
| Born | 1 December 1958 |
| Education | University of Denver |
| Occupation(s) | Chairman and CEO Emirates Airline, Dubai Aviation City Corporation, Dubai World, flydubai, Noor Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD Bank PJSC, Chancellor of The British University in Dubai |
| Title | HH Sheikh |
| Issue | 2 |
| House | Al Maktoum |
| Father | Saeed bin Maktoum bin Hasher Al Maktoum |
He is also the current chancellor of The British University in Dubai, chairman of the Dubai Supreme Fiscal Committee, chairman of the Dubai Airports Company,[2] second vice chairman of the Dubai Executive Council,[3] and chairman of Emirates NBD Bank PJSC.[4]
Early life and education
Al Maktoum is the youngest (posthumous) son of Dubai's former ruler Saeed bin Maktoum bin Hasher Al Maktoum and the only child of his second wife Sheikha Fatima bint Ahmed bin Suliman, Sheikh Ahmed is the half-brother of Dubai's former ruler Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum and the uncle of Dubai's current ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He is a graduate of the University of Denver.[5][6]
Career
Al Maktoum's career in the aviation industry began in 1985 when he was appointed president of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) (the governing body which oversaw the activities of Dubai International and Dubai Duty Free). Emirates, the national carrier, was launched at the same time, with Al Maktoum appointed chairman.[5][7][8][9]
He is believed to be connected to at least 14 board members in 14 organizations in 14 industries.[10] Al Maktoum has been called "the man who put Dubai on the global aviation map."[11] He has been chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline & Group since 1985.[12] In October 2019 Al Maktoum, as president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), opened a quartet of sector-specific global food trade platforms at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).[13]
Al Maktoum was chairman of the Dubai Free Zone Council. At its 13th meeting in 2019, chaired by Al Maktoum, the members discussed initiatives and proposals for long-term rental agreements or investors and free zone passports.[14] Al Maktoum is chair of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature.[15][16]
Personal life
He married Egyptian socialite Nivin El-Gamal in 2007 (only Islamic ceremony in a London flat and denied by Al Maktoum , invalid according to the London court). She gave birth to their only child,[17][18] Saeed bin Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.[19] Al Maktoum later married Sheikha Mona, a first cousin twice removed (a regional tradition), daughter of Sheikh Obaid bin Thani Al Maktoum, in 2008.[11][20][21] He married Moza bint Hamdan Al Malik Al Shehi in 2019, and they had a son named Mohammed in November 2020.[22]
Honors and awards
- 2007: Living Legend of Aviation — Aviation Entrepreneur of the Year.[23]
- 2011: Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the UAE[24][25]
- 2012: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature Personality of the Year Award.[26]
- 2013: Honorary degree from City University London.[27]
- 2013: Honorary Knight Commander of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.[28]
- Listed in the Top 100 most powerful Arabs' from 2013 to 2021 by Gulf Business.[29][30][31]
