The GCC region is home to remarkable business leaders who are making a difference in their industries and communities. In this article, we highlight the Top 10 most dynamic business personalities in the GCC. These individuals have built successful careers by solving challenges, embracing innovation, and driving positive change.
Each leader has a unique story that reflects their commitment to growth and excellence. Whether through entrepreneurship, leadership, or community efforts, they are shaping the future of the region. Their work not only impacts their industries but also inspires others to pursue meaningful progress.
Top 10 Most Dynamic Business Personalities – GCC
Below are the top 10 most dynamic business personalities in GCC who are making a change and aim to come up with innovative ideas in the business sphere. Let’s get to it.
1. Mohamed Fahmy | Empowering Businesses With Financial Leadership
When it comes to Financial Leadership across the MENA region, Mohamed Fahmy is a prominent name. With more than a decade of experience in this sector, Mohamed has been consistently driven growth by delivering strategic financial insights, streamlining operations, and implementing digital transformation.
Reflecting his ability in aligning financial strategies with long-term business goals, Mohamed has expertise in partnering closely with C-suite executives of the region, propeling revenue growth and cost optimization. Alongside being the Regional Finance Director at Honeywell, Mohamed is also a Certified Treasury Professional, Chartered Accountant, and Fellow of ACCA. Additionally, he has successfully managed complex portfolios, turning challenges into opportunities and unlocking value for stakeholders.
At his current organization, Mohamed manages a highly-valued portfolio along with overseeing all its financial aspects. Reflecting his notion on the aspect of financial leadership in the region, Mohamed mentions, “My vision is to redefine financial leadership in the GCC by driving sustainable growth through innovation, fostering resilient strategies, and building agile teams. I am committed to empowering organizations to excel in an ever-evolving business landscape while creating long-term value for the region.”
2. Ms. Ahmedova Gulbahor | Energy Sector Expert
Ms. Ahmedova Gulbahor aka Ms. Gulee, a consummate networker, can secure opportunities in the dynamic oil and gas and energy infrastructure space in the Middle East, Caspian, and Africa regions. Ms Gulee is keen to structure oil and gas and energy infrastructure transactions that can benefit from her ability to raise equity from family offices and private equity investors in the region.
Currently employed by the global technical consultancy and advisory firm of French origin, BUREAU VERITAS – a world leader in laboratory testing, inspection, and certification, Ms. Gulee is responsible for the company’s key accounts in the Middle East, Caspian, and Africa regions. Fluent in English, Russian, Turkish, Farsi, and Uzbek, she has been in the UAE since 2013 starting with the Japanese EPC contractor Chiyoda Corporation Middle East.
She is keen to hear about the opportunities in the oil and gas, mining, power utilities, and building infrastructure sectors and can structure and source the personnel and management teams needed to put steel and boots on the ground for your project development opportunities and acquisitions. Furthermore, as an adept public speaker and former broadcaster and TV presenter in an international broadcasting corporation, Ms. Gulee often speaks at energy conferences and represents her company during panel events.
3. Rehan Naeem | Unlocking Human Potential And Reshaping Economies
As the founder of Become, a forward-looking Learning & Development consultancy, Rehan Naeem is redefining how organizations empower their people to achieve excellence. His expertise lies in designing innovative solutions for leadership alignment, employee performance improvement, and corporate culture transformation through Employee Experience & Corporate Happiness Framework—tools that are essential for embedding inspiration and measurable outcomes into workplace cultures.
“At Become, we focus on unlocking human potential and creating impact-driven solutions that embed high performance into the fabric of everyday work life. Our mission is to inspire organizations to go beyond goals and truly embrace their vision,” Rehan shares. His vision extends beyond individual organizations, aligning closely with the transformative strategies of the UAE and Saudi Vision 2030. Both nations prioritize human capital development, innovation, and sustainable growth—areas where Rehan’s expertise has significant impact.
“The UAE and Saudi Arabia are leading the way in reshaping their economies, with human development at the core of their ambitions. My aim is to leverage leadership development, employee happiness frameworks, and future-focused learning solutions to support these national goals,” Rehan explains. “By helping organizations build engaged, competent, and future-ready workforces, we contribute to driving the economic diversification and innovation agendas that are central to Vision 2030.”
With a career spanning over two decades, Rehan Naeem’s work is a testament to the transformative power of strategic learning and development. As he continues to empower organizations across the region, his vision remains steadfast: to create a culture of excellence that drives value not just within companies but across entire economies.
4. Sélim Chidiac | Transformational Leader, Board Advisor, Innovator
A seasoned Independent Non-Executive Director with a distinguished track record across publicly listed companies, family-owned enterprises, and private equity-backed organizations, Sélim Chidiac is a transformative leader. Sélim garnered over three decades of experience driving growth, innovation, and value creation at the highest levels of global business across the USA, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
As the CEO of L’azurde Company, Sélim led the organization through a remarkable 14-year journey of transformation, spearheading its evolution from a family-owned business to a private equity-backed entity under Investcorp’s stewardship and achieved a historic milestone with its successful IPO on the Saudi Stock Exchange. His leadership not only modernized the company’s operational model but also positioned L’azurde as a market leader in the Middle East’s jewelry sector.
Prior to this, Sélim’s 12-year tenure at Red Bull saw him driving exponential growth in Asia-Pacific and North America. As CEO, he established Red Bull as a household name in these regions, blending strategic marketing with operational excellence to solidify the brand’s global dominance.
Sélim’s passion for innovation extends to emerging fields like Bitcoin, longevity, wellness, and biohacking. His extensive research and advocacy in these areas position him as a thought leader driving discussions at the intersection of technology, health, and sustainability.
Additionally, Sélim currently serves as a Board Director at Theeb Rent a Car Company, a publicly listed leader in Saudi Arabia’s automotive rental sector, and Wecheer, a pioneering AI technology firm in Switzerland disrupting the FMCG industry. His ability to navigate diverse industries and markets allows him to provide forward-thinking governance, strategic direction, and insights into innovation and market dynamics.
Driven by a commitment to excellence and continuous improvement, Sélim is not only a business leader but also an advocate for impactful change. Whether transforming organizations, driving Corporate Governance or mentoring future leaders, Sélim exemplifies the ethos of purpose-driven leadership.
5. Igor Sergunin | Reinventing the Beverage Market and Proving That Halal is a Symbol of Trust
An ambitious and purposeful business leader, Igor Sergunin has garnered over 12 years of successful management experience. As the CEO of Majlis, Igor and the team have reimagined an ancient recipe, to make it easily accessible. Igor believes they have created a product that is not only delicious but also beneficial for good health.
Majlis Craft Arabian Ale is the result of meticulous work with the finest malt houses in Germany and Belgium, a unique blend of hop varieties, and strict quality control at every production stage. They have proven that it is possible to craft a 100% natural beverage without added sugar, artificial flavors, or colors—one that enhances health and delivers genuine enjoyment.
Igor has poured all his expertise into the brand to grow together faster than ever before. He was strongly confident in their ability to create Majlis Craft Arabian Ale as a halal product, without compromising taste, quality, or health benefits. Rather than making a beverage that resembled beer, Majlis chose to return to the roots of centuries-old traditions of health and natural fermented beverages, cherished by the Eastern elite for their beneficial properties.
As a vision for the future, Igor aspires to reshape the beverage market together with his customers and partners. He is positive about expanding to new production facilities around the world and helping people make conscious choices toward a healthy lifestyle.
6. David Martinez de Castro | An Architecture Visionary Building Excellence
David Martinez de Castro, Founder of DMDC Architecture, graduated from Architecture at Anahuac University and has earned well-deserved recognition from the American Institute of Architects for his outstanding contributions to architecture. Leading high-profile projects in the region, David is a well-established figure, renowned in UAE’s architecture sector.
With over 25 years of expertise in the wide areas of this field, David has been reflecting exceptional results in Architecture designing large-scale master plans, Mixed-use residential, low-rise, and high-rise buildings, private residential, hospitality, and others in various parts of the world, including Mexico, USA, South America, UAE, Morocco, Seychelles, Erbil, Kazakhstan, and Chechnya. His accolades include Merit awards for both built and unbuilt projects, showcasing his commitment to excellence. Notably, David’s international experience is evident in his current high-profile projects in the UAE, a testament to his impressive portfolio.
Passionate for design and architecture, David is equally dedicated to both fields in the Middle East. At DMDC, David and the team offer comprehensive architectural design services, and deliver personalized, innovative solutions tailored to your unique vision, making your project stand out. Focusing on sustainability in mind and with a commitment to delivering socially responsible products, David’s DMDC brings a diverse array of architectural projects to life across the globe.
7. Shelendre Appanah | Visionary Real Estate Leader With Global Expertise
Shelendre Appanah is a dynamic and results-driven entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in diverse industries. Currently, Shelendre serves as the CEO of Redlac Real Estate LLC and successfully leads the organization in establishing a prominent presence in Dubai’s competitive property market. With proven expertise in business management, digital transformation, and technical solutions, Shelendre has a track record of delivering exceptional growth and innovation across multiple ventures.
With competencies in sectors like IT, real estate, and automotive, Shelendre has reflected exceptional leadership in his roles. In the real estate industry of the region, his career is defined by an unwavering dedication to excellence in the real estate sector and a strategic vision that has consistently delivered growth.
At Redlac Real Estate, Shelendre has successfully designed and implemented a customer-focused real estate business model offering full-service solutions. He also integrated technical and maintenance services to support real estate clients’ property management needs. “I have also directed strategic branding, marketing, and digital transformation initiatives to position Redlac as a market leader.” Shelendre reflects. “My expertise in steering global operations and fostering cross-cultural partnerships has positioned our team at the forefront of the industry.” He further adds. With a commitment to innovation and sustainable development, Shelendre has placed Redlac to redefine the landscape of modern living.
8. Özgür Başlılar | Pioneering Innovation Across The Functional Food Sector
As one of the GCC region’s most dynamic business personalities, Özgür Başlılar has consistently demonstrated a unique ability to lead, innovate, and inspire. As the Vice President at Bite&More, he has been instrumental in driving transformative change, enhancing business growth, and fostering innovation across the functional food industry. With a track record of successfully navigating complex challenges and delivering impactful solutions, Özgür Başlılar has earned a reputation for working in challenging environments, visionary leadership, and strategic planning.
Özgür has pioneered transformative strategies in his roles that have led to significant revenue growth on a global scale, alongside engineering resilient business models and robust strategies fostering sustainability, and competitive advantage in dynamic markets.
Looking toward the future, Özgür Başlılar envisions a GCC where businesses not only thrive financially but also contribute significantly to societal progress. Committed to fostering sustainable growth and empowering local talent, he actively champions initiatives that embrace innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity. Through his work, Özgür Başlılar strives to leave a lasting legacy of positive transformation in the region, inspiring the next generation of leaders to dream big and achieve even bigger.
9. Tino Herold | Driving Business Growth As A Multifaceted Expert
A seasoned international business professional with a diverse background in Finance, Real Estate, and Technology, Tino Herold was born and initially educated in Germany. Tino’s career has spanned multiple industries and geographies, reflecting his adaptability and deep expertise. Since 2010, Tino has been at the helm of iSAP Solutions, serving as Managing Director across multiple regions, including London, Dubai, Russia, Ukraine, and America, and currently leads as the Senior SAP Finance Controlling Consultant at the organization. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping the company’s current position.
StartHub.Agency provides excellent services from company setup and infrastructure development with world class telecommunication, insurance, rental, and payment solutions. The agency also offers virtual AI-powered agents, tokenized crowdfunding, and global eWallet payment solutions through iSAP Exchange, as well as international remittance services. Additionally, StartHub.Agency partners with Baqalat.Express, an online hypermarket, Baqalat.Restaurant, and iSAP.Life, a cutting-edge insurance platform, to offer integrated services and preferred rates to customers. Tino’s latest projects live now with AITeam.Agency, AIFluencer.Agency and SmartCall.Agency facilitating AI technology for the above-mentioned platforms.
Tino’s specialized knowledge in banking and payment systems, trade finance, the renewable energy sector, and management and accounting in SMEs, coupled with his intercultural knowledge of the MENA region, makes him a valuable asset in any multinational setting. Throughout his career, Tino Herold has demonstrated exceptional leadership, adaptability, and a commitment to driving business growth. His diverse experiences and skills make him a respected figure in the international business community.
10. Ahmad Zalat | Shaping the Future of Entrepreneurship
Ahmad Zalat is a driving force behind the GCC’s entrepreneurial evolution, known for transforming ambitious ideas into thriving ventures. As the CEO of UVAII Venture Studio, he has earned a reputation as a strategic powerhouse, equipping founders and investors with the tools to succeed in competitive markets.
With a track record of steering over 200 startups to success and securing 20+ investment rounds worth millions, Ahmad has played a pivotal role in reshaping industries through innovative partnerships. His expertise in building high-impact entrepreneurial ecosystems has positioned him as a key architect of change.
Holding an MBA and a Doctorate in Business Administration, Ahmad blends academic excellence with real-world strategy. His involvement in initiatives like the VMS and CODE programs at Saudi universities reflects his dedication to fostering a future-ready startup ecosystem across the region.
“Entrepreneurship is about more than just business—it’s about building environments that fuel innovation and attract investment,” Ahmad states. His influence spans the GCC, the Middle East, and the U.S., where he continues to scale businesses and drive impactful growth.
Through his visionary leadership, Ahmad Zalat is shaping the future of entrepreneurship, making him an essential partner for those looking to redefine industries and achieve long-term success.
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Conclusion
The Top 10 most dynamic business personalities in the GCC are proof that determination and vision can create lasting change. Their contributions show how hard work and fresh ideas can drive success in the region and beyond. As we celebrate their achievements, we are reminded of the power of leadership and the potential for even greater progress in the future.
Also Read: The Top 15 Business Leaders in GCC’s Fastest-Growing Industries
Top 10 Most Successful Business Leaders in GCC
