Dubai, United Arab Emirates
I've spent 20 years in the Gulf doing one thing consistently: taking complex, high-stakes digital challenges and turning them into outcomes that actually land. Not strategies that sit in decks. Actual delivery. I've launched government digital campaigns on non-negotiable GITEX deadlines. I've directed agentic AI programmes for some of the most challenging sectors in the region. I've built a creative digital agency from zero to a team of 25, serving everyone from regional startups to Fortune 500 companies and UAE government entities. What I've learned across all of it is this: the technology is rarely the hardest part. The hardest part is holding a senior client relationship together, keeping a cross-functional team aligned, and making sure everyone's definition of success points in the same direction, all at the same time, under real pressure. That's the gap I've spent two decades learning how to close. I operate across digital transformation, AI, e-commerce, martech, and brand, but the through-line across everything is the same: I bridge the space between strategic intent and actual execution. I speak both languages. I sit comfortably in a C-suite conversation and equally comfortably steering a delivery team through a difficult sprint. 20 years in the UAE means I understand this market at a level that genuinely can't be imported. The relationships, the cultural context, the way decisions actually get made inside government entities and sovereign funds, that's not something you learn in six months. If you're building something ambitious in the Gulf and need someone who has done it before at scale — let's talk.
Driving digital and AI client engagement across MEA for one of the world's leading technology consultancies. Programme Director on a major agentic AI delivery for the upstream energy sector, presented to international dignitaries and is still in active use at global energy industry events. Internal EPAM nominee for an innovation concept combining emotional AI, digital twins, and token-based procurement modelling for a large-scale urban development brief. Managed senior client relationships across ADNOC, AIQ, Inception, Dubai Financial Market, PIF, ALJ Motors, and Goodykitchen, operating across business development, partner relations, and hands-on project delivery within the same accounts. Led pitches and RFPs across MEA ranging from $500K to $1M USD across AI, e-commerce, martech, and composable technology practices. Cross-discipline operator across the full delivery stack, able to brief and align developers, architects, designers, and account managers within the same engagement, removing friction between client expectations and technical execution.
Built and ran a full-service digital agency in Dubai for 15 years, growing from zero to a team of 25 serving 25+ clients across government, enterprise, and startup sectors. Led the E-Dirham launch campaign for the UAE Ministry of Finance at GITEX, covering brand, messaging, above-the-line advertising, billboards, and radio. Delivered for clients including Microsoft, Lenovo, HP, and the Netherlands Government alongside regional government entities and Fortune 500 companies across 12+ sectors. Sustained a long-term relationship with Microsoft by consistently being first in the region to adopt and apply emerging digital trends. Launched WebinarLife during COVID-19, taking a product from concept to market independently in response to a real gap in the market.
Co-founded one of the region's earliest AI ventures, building practical artificial intelligence solutions before enterprise AI adoption went mainstream in the GCC. Developed and deployed one of the first Microsoft AI-powered chatbots in the Middle East for event registration management, used at Microsoft's inaugural AI event in the region. Led business development and marketing across MENA, defining AI service offerings, securing strategic partnerships, and driving customer acquisition and growth.
Managed key client relationships with major UAE government entities including the Ministry of Economy, Abu Dhabi Pension Fund, and Dubai Economic Department. Delivered digital marketing and technology consulting projects valued at $300K USD, managing full technical project management across each engagement.
Launched Akshaak.com, a bilingual Arabic/English e-commerce platform for UAE home-based businesses, leading the full project lifecycle from concept to live across strategy, branding, UI/UX, payments, shipping, and government systems integration. Established and led the company's innovation division, focused on startup support, special projects, and strategic innovation initiatives across the UAE.