Ahmed Galal Ismail was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim – Holding in January 2023.
In the five years prior to his appointment, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim – Properties, where he lead our shopping malls, hotels, communities and project management operations for almost five years and ten years as Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim – Ventures, overseeing fashion retail, leisure and entertainment, cinemas, financial services and facilities management.
Previously, Ahmed was a principal with Booz Allen Hamilton in Dubai. He also held roles with Procter & Gamble in Egypt and Germany.
Ahmed holds an MBA with distinction from the London Business School and a BSc in computer science from the American University in Cairo.
Ziad Chalhoub is Chief Financial Officer of Majid Al Futtaim - Holding.
In his role, he is responsible for the financial health and control of the organisation, overseeing all financial activities, including financial risk management, financial planning, financial reporting and analysis of data in support of delivering against the company's strategic objectives. In addition, he is responsible for the company-wide Investment and M&A functions.
Ziad has over 20 years of experience, 14 of which he spent in New York as a finance leader at IBM. In 2011, he served as CFO for IBM's Central & Eastern Europe-based businesses and in 2013 was appointed CFO for the company's Middle East and Africa interests. In his most recent role as CFO for IBM's Global Technology Services (GTS) business, he was accountable for a portfolio of USD28 billion P&L of GTS' portfolio of business, owning all financial planning, pricing, business development, audit, controls and business operations.
He holds an MBA in Finance & Strategy from the University of Rochester, New York, and a bachelor's degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick.
Hassan Basil Hassan is the Chief Legal Officer for Majid Al Futtaim - Holding. He is responsible for managing all legal and regulatory affairs of the company and providing legal counsel on matters of strategy, M&A, joint ventures, partnerships and alliances.
Prior to joining Majid Al Futtaim, Hassan served as the General Counsel – Australia, Asia-Pacific, India, Middle East, and Africa for Mars, Inc.; the Associate General Counsel, Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, Turkey, Russia, and CIS for GE Healthcare; and the Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs at Dubai Holdings’ Dubai Science Park.
Hassan holds a Juris Doctor from the Saint Louis University School of Law.
Joe Abi Akl is Chief Corporate Development Officer at Majid Al Futtaim, Holding and Managing Director of our Xsight Future Solutions business.
His key responsibilities include driving our growth strategy, business development, strategic partnerships, innovation, digital capability building and our startup investments and incubation agenda.
Leading our Xsight Future Solutions business, Joe oversees teams in 20+ markets focused on advanced analytics and data solutions, digital labs, fintech solutions, loyalty, and disruptive tech.
In addition to his roles at Majid Al Futtaim, he’s a board member of leading regional and global startups, a member of several councils and platforms at the World Economic Forum, and a member of the Advisory Council of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy.
Joe holds a multidisciplinary engineering degree from Telecom Paris Tech and an MBA from INSEAD. He brings over 17 years of experience in strategy, management consulting, corporate development, and incubation in technology, media, consumer and real estate industries across the Middle East, S.E. Asia, Europe, and Africa. His former experience includes Booz Allen Hamilton, OSN, Booz & Company, Nokia Siemens, and Gemalto
Ali Hamdan was appointed Chief Audit Officer for Majid Al Futtaim Holding in April 2023, and is responsible for Internal Audit across all Majid Al Futtaim businesses. Prior to this, he lead the Audit & Advisory Services function for our Retail business for almost 4 years, contributing to the design and implementation of internal audit processes and methodology, as well as ongoing process improvements.
Ali has over 20 years experience of audit, governance, risk and compliance in several multi-functional sectors across Middle East, North Africa & Turkey, Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Europe. Previously, he was the Chief Risk Officer with Bupa Arabia. He also held the role of Chief Audit Executive – MENAT at General Electric, amongst other positions with multinational and regional companies.
As well as being a Certified Internal Auditor, Ali holds an MBA from the London Business School, and an Advanced Certificate for Executives in Management, Innovation and Technology from MIT – Sloan School of Management.
Peter Davison is the Company Secretary of Majid Al Futtaim - Holding and Majid Al Futtaim – Capital. He also acts as Company Secretary for Majid Al Futtaim - Trust, Retail, Properties, LEC and Lifestyle. He is responsible for managing the systems and processes that uphold the group’s corporate governance standard and acting as liaison for the operating companies and their Boards of Directors.
Peter brings over 30 years of legal and secretarial experience across Europe, the United States, the Middle East and North Africa region, and the Far East. Most recently he served as Company Secretary, Group General Counsel and Head of Compliance at Arriva, adding to the 17-years he was with British American Tobacco where he held roles including Assistant Group General Counsel, Regional General Counsel Europe and Head of Commercial Legal.
Peter is admitted as a solicitor in the UK and Hong Kong, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography from Durham University, England, and has completed the Law Society’s Final Examination (LSF) and Common Professional Examination/Graduate Diploma in Law (CPE/GDL) from Northumbria University, Newcastle, England.
Bassem Tajeddine is the Head of Compliance of Majid Al Futtaim - Holding, responsible for designing and implementing operational, financial and IT internal audit plans, processes and methodology. He also performs enterprise-wide risk assessments and oversees audit reviews of the company’s operations, marketing and sourcing, logistics, finance and accounting, systems and networks, developments/fit-out projects, HC and payroll functions.
Prior to joining Majid Al Futtaim, Bassem spent 23 years working in financial and operational assurance roles, as well as advisory services, across various sectors. He has previously worked with Scotiabank, Ernst & Young, and DMA. He was the secretary of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee at Mubadala Development Company and the Department of Municipal Affairs. He also served on the Oversight Steering Committee, established by the Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority to oversee, improve and promote the internal audit practice in Abu Dhabi.
Bassem holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Sciences in Business Administration and Accounting from the Lebanese American University, Beirut. He is a registered Chartered Accountant and a Member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario, Canada. He is also a certified Public Accountant and a Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.Ahmed El Shamy was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim - Properties in January 2023.
In his previous role as Chief Financial Officer of Majid Al Futtaim - Properties, Ahmed was responsible for the evolution of the finance function and oversaw the financial health, risk, and compliance practices. He helped deliver on business targets despite challenging market conditions, mitigated the impact of the COVD-19 pandemic and successfully executed programmes such as War on Waste and the C1500 plan.
Prior to joining Majid Al Futtaim, Ahmed was Partner and Group CFO of Qalaa Holdings, one of the Arab world's largest private equity firms. He has also worked with Procter & Gamble, Citadel Capital, and Al Ahram Beverages and Orascom Development Holding.
Waddah El Solh is Country Head of Levant for Majid Al Futtaim Properties. In his role, Waddah represents Majid Al Futtaim Properties in the Levant in areas concerning financial, government and regulatory affairs.
Prior to joining Majid Al Futtaim Properties in 1999, Waddah founded the Projective Development Group Inc. and managed the company’s construction activities and legal obligations for both private and public sector projects. He also worked as construction manager for the Broadway Plaza Apartment at Chaarani-Khan Construction Division in USA.
Waddah holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from California State University, and was awarded the engineer-in-training certification from the California state licensing examination board.
Khaled Al Ajmi is the country head for Majid Al Futtaim Properties for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait. He is the company's leading representative in these countries, identifying potential business opportunities, ensuring that projects proceed smoothly through a constantly evolving network of the authorities and local contacts. He also serves as chairman of Aswaq Al Emarat (Mall of Saudi), chairman of Majid Al Futtaim Proprieties Bahrain B.S.C, chairman of AYA Project in Bahrain and chairman of KSA Sustainability Committee.
Khaled joined Majid Al Futtaim in 2007. Prior to joining Majid Al Futtaim, he held several executive positions in diplomatic organizations and international foundations. He also serves as board member and advisor in several charity organisations and government committees.
Talib Omar is the Country Head, Oman for Majid Al Futtaim Properties. In this role, he is the company's leading representative in Oman, identifying potential business opportunities and ensuring that projects proceed smoothly through a constantly evolving network of local contacts. He also serves on the board of directors for Almouj project, Muscat. In more than 20 years with Majid Al Futtaim, Talib has served in a number of roles and business units, including administration and personnel manager for Carrefour and general manager of business development.
Prior to joining Majid Al Futtaim, Talib was administration and personnel manager at Target LLC in Oman, director of H.E. the Secretary General’s Office of University Council and as director of public relations at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman.
He also served as a Member of Parliament in Oman from 2003 to 2007, holding the position of Deputy Chairman for the Economic Committee. He was also a member of Omanisation Committee, part of Ministry of Manpower; a member of the National Product Committee, the Chamber of Commerce, and board member of the Omani Economic Association.
Talib has a Master's degree in International Economics from Johns Hopkins University, USA.
Peter Davison is the Company Secretary of Majid Al Futtaim - Holding and Majid Al Futtaim – Capital. He also acts as Company Secretary for Majid Al Futtaim - Trust, Retail, Properties, LEC and Lifestyle. He is responsible for managing the systems and processes that uphold the group’s corporate governance standard and acting as liaison for the operating companies and their Boards of Directors.
Peter brings over 30 years of legal and secretarial experience across Europe, the United States, the Middle East and North Africa region, and the Far East. Most recently he served as Company Secretary, Group General Counsel and Head of Compliance at Arriva, adding to the 17-years he was with British American Tobacco where he held roles including Assistant Group General Counsel, Regional General Counsel Europe and Head of Commercial Legal.
Peter is admitted as a solicitor in the UK and Hong Kong, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography from Durham University, England, and has completed the Law Society’s Final Examination (LSF) and Common Professional Examination/Graduate Diploma in Law (CPE/GDL) from Northumbria University, Newcastle, England.
Hani Weiss is Chief Executive Officer of
Majid Al Futtaim – Retail, the exclusive franchisee to operate Carrefour in 31 countries across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
Mr. Weiss is responsible for developing and growing the company’s Carrefour franchise business, and establish market leadership across all countries it operates in through exceptional customer centricity and a strong omnichannel offering. This includes reimaging the stores of the future and the execution of a digital transformation.
Hani began his career at Majid Al Futtaim - Retail in 2001 and his lengthy experience within the operation, and unparalleled understanding of the food retail business saw him promoted to Chief Executive Officer in September 2017. Today, Hani leads a business of 37,000 colleagues, operates over 420 Carrefour stores across 17 countries in the region, and serves more than 750,000 customers a day.
Hani holds an Executive MBA from the London School of Business (Dubai campus) and has completed the Senior Executive Development programme at HEC Paris.
Bernardo Perloiro is the Chief Operating Officer - GCC at Majid Al Futtaim - Retail. He oversees a team of over 10,000 MAFers across 100 locations.
Bernardo brings 27 years of experience in retail, omnichannel, merchandise, commercial, marketing, telecommunications, and logistics across multiple countries in Europe, South America, and Asia.
He has held various senior roles with Jeronimo Martins Group, Chronopost (La Poste), CTT Correios de Portugal, and Cogeco. Most recently, he joined Majid Al Futtaim from Walmart.
He holds a Master’s in Science from Evora University in Portugal, and has completed multiple academic courses at Cornell University, and Harvard Business School, both in the US.
Peter Davison is the Company Secretary of Majid Al Futtaim - Holding and Majid Al Futtaim – Capital. He also acts as Company Secretary for Majid Al Futtaim - Trust, Retail, Properties, LEC and Lifestyle. He is responsible for managing the systems and processes that uphold the group’s corporate governance standard and acting as liaison for the operating companies and their Boards of Directors.
Peter brings over 30 years of legal and secretarial experience across Europe, the United States, the Middle East and North Africa region, and the Far East. Most recently he served as Company Secretary, Group General Counsel and Head of Compliance at Arriva, adding to the 17-years he was with British American Tobacco where he held roles including Assistant Group General Counsel, Regional General Counsel Europe and Head of Commercial Legal.
Peter is admitted as a solicitor in the UK and Hong Kong, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography from Durham University, England, and has completed the Law Society’s Final Examination (LSF) and Common Professional Examination/Graduate Diploma in Law (CPE/GDL) from Northumbria University, Newcastle, England.
Ignace Lahoud is Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim - Entertainment.
In his role, he leads the company's Entertainment business in line with Majid Al Futtaim's long-term strategic direction and growth agenda.
Ignace has 30 years of experience, having spent most of his career leading transformational changes across three continents and multi-billion-dollar businesses within the Walt Disney Company. He joined Majid Al Futtaim from Valence Media/MRC Entertainment, a Beverly Hills-based privately owned company that produces quality content for both TV and film, in addition to live events; where he was Chief Financial Officer. In this role, he was responsible for the integration of the functional areas across all brands, optimising capital structure and developing the framework for long-term strategic plans. Prior to that, he enjoyed a very successful 26-year career with the Walt Disney Company where he held several senior roles.
He holds an MBA from the Madrid Business School and University of Houston and a B.Sc. from the American University of Beirut.
Dana Nahas is Vice President for Human Capital at Majid Al Futtaim - Entertainment. In this role, she leads the HC function across the MENA region, ensuring Majid Al Futtaim's focus on employee-oriented culture that prioritises empowerment, quality, productivity, goal attainment and continuing development.
She has more than 18 years experience with regional and multinational organisations. She was previously director of human resources on the LEC team, and has extensive experience in strategic human capital management as well as developing, implementing and managing an agile and efficient operation across the various HC functions.
Toni El Massih is Chief Content Officer for Majid Al Futtaim - Cinemas, owner and operator of the VOX Cinemas brand, the Middle East’s largest cinema exhibitor.
He leads the company’s work in content production, distribution, theatrical programming and non-theatrical distribution.
In addition to bringing the best of world cinema to Majid Al Futtaim’s customers across the MENA region, Toni also represents Majid Al Futtaim and the region in the global film industry. His achievements include securing Majid Al Futtaim’s partnership agreement with 20th Century Studios (formerly 20th Century Fox), one of the world’s leading film studios, and winning a CinemaCon Global Achievement in Exhibition award for VOX Cinemas.
Toni also champions local and regional content, and drives Majid Al Futtaim’s production ambitions including partnering with MBC Studios and Image Nation Abu Dhabi in support of Arab film.
A 21-year veteran of VOX Cinemas, Toni is a key contributor to Majid Al Futtaim’s drive to deliver an unparalleled and cutting-edge cinema experience across the Middle East and North Africa.
Peter Davison is the Company Secretary of Majid Al Futtaim - Holding and Majid Al Futtaim – Capital. He also acts as Company Secretary for Majid Al Futtaim - Trust, Retail, Properties, LEC and Lifestyle. He is responsible for managing the systems and processes that uphold the group’s corporate governance standard and acting as liaison for the operating companies and their Boards of Directors.
Peter brings over 30 years of legal and secretarial experience across Europe, the United States, the Middle East and North Africa region, and the Far East. Most recently he served as Company Secretary, Group General Counsel and Head of Compliance at Arriva, adding to the 17-years he was with British American Tobacco where he held roles including Assistant Group General Counsel, Regional General Counsel Europe and Head of Commercial Legal.
Peter is admitted as a solicitor in the UK and Hong Kong, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography from Durham University, England, and has completed the Law Society’s Final Examination (LSF) and Common Professional Examination/Graduate Diploma in Law (CPE/GDL) from Northumbria University, Newcastle, England.
Fahed Ghanim is the Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim – Lifestyle. In his role, Mr. Ghanim manages world renowned brands across Home, Fashion, Specialty Retail, and Multiband Concepts covering retail stores across the GCC, while developing expansion strategies for high growth markets and new concepts. Fahed joined Majid Al Futtaim Fashion in February 2018 as Chief Operating Officer for Majid Al Futtaim – Fashion.
Prior to joining Majid Al Futtaim, Fahed was General Manager Retail for L’azurde PLC, a Saudi based jewellery company. This was the third business turn around for Fahed after Bvlgari.
His journey in the real estate industry included the management of various high-profile projects, such as negotiations on a partnership deal with The Trump Organization for a $1.5 billion development.
Fahed has led acquisitions, successful IPO, business transformation, new brand launches, development and growth of globally acclaimed fashion, home and jewellery brands including: Bvlgari, Boucheron, Pomellato, Gucci, Harvey Nichols Dubai, L’azurde, LEGO, Lululemon to name a few.
Fahed is a board member of multiple organisations and holds an MBA degree with distinction from ESCP Europe Business School.