Alain Kaddoum leads Savoye Middle East with a mission of boosting the company’s presence and making it the top automation, robotics and software solutions provider for the supply chain industry in the region.

Having recently joined Savoye as Managing Director for the Middle East region, Kaddoum has already started demonstrating his management capabilities and technical expertise to the team.

With more than 12 years of professional excellence, Kaddoum has taken both leadership and engineering roles. Prior to his position at Savoye, Kaddoum has served six years at Swisslog Middle East. He also worked at UAE-based Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, leading a research team to work closely on a breakthrough protocol for the country’s aerospace industry.

Kaddoum holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from INP-ENSEEIHT, and a Master’s Degree in Automatics, Informatics, and Decisional Systems from INP Toulouse, France, in addition to other academic accomplishments and certifications. He is also fluent in Arabic, French, and English.

Bassel El Koussa, Co-founder and CEO of Quiqup, founded the company in 2014 in the UK before relocating it to Dubai. With experience in adapting and pivoting the business two times, both geographic and in business model. He’s raised $65 million and built a stellar team, offering valuable insights into resilience, innovation, and scaling in the tech and logistics sectors.

With over 22 years of hands-on experience in the freight forwarding industry, Talha Malik is a seasoned executive, leader, and strategist in project logistics and freight forwarding. As the Director of Project Logistics for the Middle East at GEODIS, a global leader in transport and logistics, Talha Malik leads the delivery of bespoke, integrated solutions for the energy and marine sectors.

Talha's core competencies include setting up and managing successful ventures, tendering, project pricing, commercial strategy, technical and legal oversight, vendor management, chartering, QHSE, compliance, people management and development, and cargo management systems. He is also recognized as a "Cargowise Certified Professional" and Key User.

Driven by a mission to provide exceptional value and service to clients and stakeholders, Talha is committed to advancing the project logistics industry and promoting sustainability. A passionate traveler who has explored 52 countries, Talha is always keen to connect and share insights.

Shailen Shukla is an Alumni of Delhi University and IIM, Ahmedabad, is an astute professional with over 30+ years of experience in Logistics Management, Supply Chain Management, Profit Centre Management, Commercial Operations, Project Procurement and Management, Vendor Management and ERP & Systems Implementation.

Currently working as Supply Chain Director in Alesayi Group in Jeddah, KSA. Omar Kassem Alesayi Group’s Consumer and Trading portfolio is built on providing an excellent portfolio of products alongside the highest standards of service for clients and consumers. Over time, the company has invested heavily in the acquisition and development of consumer concepts and services to exceed the demands of consumer and market requirements. Omar Kassem Alesayi Group’s portfolio ranges from automotive, transportation, electrical products, cabling systems and consumer goods. The Group continuously seeks to expand its portfolio with opportunities that provide a variety of products and services through partnerships, complementary offerings, and relevant innovations.

Worked as Chief Logistics Officer at PicTruc LLC, a MHAO group company, with a JV with Unanu India. Powered by Massive Data and Innovation, PicTruc is well poised to bring in Disruptive Technology in Logistics through Marketplace and end-to- end Logistics Platform. Was also group head for Logistics and advisor in Admiral Mobility a JV for Geely Electric Trucks distribution.

Previously for 9 years, worked as Business Head of JECL Logistics LLC (A 3PL company under the Jumbo Electronics Group) and Head Logistics, Jumbo Electronics, a top UAE Electronics Distributor / Retail Chain. Winner of “SCATA (Supply Chain and Transport Awards) – Supply Chain Of The Year Award 2013” and “Supply Chain Of The Year - Highly Commended” in 2014, “Supply Chain Manager of The Year – Highly Commended” in 2015!!!

Earlier worked in Senior Positions in large Indian Companies like Reliance Logistics (General Manager), Grasim (Head SCM), Vedanta (Sterlite Optical and Balco as AGM Commercial), Modi Group (Modi Industries, Modi Cement), etc, and MNCs like Brightpoint (Director Operations) and TNS / Kantar India (Director Business Operations) in India.

Won the Logistics Leader of the Year Award recently!!!

A highly ambitious media professional who has carved her niche across the broad spectrum of journalism, Bassant has harnessed the profound power of words to drive tangible, real-world impact. With over 17 years of exceptional experience, she has mastered diverse media genres, consistently delivering high-caliber performance. Her expertise, refined over more than a decade, is underscored by her precise coverage of local and international affairs, along with exclusive interviews. She has built an expansive and trustworthy network of sources within global organizations and is a seasoned trainer in professional reporting and media coverage.

Earning her Master’s degree with honors in Journalism and Mass Communications from the American University in Cairo, Bassant’s portfolio boasts a wealth of published work. Her contributions span key areas, including sustainable maritime logistics, supply chain information security, and the disruptive impact of emerging technologies on businesses. Her versatile experience, gathered across multiple industries within and beyond the UAE, underscores her as a distinguished expert in the media field, driving insights with a deep understanding of her craft.

Yasmin Fraij is a seasoned logistics expert with over twenty years of experience in the Middle East, specializing in freight forwarding, customs clearance, and trade control compliance. Since joining Kuehne+Nagel in 2019, Yasmin has been instrumental in developing customs clearance processes and working within Free Zone environments. She excels in supporting overseas customers and new startups, helping them navigate the complexities of Free Zones and customs regulations in the UAE.

With over 18 years of industry experience, Nasiba Alshukairy currently oversees operations of 7X, as its Group Executive Director of Strategy and Investment. Alshukairy has been instrumental in shaping the new strategy of the group and its subsidiaries, driving the business in the fields of trade, transport and logistics ecosystem to achieve exceptional growth. Alshukairy coordinates strategy planning meetings and implementation, along with forging partnerships, leveraging opportunities and growth evaluations.

Joining 7X in 2024, she brought a long-standing experience from her previous roles in Aramex International as a Global Strategy and PMO Senior Director. Her expertise, gained from her past roles in the area of developing and implementing corporate strategies and business plans, makes her as a vital contributor to the growth of 7X.

Her strong acumen in driving digital and business transformation comes in line with her bachelor’s degree in international economics and master’s in information technology.

Recognising her unwavering commitment towards the development of 7X, Alshukairy was nominated among the ‘Top 15 Women Leaders in the Middle East 2024’ at the third edition of the Middle East Women Leaders’ Summit and Awards 2024.

LogiPoint is a Saudi Arabia based Logistics Real Estate company which is recognized today as the leading developer and operator of Logistics Parks and Economic Zones in the Kingdom. The company began its journey in 1999 as the Kingdom’s first Bonded and Re-Export Zone and has since evolved into a multi-faceted, award-winning logistics hub serving the international supply chain industry.

Farooq Shaikh is the CEO of LogiPoint. He has over 20+ years of high impact experience in the Middle East shipping and logistics industry and has held senior leadership roles with industry leading global organizations in UAE, Pakistan, Kuwait, Iraq, and Jordan before making KSA his home in 2009.

In 2009, Farooq joined the SISCO (Publicly listed:

http://www.bloomberg.com/quote/SISCO:AB) Group’s SAR 2 Billion Red Sea Gateway Terminal project as part of the core senior management team and played an instrumental role in building, launching and operationalizing the first privately built state-of-the-art container terminal in the Kingdom.

Since 2018, Farooq has been at the helm of LogiPoint as the CEO. He has led the organization through a global pandemic, navigated the unforeseen consequences of the ensuing perfect storm in the shipping and logistics industry, and responded effectively to a scramble for elasticity and resilience across the full spectrum of LogiPoint clients, all the while growing the organization and expanding its footprint.

During this period, LogiPoint commissioned the construction of ‘Built-To-Suit’ green facilities for global brands and blue chip companies in the e-commerce, express delivery and 3PL segments; launched LogiPoint’s Warehouse Village 5, a multipurpose, state-of-the-art warehousing complex which includes specialized sections for handling pharmaceuticals as well as ambient, cold and frozen goods; accelerated the Jeddah Logistics Park, and opened their Central Region office in Riyadh. At the core of these developments is an unwavering commitment to meet the evolving needs of the market with a singular focus on enabling the logistics and supply chain industry.

Under Farooq’s leadership, LogiPoint have accelerated investments in the Logistics Real Estate arena to ensure that there is sufficient capacity for businesses in the region to scale their operations while they respond to rapidly changing demand patterns. The CEO has often underlined the multiplier effect LogiPoint investments have on the region’s economy and has spearheaded these big ticket investments in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goal to transform Saudi Arabia into a global logistics hub.

Farooq has made ESG a cornerstone of the LogiPoint value system, which is reflected in the fact that LogiPoint buildings have all been designed with green technologies at their center – from relying on renewable resources for energy needs to conserving water to eliminating waste, all new buildings adhere to strict environmental protocols dedicated to reducing carbon footprint. As part of those initiatives, the company has recently also announced planting of thousands of trees in the LogiPoint projects. LogiPoint operations teams are trained to treat environmental concerns as top priority in all operations, while the company is building green commitments into their value system, designs and KPIs.

Farooq has demonstrated a passion for people. The welfare, well-being and growth of the LogiPoint personnel take top priority under his leadership, which is also why LogiPoint witnessed a growth rather than a reduction in its teams even during the pandemic downturn. There are extensive investments made in hiring and developing the right talent, while there is a clear focus on tapping the rich and diverse talent pool of Saudi women workforce. There is a conscious effort to induct female talent across departments and groom them for leadership roles. From providing a safe and inclusive work environment to ensuring opportunities for professional growth through training and through empowering them by defining clear career paths for them, the company invests constantly in expanding and growing their female workforce.

Under Farooq’s able leadership, LogiPoint have been shortlisted for and won numerous prestigious awards, which demonstrates the recognition the company is getting from within the industry also. As the world comes to terms with the new set of normal in a post COVID-19 world, Farooq is looking to lead LogiPoint into this new world as an important stakeholder in the regional logistics market.

Amar Rizvi is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience in investment banking and strategic advisory. Currently serving as the CSO at iMile Delivery, Amar brings a strong track record of driving business growth and innovation. In his 20+ years of global investment banking experience, he held various key roles, including most recently as Managing Director of Middle East Investment Banking for Citi. During his career, Amar has played a pivotal role in advising clients across Europe, Middle East, and Africa on key strategic matters.

Amar holds a B.A. in Economics and Business Administration from Franklin & Marshall College in the USA. He started his investment banking career in 2001 with Salomon Smith Barney in New York after which he spent 11 years in London with Citi and Bank of America where he gained valuable international experience and expertise prior to moving to the Middle East in 2015.

With his deep industry knowledge and strategic mindset, Amar has consistently demonstrated the ability to deliver valuable insights, drive transformative initiatives, and achieve outstanding results. He is known for his exceptional leadership skills, analytical acumen, and dedication to driving sustainable growth for organizations.

As the CSO at iMile Delivery, Amar Rizvi is responsible for developing and implementing strategic initiatives that position the company as a leader in the industry. Leveraging his extensive experience, he collaborates with cross-functional teams to drive innovation, identify growth opportunities, and optimize business processes.

Amar's skills in mergers and acquisitions, strategy development, capital raising, and capital optimisation have been honed over the years, making him a trusted advisor and a valuable asset to iMile. His strong business acumen and ability to navigate complex market landscapes have contributed to his reputation as a strategic thinker and a catalyst for success.

I’ve spent the last 16 years learning everything there is to know about the intralogistics industry from design to project management. I’m currently applying this knowledge in my role as Business Development Manager for Log Square, where I’m responsible for helping companies in MENA to optimize their warehousing and logistics operations.

Angad Singh is the Emerging Technology Director at Aramex. He is responsible for managing the groups innovation and transformation product portfolio, which is defining and building the next generation of products for Aramex and its customers.

He joined Aramex in August 2019 as Regional Director for Ground Operations (GCC and LEVANT), where he was responsible for defining the strategy towards a higher operational productivity, compliance and efficiency through investments in infrastructure, technology, equipment, systems and people. Under this role, he scaled up and managed operations (revenue > $1 billion) across the core region of Aramex.

He has prior experience with Amazon, Alibaba group across Asia, Africa and GCC in a variety of roles spanning commercial, operations and digital leadership. Angad holds an MBA from London Business School. He is an avid investor and advisor into startups.

Shadi leads REGENT's business development and government relations across the Middle East region. REGENT is a pioneer in zero-emission Seagliders, revolutionizing high-speed coastal e-mobility and logistics.

Shadi's career journey spans the drone industry, from flight test engineering for unmanned aircraft defense programs to working for and advising cargo drone logistics companies.

Shadi holds a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master's Degree in Applied Physics from the University of California, San Diego. He also completed an MBA from ESADE Business School in Barcelona, Spain.

Suresh Vaidhyanathan is one of the region’s accomplished C-suite leaders with an experience of 28+ years in leading multi-billion organizations. He has extensive experience across diverse business sectors and multiple geographies in Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Most recently, he was listed amongst Forbes 2023 Top 100 CEOs in the Middle East.

Amongst other projects, he leads the Abu Dhabi Food Hub – KEZAD which is a 3.3 sq km food wholesale market that is being established as a public-private partnership with Abu Dhabi Ports Group. The project seeks to play a key role in the country’s food security ambitions and create an unmatched ecosystem that serves all food categories.

Suresh has an excellent professional standing in the region, having been included amongst the Forbes List of Top 10 Indian CFOs in the Middle East in 2019 and the Top 20 CFOs in the GCC 2021 (Khaleej Times NAFA List). Recently in 2023, he was included in the Arabian Business Dubai 100 Power List, Top 50 Most Powerful Indians in the Middle East, Economic Times Most Promising Business Leaders of Asia 2022-23.

Over the years, Suresh has worked across several business sectors including: Automotive | Hospitality | Agri-business| Logistics |Food | Retail |Healthcare | Aviation | Real Estate | Agri-business | Manufacturing | Technology| Services

He is an alumnus of the Leading Digital Business Transformation program at IMD Business School. He also completed his certifications in Blockchain Technologies and Artificial Intelligence at MIT Sloan School of Management. He completed the M&A program at University of Chicago Booth School of Business and in addition to programs in governance and distress investing at INSEAD and Wharton. Suresh is a Member of GCC Board Directors Institute.

Established in 1979, GAC Qatar is a leading provider of integrated shipping and logistics services, delivering quality solutions across sectors such as FMCG, sports, energy and infrastructure. As part of the global GAC Group, the company offers a wide range of services, including freight services (sea / air), contract logistics, land transportation, sports & events logistics and more – all backed by advanced technology for enhanced supply chain visibility and efficiency. GAC Qatar also provides comprehensive ship agency services at major Qatari ports and offshore locations.

Adrian Peiris is the Business Manager for Contract Logistics at GAC Qatar, with over 20 years of experience in the shipping and logistics industry. He specialises in 3PL and Inland Container Depot (ICD) operations, including the design, build and mobilisation of logistics solutions. Adrian has worked with customers across various industry sectors, including retail, FMCG, construction and IT & telecommunications.

Morsi Berguiga is a partner in the Advisory practice, and heads the firm’s transport and logistics sector under the Global Strategy Group (GSG). He has 21 years of experience in management consulting, covering multiple industries, including the transport and telecommunication sectors in the US, Europe, Middle East, North Africa and Asia. Morsi’s functional expertise comprises corporate and digital strategy, technology, digital disruption, innovation and investment management, among others.

Having earned a degree in Communication studies from Al Akhawayan University of Ifrane in Morocco and completed a Master’s Degree in Strategic Marketing from the University of Wollongong in Dubai, Majda currently possesses more than 12 years of extensive experience in the communications and marketing field with the last 10 years within the automotive industry.

Majda joined the Volvo Group in 2013 as a Marketing and Communications Specialist after gaining valued experience in the events industry in Morocco. She was then appointed Online-Communication and Public Relations Manager in 2014. She led projects such as the most significant product launches for Volvo Trucks brand before quickly moving into the Marketing and Communications Manager position after a year. Currently, she holds the position Director of Marketing and Communications responsible for leading the department’s marketing functions with UD Trucks. UD Trucks was part of the Volvo Group until April 1st, 2020 when it was then transferred to Isuzu Motors.

Majda has overseen several business accomplishments during her current role, including establishing a class-leading integrated internal and external communications function to build and maintain UD Trucks’ reputation. Majda is also responsible for advancing the company’s marketing and media strategies, promoting revenue, profitability and growth, and communicating the company’s vision, strategy and execution across the region.

Majda is based in UD Trucks’ headquarters in Dubai, UAE.

As a Director, Prateem leads the Direct Tax practice of Andersen in the United Arab Emirates serving a diverse client portfolio in the region with the help of experienced, agile and dedicated tax professionals.

Prateem has more than 12 years of experience in providing solutions in all facets of direct tax and transfer pricing matters to a diverse client portfolio of large multinationals and family-owned businesses. Before joining Andersen in the UAE, Prateem was associated with and held a senior management position in a Big4 firm.

Since joining, Prateem has played a critical role in building the corporate tax and transfer pricing teams in Andersen UAE.

He has led key corporate tax and transfer pricing engagements for clients that are part of various industries like manufacturing, trading / distribution, information technology, hospitality, automobile and car accessories, healthcare, infrastructure / EPC, advertising, FMCG, Telecom etc

He has key expertise expert on issues related to transfer pricing policies / modelling especially on intra-group services and distribution sector, place of effective management, permanent establishment, taxability of free zone entities, tax grouping, cash repatriation strategies, BEPS Pillar 2, deferred taxes etc. From his past engagements, he also has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, BEPS and MLI impact, taxability and withholding issues related to cross charges amongst related entities, Royalty / FTS issues etc.

Prateem is also one of the most active and respected public speakers on tax matters in the UAE. He has spoken on various topics related to direct and international tax topics at external forums, firm webinars and podcasts.

Seasoned General Manager with more than 30 years’ experience in the logistics and shipping industry.

Extensive hands-on experience working and living in the Europe, Central Asia, Far East, South America, China, Africa and for the last 12 years in the UAE, Laurance brings a global perspective to the business. For the past 4 years he has been at the helm of MFC Group, a leading UAE logistics company that has been in operation since 1977.

Meet Tia Zhang - General Manager for UAE and China at AJEX Logistics Services, the Middle East specialist in express distribution, logistics, and supply chain solutions.

Fluent in both Mandarin and English, Tia joined AJEX in August 2021, relocating from China to Saudi Arabia to oversee the company's Express Shipping and E-commerce distribution divisions. Since joining AJEX, she has supported the expansion of the company's fleet and line haul services across the Middle East and China, ensuring the efficient delivery of parcels and documents.

Obsessed with delivering customer excellence to global clients, Tia is a highly skilled and dedicated leader who is passionate about delivering exceptional results. Her dedication and expertise have been instrumental in ensuring that AJEX continues to exceed customer expectations, prompting her promotion to her current role as GM for UAE and China.

Prior to joining AJEX, Tia worked as a senior project manager at the Chinese transport and logistics company SF International. During her time there, she set up IT and operations systems for SF Express in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Saudi Arabia. Before working in the transport and logistics sector, Zhang held several customer service and operational support roles in the insurance industry.

Tia is a Chinese national and an economics graduate from the Ohio State University.

With an educational background in engineering from the French high engineering school in Aeronautics and Engines, complemented by a management MBA, Mourad joined Renault Trucks in 1996 in the position of Engine Research and Development Engineer (1996-1999). In 2000 Hedna was appointed Engineering Manager of the Volvo Trucks Group (2000-2006) before taking on the roles of Global Commodity Manager (2007-2010), Purchasing Director (2011-2014) and Vice President Powertrain Business Strategy (2014-2016).

Following Hedna’s appointment as UD Trucks Middle East, East and North Africa (MEENA) President on the 1st November 2016, he made the move to the UAE and is permanently based at UD Trucks Headquarters in Dubai.

During his time at UD Trucks, he has successfully led the MEENA operations for the company, utilising his thorough understanding of the Automotive industry. His leadership has led the company to record significant growth even during challenging times, ensuring that the customer satisfaction remains at the centre of the company's ambition to become the Japanese Sustainability Leader by 2025.

Julia Bespala is an expert in the fields of technology and logistics automation, with a strong focus on driving business growth. As Head of Marketing at Yango Robotics, she brings over 10 years of experience from leading technology companies like Google, where she consistently delivered impactful marketing strategies that fueled business success.

Julia has a proven track record of executing and scaling go-to-market growth campaigns across some of the world’s most competitive and fast-paced markets. Her unique blend of leadership abilities enables her to lead projects from concept to completion with exceptional efficiency and effectiveness.

Andy Palanisamy is a seasoned technologist and public policy professional with over twenty-five years of public and private sector experience, delivering complex projects in mobility innovations and smart city technologies.

Andy serves as a Board Advisor for Obsession Breakthrough, advising the leadership and the clients on a variety of emerging technologies, particularly in the smart cities, infrastructure and urban mobility space; he is currently building and launching a cutting-edge AI-platform for legal professionals across the GCC/Pan-Arabian markets.

Until recently, he served as the Head of Practice for Smart Cities and Innovation at Parsons in Dubai and managed a variety of advance technology/smart city projects across the Middle East/Africa region. Prior to this role, he served as Ford Motor Company’s Head of Mobility Engagements (U.S. Midwest & Canada) and also as Business Owner for the City Insights data platform, overseeing the development and delivery of this innovative analytics and data solutions platform to cities.

Before joining Ford, Andy spent nearly fifteen years supporting various Federal initiatives at the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. As an industry thought leader, Andy is recognized for his contributions to the USDOT’s pioneering Intelligent Transportation Systems program and various projects at the Federal Highway Administration’s Connected Automated Vehicle research program at the Turner Fairbank Highway Research Center.

Andy holds a Master in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School and a Bachelor in Civil Engineering.