Jan played an instrumental role in the founding of the UAE’s two financial hubs; He spearheaded the launch of Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM) and co-led the establishment of the DIFC as the founding Chief Operating Officer of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). Previously, Jan spent nine years with PwC based in both Geneva and Dubai and carries a wealth of experience in Corporate Leadership across the MENA Region. Raised across the region as a child, Jan’s spouse is an Arab and his children speak Arabic at home. Fluent in English, French and Spanish, Jan obtained an MBA (Summa Cum Laude) from Lausanne and holds both British and Swiss Nationalities. Jan qualified as the 1st accredited Non-Executive Board Member with the Institute of Directors in Dubai, attended Harvard Business School’s “Making Corporate Boards More Effective” and is an accredited global “Trainer of Trainers” in the Corporate Governance Board Leadership Program of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and World Bank. Recognised as a thought leader in Corporate Governance, he now sits on numerous Boards, including assuming the roles of Chairman of a FinTech, a Non-Executive Director of a Swiss Assets Management Firm and a NRC Board Committee Member of a leading Private Equity Firm in KSA.

Graduated in law from the University of Rome, Italy, (La Sapienza) in 1994 after having prepared his final dissertation in comparative law at Yale Law School (Connecticut, USA) as a visiting scholar. Registered with the Bar Council of Rome, he began his practice at Studio Legale Paoletti in Rome as a Partner in 1997. He became experienced in assisting clients to both domestic litigation cases and international cases in the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and Oman. In 2006 he obtained Magna cum Laude in Master in Public Affairs, Lobbying and Institutional Relations from the University of Rome (LUMSA). In 2008 he moved to Dubai and joined Al Bahar & Associates as a legal consultant, and he has acquired specific expertise in the Gulf States, assisting Italian companies in terms of overseas investment and internationalisation in the Middle East, offering legal support, commercial contracts, corporate law and as well as in real estate. 2014 - Established his practice Law Firm, and today he is the Managing Partner of Paoletti Legal Consultants LLP registered in ADGM, with offices in Dubai, Rome and Shanghai,  assisting domestic and international companies in cross boarding business transactions. Board Member and President of the Italian Business Council of Dubai & Northern Emirates and Vice President of Italian Social Club of Dubai.

Matthew Lewis, is Managing Director and Head of the Middle East office for Russell Reynolds Associates. He is trusted board advisor and thought leader with 25 years global talent & executive coaching expertise. Interviewed and assessed over 6,000+ C level executives worldwide. Hired into 45 countries across EMEA, Asia & US for over 600 leading private, listed and government organisations and an expert on leadership in emerging markets. Resident in Dubai since 2007.  

Andrew Mortimer is the Country Manager and Chief Operating Officer for Barclays for the Middle East and Africa Region. He has Country Management responsibility for Barclays Investment Banking, Corporate Banking and Private Banking businesses based in the Middle East as well as all Risk and Support Functions and is the Senior Executive Officer with the respective regulatory authorities in the region. Over the past 30 years, Andrew held several senior positions at globally recognised financial institutions including SRM Global Fund, UBS Investment Bank, Credit Suisse First Boston, and Nomura International plc. In addition, Andrew is the Chair of the British Business Group for Dubai & Northern Emirates, sits on the Advisory Council for the UAE Banks Federation and is a Committee Member of the UK/UAE Business Council. Andrew holds an executive MBA from the University of Sussex in Applied General Management and is married with four children.

A futurist, global keynote speaker, corporate CEO, entrepreneur, finance, tech & media professional & humanitarian. Founder and CEO of Xponential & MAD Group, focused on future transformation & readiness, leadership for  the future & optimising through innovation & abundance mindset, both for companies and top executives.  Over 25 years in top leadership positions, as Regional Director EMEA, Dow Jones Markets, Publisher & CEO, Times/Sunday Times, MEA, Advisor & Media Representative MEA, Bloomberg Media, and now as CEO of Xponential, a future foresight, transformation & leadership platform (www.xponentialtalks.com) Tariq has a degree in Economics and Harvard Business School, 1998 alum. Creator of the “Voices of the Future” podcast platform (www.tariq.tv)

With more than 23 years of experience, I come to work committed to customer success, limitless awareness, and infinite empathy. That commitment reflects a growth mindset culture here at Microsoft, where we strive to learn and grow from our collective successes and failures.

25 years of international experience as CEO in Central and Eastern Europe. Leadership in business development, strategy development and operational implementation. Digitalization, restructuring, transformation, change management and development of HR strategies. Executive and supervisory board experience in group companies and listed companies (NYSE, LSE, MSE), as well as non-profit organizations and business associations in Russia and Germany. Experienced skills in transformational processes, change management and Digitalization inclusive building up ecosystems. Excellent intercultural leadership and communication skills, management of crisis situations. Profound international network in business and politics in Europe, Eastern Europe and USA.

Mr. Almqvist is the Founder and CEO of Sense Strategy (https://sensestrategy.com/), a global, privately held advisory firm founded 1999 in Mayfair, London. The Firm provides Strategy, Financing/M&A and Transformation advice to countries and corporations, and has successfully executed projects in over 110 countries. Together with his team of advisors, he is advising multiple Governments in the Middle East, Asia and Africa on strategy, inwards and outwards investments, institution building, and the 4^th Industrial Revolution (4IR). He is with his Firm driving digital transformation in Africa, with multiple landmark projects in the realms of connectivity, data protection and privacy, and cybersecurity. He is an advisor to leading Energy companies in Europe and in the GCC, and has done financial rescues of Mobily in KSA, and of the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga. He has also helped to significantly improve the international rankings of his Alma Mater, the Stockholm School of Economics, to one of the leading positions in Europe and globally. Mr. Almqvist performed the world’s first scientific measurement of broadband speed upgrades on the economy in 2010/2011, and is Owner of The Almqvist Family Office. The Almqvist Family has a long tradition in innovation and business, and in 1878 Mr. Almqvist great-grandfather Sven Alexander Almqvist built the world’s first oil tanker together with Ludvig Nobel.

A longstanding experience in international organizations at the top management level in Europe and MENA. In-depth management and technical knowledge concerning large-scale and complex residential, hospitality, and commercial developments and projects. Solid and versatile strategic planning and business development experience with a proven leadership record. Deep understanding of cultural sensitivity related to business and relationship management and practices. Managing business units with local or international industrial groups and companies, research and select innovative companies to introduce in the Region’s markets and beyond. Privileged access to a global network of manufacturers, suppliers, designers, architects, and developers in the furniture sector. Design and implement business strategies and business development planning. Set up complex sales and marketing structures, accentuating relationship and communications skills.

Visionary; Board Member; Venture Partner

Strategy, Corporate Finance, Restructuring, Governance, and Business Development

Investments, Private Placements, Private Funds (PE, PC, VC) Family Offices, Enterprises

Global business experience extends from 2000 on Wall Street, Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley in New York.

Two decades with Investment Funds, Investment Management and Family Offices in New York, a partner, running,

launching, growing and monetizing 7 SEC regulated Private Credit Funds, Private Equity Portfolio and a Family

Office. Roles included COO, CFO, CCO, Investments & Restructuring, Portfolio Management, Business Development,

and board seats with numerous portfolio companies. Founder & Principal of Vikingur Management Consultancies,

based in Dubai for MENA Region. Advisory and Venture Partner, Strategy, Corporate Finance, Business

Development, Governance and Restructuring for Family Offices, Enterprises, Private Funds (Private Equity Funds,

Private Credit Funds, Venture Capital Funds). Global Experience: New York US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, MENA, Iceland,

Germany, France, Hong Kong.

Alumni of Harvard Business School, New York University Stern Business School, Hong Kong University of Science

and Technology, University of Iceland. HBS Club of the GCC Board Member, HBS Club New York Member. Capital

Club Dubai Business Committee and Member. Passionate about SDG’s, Emerging Markets, Business

Transformation, and Innovation. Lives in Dubai with her husband and their twins.