3. HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum
Chairman and chief executive, Emirates Group/chairman, Emirates NBD
Origin: UAE
Residence: UAE
Sector: Diversified
Sheikh Ahmed is a man of many roles, all of which he fulfills with remarkable ease. As chairman of Dubai carrier Emirates, he oversaw the group swing to a half-year net profit of $1.2bn for FY 2022-23. In a year that was filled with hope for the aviation sector, Emirates flew 20 million passengers between April 1 and September 30, 2022, unveiled its Premium Economy cabin on select routes as well as ramped up flights last year. Meanwhile, Dubai-based lender Emirates NBD, of which Sheikh Ahmed is chairman, reported a 40 per cent rise in net profit last year. Besides chairing Dubai Airports and Expo City Dubai Authority, Sheikh Ahmed is also the president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.
