Mohammed Alshaya

Executive chairman, Alshaya Group

Origin: Kuwait

Residence: Kuwait

Sector: Retail

Alshaya oversaw the family-owned business’ successful launch of Alo in Kuwait last November ahead of the opening of the global premium lifestyle brand’s first-ever retail store in the MENA region. 

The group officially opened doors to the region’s first-ever standalone Disney Store in November 2022 in partnership with the Walt Disney Company Middle East. Alshaya has been instrumental in the development of the Kuwait-based conglomerate, driving its rapid growth and expansion across MENA and Europe.

Today, the group, which goes as far back as 1890, operates over 70 brands, including Mothercare, Starbucks, Cheesecake Factory and Victoria’s Secret that are spread across the MENA region and Europe. The company joined hands with the Starbucks Foundation and Starbucks Corporation to donate $1m to help victims of the earthquake in Türkiye.

Apart from his role at the Alshaya Group, Mohammed chairs the board of Mabanee, one of Kuwait’s largest real estate developers, he is a member of the board of trustees at the Arab Thought Foundation and the leadership council at Harvard Kennedy School.