Tom is a seasoned analyst who delivers high impact global research and insight. He identifies the economic and geopolitical themes that will shape the global business landscape and leads the development of powerful, data-driven forecasts that make a difference for clients. A sought after presenter of the EIU’s global outlook at keynote events, Tom enjoys sharing his views in boardroom settings and appears regularly in media.

Tom draws on more than a decade of experience as an analyst at EIU, much of it spent working in China. He is a published expert on China’s political economy and has conducted in-depth research on issues such as supply chains and geopolitical risk across Asia. Prior to EIU, Tom held research and policy roles in organisations including the UK Parliament and Oxford Analytica. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Oxford.

Abdulnasser Ibrahim Saif Bin Kalban is Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium.

Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer in 2020, Mr. Bin Kalban had served as an Alternate Board Member of EGA since May 2017. He also sits on the Board of Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC), EGA's bauxite mining subsidiary.

As Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bin Kalban is responsible for managing EGA’s ongoing operations and business and reports to EGA’s Managing Director.

Mr. Bin Kalban joined DUBAL in 1996 and worked in both Major Projects and the Power and Desalination Department. (DUBAL merged with EMAL to form EGA in 2014).

In 2014, Mr Kalban left his position as General Manager of Power and Desalination at EGA to become CEO of Dubai Holding LLC, EGA’s 50 per cent shareholder.

Mr Bin Kalban is a Board Member of the International Aluminium Institute, the Gulf Aluminium Council, and Emirates Research and Development Council.

In 2023, Mr Kalban was appointed as a Board Member of UAE International Investors Councils.

Mr. Kalban has a bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering from Western Michigan University in the United States, and has completed Strategic Management and Leadership Courses at Insead Business School, France and Harvard Business School.

Helmut von Struve has been the Chief Executive Officer of Siemens in the UAE and the Middle East since May 2020. He joined Siemens more than two decades ago, and held leadership roles in the U.A.E., Libya, Germany and Pakistan.

As an engineer and business executive, he is focused on melding technologies – such as artificial
intelligence, cybersecurity, additive manufacturing, 5G and automation – into cohesive solutions for the infrastructure and manufacturing industries. The digitalization of these sectors, the backbones of all economies, will help reduce our carbon footprint and foster sustainable development.
Von Struve has a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Technical University in Darmstadt, Germany.

With 25 years of industry experience, Reem joined Cisco in 2020 and assumed the leadership of the Middle East and Africa region, including Türkiye. In mid-2023, her responsibility was expanded to include the Romania & The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) territory.
Reem’s role focuses on strengthening collaborations with governments, customers and partners, underpinned by Cisco’s portfolio of advanced solutions to accelerate digitisation agendas.

Ken McPhail is currently Head of Alliance Manchester Business School. He was previously Deputy Head and Director of Research. Prior to this, Ken was Vice Dean for Social Responsibility within the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Manchester. As Vice Dean, Ken oversaw the strategic development and implementation of the Universities distinctive social responsibility agenda across 5 schools, 36 disciplines, 18,000 students and 1,800 academic and support staff. In addition, Ken also sat on the University’s Social Responsibility Governance Group, chaired by the Vice Chancellor and Principle.

As Vice Dean for Social Responsibility, Ken was involved in delivering a new strategic relationship between the University and Greater Manchester City Council with a co-funded Economic Advisor to the new City Mayor. He was involved in the New Strategic Inclusive Growth Unit partnership with Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Prize winning “Policy @ Manchester” platform for turning research into impact. He initiated the New Ethical Grand Challenges program, and facilitated the Sustainably Challenge delivered to 5000 new students in Welcome Week 2016.

Ashish Gokhale, Head of ESG Strategy and Sustainable Finance, National Bank of Fujairah

Ashish is responsible for driving NBF’s ESG strategy, policy and reporting. He is also developing the Sustainable Finance framework and proposition for the bank. In his earlier roles at NBF he was responsible for Digital Platforms and Product management in Corporate Banking.

A seasoned banker with an experience spanning two decades in the industry across India and the UAE, he previously worked at Standard Chartered and Citi across transaction banking, supply chain financing and credit structuring.

Ashish is a Mechanical Engineer and a post graduate in Management from IIM Bangalore. He is also a qualified Certified Trade Finance Professional, ICC and with a Certificate in ESG Investing from the CFA.

Robert is the Director of the Economist Corporate Network based in Dubai and covering the MENA region. Robert works closely with network members to help inform their business strategies through political, economic and operational insight and to connect them with their senior leadership peers.

Robert is a business journalist, editor and publisher with 25 years of experience covering a wide variety of sectors, including hospitality, retail, construction, energy and transport, and a particular interest in human capital management.

He is an accomplished event chairman, moderator and speaker.

Robert completed an MBA at the University of Leicester School of Business in 2012 and holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Nottingham.