Paul Griffiths serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Airports, overseeing the strategic direction and operational excellence of Dubai International (DXB) – renowned as the world's busiest airport for international passengers – and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC).

Assuming the role of Dubai Airports' inaugural CEO in October 2007, Paul has been a driving force behind a series of successive milestones in the organisation's history. Notably, he played a crucial role in the seamless launch of Terminal 3 at DXB on October 14, one year after joining. On June 27, 2010, he successfully inaugurated Dubai's second airport, DWC. Further contributing to Dubai's aviation legacy, Paul spearheaded the opening of Concourse A on January 2, 2013, the world's first purpose-built A380 facility, followed by Concourse D on February 24, 2016. Under his guidance, the passenger terminal at DWC commenced operations on October 27, 2013.

Marking a historic moment on December 20, 2018, Paul, alongside Dubai Airports’ Chairman, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, welcomed DXB’s billionth passenger.

In the face of the unprecedented challenges posed by the Covid-19 crisis, Paul's adept leadership enabled DXB to emerge as a global leader in the recovery of air travel, with the hub surpassing pre-pandemic traffic levels in 2023. Correctly anticipating and preparing for explosive growth, he strategically navigated the crisis, positioning DXB ahead of projections. Throughout 2022-23, DXB, under Paul's vision, not only accommodated double-digit growth in passenger numbers but also achieved significant enhancements in the airport experience, ensuring a seamless journey for tens of millions of guests from the kerb to the boarding gates.

Before assuming his role in Dubai, Paul served as the Managing Director of London’s Gatwick Airport. Prior to his tenure at BAA, an airport operator, in 2004, he spent 14 years with the Virgin Group. During this period, he worked closely with Sir Richard Branson as a Board Director of the Virgin Travel Group, overseeing the commercial activities of both Virgin Atlantic Airways and Virgin Trains.

Gautam has more than four decades of experience in the insurance industry including over 30 years in senior leadership positions in the GCC and international markets. His expertise ranges across diverse aspects of the insurance sector including underwriting, claims, reinsurance, distribution and business strategy.

Mr Datta was previously CEO of National Takaful Company (Watania) PJSC and played a leading role in the 2022 merger of the company with Dar Al Takaful PJSC, which created Watania International Holding PJSC.

Prior to that, he was the CEO of Al Madina Insurance Co. SAOG and played several senior roles at Solidarity Insurance Company and HDFC General Insurance Company. He had a pivotal role in facilitating the inaugural cross-border acquisition of National Takaful Co. PJSC by Al Madina, alongside MB Holding, a key shareholder of Al Madina Takaful Co.

He has extensive expertise in setting up profitable greenfield ventures and a strong track record of turning around loss-making businesses. He successfully led the conversion of a conventional insurance company to a Takaful provider and spearheaded a cross-border acquisition.

As well as being an insurance and Takaful industry keynote conference speaker, he is a published expert and regular media commentator on the various market trends and challenges in the Middle East in the Takaful and wider insurance sector.

He holds a B.A. in Economics from Jadavpur University in India and is a Fellow of the Insurance Institute of India.

Alfred is a partner in the insurance and dispute resolution groups of Clyde & Co. The principal focus of Alfred's practice is on re/insurance and commercial litigation and arbitration. Alfred has practiced in the Middle East for more than 18 years. He has particular experience in construction, engineering and energy re/insurance matters. Alfred is currently advising regional insurers and international reinsurers in relation to various significant insured losses that arise from recent extreme weather events in the UAE, Oman and elsewhere in the GCC.

Lina graduated from the Mu’tah University in Jordan with BSC Civil Engineering degree. She is married and a loving mother of three kids.

Lina moved to Dubai in 2005 and started working with consultancies and contractors where she progressed to business development. Lina joined Polypipe Middle East in February 2014 and quickly advanced in her career becoming the Regional Director for WMS.

Polypipe Middle East design, manufacture and supply durable water management solutions that are vital for a safe and sustainable living environment and support green urbanisation. Their engineered solutions include flood mitigation, rainwater storage, reusable resources and innovative ways to encourage trees, vegetation and biodiversity.

In her free time, Lina loves to take care of her kids and to plan fun weekend activities with them. She enjoys being around people and likes to keep herself busy. She also enjoys going to the gym and to see new places.

Her goal is to be a good example for her kids and to grow in her career. She aspires to own her own business one day and to travel around the world after her retirement

Abigail (Abi) Simpson is a highly experienced leader in risk management, strategy and sustainability. Abi has spent two decades helping organizations navigate complex risks, build resilience and drive sustainable growth.

In her most recent role as Climate and Sustainability Leader for Marsh McLennan in India, Middle East, and Africa (IMEA) region, Abi has been defining and delivering the firm’s climate and sustainability value proposition across regional markets. She works closely with clients and prospects to mobilize Marsh McLennan’s expertise in climate resilience and adaptation, sustainable risk practices and resilience planning

Dr. Diana Francis is an internationally-renown Climate Scientist and a well-established Environmental expert. She holds a Master degree in Physics, a Master degree in Environmental Sciences and a Ph.D. in Atmospheric and Climate Sciences from Sorbonne University – Paris, France.

After her PhD, Dr Francis worked for more than 10 years as scientist in different prestigious research institutions in Europe. In 2020, she joined Khalifa University as Head of the Environmental and Geophysical Sciences (ENGEOS) lab. She specializes in Earth sciences, with a focus on climate modelling, atmospheric sciences, and environmental sustainability. Dr. Francis has contributed extensively to research on weather patterns, climate change, and atmospheric dynamics including dust storms. Her work has been instrumental in advancing scientific understanding of environmental phenomena in the region and their link to the global climate. In addition to her extensive research work, she is actively involved in teaching and mentoring students and early career scientists, helping to shape the next generation of scientists and engineers in the domain of climate and environment.

Robert is a trusted advisor to C-suite executives of multinational and large regional companies operating in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and beyond. He helps to inform business leaders’ strategies through political, economic and operational analysis and to connect them with their peers.

He is also the Global Editorial Director of the Economist Intelligence Corporate Network and leads its teams and programmes in Johannesburg, Dubai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, China, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Robert is a business commentator, editor and publisher with three decades of experience in Europe and the Middle East covering a wide variety of sectors, including construction, energy, healthcare, hospitality, retail and transport.

He is an accomplished event chairman, moderator and speaker, and is regularly invited by blue-chip organisations to address senior audiences at large conferences or more intimate roundtables with macroeconomic and geopolitical insights from Economist Intelligence and his regional network.

Robert completed an MBA at the University of Leicester School of Business in 2012.