EXPATS WHO’VE MADE IT IN DUBAI BUSINESS
DAVID ELDON
CHAIRMAN DUBAI INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL
CENTRE
Eldon, 64, has been working on and off in Dubai since 1968.
He has an illustrious career in banking, having spent 37 years at HSBC.
He spent more than a decade working for the bank in the Middle East before moving to Asia, where he went on to become chairman.
Eldon joined DIFC, which provides legal and business infrastructure in the Emirate, in 2006.
MAURICE FLANAGAN
EXECUTIVE
VICE-CHAIRMAN
EMIRATES
Flanagan, 81, launched Dubai’s national airline with two aircraft in 1985 on a budget of $10m.
Since then he has overseen huge expansion of the company and watched it become a household name in the UK through its sponsorship of Arsenal football team. Flanagan, from Lancashire, started his aviation career with BOAC after serving in the RAF.
In 2000, Flanagan was awarded a CBE.
GERALD LAWLESS
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
JUMEIRAH GROUP
Irish-born Gerald Lawless heads up Jumeirah, the hotels arm of Dubai Holding and owner of properties including the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel.
The 57-year-old has been with the Dubai company since 1997 after spending 23 years working for Forte, the leisure giant.
He moved to Dubai in 1991 to set up Forte’s Middle East office.
RICK PUDNER
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
EMIRATES NBD
Pudner heads the merged Emirates Bank and National Bank of Dubai, one
of the largest banks in the Middle East.
He spearheaded the integration of the two organisations in 2007 and is rated as one of the most influential Brits in the region.
Also a veteran of HSBC, he spent 24 years at the bank, including a stint as head of corporate banking for the Middle East.