Al Emarat United, AES, is a privately-owned business. Our Board has decades of experience in multiple sectors and a wealth of contacts, primarily in Europe and the Middle East. We manage a portfolio of businesses across the region focusing primarily on education, arts and culture, as well as, creating meaningful partnerships internationally.
Al Emarat United, previously known as Portsmouth Limited, was established with a stronger focus to fostering its presence in the UAE and the UK to the advantage of its partners. The company is a descendant of a long-established trading business owned by an eminent, Abu Dhabi-based, merchant family.
Our Founder and Chairman, Dr. Hamed Bin Mohammed Al Suwaidi, has a mission to combine his passion for education, business and cultural exchange under one umbrella. The company’s name itself reflects his beliefs in the strength of the family’s trading roots. AL EMARAT UNITED aims to uphold and preserves traditional values in all its activities.
Mr. Richard S Oliver MA (Oxonian) MBA FCSI ACIB
Richard is a Fellow of the Chartered Securities Institute and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, with a Masters Degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford University and a Masters Degree in Business Administration (Finance) from Cass Business School. At HSBC Richard worked throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia and was Director of various subsidiaries and affiliates and most recently Vice-Chairman in Abu Dhabi. Subsequently he was Regional CEO at NBAD for Middle East & Africa, serving on several NBAD Group executive committees. Since 2016 he serves as a Director of various companies in the UAE and the U.K. and was Chairman of the British Business Group from 2012-2016.
xMr. ABDULRAHMAN BIN DARWISH
Abdul Rahman Bin Darwish is an on ground expert in managing the operations of the Private Office of Dr. Al Suwaidi.
Born and raised in the UAE, he developed strong expertise in leading the Private Office Operations, family holdings, special projects including the UAE tartan, asset management, household operations, philanthropy, and governmental departments relations. Member of the Institute of Leadership & Management – UK, Member of British Business Group and Acting CEO of Al Emarat United.
xMr. Mohamed Mufallal
Mohamed Mufallal has vast experience and knowledge in the Luxury Industry involved in all support functions within the business delivering operational excellence. He was Senior Management Executive with over 30 years and worked with some of the most reputable Organisations and Institutions, such as Zales, Watches of Switzerland, Theo Fennell and Asprey Ltd as the Head of UK & Europe.
Mohamed has natural business acumen and was an advising Board Member for Luxury Swiss Companies, where he was involved in pioneering their entries into the UK and implemented their Company strategies.
Mohamed holds a degree in Business Management, Member of The Worshipful Company of International Bankers, Freeman of the City of London and a Fellow of British Horological Institution.
xMr. Michael James B App Sc B Arch FDIA MAIB MAICD
Michael was director of highly reputable construction consulting companies in the Middle East and Australia where he advised public and private clients on property project delivery, managing technically challenging high-value complex mega-projects of national significance. He has over 35 years of experience and has been based in Abu Dhabi since 2008 and consults to government and private sector both in Australia and the Middle East. He was appointed to the Board in 2019 focusing on global real estate initiatives. He is a Fellow of the Design Institute of Australia and member of the Australian Institute of Building and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
xOur Company's Board and Executive team come from a whole spectrum of different backgrounds and professions such as Luxury Branding, Education, Defense and Security, Finance, Real Estate, Management and the Arts. Collectively they have amassed vast experience and knowledge in these specialised fields as well as numerous academic and professional qualifications and distinctions from leading institutions.
