HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE)

Sheikh Ahmed is one of the most recognised figures in the global aviation industry and was named the Chairman of DAE at its launch in February 2006. In unveiling DAE to the world’s media, he outlined the company’s ambition: “We are putting down a marker for the future. We are uniquely able to leverage the region's financial strength and liquidity, to draw on the dynamism of immediate and surrounding markets and capitalise on our ability to form international partnerships at the highest level.

“DAE signals our clear intention to become one of the driving forces of the global economy. Within 10 years, DAE will become an integral part of the global aerospace industry and a leading player.”

Sheikh Ahmed is also the President of the Department of Civil Aviation, and Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group. The younger brother of the late Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Sheikh Ahmed holds a Bachelors Degree from the University of Denver, Colorado, USA.

He embarked on his career in the aviation industry in 1985 when appointed President of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) - the governing body that oversees the activities of Dubai International Airport, Dubai Cargo Village, Dubai Duty Free, Dubai International Hotel and Dubai Aviation Club.

Emirates Airline, the national carrier, was also launched in 1985 and Sheikh Ahmed became its Chairman. Under his leadership, Emirates has grown from being a regional carrier with just two leased aircraft and three destinations, to an acclaimed international airline with over 80 destinations worldwide. Emirates is today among the world’s fastest growing inter-continental carriers in the aviation industry.

The fact that Dubai is now firmly established as the region’s most desirable leisure destination is due in no small measure to the efforts of Sheikh Ahmed, who holds several other portfolios with the Government of Dubai. He is Deputy Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, which is responsible for formulating policies and strategies for the Emirate of Dubai

Sheikh Ahmed is Member of the Board of the Dubai Council for Economic Affairs; Vice-Chairman of the Dubai World Trade Centre; Board Member the Dubai Corporation for Government Investment, Chairman Supreme Committee – Dubai Shopping Festival Committee and Dubai Summer Surprises, and Board Member – General Civil Aviation Authority of UAE.

He is the Chairman of: Dubai National Air Travel Agency (DNATA) – itself part of the Emirates Group; Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority, Dubai Air Wing, Alliance Insurance Company, Le Meridien Dubai, Dubai International Marine Club, Dubai Golf Club, The British University in Dubai, The Dubai Power & Energy Committee and the UAE National Olympic Committee

Sheikh Ahmed is Patron to many charitable organisations, including the Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre, the Rotary Club of Dubai and the Terry Fox Run.