NEOM

NEOM will be a hub for innovation, where established global businesses and emerging players can research, incubate and commercialize groundbreaking technologies to accelerate human progress.
NEOM will introduce a new model for urban sustainability powered by 100% renewable energy.
It will adopt environmental responsibility principles, that promote sustainable and regenerative development practices.

Director EDO, Strategy Office

Applied Science University Bahrain

Advisor To The President  - International and Corporate Engagement 

Plus Venture Capital (+VC)

+VC is a venture capital firm focused on investing in tech and tech-enabled startups across the MENA region and its diaspora, taking an early leadership role with founders to set them up for success. We invest our first check at the seed stage and can follow-on the best performing portfolio companies all the way through to Series A.

Partner

Bahrain Economic Development Board

Chaired by HRH the Crown Prince, the Economic Development Board sets out and delivers the economic strategy for Bahrain. It now serves both as a full-service investment promotion agency and as a catalyst for economic diversification and digital transformation. Attracting and assisting companies to set up and expand in Bahrain. Since 2016, the number of investors supported per year and the value of the direct investment attracted have increased four-fold. Adopting a 'Team Bahrain' approach, numerous regulatory changes have been introduced to ensure that Bahrain is truly competitive as a business friendly location to promote Startup Bahrain and the growing Fin-tech ecosystem.

Senior Advisor formerly Managing Director

Invest Hong Kong

Defined the strategy and effectively managed all the Government department's resources including a budget of HK$115m to attain anual investment promotion goals. Directed a team of 150 highly skilled professionals located in 29 cities across the globe. InvestHK attracted and assisted over 3,500 foreign and Mainland companies to set up or expand in Hong Kong. Creating over 33,000 jobs. Hong Kong was ranked 2nd Globally in FDI inflows.for the first time. Initiated the StartmeupHK initiative which spearheads efforts to promote one of the world's fastest growing Start Up communities (we now have InvestHK won a number of awards including:
- The Best of the Best Awards - MTR Advertising (2015)
- International Economic Development Council's Award (2014) - Corporate Brochure
- Hong Kong - Asia-Pacific Cities of the Furture (2013/14) fDi Magazine
- IPA Innovation Awards (2013) - Start Up Support - fDi Magazine
- Digital Marketing Awards (2012) - Overall digital Marketing Strategy - fDi Magazine

Director-General of Investment Promotion

Managed the Division responsible for attracting FDI in 5 key sectors: Tourism and Entertainment, Consumer & Retail Sourcing, IT, Telecoms and Multimedia, and Technology.

Geographic responsibility for operations in the America's, Japan and South East Asia

Associate Director-General

AsiaWorld-Expo Management Limited

Led to tendering process for development of Asia World Expo, Hong Kong's newest conference and exhibition venue, located on the Airport Island. A flagship Public Private Partnership project with an investment of HK$2 billion. Then served on the Board as a Non-Executive Director or the operating company for over 12 years.

Board Director

Scottish Enterprise

Then, one of the largest economic development agencies in Europe. The internationalisation arm, Scottish Development International, specialises in both trade and investment promotion. Set up a network of seven new offices in Hong Kong, Beijing, Seoul, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur Taipei and New Delhi. Also managed the team in Glasgow with a project budget of Pds 970,000. Assisted over 1,600 Scottish SMEs to secure over Pds120m of international business.

Head - Asia Pacific

A global expert in economic development with a record of leading world-class investment promotion agencies to deliver thousands of investment projects and attract billions of dollars of direct investment. 
From Scotland to Hong Kong to Bahrain and now in NEOM, KSA. Passionate about promoting start-ups and entrepreneurship, with extensive experience as a Non-Executive Director, mentor coach and public speaker.

Really interested to hear from anyone who is looking to set up or expand their business in NEOM and is also looking to connect with Investment Promotion Agencies and other Economic Development Agencies to explore areas of cooperation and share best practice.

I am also available for any relevant speaking opportunities and media interviews.

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