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Leadership & Team

Our team at Dubai Silicon Oasis is led by Mr. Badr Buhannad, Director General and overseen by Dr. Mohammed Al Zarouni, Executive Chairman of Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ).

DIEZ is also chaired by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. Sheikh Ahmed holds several government positions and plays an increasingly pivotal role in leading the emirate’s finance and energy sectors.

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His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum

Chairman of Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority

Over the past 35 years, HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum has been at the forefront of Dubai’s remarkable economic development spearheading the successful expansion of aviation, which constitutes a substantial part of Dubai’s GDP, and formulating economic, investment and fiscal policies and strategies in support of the emirate’s overarching vision.

Sheikh Ahmed also holds several influential government positions, including serving as Second Vice Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, which is responsible for formulating policies and strategies for Dubai, Chairman of Dubai’s Supreme Fiscal Committee and Board Member of the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD).

Sheikh Ahmed holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science from the University of Denver in the United States. He has received many international honours, including the fellowship of the British Royal Aeronautical Society, Commandeur de l’Ordre de la Legion d’Honneur (the Legion of Honour) – the highest French civilian award, the Verfassungsportugaleser, one of Germany’s highest honours, and an honorary degree of Doctor of Science from City University London, Cass Business School.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum

Chairman

Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority

Over the past 35 years, HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum has been at the forefront of Dubai’s remarkable economic development spearheading the successful expansion of aviation, which constitutes a substantial part of Dubai’s GDP, and formulating economic, investment and fiscal policies and strategies in support of the emirate’s overarching vision.

Sheikh Ahmed also holds several influential government positions, including serving as Second Vice Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, which is responsible for formulating policies and strategies for Dubai, Chairman of Dubai’s Supreme Fiscal Committee and Board Member of the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD).

Sheikh Ahmed holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science from the University of Denver in the United States. He has received many international honours, including the fellowship of the British Royal Aeronautical Society, Commandeur de l’Ordre de la Legion d’Honneur (the Legion of Honour) – the highest French civilian award, the Verfassungsportugaleser, one of Germany’s highest honours, and an honorary degree of Doctor of Science from City University London, Cass Business School.

H.E. Dr. Mohammed Alzarooni

Executive Chairman

Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority

With over 25 years of experience leading and developing free economic zones, H.E. Dr. Mohammed Alzarooni is considered one of the world’s top free zones influencing leaders. In 2021, H.E. Dr. Alzarooni was appointed as Executive Chairman of Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), holding three of Dubai’s pioneering Free Zones, Dubai Airport Freezone, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Dubai CommerCity.

Mr. Badr Buhannad

Director General

Dubai Silicon Oasis

Mr. Badr Buhannad is the Director General of Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), where he leads the strategic evolution of Dubai’s dedicated knowledge and innovation district. With over two decades of experience in corporate strategy, business services, and audit management, he is a proven strategic leader known for aligning long-term vision with operational execution, delivering measurable impact through C-level engagement, board reporting, and transformation initiatives.

Mr. Badr Buhannad

Director General, Dubai Silicon Oasis

Mr. Badr Buhannad is the Director General of Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), where he leads the strategic evolution of Dubai’s dedicated knowledge and innovation district. With over two decades of experience in corporate strategy, business services, and audit management, he is a proven strategic leader known for aligning long-term vision with operational execution, delivering measurable impact through C-level engagement, board reporting, and transformation initiatives.

Before assuming the role of Director General, Mr. Buhannad served as Deputy Director General of DSO and Chief Corporate Support Officer at Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ). In this dual capacity, he oversaw corporate functions and led the Authority’s digital transformation, driving enterprise technology upgrades, supply chain optimization, and business process redesign. He played a pivotal role in shaping DIEZ’s cluster-based development model while strengthening cross-functional alignment across strategic sectors.

At DSO, Mr. Buhannad has championed several major organizational shifts, including the launch of the 2021 Strategic Pillars, Smart City, Desired Society, Technology Hub, and Happiest People, framing a renewed purpose in line with the Dubai 2021 Plan. His leadership has also driven infrastructure modernization, end-to-end process reengineering, and a corporate culture reset focused on agility and impact.

His earlier roles include Chief Audit and Risk Officer at Dubai International Financial Centre Authority (DIFCA), where he established the internal audit and risk department. He has also held senior positions at Dubai World and the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, bringing a strong foundation in finance, operations, and governance.

In addition to his executive responsibilities, Mr. Buhannad contributes to Dubai’s national digital transformation efforts as a member of the Dubai Free Zone Council’s Digital Committee.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Higher Diploma in Accounting from the Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai.

Follow the updates of Mr. Badr Buhannad on LinkedIn
 

H.E. Dr. Mohammed Alzarooni

Executive Chairman, Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority

With over 25 years of experience leading and developing free economic zones, H.E. Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni is considered one of the world’s top free zone influencing leaders. In 2021, H.E. Dr. Al Zarooni was appointed as Executive Chairman of Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), holding three of Dubai’s pioneering Free Zones, Dubai Airport Freezone, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Dubai CommerCity.

In 2000, H.E. Dr. Al Zarooni was appointed as Director-General of the Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA), which, through his visionary leadership, quickly grew to become one of the top-performing freezones in the world. In 2002, the Dubai Government appointed him as Vice Chairman and CEO of the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), one of the region’s most advanced and successful technology hubs. In 1995, His Excellency join the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority as Director of Research and Administration and at that time, as he was one of the most prominent officials responsible for the establishment of the Dubai Airport Free Zone in 1996. Before joining the Department, he worked in the Ministry of Education for 8 years.

In 2014, H.E. Dr. Al Zarooni was instrumental in conceptualizing and establishing the non-profit World Free Zones Organization. He is presently the chairman of this multilateral organization which acts as an association for all free zones in the world. In 2015, he was appointed as the Secretary-General of the Dubai Free Zone Council. A prominent personality in Dubai’s economy, H.E. Dr. Al Zarooni is a member of the Dubai Economic Council. He also sits on several major institutions’ boards, including Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, Emirati Human Resources Development Council, and RIT Dubai Board of Directors, in addition, he is the Chairman of Tradeling Board (a B2B ecommerce marketplace). H.E. Dr. Al Zarooni is an accomplished speaker on free zones and has been invited to address keynotes worldwide at numerous conferences and forums.

H.E. Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni graduated with a Ph.D. Degree from the University of Durham in the U.K. His doctoral thesis was on “The Position of the Free Zones in Economic Development.”

Leadership Team Without Title

H.E. Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni - Executive Chairman of Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority
H.E. Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni
Executive Chairman of Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority
Mr. Badr Buhannad - Director General - Dubai Silicon Oasis
Mr. Badr Buhannad
Director General - Dubai Silicon Oasis

Leadership Team

Our Team

Ghanim Al Falasi - Senior Vice President - Director General Office
Ghanim Al Falasi
Senior Vice President - Director General Office
Daniel Callaghan - Senior Vice President - Marketing and Business Growth
Daniel Callaghan
Senior Vice President - Marketing & Business Growth
Jamal Bin Marghoob - Vice President - Client and Community Relations
Jamal Bin Marghoob
Vice President - Client & Community Relations
Ahmad Hassan Alzaabi
Ahmad Hassan Alzaabi
Vice President - Commercial Services
Khawla Saeed Alfalasi - Vice President - Shared Services
Khawla Saeed Alfalasi
Vice President - Shared Services
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Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni
Executive Chairman of Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority

Dr. Juma Al Matrooshi is Director General of Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO). In his capacity as Director General, Dr. Al Matrooshi is responsible for the development, implementation and communication of DSO’s strategy, including the organization’s mandate, mission, vision and values. Dr. Al Matrooshi also oversees the leadership team, providing his expert guidance and support to ensure that DSO’s business objectives are achieved efficiently and effectively, all the while upholding international best practices. Moreover, Dr. Al Matrooshi assumes leadership for the financial performance of DSO, guiding the development, monitoring and management of DSO’s annual budgets. In sum, he is responsible for delivering on short, medium and long-term goals, ensuring the correct team, policies, procedures, technology and all other essential tools are in place to ensure the success of DSO.

Besides his role at DSO, Dr. Al Matrooshi is a representative for the Dubai government at general assemblies for publicly listed companies. He has also served as a member of several committees, including the Ministry of Economy and Commerce’s trademark committee, Dubai Marketing and Tourism’s development board, and the UAE Banking Institute’s insurance brokerage committee. Dr. Al Matrooshi is the current Assistant to The Secretary General of Dubai Freezone Council; he is also serving as one of the Board Members of World Free Zone Organization; Dr. Al Matrooshi is one of the incumbent members of the UAE Economic Acceleration Unit and he is presently a member of Dubai Government Economy Team.

With vast experience in finance, commercial operations and licensing, among other areas, Dr. Al Matrooshi joined DSO in December 2006. Before joining DSO, Dr. Al Matrooshi held several senior governmental positions, including running commercial licensing at the Dubai Economic Department (DED).

Dr. Juma holds a doctorate in General Management from the Golden Gate University of San Francisco, California and an MBA in Business Development from the Western University, Michigan, USA.

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