Alan is highly regarded as a marketing and communications expert and academic thought-leader providing brand marketing, communications and customer experience strategies and solutions to Sovereign Owned Entities in the Middle East and major international brands on a global scale. Having been based 20 years in Dubai, his work has taken him across. the Middle East, Europe, USA, South Africa and Australia. This combination of ‘International Expertise with Local Knowledge’ allows for a unique level of ‘Cultural Awareness’ within the marketing business arena.. Previously Alan was Head of Marketing for Majid Al Futtaim Communities Business Unit, over-seeing the marketing strategy for their 5 million sqm portfolio of mixed-use development projects in UAE, Beirut and Oman.. Prior to that he led a consultancy practice advising the private and public sector on marketing strategies to enhance their business needs. On behalf of his clients he also recruited marketing personnel and sourced external service providers both internationally and regionally.. His previous role as the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications in one of Abu Dhabi’s government development organizations, the Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), saw him leading annual marketing budgets of US $ 50 million for major award-winning destinations. These included the 27 sqkm Saadiyat Island, the Desert Islands, the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum amongst other commercial, leisure, hospitality and residential products.. During his professional career of more than 25 years he was also GM Group Marketing, where he was responsible for steering the Group Marketing and Communications, of the Al Futtaim Group, one of the foremost trading companies in the Gulf. Additionally, during this tenure with Al Futtaim he also managed the internal 100 team-member strong advertising agency where he spearheaded brands such as Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Hertz, IKEA, M&S, Panasonic and ‘Dubai Festival City’, achieving record profits for the agency within the first year.. As General Manager, Alan oversaw the Dubai Shopping Festival’s ‘Global Village’, a major family outdoor cultural and entertainment destination, from 2002-04, where his team’s efforts led to a record attendance of over 5.3 million visitors within the 30-day period, resulting in a recognition award from the DSF.. His experience is supported through extensive training courses with thought-leaders including Jack Welch, Dr. Stephen Covey, Jim Collins and Ron Kaufman.. Alan is a member of, and qualified with, the Chartered Institute of Marketing and also holds a BA (Hons) degree in Design and Communication. He is also a Marketing Lecturer and Honorary Chairman of the EMDI Institute of Media and Communications in Knowledge Village, Dubai.
