Leaders Talk Executive Roundtable

IBEM Group staged an event at InterContinental Dubai Festival City in Dubai on 29th April, 2026.

Geoff Hudson-Searle جيفري هدسون-سيرل , AMB. LAILA EL ATFANI Rahhal, and AbdulAziz Ahmad hosted a select group of prominent and pioneering UAE leaders to attend the first ‘Leaders Talk Executive Roundtable’

The Executive Business Roundtable at IBEM Group had been in our sights for some time, IBEM Gulf took the lead in Dubai UAE with Business Gate Circle to stage this excellent event with Dubai leaders in technology, cybersecurity, fintech and  industry.

Businesses, particularly in leadership, need to navigate a different course and see the #globaleconomy through a different lens – change is speeding up – Change is not a phase, change is constant. CEO’s are being measured with a new yardstick.

The need for strong leadership of people, teams and organisations has never been greater. However, as we can see in many facets’ leadership development isn’t quietly underperforming – It’s failing—systemically and visibly.

We find ourselves in an era defined by two broad factors with huge implications for leadership – disruption and global perspective.

If we consider disruption – rapid technological change, conflict, #economic volatility, and societal disruption – how will leaders ensure #resilience, #trust and engagement through an increasingly VUCA world?

The requirement to consider, position, conceive and execute transformation and innovation in meaningful ways poses significant leadership identity and facility challenges.

Moving to the global perspective of leadership – the world is becoming increasingly connected, which means every company has the potential for worldwide #employees and customers.

The concept and mentality of the ‘global citizen’ means thinking more broadly – furthering the need to genuinely embrace and engage diversity.

The capacity to deeply understand and appreciate unfamiliar #cultures, actively seek diverse thinking, build intercultural teams, lead #workforces with different backgrounds, values and perspectives as well as knowing how to enter and succeed in new #globalmarkets have the potential to be the defining success factors of #leaders in the years to come.

The myriad of factors necessitate reflection on what future leadership will mean, what it will represent and what it needs to become – has never been more profound.

The supreme test of a CEO and Board of Directors is now the value they create not just for shareholders, but for all stakeholders.

A few key thoughts from the event:

• trust is fundamental to a healthy organizational culture. Each organization must choose whether to earn a trust dividend or pay a trust-tax.
• Every organization has a culture. The best organizations invest in shaping and nurturing their culture.
• People follow leaders. compliance-based organizations that do not invest in trust are losing trillions annually.
• Leadership and trust are earned, not an entitlement.
• One toxic manager can poison an organization and your culture is determined by the behaviors your reward and tolerate. Choose carefully.

The Itinerary

9.30-9.45 – Arrival & Refreshments

9.45-10.00 – Welcome & Opening

10.00-11.30 – Roundtable

11.30-13.00 – Networking & Participant Interviews

Ali F. Hamdan CEO of Strategrity Partners stated ”Geoff Hudson-Searle جيفري هدسون-سيرل, thankful and privileged to have witnessed such a gathering of leaders committed to shaping the future with trust, purpose, and vision. Your reflections on leadership, culture, and value creation are imminent in today’s disruptive world. Thank you for bringing together minds that inspire progress and meaningful impact. Honoured to have been part of it.”