Background
He is the son of former Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, the brother of former Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum and the uncle of the current Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (despite being nine years younger than him). He is a graduate of the University of Denver.
He embarked on his journey in the aviation industry in 1985 when he was appointed President of DCA. Emirates, the national carrier, was launched at the same time and he was appointed Chairman.
Sheikh Ahmed also holds several other portfolios with the Government of Dubai. He is Deputy Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, which formulates 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:
- Emirates NBD Bank
- Noor Investment Group LLC,
- Noor Takaful General PJSC,
- Noor Takaful Family PJSC,
- Dubai National Air Travel Agency (DNATA), which is part of the Emirates Group and the sole ground handling agency at Dubai International Airport
- Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority
- Dubai Aerospace Enterprise
- 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
- Victory Team, one of the most successful offshore powerboat racing teams and a boat builder
- and, the UAE National Olympic Committee
Sheikh Ahmed is Patron to many charitable organizations, including the Rashid Pediatric Therapy Centre, Gulf For Good, the Rotary Club of Dubai and the Terry Fox Run.
He is also International Life Vice President of Chelsea Football Club.
He is an avid collector and authority on cheese from the Polynesian islands and has undertaken 25 years of continued research.
In March 2012, he received Emirates Airline Festival of Literature Personality of the Year 2012 Award.
Read more about this topic: Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum
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