FO Summit Dubai
9th October 2025

Family Office Summit Dubai agenda

08.30 - 09.15

Registration & Networking

9:15 - 9:30

Interactive Fireside 1

Legacy & Longevity: Leadership, Vision & Governance in a 100 Year Old Family Business

Multi-generational family businesses that have lasted a century are rare. What sets them apart? This
panel explores the leadership transitions, strategic vision, and governance frameworks that sustain
100-year-old family enterprises.

  • Hussain Dawood, Family Principal, Dawood Group

Moderator: Obediah Ayton, Chairman, FO Summit

9.30 – 09.55

Interactive Panel 2

Bridging Borders: Unlocking Opportunities for Family Office Investments Between the UAE and the World

As global markets become increasingly interconnected, family offices in the UAE and abroad are
expanding their horizons to seize cross-border investment opportunities. This panel brings together
industry experts and family office leaders to explore the strategies, challenges, and rewards of investing
beyond borders.

  • Mohamed Zainal Alzarooni, Ministry Of Investment, UAE
  • Walid Hizaoui, Chief Strategy Officer, Gargash Group
  • Omar Salameh, Chief Executive Officer, Vivium Holding
  • Abdullatif Kanoo, Executive Director, Kanoo Group

Moderator: Obediah Ayton, Chairman, FO Summit

09.55 - 10.30

Interactive Panel 3

Finding the Hidden Gems: Niche Investments for Family Offices in Private Equity and Private Credit

Private equity and private credit are evolving to offer more than just traditional investment opportunities.
For family offices seeking unique ways to diversify and enhance returns, uncovering niche opportunities in
these markets has become a game-changer. This panel explores how to identify and capitalize on
under-the-radar investments that align with long-term goals and risk profiles.

  • Rajesh Ranjan, Head Of Investments, Ali & Sons Holding
  • Nader Bassit, Managing Director, Mada Capital
  • Ziad Sobh, Head Of Investments, Chalhoub Family Office
  • Ahmed El Rabbat, Vice Chairman, Moraal Holding

Moderator: Obediah Ayton, Chairman, FO Summit

10.30 - 10.50

Networking Coffee Break

10.50 – 11.20

Interactive Panel 4

Next-Generation Leadership: Redefining Family Offices for the Future

As the next generation steps into leadership roles, family offices are undergoing a transformation to adapt to a rapidly changing world. This panel explores how emerging leaders are redefining the purpose, structure, and strategies of family offices to ensure long-term success and relevance.

  • Nimesh Sodha, Family Member, Panso Capital
  • Amy Stewart, Vice President, VAR Capital
  • Mohammed Mostafa, Family Member, Mostafa Bin Abdullatif Investments
  • Francesca Dessi, Investment Manager, Al Fahim

Moderator: Obediah Ayton, Chairman, FO Summit

11.20 – 11.45

Interactive Panel 5

Venture Capital for Family Offices: Spotting Opportunities and Unlocking Growth Through Co-Investing

Venture capital offers family offices a unique opportunity to tap into high-growth, high-impact investments, yet many traditional family office portfolios overlook this dynamic asset class. This panel will explore how family offices can spot unconventional opportunities in venture capital, identify the next big trends, and leverage co-investment strategies to maximize returns and foster collaboration within the family office ecosystem.

  • Dario Villena, Investment Director, Dimas Gimeno Family Office
  • Ian Goldberg, Partner, Venrex
  • Mitan Sachdev, Ventures & Innovation, The Saudi Investment Bank

Moderator: Obediah Ayton, Chairman, FO Summit

11.45 – 12.20

Interactive Panel 6

The Technology Race: Staying Ahead of the Curve – Key Trends Family Offices Must Embrace

In an era where technology is evolving at lightning speed, family offices must stay ahead of the curve to leverage emerging tools that drive innovation, optimize operations, and maximize returns. This panel will explore the critical technology trends that family offices need to adopt to stay competitive, from artificial intelligence to blockchain and beyond, and how they can harness these advancements to future-proof their portfolios and operations.

  • Sara Gilbert, Director, Finbourne Technology
  • James Bowler, Chief Executive Officer, Numarqe
  • René Raabe, Managing Director, Masttro
  • Sadique Ahmed, Chairman, Pathfinder Technologies

Moderator: Obediah Ayton, Chairman, FO Summit

12.20 – 12.50

Interactive Panel 7

Risk, Compliance, and Governance Within Family Offices: Navigating Change and Shaping the Future of Family Office 2.0

The landscape of family office risk, compliance, and governance is evolving rapidly, driven by changing regulations, technological advancements, and a shift towards more sophisticated operational models. This panel will explore the current state of governance frameworks, compliance requirements, and risk management strategies within family offices, while looking ahead to the future of Family Office 2.0.

  • Anuj Dhinggra, Group Director Risk & Compliance, Al Masaood
  • Alex Volcic, Managing Director, Kroll
  • Lia Lungu, Chief Strategy Officer, Tariq Al Futtaim Family Office

Moderator: Obediah Ayton, Chairman, FO Summit

12.50 – 13:30

Lunch Break

13.30 – 13.45

Interactive Fireside 8

Family Offices Entering Crypto:

We have all seen it in recent weeks, Bitcoin increases in value once again. With the growing appeal of digital assets for family offices lies in their potential to diversify traditional portfolios and tap into a rapidly evolving asset class. Crypto offers both opportunities and challenges, with some viewing it as a hedge against inflation while others see it as a high-risk speculative play. Despite its promise, concerns about volatility, security, and regulatory uncertainty remain at the forefront of discussions.

  • Rifad Mahasneh, Chief Executive Officer Middle East, OKX

Moderator: Obediah Ayton, Chairman, FO Summit

13.45 – 14.10

Interactive Panel 9

Leading the Charge: Family Businesses and Their Path to Net Zero

As global pressure to combat climate change intensifies, family businesses are increasingly taking the lead in integrating sustainability practices and setting ambitious Net Zero goals. This panel will explore how family businesses are navigating the challenges and opportunities of becoming Net Zero, aligning long-term business growth with environmental responsibility.

  • Yousif Lootah, Family Member, SS Lootah Group
  • Dr Charbel Al Aki, Chief Sustainability Officer, Das Holding
  • Jakub Slawek, Director, Sunreef

Moderator: Obediah Ayton, Chairman, FO Summit

14.10 - 14.35

Interactive Panel 10

Managing Market Volatility: Equities, Bonds, and Fixed Income Strategies for Family Offices

In an era of heightened market volatility, family offices are seeking ways to protect and grow their wealth while navigating uncertainty. This panel will explore how family offices can adjust their investment strategies in equities, bonds, and fixed income to achieve stability and maintain long-term growth amid fluctuating market conditions.

  • Marcus Chin, Head Of Investments, Ares Holding
  • Anish Bhatia, Chief Investment Officer, Private Family Office
  • Private, Private Family Office

Moderator: Obediah Ayton, Chairman, FO Summit

14.35 - 14.55

Interactive Panel 11

Family Offices & Healthcare: Investing for Impact, Innovation, and Returns

Family offices are increasingly turning to healthcare as an investment sector that offers both strong financial returns and the opportunity to drive meaningful impact. From biotech and digital health to senior care and medical real estate, healthcare presents diverse opportunities for long-term capital deployment. This panel will explore key trends, challenges, and strategies for family offices navigating the healthcare sector, including investments in venture capital and private equity healthcare funds, the role of long-term capital in fostering innovation, and opportunities in public-private partnerships (PPP) to drive scalable and sustainable healthcare solutions.

  • Robert Orford, Chief Executive Officer, Virtue Health
  • Dr Tahir Hussain, Group Chief Of Operations, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company [SEHA]

Moderator: Obediah Ayton, Chairman, FO Summit

14.55 - 15:15

Interactive Panel 12

Family Offices and the Frontier: Unlocking Opportunities in Emerging Markets

As family offices continue to seek diversification, emerging markets offer compelling investment opportunities with high growth potential. However, these markets also present unique risks, including regulatory uncertainty, political instability, and currency fluctuations. This panel will explore how family offices can successfully navigate and capitalize on emerging market investments, balancing risk and reward while aligning with their long-term wealth preservation and impact goals.

  • Tatiana Cordoba, Managing Director, Uvera Holdings
  • Yannick Sanni, Vice President, Investments, Tana Africa Capital [Oppenheimer Family Office]

Moderator: Obediah Ayton, Chairman, FO Summit

15:15 - 15:35

Interactive Panel 13

Family Offices & Real Estate: Smart Strategies for Sustainable Growth

The UAE has emerged as a global hub for family offices, offering strategic real estate investment opportunities both domestically and internationally. This panel will explore how family offices are allocating capital across local and global real estate markets, the key risks and rewards of different investment strategies, and how shifting macroeconomic trends impact decision-making.

  • Faraj Guliyev, Head Of Investor Relations, Sea Breeze Resort
  • Private, Private Family Office

Moderator: Obediah Ayton, Chairman, FO Summit

16:00 – 18:45

Cocktail Evening Ritz Carlton Beach Front

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