Emirates adds UAE nationals to senior management team

The airline has promoted Mohammed Mattar, Nabil Sultan and Adnan Kazim to divisional senior vice president (DSVP) level and said these promotions are a testament to the career opportunities for Emiratis.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, believes these appointments give the airline the strength in leadership required for the years ahead.

Sheikh Ahmed said: “Mohammed, Nabil and Adnan have all shown dedication and results throughout their careers with Emirates. Their promotions are an example of our ongoing support of career progression for our Emirati workers, and it is particularly pleasing that all three have come through the ranks.

“We have made several key appointments this week and the combined experience of all these talented individuals ensures we have a strong team in place to tackle the challenges this year holds.”

Mattar, the new DSVP Airport Services, has witnessed every stage in the remarkable growth of Emirates. He joined the company in 1972, starting in a junior check-in job with Dnata, and his career has progressed in pace with development of the airport, from a humble building in the middle of the desert, to the opening last year of the state-of-the-art Terminal 3. Mattar uses his vast experience, gained through the numerous key positions he held until his most recent post as SVP Airport Services, to ensure Emirates passengers receive quality service at all points during their journey.

Mohammed Mattar - divisional senior vice president Airport Services

Sultan, who has been appointed DSVP Revenue Optimisation and Distribution, joined the company’s IT department in 1990, a year after graduating from America’s University of Portland. His potential was quickly spotted and after impressing in the trainee management programme he filled a succession of key roles in the commercial operations team, which is responsible for the development of revenue strategies in Emirates’ network of more than 100 destinations. He gained invaluable international experience during spells in Saudi Arabia, the UK and India, before being made SVP Commercial Operations, handling various regions from 2004 until his latest promotion.

Nabil Sultan - divisional senior vice president Revenue Optimisation and Distribution

Kazim, who becomes the new DSVP for Planning and Research, is another product of the company’s trainee management scheme. He joined Emirates in 1992 and soon made his mark, his potential recognised with several important overseas postings. After a spell with ground handling agent Dnata he was appointed area manager Yemen in 1997. The following year he was based in Kenya working as Regional Manager - East Africa before becoming area manager - Egypt in 2000. In 2001, he was appointed area manager - Switzerland and Austria, and then in 2004, he was promoted to VP - Pakistan. In 2007, he returned to Dubai and was appointed SVP - Africa before taking responsibility for Emirates’ commercial operations in the GCC, Middle East and Iran.
 

Adnan Kazim - divisional senior vice president Planning and Research