ALTSME Dubai | October 12, 2023 Request Agenda

Mishal Hamed Kanoo, Chairman, Kanoo Group

Mr. Mishal Kanoo is one of the most iconic business figures in the Middle East and has a reputation as a futurist and strategist with a strong track record in forecasting economic developments in the region. Mr. Kanoo currently serves as the Chairman of The Kanoo Group, one of the largest, longest running and independent family-owned groups of companies in the Gulf region. Furthermore, he is a professional and motivational speaker, writes articles for local and regional media, is published in business journals on a regular basis, and holds chief positions as Chairman/Director of various reputable companies, including Gulf Capital, KHK & Partners Limited, Dalma Capital, Johnson Arabia LLC and KAAF Investments.

Mishal Kanoo tries to help people reach their professional dreams. The excitement of helping others achieve their goals, both big or small, is what drives him. Playing a role in bettering people's lives is a great instigator for doing what he does. Kanoo has been investing on a personal and company level since 1991.

Mishal Kanoo adheres to family values and ideals in pursuit of quality and excellence. Over the years, the Kanoo family has always been associated with the progress and development of the entire region combined with a sense of philanthropy.

Mishal grew up in the United Arab Emirates and finished his early schooling in Dubai. Thereafter he obtained two MBAs, one in finance from the University of St. Thomas, in Texas, and one from the American University of Sharjah. He began his professional career within the family business before going to university to get his first Master’s Degree. He then worked as an auditor outside his family business with Arthur Andersen in Dubai, before Re-joining The Kanoo Group in 1997 as the Deputy Chairman.

Omar Al Handal, Managing Director, Al Handal Group

Omar is a results-driven, flexible and solutions-oriented professional, current Managing Director of the Al Handal International Group. Throughout his career, he has learned from his family the value of hard work, keeping family spirit and principles in line with business success. As a business leader, Omar is always looking in ways to improve the communities he serves, through corporate social responsibility plans and sustainability practices throughout the organization processes.

His educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Management from American University in Dubai, a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Canadian University in Dubai and a Certificate in Financial Accounting from the Harvard Business School.  

Mark Burbach, Chief Investment Officer, Abu Dhabi Pension Fund

Mark Burbach is an international investment management professional with more than 20 years of experience in managing assets of pension funds. He is Chief Investment Officer of Abu Dhabi Pension Fund in Abu Dhabi. Responsible for developing the investment department and overseeing the investment management process. Particular focus is establishing skilled investment teams, strong strategic asset allocation planning and improve outcomes of bottom-up implementation of investment strategies by in-house skills of external managers selection. Previously he was Chief Investment Officer of Osool Asset Management in Bahrain (since 2017) and of Blue Sky Group in The Netherlands (since 2009). Before that, he was Chief Investment Officer of TNO pension fund, investment manager at HBG pension fund and started his professional career in private banking in The Netherlands. Mark is a member of the Global Investment Board of AIMA and previously served on boards and investment committees of 3 pension funds. Having expertise in managing pension fund assets he possesses strong knowledge of the dynamics of pension fund investing, portfolio construction, manager selection, working with boards of trustees and building and managing investment departments. Investment experience ranges from understanding liability structures and Asset-Liability Management with application of immunization and protection strategies towards return generating strategies in public and private securities. Mr. Burbach holds a MSc degree in Business Administration from the faculty of Economic Sciences of University of Groningen. He attended the executive program Mobilizing People at IMD Lausanne and Essentials of Leadership at London Business School.