Ahmad Ali Al Sayegh

Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh (Arabic: أحمد علي الصايغ) is a Minister of State in the United Arab Emirates since September 2018 and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the International Financial Centre in the UAE's capital city.

Over the past 36 years, Al Sayegh served in key roles in support of Abu Dhabi Government's strategy to drive the nation's economic diversification plan and ensuring the sustainability of the UAE in the future.  His roles included Founding Chairman of Aldar Properties, the Founding Chairman of Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), Deputy Chairman of First Gulf Bank, and held senior positions in Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Abu Dhabi Investment Company (Invest AD).

Early life and education

Al Sayegh was born in 1962 in Abu Dhabi where he attended school and furthered his higher education in the United States. He graduated in 1983 with a bachelor's degree in Economics from Lewis & Clark College, Oregon, United States.

Career and leadership

Al Sayegh has held business leadership positions across public and private sectors over the course of his 36-year career.

Minister of State (UAE)

In September 2018, the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Alnahyan issued a UAE Federal Decree appointing Al Sayegh Minister of State to the UAE Cabinet.

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)

As Chairman of ADGM, Al Sayegh oversaw the launch and establishment of the UAE capital city's International Financial Centre (IFC) in late October 2015. Under Al Sayegh's leadership and charge, ADGM's three independent authorities - ADGM Registration Authority, ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority and ADGM Courts – are leading and transforming the business and finance landscape across the MENA region and internationally. ADGM also pioneered strategic initiatives to further enhance the IFC's ecosystem including ADGM Arbitration Centre and ADGM Academy. The IFC ADGM's jurisdiction extends across the entire 1.14 km (0.44 sq mi) of Al Maryah Island.

Dolphin Energy

Al Sayegh is the Managing Director of Dolphin Energy, the natural gas company. The company produces and processes natural gas from Qatar's North Field and transports the gas by sub-sea pipeline to the UAE from which it is delivered in the UAE and Oman.

Etihad Airways

Al Sayegh is Founding Board Member of Etihad Airways and currently serves as a member of the board of directors. He played an instrumental role in the launch of the UAE's national airline in 2003 and its subsequent growth to a global airline with more than 120 aircraft and cargo destinations across six continents.

Aldar Properties

Al Sayegh was the Founding Chairman of Aldar Properties when it launched in 2004 and remained in the role until April 2011.

Masdar

Founding Chairman of Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company), Al Sayegh oversaw the launch and development of the renewable energy company based in Abu Dhabi.

Adnoc

Al Sayegh started his career at the UAE state-owned oil company Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) where he rose through the ranks to become the company's Finance Director. ADNOC is one of the world's largest energy companies measured by both reserves and production.  

Board positions

Al Sayegh has served and continues to serve on numerous corporate and not-profit boards where he provides advise and leadership on issues related to finance, infrastructure, energy, logistics, sustainability and community, among others.

Current board positions include Chairman of Abu Dhabi Global Market; Deputy Chairman of the Emirates Nature-WWF;  Board Member of Etihad Aviation Group; Board Member of Abu Dhabi Development Fund; and Chairman of Al Jazira Investment Company.

Former board positions include Deputy Chairman of First Gulf Bank; Founding Chairman of Aldar Properties; Founding Board Member of Mubadala Development Company; Founding Chairman of Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar); Founding Board Member and Managing Director of Emirates Foundation; Founding Board Member of Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority; Founding Board Member of Abu Dhabi Ship Building Company; Board Member of Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company; Board Member of Tawazun (formerly UAE Offsets Group); Board Member of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority; Board Member of Abu Dhabi Education Council; and Board Member of Abu Dhabi Media.

Honours and awards

• ABANA 2017 Achievement Award
• London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF), Honorary master's degree Award