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Dharnesh Gordhon
Chairman at Trepidus Information TechnologiesDharnesh Gordhon is a seasoned management professional with extensive leadership experience
in consumer and customer-facing businesses across multiple Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
industries. He has built a distinguished career driving growth, operational governance, and
market expansion across diverse regions, including Africa, South-East Asia, the Middle East, and
North America. Mr. Gordhon is highly regarded for his expertise in navigating complex markets,
leading multi-geographic and multi-cultural teams, and delivering results in dynamic
environments.
Currently, Mr. Gordhon leads a practice specializing in market access consulting and agency
representation for consumer brands seeking to expand into markets across Africa and Asia. His
deep understanding of global business dynamics, coupled with his ability to forge strategic
partnerships and identify market opportunities, enables him to deliver unparalleled insights and
solutions to companies looking to broaden their footprint.
Before embarking on his consultancy practice, Mr. Gordhon held the position of CEO and
Business Head of Godrej Consumer Products, overseeing the company’s businesses in Africa,
the USA, and the Middle East. During his tenure, he successfully led the turnaround of Godrej’s
operations across Africa, driving growth and operational excellence in these key regions.
Prior to his role at Godrej, Mr. Gordhon spent over 16 years with the Nestlé Group, where he
held multiple leadership positions. As Managing Director and CEO in Indonesia and Nigeria, he
demonstrated exceptional leadership in overseeing Nestlé’s operations in these critical markets.
Additionally, he served as Chairman of Nestlé Nigeria Trust Limited. His leadership experience
also includes his role as Group Sales Director for Nestlé Southern Africa, where he was an
executive member of the Board of Directors of Nestlé South Africa and a member of the Nestlé
Global Sales Leaders Council.
Mr. Gordhon’s career trajectory is also marked by his early career roles in the printing and textile
industries, where he held various commercial positions. In addition, he has shared his wealth of
knowledge by teaching Marketing and Business at several colleges in South Africa, further
solidifying his broad expertise and passion for developing the next generation of business
leaders.
With his track record of delivering growth in global markets, strong governance and risk
management capabilities, and deep financial oversight experience, Dharnesh Gordhon is a
recognized leader in the consumer goods industry and a trusted advisor for businesses looking to
expand in Africa, Asia, and beyond.
Adam Malouf
Regional Partner and Head of Operations, MEA at Knight FrankAdam is a seasoned and dynamic C-suite senior executive and non-executive director with a wealth of international and regional experience in strategic, technical and functional areas, having worked with multinational corporations, government, regional conglomerates, family offices, private investment offices and sovereign wealth funds.
He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Fellow of the GCC Board of Directors Institute, and has been a non-executive director and chairman on several operational and advisory boards for over 25 years, in areas ranging from: trade and investment, financial services, technology, funds management, family/private investment offices, property, education, healthcare and medical research and endowments. He has also been a member of board sub-committees, including executive committee, audit, finance, risk, strategic technology, projects, assets and liabilities (treasury), compliance, governance, operations, investments, remuneration and nominations.
Adam has been in the MENA region for 20 years in senior executive roles (CIO, COO, CFO) in private equity/investments, funds/asset management, institutional real estate and banking/finance. In terms of sector experience/exposure, this includes: education, real estate, healthcare, financial services, telecommunications and technology. In his current role, Adam is Regional Partner and Head of Operations, MEA for Knight Frank, the world's largest privately-owned property consultancy, with responsibility for 4 markets in the Middle East and 11 markets in Africa. Previously, Adam was Chief Investment Officer with a government investment/sovereign wealth fund, with responsibility for all aspects of investments (across all asset classes and sector exposures), and was also responsible for devising and implementing the entire investment, governance and operational framework from scratch (including the enterprise-wide investment strategy, operational policies and procedures, board and committee charters, and authority delegation matrices). He also provided guidance from a strategy, board and corporate governance perspective.
He has worked in numerous industries through all stages of business and economic cycles, utilising a work ethic that includes being hands-on; managing people, problems and potential; and leading for growth and sustainability. Adam also has significant experience in building and re-engineering multiple business and support functions through managing clients, customers and partners effectively and sensitively, prudent financial and capital management, managing risks, and managing and developing people so that they reach their full potential and therefore ensure optimal productivity.
Giel-Jan Van der Tol
Board Member at Tamweel Aloula Finance Co.Giel-Jan (‘GJ’) is Board Member of Tamweel Aloula Finance Co. in Saudi Arabia, also serving on its Board Credit & Risk Committee and as Chairman of the Board Nomination & Remuneration Committee. Giel-Jan is Vice Chair of the Advisory Board for the UAE Chapter of the GCC Board Directors Institute (GCC BDI). He is a Fellow of the GCC BDI, and also member of the Institute of Directors in the UK. Further he is a Member of the EMEA Advisory Council of his alma mater, the Thunderbird School of Global Management of Phoenix (AZ), United States of America. He has held more than 10 board positions in the Middle East since 2005, and is residing in Dubai since 2010.
GJ is a former Managing Director & CEO of Saudi Hollandi Bank, CEO of Dubai Bank (which later merged with Emirates NBD), and ex-Member of the Group Executive Committee of Emirates NBD. He has over 35 years of global banking experience, of which more than 15 years in the Middle East region, covering Wholesale Banking, Asset Management, Wealth Management, Retail Banking and a variety of support functions (HR, Operations, Treasury).
He began his career in 1987 as International Career Banker at ABN AMRO Bank of the Netherlands, where he worked 21 years holding several executive positions of increasing responsibility. In 2000 he was appointed Global Head HR of the Global Markets Division in Amsterdam/London, after which he served as Chief Operating Officer of Saudi Hollandi Bank (SHB) in Riyadh. In 2005 he was appointed CEO and Managing Director of SHB. He also held the positions of Managing Director of Tier One Capital in the Netherlands and Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Bank in the UAE.
After the merger of Dubai Bank with Emirates NBD Bank in 2012, he was appointed as member of the latter’s Group Executive Committee, serving as Global Head Wholesale Banking, followed by the position of CEO and Managing Director of Emirates NBD Bank Egypt. He has worked and lived in multiple jurisdictions, including the Netherlands, Ecuador, United States of America, Pakistan, Lebanon, Aruba, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, holding executive positions in a wide variety of functions including Corporate & Investment Banking, Retail, Commercial, Small Business, Asset Management, IT & Operations and Offshore Banking.
GJ holds a Master in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management (USA), and a Bachelor degree in Business Administration from Nyenrode University in the Netherlands. He has a Certificate in Board Directorship from the GCC Board Directors Institute.
He is married and has three children.