Top 10 Leaders in Sharjah

Ali Hashem, Owner & President, Fresh Start
Ali Hashem : Building A Positive & Productive Environment that Commits to Collaboration, Adaptability & Conscientious Integrity

In today's fast-paced business landscape, where change is the only constant, the leaders who are thriving are the leaders who are constantly embracing adaptability and resilience as their key to survival and success. Such leaders are inspirations, and their journeys are examples of how success is earned! To inspire future leaders, CEO Insights’ exclusive team holds a conversation with one such inspirational leader, Ali Hashem, Owner & President, Fresh Start FZE.
Ali, a seasoned entrepreneur, in the year 1988, took a significant step as a pioneering entrepreneur when he made significant strides in the recycling industry. He founded one of the first recycling companies in the Midwest. He was instrumental in capitalizing on emerging trends and technologies focused on recycling and exporting second-hand apparel from the Midwest to Africa and other international markets. Ali’s entrepreneurial spirit and ability to adapt have enabled him to stay ahead of the curve and be successful in the recycling industry.

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Top 10 Leaders in Sharjah - 2025

Sharjah is one of the most modern emirates in the UAE, and it has an exceptional group of forward-thinking business leaders who have significantly impacted its economic development. These individuals have focused on sustainable growth, innovation, and culture driven objectives that allow them to balance the increasingly competitive global market.

Sharjah's leaders have made significant contributions across various sectors, including real estate, logistics, manufacturing, education, and tourism. They have encouraged entrepreneurship, investment, and partnerships in Sharjah. Their collective strategic decisions have not solely helped the emirate meet its aim to diversify the economy, but have also established Sharjah as a competitive and reliable marketplace. In sectors such as media, energy, and finance, their leadership has established the value of institutional change, the importance of emerging technologies, and the benefits of human capital development. They led public and private organizations to successfully confront economic challenges with fortitude, forbearance, and vision, thus laying the groundwork for growth and development. Their commitment to sound business practices, corporate philanthropy, and accountability in public office has raised Sharjah's profile as a location for inclusive economic development.

"Sharjah's leaders have led with purpose, placing culture, education, and sustainable development at the heart of their strategy"

In addition, Sharjah's leaders are adopting and utilizing progressive technologies to shape leadership in the new era. By introducing and systematically adopting artificial intelligence, big data, and smart city technology, the leaders are morphing traditional business models into adaptable, technology-led businesses. Leadership today in Sharjah, while not discounting vision and strategy, is also about adaptability and digitalisation. This progressive mindset has the potential to keep Sharjah competitive in the new global economy, whilst creating an adaptive and ICT-savvy generation of leaders. The efforts of Sharjah's business leaders, through good governance, innovation, and inclusionary policy, are supporting the emirate's sustained growth and global development.

CEO Insights Asia in this issue presents a list of ‘Top 10 Leaders in Sharjah - 2025' who have leveraged their extensive industry expertise and experience in offering effective skills to the market. The following list has been prepared after being closely scrutinized by a distinguished panel of judges including CXOs, analysts and our editorial board. We recognize their valuable contribution to the ever expanding and competitive market and their ability to sustain themselves and emerge as top contestants through their reliable knowledge.

Top 10 Leaders in Sharjah - 2025

Company Management	Company Name	Company Description
Ahmed Almaazmi, CFO	Sharjah Asset Management Holding	He oversees the finance strategy, operations, and companies across diverse sectors, and his role involves offering insights into financial trends and opportunities to boost profitability
Ahmed Alqaseer,	Sharjah Investment & Development Authority(Shurooq)	He drives Sharjah’s strategic economic transformation attracting national and international investment, delivering sustainable development, and enhancing the emirate’s position as a global destination for culture, trade, and tourism
Ali Hashem , Owner & President	Fresh Start	He was instrumental in capitalizing on emerging trends and technologies, focusing on recycling and exporting second-hand apparel from the Midwest to Africa and other international markets
Ghulam Samdani, CEO	Sky Bizz	With over 30 years of experience in aviation and logistics, he led with trust, consistency, and resilience, fostering a collaborative yet results-driven environment
Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO	Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park	With a background in economic development and strategic leadership, he plays a key role in fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government to advance technological innovation in the region
Khalid Al Nakhi , Director	Sharjah Capability Development	Leveraging his expertise in training, professional development, and strategic planning, he leads programs that empower individuals and institutions to meet evolving business and public-sector needs
Masoud Al Hamadi , Executive Director - Upstream	Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC)	With over 20 years of technical and leadership experience in the oil and gas sector, he has played a pivotal role in several landmark energy projects in Sharjah, including the discovery of new gas reserves and more
Rashid Alobad, Director General	Sharjah Media City (Shams)	He drives the Free Zone’s mission to nurture a vibrant creative and digital media ecosystem supporting startups, freelancers, and media professionals with infrastructure, licensing, and strategic partnerships
Sara Al Nuaimi , CEO	Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa)	She plays a key role in building a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem by fostering access to mentorship, funding, and strategic partnerships and is known for her commitment to innovation and inclusive growth
Saud Al Qasimi , Director General	Government of Sharjah - Sharjah Digital Department	He leads Sharjah’s digital transformation efforts developing unified platforms to streamline public and private services, enhance user experience, and elevate quality of life through smart governance

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