Our Jury

Dr. Rodolphe Ocler

Ph.D, Mres, Bcom, FHEA, Director of PhD Programme, Course Coordinator MBA Global

Dr. Rodolphe has been teaching strategy and qualitative research methods for over 15 years to different audiences. He joined the University of Bedfordshire in April 2011 and have been involved in the MBA and transnational education (TNE) programmes since then.

Before that he was Head of the Strategy, Management and Entrepreneurship department of the Chambery Savoy Business School and developed a training program for the International Labour Organization.

When not working, he enjoys taking care of his four cats, listening to jazz music and reading

Khalid Almansoori

Digital Acceleration Veteran, Strategy & Technology Adviser, Director & CIO

Having long experience as CIO, Khalid has always been looking for new challenge. People management is his strong talents and building strong IT department to be able to compete in any market, Since IT is the backbone of any business or organization in any sector his objective is to help building strong IT team who speak business language with latest Technology. He believes in creating mature process which can lead to new revenue stream, Innovation and staff engagement.

Ahmad Almulla

Senior Digital Transformation Leader and Mentor

Ahmad Almulla has over 32 years of experience in IT and business with international exposure and is considered one of the leading figures when it comes to innovation and creative thinking. He is one of few who have combined experience in Information Technology and Supply Chain Management coupled with strong leadership capabilities. This combination has enabled Ahmad to play a crucial strategic role in the success of Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL) and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA). Ahmad has served as a member of the executive committee for over 15 years. Ahmad is credited as one of the driving forces behind the IT revolution at DUBAL/EGA, and a visionary leader who has ushered in an era of technological change in the company. During his over 30 years of service at DUBAL/EGA, Ahmad has been at the helm of various strategic initiatives envisaged to position DUBAL/EGA as a leader in technology and information-based infrastructure; and supply chain management. His experience and knowledge in Cyber Security domain has shielded DUBAL/EGA domain and information assets. Ahmad has also led DUBAL/EGA Information Technology division to win many international and regional awards. During his career, Ahmad has been a frequent keynote speaker at many conferences and symposiums globally; and has led many initiatives that have resulted in DUBAL/EGA receiving several prestigious awards. He has been a pivotal member of the Executive Management Team at DUBAL/EGA for several years, at which level he has contributed strategic expertise in global information systems, information system architecture, supply chain strategy and automation procedures. Drawing on his insight into technology management and ability to create highly effective IT frameworks, Ahmad has effectively leveraged IT as a key catalyst for DUBAL/EGA’s exponential growth over the past two decades. This has been achieved through optimizing operational proficiency via innovative use of technology. For instance, by innovating the supply chain process, DUBAL/EGA has saved millions of dollars in outlay while simultaneously creating a framework for procurement on its major expansion projects. Having an MBA combined with business experienced enabled Ahmad to play the leading role in securing raw materials at competitive prices and was a key figure in concluding long term contracts for major raw materials with favourable pricing and payment arrangements. He also managed to optimize raw materials specs and inventory and helped lower the working capital of EGA. Ahmad also has led the vision for a transformation program through the implementation of SAP in DUBAL/EGA and later the integration of multiple SAP system. The latter system not only revolutionized the way DUBAL/EGA business departments’ function by using world class best practices, but also positioned them for future growth. As part of community support, Ahmad has played a crucial role in establishing CIOMajlis (A platform for CIOs to network and discuss IT related topics) and was the founding chairman. He also served as the vice chairman of Dubai Quality Group (DQG), In addition, He is a board member of the Association of Change Management Professionals (ACME) Middle East Chapter. He holds an MBA from the University of New England and a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Arizona. He has completed the PED (Programme for Executive Development) at IMD Business School in Switzerland. He recently completed the Directors Development Programme at Mudara Institute of Directors. He has also been a frequent nominee for international training sessions at prestigious institutes such as the IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland. Currently, he advises board of Directors, CEOs, and CIOs on IT strategy, cyber security, and IT governance, IT led innovation. He also serves as a board member of CIOMajlis, a board member of Paramount computers, Strategic advisor at HCL Middle East, and a member of IDC advisory council.

Arun Tewary

Digital Acceleration Veteran, Strategy & Technology Adviser, Director & CIO

Arun Tewary’s career spans over 4 decades in Information Technology and is a well known name in the IT industry in Middle East. He has successfully carried out large technological transformation globally. With a modest beginning of his career as Programmer he has gone upto top ranks in Information Technology, Currently, Arun is consulting advisor and director with few companies.

Jerry Luftman

Ph.D., GIIMs Founder, Managing Director, & Professor, New York, US

Jerry Luftman’s experience combines the strengths of CIO/practitioner, consultant, and academic. His proficiency in business-IT alignment and global IT trends, 18 books, published research, consulting, mentoring, and teaching/speaking engagements exemplify Dr. Luftman’s expertise and leadership.

After a distinguished 22 year career with IBM, he had an exemplary career for 20 years as Professor, Founder and Associate Dean of the Stevens Institute of Technology Information Systems Programs (one of the largest in the world). Driven by the strong demand for a global executive education program focusing on managing the digital transformation, Dr. Luftman has leveraged his experience as a CIO, IT management consultant, and leading academic, with his strong network of prominent IT practitioners and academics, to provide a valuable and innovative initiative via the Global Institute for IT Management (GIIM).

Dr Luftman's project experience ranges from senior management strategies and considerations through tactical implementation. His well-known model for assessing the maturity of IT-business alignment has a benchmark repository of over one-third of the Global 1,000 companies. He also serves on the Executive Board of several companies, management and academic associations, and publications.

Dr. Luftman’s last responsibility at IBM, after being a CIO, was a prominent speaker at IBMs Customer Executive Conference Center in Palisades, N.Y. While responsible for management research, he played a significant role in defining and introducing the IT Strategy and Planning, and Business Process Re-engineering practice methods for the IBM Management Consulting Group. His framework for applying the strategic alignment model is fundamental in helping clients understand, define, and scope the appropriate strategic planning approach to pursue. Dr. Luftman’s annual global IT trends research, sponsored by several CIO associations and universities, is recognized internationally as an industry barometer.

Mark Johnson

International leader & Non-Executive Director developing & supporting businesses both locally and across the globe

Mark is an accomplished senior leader with a rich blend of functional, consultative & entrepreneurial experience, with strong business performance skills & a credible track record of strategy development, driving sales growth, maximising profits & improving the customer experience within the UK & International retail markets.

He has deep knowledge of the retail and consumer products sectors; has worked in the sector for more than 30 years and is always seeking to make a difference in the industry.

He is commercially astute with a strong track record in operations, business optimisation & strategy execution. Able to articulate & champion a vision, has the power to inspire & is passionate about driving performance & winning through people. Successfully led teams from Operations, Buying & Merchandising, HR, Training, Property & Marketing, implementing strategies to improve procedures, people & profitability.

Mark has in-depth knowledge of retail markets in the UK, Ireland, Middle East & South Asia

Awarded and listed in the Top 100 global minds listing 2017 by the Global Council and Jury of the Asia Africa GCC Retail & Shopping Centre Congress "Awardees are seen as people who are reinventing the role of retailing in today’s society"

James is a leader in the application of AI in cyber defense and has extensive experience in strategic applications of AI to optimize clients’ revenue and business operations. James is a founder member of Darktrace’s Middle East business operating out of the Marina Gate offices in Dubai. In his role as Regional Director – Middle East, he is involved with the leadership, business development and technical delivery of Darktrace’s Middle East business. Darktrace’s award-winning technology is helping to protect a large number of organisations in the Middle East and across the globe, across multiple sectors including Government, Defense, Oil & Gas and Financial Services.

- CEO, Vrata Tech Solutions Private Limited (Arvind Mafatlal Group)
- CIO, Mafatlal Industries Limited (Arvind Mafatlal Group)
- CIO, Bhaktivedanta Hospitals & Research Institute
Shibin Chulliparambil, CEO of Vrata Tech Solutions Pvt. Ltd. & CIO of Mafatlal Industries Ltd., group companies of one of the oldest conglomerates Arvind Mafatlal group (AMG) of India with legacy of more than 100+ years. He is also the Senior advisor in the capacity of CIO at Bhaktivedanta Hospitals & Research Institute based in Mumbai. He manages end-to-end IT needs of the organization, right from digitization to automation, technological advancements, and others. He has more than 2 decades of strong experience in the field of Information Technology & consulting. Being a veteran in the field of IT industry, he manages to work on the ground leading and managing the team with many successful projects under the wings globally. Shibin has been conferred with various awards like “Innovative CIO Awards”, “Cloud Leadership Award”, “Digital Leader”, “Security Icon”, “Most Inspiring CIO of India”, “CIO of the Year” & many more. He has authored articles on Digital topics in well-known publications. Over a span of 2 decades of experience in IT , he has worked with various industry verticals like Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare, Textiles, Chemicals, Manufacturing, Education, Media and Consulting.