Ahmed Samir Elbermbali
Ahmed is a seasoned professional in the sustainability and clean energy industry, currently serving as the Director of Sustainability for the Middle East and Caspian and Africa Region at Bureau Veritas. He is a trusted advisor to clients across the region, helping them to establish and achieve their net-zero goals. Ahmed has a deep understanding of the clean energy and sustainable mobility sectors, having served as the Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEV) Lead at the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, where he promoted and advocated for the ZEV Declaration launched at COP26 in Glasgow and launched the Accelerating to Zero (A2Z) Coalition. He also served as the Managing Director of the MENA Clean Energy Business Council (CEBC), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting clean energy and clean technologies and solutions in the MENA region. He also worked with organization like the Charging Interface Initiative (CharIN), International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT).
He holds MBA in Sustainable Mobility Management from the Technical University of Berlin and bachelor’s in aerospace engineering from the University of Science and Technology, Zewail City.
Anan Alamri
Anan Alamri is a driving force in sustainable urban mobility, leading transformative initiatives at Abu Dhabi Mobility to create a greener, smarter public transport network. As Section Head of Alternative & Sustainable Mobility, she oversees key projects such as the Abu Dhabi Link on-demand bus service and the Green Public Transport Program, which introduced electric and hydrogen-powered buses into Abu Dhabi’s public transport network.
A strong advocate for micro-mobility, on-demand transit solutions, and community-centric transport, Anan champions first-mile and last-mile connectivity to ensure seamless access to the public transport system. Her work focuses on making public transport more accessible, efficient, and environmentally friendly, while integrating walking, cycling, and shared mobility into multimodal journeys.
She actively engages with local communities to promote sustainable choices, fostering a culture of public transport adoption and inclusivity. Her efforts support Abu Dhabi’s vision for a net-zero future, positioning the emirate as a leader in sustainable urban transport across the MENA region.
Ashar Ali Minai
Ashar Ali Minai is a dynamic and results-driven sales leader with over 14 years of experience in the automotive parts industry across the Middle East. As a Country Sales Manager, Ashar has a proven track record of exceeding sales targets, expanding market share, and building strong customer relationships. He is adept at developing strategic plans, leading high-performing sales teams, and fostering strong customer relationships to drive business growth. With a deep understanding of industry trends and customer needs, Ashar is committed to delivering exceptional service and achieving excellence through innovation and teamwork. His expertise spans sales management, partnerships, regional expertise, distribution, and negotiation.
Aftaab Aboobacker
Fueled by a strong passion for the automotive industry, Aftaab is building a promising career in sales with a clear focus on customer relationships and sustainable business growth. As part of the Bilstein Group, he brings fresh energy, dedication, and a results-driven mindset to the team.
He is committed to driving value for customers and contributing to the organization’s success.
Gurhan Cevikel
With over 18 years of experience spanning the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Asia, Gurhan Cevikel assumes the role of Head of Marketing – MEA at Bridgestone. He is in charge of developing, coordinating, and executing the Marketing Strategy for the MEA region in line with Bridgestone Middle East Africa strategic priorities. He oversees all marketing activities - including Brand Marketing, Trade Marketing, PR & Communication, Digital Marketing, Pricing, and Strategic Planning.
Gurhan's impressive journey includes a notable stint at Shell, where he ascended to the position of Global Marketing Director - Retail Lubricants, demonstrating his expertise in go-to-market strategies, pricing, portfolio management, and communication planning. Subsequently, he assumed the role of Head of Market Intelligence & Consulting for MENA at GFK Middle East & Africa LLC.
Gurhan's academic foundation is rooted in a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Bogazici University, complemented by a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Yeditepe University. Fluent in both English and Turkish, Gurhan is poised to lead Bridgestone MEA's marketing endeavors to new heights.
Heiko Seitz
Heiko Seitz is a Partner and the Global eMobility Leader of PwC, based out of Dubai. With 20 years of international hands-on experience in the mobility, energy and infrastructure sectors, he is a trusted advisor for top government and industry leaders, to transform towards sustainable and profitable eMobility ecosystems.
Ilias Karampoikis
Ilias was born in Greece and raised in Canada. He graduated from the University of Montreal in Political Science and Economics. His career with Technology and Sales started in the US in 2003 when he worked with a distributor for Nextel. Ilias moved to the Middle East in 2009 to embark on a 12-year-long career with Nielsen / GfK in commercial leadership, sales excellence, strategic sales, and key account management in the consultative services industry. Since 2022, Ilias has been working for BSI as the Regional Commercial Director of India, the Middle East and Africa, supporting organisations in their Quality Management, Digital Trust, Health and Safety, and Sustainability journeys.
Ilias speaks three languages (English, Greek and French), enjoys travelling, playing sports, particularly football, and spending quality time with his son.
Mohamed Yagoub Mastoor
Mohamed Yagoub Mastoor leads Ruptela's operations in the Middle East, driving growth and innovation in one of the world's most dynamic fleet telematics markets. Based in Dubai, he combines a solid academic background, holding both an MBA and a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, with deep expertise in B2B sales, business development, and product rollout strategy.
At Ruptela, Mohamed Yagoub Mastoor is responsible for introducing key technologies across the GCC, including Eco5, Smart5, and HCV5 Lite - advanced tracking solutions designed to optimize fleet safety, compliance, and efficiency. His work focuses on bridging client needs with technical performance, ensuring that telematics technology delivers real business impact. With a strong interest in business intelligence, he is currently expanding his capabilities in analytics to help fleets unlock deeper operational insights.
Recognized for his client-centric mindset and practical leadership style, Mohamed Yagoub Mastoor is a trusted advisor to transport companies, assisting them in digitalization. At Automechanika Dubai 2025, he will join Session 7: Driver Behavior & Safety Analytics to explore how real-time alerts and driver scoring systems can reduce road risks and change the way safety is managed across fleets.
Dr. Manfred Braeunl
Dr. Manfred Bräunl was appointed as Chief Executive Officer at Porsche Middle East and Africa FZE in 2019. In this role he is leading Porsche’s regional office in Dubai, UAE that is responsible for the entire operations across 16 markets and 15 countries in the GCC, Levant, Africa and India.
Prior to his role in Dubai, Bräunl was Vice President, Marketing at Porsche China for five years, based in Shanghai, China.
Before joining Porsche, Bräunl was Global Marketing Director for Maserati global headquarters in Modena, Italy, and held various senior management positions at BMW in the areas of Finance, Sales and Marketing in both Germany and Canada.
Bräunl holds both German and Canadian citizenship. He obtained a PhD in Business Administration from University Mannheim, Germany in 2010 and is an official Guest Professor at Tongji University Shanghai/China since 2017.
Maneesha Bhatnagar
Maneesha Bhatnagar has over 13 years of experience within LeasePlan Emirates. As the head of ESG she is responsible for managing the ESG function within the entity, engaging with stakeholders to discuss ESG-related risks and opportunities and managing ESG reporting. She also leads the fleet consultancy value stream, leading projects related to fleet optimization, car policy consultation, TCO analysis, lease v/s buy analysis and any other solutions that can provide strategic support to LeasePlan’s clients and prospects. Consultancy also includes EV advocacy and implementation, wherein she takes the lead in engaging with EV dealerships and infrastructure service providers in the UAE, to support LeasePlan clients in their transition to more sustainable fleet.
Dr. Nima Mehrdadi
Dr. Nima Mehrdadi is a senior executive with extensive experience in the international automotive industry and a former sports official.
He was born in Tehran, Iran, and raised and educated in Germany. In 2004, he earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Paderborn. His research focused on the fatigue strength of mechanical joints, and during his doctoral studies, he managed the materials and component testing laboratory. That same year, he joined the Hella Group, where he held various managerial roles in development, industrialization, production, strategy, and international sales.
Since 2015, he has been serving as the Managing Director of Hella Middle East FZE in Dubai and simultaneously holds the position of Vice President for the Independent Aftermarket covering the Middle East, Africa, India, and Central Asia for FORVIA HELLA.
Today, in addition to his executive responsibilities, he contributes to industry innovation and global aftermarket growth through roles in expert committees such as the Advisory Board of Automechanika Dubai.
Oweis Zahran
Oweis Zahran is the founder of OWS Automotive Solutions, which is a pioneer in the automotive industry, providing sustainable automotive solutions to various governmental and private entities. Founded originally in the USA and with his strategic foresight and vision, coupled with his leadership skills, the business has expanded to various regions in Middle East and South East Asia, catering to government, defense and other entities with notable clients including the UAE Armed Forces, Dubai Taxi Corporation and so on.
His ability to form strong partnerships also led and expanded the business to other sectors including entertainment, capital investments, and so on. He established Melt ME and A, in collaboration with Steve Harvey Global which is a global brand experience and original IP festival and events company, bringing unique IP’s such as Steve Harvey Golf Classic, Open Fire Food Festival and Fuel Fest to the region. Owing to his extensive network consisting of prominent government and business figures in the Middle East and US, as well as elite Hollywood and other sports celebrities, the company also does unique celebrity endorsements and campaigns such as the Yas Island campaign with Ryan Reynolds, Jason Momoa and Kevin Hart, driving tourism and economic boost to the country. Melt’s other division, Melt Education focuses on various education initiatives of high impact.
Raji Hattar
Chief Sustainability Officer with over 30+ years of experience leading the department and global team into achieving the company’s sustainability goals and commitments.
Raya Makawi
Dynamic leader in Public Affairs, Government Relations, Regulatory Compliance, and Sustainability with a strong background in driving organizational transformation and market commercialization with over a decade of experience at 3M MEA Region.
Consistently delivering critical insights to senior management, managing ISO 9001 certification, and leading global initiatives and international climate diplomacy for social impact and technical women's advancement.
During her previous role at 3M as Regional Head of Sustainability & Government Affairs, Raya engaged in regional and global forums and workshops to enhance understanding of ESG issues, fostering a culture of sustainability within organizations and communities – co-leading 3M engagement at COP27 Egypt, COP28 UAE and COP29 Azerbaijan.
Raya has strong capabilities in building and maintaining strong relationships with government officials and industry leaders, fostering inclusive leadership to accelerate business growth and market relevance as well as facilitating dialogues between governments, corporations, and civil society.
Raya is committed to advancing sustainable development in the MEA region by leveraging cross-sector collaboration and innovative solutions to address environmental and social challenges.
Sajith Sulayman
Sajith Sulayman is the CEO of Autotek.io, where he leads technology-driven solutions that modernize automotive supply chains and service networks. His work focuses on turning “local” into a competitive advantage—digitizing procurement, enriching parts data, and building supplier partnerships that improve availability, quality, and cost. Drawing on hands-on experience across the GCC and emerging markets, he helps manufacturers, distributors, and fleets localize sourcing, standardize data, and orchestrate multi-tier vendor networks.
On this panel—Future-proofing supply chains through localisation—Sajith will share practical playbooks for developing regional ecosystems: supplier enablement and QA frameworks, interoperable data standards, AI-assisted demand forecasting, and last-mile distribution models that reduce risk and accelerate fulfillment. At Autotek.io, he is advancing Automotive 4.0 by connecting marketplace dynamics with service intelligence, enabling faster, first-time-right maintenance and resilient, locally anchored operations.
Positioning: Industry transformist
Sajith began as a technical consultant and liaison to multi-nation defense programs across the GCC, navigating procurement and logistics through conflict zones and sanctions to keep assets mission-ready. That fieldcraft—rapid localization, certified alternates, and data-led risk control—now powers his civilian playbook: redesigning supply chains to be sovereign, interoperable, and resilient. Today, through Autotek.io, he is accelerating the shift to Automotive 4.0 by unifying parts intelligence, procurement, and workshop operations so maintenance moves from reactive fixes to predictive, first-time-right outcomes.
Subhashree Ramarathnam
Subhashree, currently based in Dubai, is an Associate Director with Frost & Sullivan's Mobility Practice. She has 16 years of combined management consulting and OEM experience (in Customer Oriented Engineering) in the Middle East & South Asia markets. Her experience includes covering broad range of sectors, working with leading industry experts to deliver high profile Mobility projects from inception through to developing Go-To-Market strategy, with particular expertise in: New Mobility Business Models (Leasing, car sharing, Used cars subscription, etc.), Omni-channel retailing of cars & spare parts and Automotive aftermarket.
Steven Pickering
Steven Pickering is the General Manager of BuyParts24, the Middle East’s first truly multi-brand B2B auto parts digital platform, built in Dubai by the Ghassan Aboud Group.
He was recruited in 2021 to launch and achieve product–market fit of the digital platform, by aligning technology and key supplier relationships to solve various customer persona needs.
Today, BuyParts24 connects over 100 OEM, aftermarket, and TBA brands to 5,000+ garages, fleets, retailers, and fuel networks across the region, in which it delivers close to 10,000 orders a month, most of which arrive within 3 hours.
Previously, Steven was Regional Director & General Manager (Middle East, Africa & Asia) for ARB Corporation, the world’s largest 4x4 accessories manufacturer.
From 2016–2021, he established ARB’s regional HQ and distribution centre in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone, delivering market share growth through strategic distribution agreements, product localisation, and channel expansion.
When first arriving in the UAE in 2013, Steven served as Business Director of Key Accounts for OBS Automotive LLC, overseeing OEM importer partnerships to drive parts and service profitability through value-added aftermarket solutions within preventative maintenance categories.
Steven holds a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from UniSC and an MBA from the University of Wollongong, both based in Australia. His ongoing interests and commitment to learning include digital transformation, talent development, building value across platforms, route-to-market strategy, automotive e-commerce, AI applications in aftersales and innovative sales and marketing initiatives.
With the unique regional experience of leading a first mover e-commerce auto parts platform in the GCC, Steven’s practical, innovation-focused approach provides actionable insights for industry leaders navigating the shift to digital platforms, in pursuit of transforming aftermarket sales and service offerings in their own respective competitive eco systems.
Shehab Sultan Mesmar
Shehab Sultan Mesmar is the Head of Operations at Dubai Auto Zone (DAZ), one of the region’s premier automotive hubs under DP World GCC, driving operational excellence, optimizing customer experience, and spearheading strategic growth initiatives that strengthen DAZ’s market leadership.
Since joining DP World in 1997 as a Sales & Marketing trainee, Shehab has rapidly advanced through key senior roles across Jafza, Techno Park, Ducamz, and Textile Operations, consistently delivering high-impact results in sales, operations, stakeholder engagement, and commercial strategy. His extensive expertise in free zone management and business development has been instrumental in shaping robust commercials & operations that help fuel business expansion.
With over 28 years of proven success, Shehab has been pivotal in attracting and establishing multinational corporations and Fortune 500 companies within JAFZA ecosystem, while continuously enhancing processes to reinforce Dubai’s stature as a leading global trade and logistics hub.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a specialisation in Marketing from Suffolk University, Boston, and has completed a nine-month Leadership Program at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, underscoring his commitment to visionary leadership and commercial excellence.
Talha Marzouk
Talha Marzouk fulfills the Operations Director role at OWS Automotive Solutions, an industry leader in automotive services, fleet management, after sales and consultancy. With extensive expertise in the automotive industry, Talha has been instrumental in driving the growth of OWS Automotive projects, particularly in its partnerships with government entities across the UAE, such as the UAE Armed Forces, Ajman Municipality, Dubai RTA and Ajman Transport Authority. In his role, he works to provide commercially sustainable solutions to clients and stakeholders to create lasting and successful partnerships. Talha brings a wealth of knowledge in automotive solutions and strategic business development, contributing to OWS Automotives’ reputation as a trusted provider in the sector.
Vishnu Suresh
Vishnu Suresh is a strategy and operations leader with deep expertise in global automotive supply chains. He has worked with the Big Three automakers in Detroit and two of the largest OEMs in Saudi Arabia, advising on supplier strategy, industrial localization, and manufacturing scale-up. His experience with Tier-1 suppliers across the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East gives him a global perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.
Vishnu has led supplier localization programs in the Middle East, focusing on the unique dynamics of building competitive ecosystems in emerging markets. He also brings a strong perspective on electrification and its transformative impact on supplier value chains.
He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Bombay and an MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.
Vijay Gummadi
Mr. Vijay Gummadi believes the future of automotive goes beyond machines - it’s about people, data, and intelligent systems working together.
Starting out as a car wash attendant, his curiosity about cars led him to Detroit, where he earned a Master’s in Manufacturing Systems and Information Technology and worked at the heart of the global auto industry.
Vijay can repair cars and program computers with equal ease - a combination that shapes his work today at the intersection of mobility and technology. He is the Founder and CEO of Autorox and Autozilla. Autorox, used by thousands of auto repair shops across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe, combines AI to help workshops run smarter, faster, and more profitably. Autozilla simplifies how workshops find and buy spare parts through its technology-led B2B eCommerce platform, bringing accuracy and speed to a complex supply chain.
Recently, Vijay published The Auto Repair Playbook, a practical guide to help workshops thrive in an increasingly digital and data-driven world. His companies connect car owners, workshops, fleets, insurers, and parts suppliers into intelligent digital ecosystems that are transforming how auto repair works every day.
He believes real progress comes from deeply understanding ground level problems and using technology to solve them effectively - making everyday things like car repair simpler, fairer, and better for everyone.
Vishal Pandey
Vishal is a Dubai based Market Entry & Insights advisor who has lived and worked in the UK, India and across the Middle East. Previously as a research lead with Deloitte Consulting’s Dubai offices, he was part of a team responsible for strategy and operations assignments across the Middle East and North Africa region. Vishal has been involved in over 750 research + market entry engagements mostly across MENA and South Asia region in his career spanning 18 years across a diverse set of industries.
He is a leading MENA focused Market Entry & Go-To-Market Strategy Specialist. He has been numerously interviewed on the subject. He contributes frequently to several regional and global publications in the areas of growth & market insights, tourism, policy, retail and real estate. He is also often invited to be a speaker at key Middle East and South Asian foreign investment, innovation, growth strategy and retail industry conferences. He is currently on the UNWTO Panel of Tourism Experts.
Vishal holds an MSc in Real Estate and Regeneration from the University of Glasgow, a UNWTO Themis degree in Tourism and International Cooperation for Development from The George Washington University and a Degree in Hotel Management.
He currently drives the Automotive Intelligence & Tracking Hub (AITH), a Glasgow Consulting Group Initiative. AITH, under his guidance, offers regional market intelligence, thought leadership, and insights, revolutionizing the Middle East and Africa sector.
Yusuf Tambawala
Yusuf Tambawala is the Vice President of Growth & Business Support at Economic Zones business of DP World in the GCC, where he leads initiatives to drive strategic development and expand the economic footprint of one of the world's leading free zones.
Yusuf Tambawala has over 26 years of diverse experience in strategy formulation, deployment and implementation, marketing and operations, new product and service development, market assessments, growth and entry strategies, international strategy and strategic alliances.
Before his current role, Yusuf was Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Development for Ghassan Aboud Group, with responsibility for managing the strategy for existing businesses and developing new growth opportunities.
Prior to this, at DP World and Economic Zones World, Yusuf contributed to the Emirates of Dubai’s strategic direction as the Project Manager for the Dubai Industrial Strategy and the eCommerce Strategy along with mega development projects in Jafza and DP World.
Yusuf has worked with S. P. Jain School of Global Management as an Academician and Corporate Relations Head, and with Tata Group as a Senior Manager of Product Development.
Yusuf holds a graduate degree from Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, Netherlands. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree from University of Huddersfield,UK.
Yogesh Thakur
I am a Product Leader passionate about creating seamless experiences and driving meaningful growth. Before joining ekar, I built a strong foundation in product strategy and execution, working across diverse digital initiatives that honed my ability to balance customer needs with business impact.
Over the years, I have focused on optimizing product journeys, launching customer-centric solutions, and leveraging data-driven insights to inform strategic decisions. I thrive at the intersection of innovation and execution—turning complex challenges into practical, scalable solutions that delight users and deliver measurable business results.
With experience in leading teams, managing operational efficiency, and aligning product vision with strategic goals, I bring a holistic perspective to product management. What drives me is creating impact through thoughtful product design, operational excellence, and building solutions that genuinely solve customer problems.