Taaleem tap head for UAE Harrow schools: Our friends at Taaleem have appointed Simon O’Connor (LinkedIn) as executive principal of Harrow International UAE, overseeing both Harrow International School Dubai, opening in August 2026, and Harrow International School Abu Dhabi, set to open in 2027, according to a press release. The two campuses mark the UAE debut of Britain’s Harrow International Schools.

O’Connor has over 25 years of experience leading both British and international schools, including his most recent role as director of Deira International School and chief education officer at Al Futtaim Education Foundation.

The Arab Bank for Investment and Foreign Trade (Al Masraf) tapped Hitesh Thakkar (LinkedIn) as chief financial officer, according to a press release. Thakkar will oversee financial planning, performance management, and capital efficiency. He joins from Emirates NBD, where he served as group head of finance for retail banking and wealth management. His previous roles include CFO of Emirates Islamic Bank, as well as positions at ABN Amro and BNP Paribas.

DIEZ appoints new leadership: The Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority’s (DIEZ) chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum appointed Juma Al Matrooshi (LinkedIn) as Assistant Executive Chairman for Investments and Partnerships, according to the Dubai Media Office. Al Matrooshi was most recently the director general of Dubai Silicon Oasis. Badr Buhannad (LinkedIn), formerly the deputy director general at DSO, will now take his place, the statement read.

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