Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum

Company/Position: Dubai World - Chairman; Dubai Civil Aviation Authority - President; Dubai Airports - Chairman; Dubai Executive Council - Second vice-chairman
Company websites:www.dubaiworld.ae; www.dwc.ae

Biography:Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum was appointed chairman of troubled state holding company Dubai World in December 2010.

Sheikh Ahmed is the chairman of Emirates Group, the parent company of the hugely successful Emirates airline, and also chairman of the Dubai Supreme Fiscal Committee. Dubai World sent shockwaves through global markets in November 2009, when it announced it would request a six-month standstill on some $25bn of debt.

In October 2010, Dubai World secured full approval for its debt restructuring and 2011 will be a crucial year for the company as it seeks to move forward and reassess its many investments, spanning commercial, industrial, agricultural, real estate and the financial and service sectors.

Sheikh Ahmed is also president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, chairman of Dubai Airports and second vice-chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.