Suad Merchant appointed chief marketing officer at GEMS Education
Merchant joins GEMS at a pivotal time in the dynamically evolving MENA region, where education's growing importance as a strategic contributor and shaper of tomorrow's leaders is undeniable.
In her role, Merchant will lead the group's global marketing, brand strategy, and communications efforts, reinforcing GEMS' reputation as a trusted, family-run institution delivering world-class education with heart and vision. Beyond leading branding and communications, the role is strategically crafted to be a key enabler of business growth and impact and ensure GEMS continues to lead in a sector critical to regional and global development.
With a career spanning over 20 years in leadership roles across industries including financial services, information technology, and transformation consulting, Suad brings a wealth of experience in driving business transformation, building iconic brands, purpose-driven global initiatives, and crafting human-centred storytelling at scale. Her track record includes leading marketing and communications for some of the region's most respected organisations, delivering measurable impact through innovative campaigns and meaningful engagement across stakeholders and communities.
Her appointment reflects GEMS Education's commitment to strengthening its leadership team with visionary talent, as the organisation continues on its mission to nurture young minds, empower educators, and leverage the latest technologies including AI to deliver transformative learning experiences.
Commenting on her appointment, Merchant said: "It's an honour to join GEMS Education, an organisation I've long admired for its scale, values, and deep commitment to shaping a brighter future for children around the world. Its technology, innovation, and purpose-driven strategies are redefining not just how their schools operate, but also how they inspire students to be pioneering, empathetic, and prepared to address global challenges with care and a One Team approach. This purpose-led approach resonates deeply with me."
"I look forward to working with our talented teams to tell our story boldly, drive meaningful innovation, accelerate growth, and continue inspiring a world where every child has the opportunity to dream, learn, and thrive," she added.
Jay Varkey, deputy CEO at GEMS Education, added: "We are delighted to welcome Suad to the GEMS family. Her passion for education, coupled with her proven expertise in strategic marketing and transformation, makes her the ideal leader to take our brand and communications efforts to the next level. As we accelerate our growth plans globally and align with the region's increasing focus on education as a driver of progress, Suad's leadership will be instrumental in strengthening our brand, scaling our impact, and delivering on our vision. We are confident she will play a key role in driving our ambitions forward."
Merchant holds a master's degree in marketing management and strategy and has been recognised as a dynamic leader in brand and business transformation in the region.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Business
an hour ago
- Arabian Business
DP World revenues soar 20.4% to $11.24bn for H1 despite global trade headwinds
Dubai logistics company and port operators DP World continued to report strong revenue growth, reaching US$11.24 billion, a 20.4 per cent year-on-year (YoY) jump, despite the ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty. Driven by strong performance across Ports & Terminals and recent acquisitions, DP World's adjusted EBITDA reached $3.03 billion, up 21.4 per cent, while container volumes increased 5.6 per cent on a like-for-like basis, reaching 45.4 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) across the global portfolio. EBITDA margin improved 0.2 points to 27.0 per cent. Net profit was up 68.5 per cent to US$960 million, compared to US$570 million in the same period last year. DP World expects to deliver a strong full-year EBITDA performance, supported by sustained throughput growth, operational leverage in Ports & Terminals, strengthening balance sheet, and strategic capex and global integration. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman and CEO, commented on business outlook: 'Looking ahead, we remain optimistic about the medium- to long-term outlook for global trade and logistics. As supply chains evolve, DP World is well-positioned to lead the industry in delivering efficient, resilient, and sustainable trade solutions that create long-term value.' On the H1 results, Bin Sulayem added: 'We are pleased to report strong first-half results, with both revenue and EBITDA growing by over 20 per cent. 'Ongoing geopolitical tensions, the continued closure of the Red Sea route, and rising uncertainty around global trade tariffs have caused significant disruption across the industry. Despite these challenges, our strategy of delivering integrated end-to-end solutions and operating critical infrastructure in key markets has allowed us to continue supporting cargo owners to move their freight and to deliver a strong set of results.' The company continues to invest in strategic growth markets, with US$1.08 billion in capital expenditure during the first half of the year. The full-year capex target of US$2.5 billion will support expansion in Jebel Ali Port, Drydocks World, Tuna Tekra (India), London Gateway (UK), and Dakar (Senegal), along with DP World Logistics and P&O Maritime Logistics. These investments are focused on enhancing terminal capacity, supply chain integration, and digital capabilities to support long-term trade resilience. Across terminals where DP World has operational control, the company handled 27.4 million TEU, an increase of 7.5 per cent year-on-year. Yuvraj Narayan, Group Deputy CEO & CFO, commented: 'This performance was underpinned by continued momentum in Ports & Terminals and Marine Services, supported by strong cash generation and a disciplined balance sheet. We remain well-positioned to fund strategic growth, maintain our credit strength, and respond to evolving market conditions.' DP World's freight forwarding platform now spans approximately 300 locations and covers more than 90 per cent of global trade lanes. Bin Sulayem added: 'We continue to enhance our logistics capabilities, allowing us to serve customers seamlessly across the world's major trade lanes. Recent bolt-on acquisitions have expanded our offerings and introduced specialised capabilities aligned with the evolving needs of cargo owners. 'These investments address supply chain inefficiencies and strengthen connectivity across key corridors, enabling us to deliver more resilient, efficient, and tailored solutions.'
Arabian Business
an hour ago
- Arabian Business
University of Dubai signs agreement with Tech Firm Technology
The University of Dubai (UD) and its Cyber-Security and Applied Resilience (C-SAR) Center have signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tech Firm Technology to partners in the fields of cybersecurity, digital resilience, and innovative technologies. Under the agreement, the two parties intend to jointly promote educational programs, products, and services of both organisations, including C-SAR initiatives. They will implement collaborative research projects in the field of cybersecurity and support students in internships and practical training, including through C-SAR. The partnership also provides for special terms, benefits, and discounts for employees and their families. Dr. Eesa Bastaki, President of the University of Dubai, commented: 'This agreement is an important step in advancing our cybersecurity initiatives and strengthening ties with the industry. Working together with Tech Firm will enable our students and professionals to participate in cutting-edge projects and develop practical skills.' Tech Firm Technology is a Dubai-based technology solutions provider specialising in cybersecurity, digital transformation, and IT infrastructure services. The company partners with government agencies, enterprises, and educational institutions to deliver technology solutions that enhance operational efficiency and resilience. Ahmed Al Zarooni, CEO of Tech Firm Technology LLC, added: 'We are pleased to join forces with the University of Dubai to promote advanced technologies and enhance digital resilience. This partnership will open new opportunities for both the business and academic communities.'
Arabian Business
an hour ago
- Arabian Business
UAE retailer Union Coop's H1 2025 net profit jumps 6.4% to $47.47 million
UAE's Union Coop has recorded a net profit of AED173.6 million (US$47.27 million) after tax for the first half of the year (H1), compared to AED163.14 million (US$44.42 million), thus growing by 6.4 per cent from the same period last year. Total income reached AED1.16 billion (US$315.32 million), comprising AED1.031 billion (US$280.74 million) from retail sales, AED88 million (US$23.96 million) from real estate, and AED39 million (US$10.62 million) from other income. Profit before tax stood at AED192 million (US$52.28 million). Second-quarter profits in 2025 grew by 13 per cent compared to the same period last year, underscoring the efficiency of Union Coop's operational strategy. The cooperative's customer base also grew significantly, with new customers up by 30 per cent and online sales increasing by 24 per cent. Mohamed Al Hashemi, Union Coop's CEO, commented: 'In the first half of this year, we expanded our footprint with the opening of one new mall and three new stores – in Al Khawaneej, Nad Al Sheba, and Rukan Community – designed to the highest standards to cater to a wider audience.' The company continued enhancing the shopping experience through 'Scan&Go' services in two stores and 'Check&Go' facilities in seven stores, enabling faster and more convenient checkouts. Union Coop also reinforced its commitment to community empowerment, achieving a 35 per cent Emiratisation rate and recruiting 80 National Service members across 13 branches. The cooperative employs 721 women, reflecting its dedication to gender inclusion and diversity.
