Naim Maadad

Dr. Naim Maadad Chief Executive & Founder, Gates Hospitality With a Professional Doctorate in Tourism & Hospitality and almost 32 years’ experience in the hospitality industry in Australia, Asia and the Middle East, Dr. Maadad is the Chief Executive and Founder of Gates Hospitality, a home-grown hospitality group based in the UAE, with award-winning concepts such as folly, Bistro Des Arts, Reform Social & Grill and Six Senses Zighy Bay Having led a wide spectrum of both operational and senior positions throughout his career, Dr. Maadad was Managing Director for both Six Senses and Minor Hotels prior to setting up Gates Hospitality in 2010; two roles (amongst many others) that allowed him to gain significant operational and commercial experience as a leader, as well as nurture significant owner and stakeholder relationships. Dr. Maadad has been based in the Middle East for more than twenty years and so has witnessed tremendous industry growth and gained a deep cultural understanding of the ways of the region, allowing him to support businesses and owners, and be a credible and respected voice of authority for the industry. As well as his day-to-day role, Dr. Maadad is the current Chairman of Australian Business Council Dubai and is also on the boards of various hospitality businesses such as The Middle East Food Forum, Almont Global and others. A visionary and yet clear and direct leader, Dr. Maadad is passionate about nurturing local and regional talent and is known to have to supported and guided many hoteliers, chefs and restauranters as a mentor throughout his career. Recently, this initiative has evolved into a strategic partnership with the Dubai College of Tourism (DCT), providing students with invaluable vocational training through hands-on internships, whilst on a personal note, Dr. Maadad has also launched his own mentorship program, specifically designed to empower and guide the next generation of leaders within the hospitality industry. Passionate about promoting positive mental health within the industry, Dr. Maadad is also a proud partner of Mentl, including contributing as a judge for their yearly awards programme. Now, leading a team of 700 colleagues across Gates Hospitality, he is considered one of industry’s most respected spokespeople, nurturing the careers of many new faces of the future. In April 2025, Dr Maadad was included in Arabian’s Business’s Top 100 List – a prestigious list that highlights those business leaders who are shaping the future of the United Arab Emirates.