Dubai Advantage 2025

Join us on Friday 12th September at the Nobu Hotel London, Portman Square for an exclusive event hosted by Creative Zone, BlackBrick Property, Meydan Free Zone, and Orbis Exchange Group. Discover and explore the immense benefits of expanding your business into the UAE from Dubai based strategic professionals.

We’re excited to host a private event for a select group of guests looking to connect, collaborate, and engage in meaningful conversations. Spaces are strictly limited, and entry will be confirmed on a first-come, carefully curated basis. Please register your interest using the form. Once we receive your details, we’ll confirm your spot and share all event information.

Speakers

Lorenzo Jooris

CEO, Creative Zone

Lorenzo Jooris is the CEO of Creative Zone, the UAE's leading business set-up advisory firm. Lorenzo holds extensive experience in the Middle Eastern and South Asian markets and retains an expert opinion on SMEs' and start-up culture. Responsible for running all facets of the business, Lorenzo has been instrumental in driving the company's growth and has instilled a culture of innovation, trust, and care by empowering the team to deliver sustained outcomes.

Matthew Bate

Founder & CEO, BlackBrick Property Dubai

Matt Bate brings over 20 years of extensive experience in global business operations with a focus on luxury real estate, hospitality, F&B, tourism, leisure, and integrated mixed-use projects in over 25 countries from design through to long term operations. As Founder and CEO of BlackBrick Dubai, Matt utilises his deep understanding of international business practices and the ability to effectively work within diverse cultural environments, to bring together an exceptional group of advisors that hold their clients’ best interests at heart. Under Matt’s guidance BlackBrick has developed a uniquely human crafted approach to the Real Estate brokerage model, one built on relationships, trust and transparency, all backed by a data driven approach to advising clients on their investment and lifestyle destination journey.

Mr. Khaled Ahmed

Management, Meydan Free Zone

Khaled Ahmed leads operations at Meydan Free Zone - Dubai’s dynamic, fully digital entrepreneurial hub. With a rich background in strategy and free zone innovation, Khaled has held leadership roles across key regional zones, including Qatar Free Zones, Sharjah Media City (Shams), and Dubai South. Since July 2021, he has served as Manager at Meydan Free Zone, contributing to its growth as a world-class destination for global entrepreneurs, offering streamlined, paperless company formation and banking solutions

Shelin Hakki

Group Partnerships & Corporate Structuring Manager, Creative Zone

Shelin brings considerable expertise in company formation and structuring. She has facilitated the establishment of numerous UAE residency options, offshore holding companies, UAE operating Free Zones and Mainland operating entities. A client-centric and passionate problem-solver, Shelin possesses extensive knowledge of business structuring to help her clients achieve long-term benefits in addition to short-term advantages.

Wael Abdulkader

Group Chief Commercial Officer, Creative Zone

Wael Abdulkader brings 17 years of experience across business development, sales, entrepreneurship, and leadership. He began his career in insurance with Alpha Lloyds before moving into the business centres sector, where he drove sales growth and team performance. In 2015, Wael founded a mobile gaming company, raising over $1M and launching a AAA game that topped regional charts. He later transitioned into real estate, helping establish the property department at IFZA and driving strategic partnerships. Since 2021, Wael has been with Creative Zone, first as Head of Revenue & Strategy, where he accelerated company growth. His success led to his promotion as Group Chief Commercial Officer, overseeing all commercial operations and expansion. Wael’s career reflects a proven ability to innovate, scale businesses, and deliver impact across diverse industries.

William Fuller

Co-Founder & Sales Director, Orbis Exchange Group

William Fuller is the Co-Founder of Orbis Exchange Group, a London and UAE-based firm helping SMEs, Large Corporates and Individuals simplify cross-border payments, manage FX risk and funding solutions like large institutions - without the overheads. With over 13 years of experience in sales and foreign exchange, William has grown Orbis from a cold-calling start-up into a trusted partner for international businesses seeking clarity, control, and competitive advantage in volatile markets. William combines commercial sharpness with a deep understanding of finance, compliance, and risk - often acting as an extension of his clients’ finance teams. He believes in building lean, resilient businesses powered by strategic partnerships and institutional-grade infrastructure. Outside of work, William is a competitive long-distance runner, having completed multiple marathons and ultra-marathons. He credits endurance sport for sharpening the mindset needed to scale a business: discipline, patience, and the ability to push beyond comfort. At the UAE Advantage Event, William will be sharing practical insights on the world of Finance and how choosing the right partner can really help you grow.

	Lorenzo Jooris CEO, Creative Zone Lorenzo Jooris is the CEO of Creative Zone, the UAE's leading business set-up advisory firm. Lorenzo holds extensive experience in the Middle Eastern and South Asian markets and retains an expert opinion on SMEs' and start-up culture. Responsible for running all facets of the business, Lorenzo has been instrumental in driving the company's growth and has instilled a culture of innovation, trust, and care by empowering the team to deliver sustained outcomes.
	Matthew Bate Founder & CEO, BlackBrick Property Dubai Matt Bate brings over 20 years of extensive experience in global business operations with a focus on luxury real estate, hospitality, F&B, tourism, leisure, and integrated mixed-use projects in over 25 countries from design through to long term operations. As Founder and CEO of BlackBrick Dubai, Matt utilises his deep understanding of international business practices and the ability to effectively work within diverse cultural environments, to bring together an exceptional group of advisors that hold their clients’ best interests at heart. Under Matt’s guidance BlackBrick has developed a uniquely human crafted approach to the Real Estate brokerage model, one built on relationships, trust and transparency, all backed by a data driven approach to advising clients on their investment and lifestyle destination journey.
	Mr. Khaled Ahmed Management, Meydan Free Zone Khaled Ahmed leads operations at Meydan Free Zone - Dubai’s dynamic, fully digital entrepreneurial hub. With a rich background in strategy and free zone innovation, Khaled has held leadership roles across key regional zones, including Qatar Free Zones, Sharjah Media City (Shams), and Dubai South. Since July 2021, he has served as Manager at Meydan Free Zone, contributing to its growth as a world-class destination for global entrepreneurs, offering streamlined, paperless company formation and banking solutions
	Shelin Hakki Group Partnerships & Corporate Structuring Manager, Creative Zone Shelin brings considerable expertise in company formation and structuring. She has facilitated the establishment of numerous UAE residency options, offshore holding companies, UAE operating Free Zones and Mainland operating entities. A client-centric and passionate problem-solver, Shelin possesses extensive knowledge of business structuring to help her clients achieve long-term benefits in addition to short-term advantages.
	Wael Abdulkader Group Chief Commercial Officer, Creative Zone Wael Abdulkader brings 17 years of experience across business development, sales, entrepreneurship, and leadership. He began his career in insurance with Alpha Lloyds before moving into the business centres sector, where he drove sales growth and team performance. In 2015, Wael founded a mobile gaming company, raising over $1M and launching a AAA game that topped regional charts. He later transitioned into real estate, helping establish the property department at IFZA and driving strategic partnerships. Since 2021, Wael has been with Creative Zone, first as Head of Revenue & Strategy, where he accelerated company growth. His success led to his promotion as Group Chief Commercial Officer, overseeing all commercial operations and expansion. Wael’s career reflects a proven ability to innovate, scale businesses, and deliver impact across diverse industries.
	William Fuller Co-Founder & Sales Director, Orbis Exchange Group William Fuller is the Co-Founder of Orbis Exchange Group, a London and UAE-based firm helping SMEs, Large Corporates and Individuals simplify cross-border payments, manage FX risk and funding solutions like large institutions - without the overheads. With over 13 years of experience in sales and foreign exchange, William has grown Orbis from a cold-calling start-up into a trusted partner for international businesses seeking clarity, control, and competitive advantage in volatile markets. William combines commercial sharpness with a deep understanding of finance, compliance, and risk - often acting as an extension of his clients’ finance teams. He believes in building lean, resilient businesses powered by strategic partnerships and institutional-grade infrastructure. Outside of work, William is a competitive long-distance runner, having completed multiple marathons and ultra-marathons. He credits endurance sport for sharpening the mindset needed to scale a business: discipline, patience, and the ability to push beyond comfort. At the UAE Advantage Event, William will be sharing practical insights on the world of Finance and how choosing the right partner can really help you grow.