Welcome to
Creative Zone by

Creative Zone is the leading and most trusted business setup advisor in the Middle East, providing valuable support to aspiring entrepreneurs and SMEs since 2010. 

With an impressive track record of assisting over 75,000 businesses locally and internationally, Creative Zone has established itself as the one-stop shop for companies seeking business solutions. 

Our services cover every aspect of business setup, from seamless licensing processes to customized value-added solutions. With flexible payment plans and tailored services, we empower companies to promote, sustain and accelerate their operations.

We’ve helped startups become scale-ups, and guided SMEs into new markets—offering more than just trade licenses, but real partnerships that enable growth.

A Strategic Alliance with Encor Group

In January 2025, Creative Zone embarked on a transformative journey by joining forces with Encor Group, a leading corporate, trust, and fund services platform headquartered in Hong Kong. Encor, majority-owned by Nexus Point Capital, a prominent Asian private equity firm, operates across key markets including China, Southeast Asia, and the GCC. This acquisition not only signifies Encor’s commitment to expanding its geographical footprint but also underscores Creative Zone’s pivotal role in the rapidly growing GCC corporate services sector. 

The integration with Encor Group enhances our capabilities, allowing us to offer enriched services and access to a broader network, facilitating cross-border business opportunities and fostering long-term growth for our clients. 

Why Choose Creative Zone?

Proven Track
Record

Over 15 years of experience in facilitating business setups in the UAE and beyond.

Comprehensive
Services

From licensing and visa processing to tax, accounting, and strategic advisory.

Client-Centric
Approach

Tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of each entrepreneur.

Global
Network

Enhanced capabilities through our integration with Encor Group’s international platform.

Trusted
Partner

Recognized by industry leaders and clients for our commitment to excellence.

Meet Our Leadership Team

Our success is driven by a dedicated team of professionals committed to your business journey: 

Lorenzo Jooris 

Group CEO, Creative Zone & Executive Leadership Team Member, Encor Group

“At Creative Zone, we’re not just about helping you start a business—we’re here to walk with you on your entire journey. Over the years, we’ve had the joy of supporting countless entrepreneurs, and it’s been incredible to see so many dreams become a reality. We believe in what we do because we believe in you, and we’ll be there with you every step of the way.”

Wael Abdulkader

Group CEO, Creative Zone & Regional Leadership Team Member, Encor Group

Rné Lorimer

Group Talent Acquisition Manager, Creative Zone

Shakti Sangwan

Group Head of Marketing, Creative Zone & Regional Leadership Team Member, Encor Group

Zeeshan Toor

Group Head of Finance, Creative Zone & Head of CZTA

Emad Youssef

Group Head of Operations, Creative Zone & Regional Leadership Team Member, Encor Group

Pratik Rawal

Group Head of Corporate Structuring, Creative Zone & Regional Leadership Team Member, Encor Group

Nadeem Sheikh

Group Head of Legal, Creative Zone

Rebecca Vangunster

Group Head of Client Relations & Servicing, Creative Zone

Heba Zaidan

Group Project Manager, CEO’s Office,
Creative Zone

Ana Goncalves

Group Digital Lead,
Creative Zone

Kajal Atrey 

HR Manager,
Creative Zone

Sylvia Osbourne

Head of Compliance,
Creative Zone

Sajid Ebrahim

IT Manager,
Creative Zone

Hariel Lebanan

Finance Manager,
Creative Zone

Janice Williamson

 Group Consultant,
Creative Zone

Romell Gumbs

Sales Team Manager, Creative Zone

Some of Our Partners

Some of Our Clients

Creative Zone
By The
Numbers

Years in Business
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Awards Won
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Clients
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Team Members
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Languages Spoken
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Customer Satisfaction
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Free Zone Industry Excellence Award 2016

Most Innovative Business Setup Consultancy 2020
Corporate Service Provider of the Year 2022
How to conquer your startup’s first 100 days
Finalist SME of the Year 2016
Certificate of Appreciation February 2020

Pratik Rawal

Head of Corporate Structuring

Pratik Rawal is the Head of Corporate Structuring focusing on the following key areas:

  • ADGM & DIFC Foundations
  • ADGM & DIFC Holding Companies
  • ADGM SPVs
  • Offshore company formation
  • Setup and structuring for UAE and KSA entities

An Indian citizen who has resided and worked in Dubai for over 14+ years, he holds the following professional certifications:

  • Certified of Trust Management from STEPS
  • Certified in Anti Money Laundering from STEPS
  • Membership with Professional Body: Society of Trust and Estate Planner (STEPS)

Pratik’s primary client base consists of high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals with intricate requirements in foundations and tailor-made Free Zone setups and restructuring of corporate entities.

Alyeesha Fernandes

Business Development Manager

Alyeesha has over 8 years of experience in the customer service industry out of which she has dedicated 5 years and counting in the business setup industry working in various capacities. She has completed her Bachelors degree in Economics and Commerce and is currently pursuing her EMBA at SP Jain University, Dubai.

Currently heading the Concierge team at Creative Zone, Alyeesha possesses an in-depth knowledge of all the services available upon company setup and believes in offering the highest customer satisfaction.

Alistair Paine

Business Setup Manager

Alistair Paine has over five years experience in UAE and Saudi Arabia company formation and structuring. Specialised in advising and protecting expatriate investors beneficial interests through company structures, Alistair has established well over 1,200 UAE Free Zone and Mainland companies in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Working closely with Wael Abdulkader across the revenue department, he now manages the Business Set-Up Team at Creative Zone and is responsible for helping to drive the groups’ expansion in Saudi Arabia. He is passionate, a creative thinker with strong customer service skills and has a vast understanding of all UAE and Saudi Arabia business set-up jurisdictions.

Rebecca Vangunster

Head of Client Relations

Rebecca Vangunster has over 9 years of experience in the business set-up industry. She brings a wealth of operational leadership and exemplified outstanding customer service in the organization. She has strong client service skills, a proactive problem solver and has a vast understanding of various jurisdictions in the UAE.

Neha Thomas

Head of Marketing

Holding a Masters degree in Business Administration, specialising in Marketing, Neha has over seven years of work experience in the UAE within diverse industries including Education, Luxury Hospitality and Business Consulting.
Her expertise lies in being responsible for the entire look and feel of any brand by tactically aligning the Digital, Social, PR, Events, Website, and all other campaigns that potentially resonate a favourable positioning for the company. Her core strengths being in PR and Digital Marketing, the industry-specific strategies adopted has helped brands to increase their online presence by multiple folds and bring in the best results with the best ROI.
Her positive attitude, creative outlook, hardworking nature, and a friendly approach helps to cope with the growing demands of any industry. Neha currently Heads the Marketing Department at Creative Zone and liaise with all external digital and PR agencies to achieve the desired outcome.

Wael Abdulkader

Head of Revenue & Strategy

Wael is a highly accomplished and visionary strategist with 10+ years of experience in sales and business development, implementing strategic plans, and developing business initiatives. He has a credible history of scaling and transforming businesses by setting strategic directions, assembling teams, and delivering exceptional results. Wael ventured into the entrepreneurship world in 2015, having founded a mobile games company that boosted the gaming industry in the MENA region.

Michal Sobieraj

Group Financial Controller

Michal comes with 12 years of experience in project management, financial analysis, strategic planning, and team building. He has completed his bachelor’s degree in management information systems from the University of Notre Dame in the USA and holds a Master’s Degree in Project Management from the Warsaw School of Economics. Michal has, over the years, demonstrated the ability to motivate staff to enhance productivity. Michal currently leads the finance teams across the Creative Zone group.

Lorenzo Jooris

Chief Executive Officer

Lorenzo Jooris has been a global nomad from his early days. Born and raised in Argentina, to Belgium/German parents, it didn’t take long for him to seek new business and professional horizons. At the age of 25 he moved to the UK to start his career in the production of country branding campaigns and national advertising projects. In 2005 he went on to establish One World Communications, a full-fledged multi-media powerhouse advising governments around the world in branding and communication strategies. He later on established LEADERS Middle East Magazine in the UAE, Envision Films and Eventus, when he thought it was time for him to spend more time at home and less travelling the world. LEADERS Middle East allowed him to curate events such as the Young Global Leader Summit and the Power Women of Arabia Debate. Lorenzo joined Arton Capital in 2018 as their Vice President of Global Growth and Strategy where he oversaw the international expansion of the company in charge of sales, marketing and events worldwide. Lorenzo has a soft spot for social initiatives and projects that give back to the communities in need; Lorenzo founded Leaders without Borders, an initiative that promotes the development of young social entrepreneurs. He is the author of “Recipes for a Better World” and an advisor to the James Michel Foundation.
Lorenzo is now the CEO of Creative Zone in Dubai, having joined in January 2020. He lives in Dubai with his lovely wife and two beautiful daughters.

Jigar Sagar

Founder

With a Postgraduate Masters in Finance from The University of Melbourne, Australia, Jigar has built a successful career providing advise on corporate finance, financial planning, budgeting, and risk management. He managed the finances of multiple UAE based SMEs from 2003-2006 and is currently responsible for the strategic planning, corporate partnerships and financial management of CREATIVE ZONE GROUP – with an annual turnover of over AED 200 million.

The best time to start a business in the UAE is now

Steve Mayne

Founder

Brings over 24 years of experience in management, business consultancy and corporate leadership to his role as Founder and Managing Partner of Creative Zone. He is also a Company Director to six other UAE organisations which he manages and runs at a board level.

Prior to Creative Zone, Steve worked with a number of global organizations specializing in logistics, supply chain management, and process engineering. With his industry experience in workspace solutions, he has played an integral role in establishing some of the region’s leading business centres, investing and managing these together.

His global experience combined with his natural ability to unite and mold successful teams has taken him to over 10 countries across the Middle East, North Africa and the Mediterranean.

With his extensive experience, he brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the regional business environment as well as strong operational expertise. He holds an MBA from Charles Sturt University in Australia. He is married with four children and his hobbies include surfing, touch rugby, running, boating, BBQ’s and entertaining.

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