award judging

Alex Borg

CILT

Alex Borg is regional director of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) International for the UAE and Middle East. Based in Dubai, Mr. Borg has been instrumental in the trade association’s regional growth in recent years, utilising his skills and contacts as a chartered trainer and consultant in logistics and supply chain management. He is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (U.K) and Malta Institute of Management, in addition to being the managing partner of SSM Group, a company based in Malta with joint offices in the UK and UAE.

Ali Al Jalaf

Dubai Airports Cargo Unit

Ali Al Jallaf is vice-president of Dubai Airports Cargo Unit and has responsibility for the region’s largest airfreight hub, Dubai Cargo Village (DCV). Mr Al Jallaf joined the Department of Civil Aviation in 1989 as a trainee and became director of DCV in 1995. In 2003, he was elected as an executive board member of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) and he is also a permanent member of the executive board of the National Association of Freight and Logistics. As the founder of Dubai Logistics City and Dubai Flower Centre, Mr Al Jallaf is a speaker at many local and international conferences, and he also chaired the Dubai Host Committee for the FIATA 2007 World Congress in 2007

Dr. Cedwyn Fernandes

Middlesex University Dubai

Dr. Cedwyn Fernandes is the MBA programme coordinator at Middlesex University Dubai. He holds a Ph.D. in economics, and worked in the airline industry for over a decade prior to joining academia, giving him a unique blend of academic and senior corporate expertise. He has worked extensively in establishing joint ventures around the world and has been directly involved in setting up systems to enhance productivity of these ventures. Cedwyn is a prominent lecturer and researcher in supply chain issues and is a member of the Consultative Committee of the Supply Chain and Logistics Group. He was responsible for organising the prestigious Supply Chain Executive Forum and for establishing in the UAE a full fledged Masters degree in supply chain management. Cedwyn research interests are in the areas of supply chain management and macroeconomics. He was short-listed as a finalist in the Dubai Economics Research Award (DERA) and won several best research awards at Conferences. Cedwyn is currently involved with setting up a supply chain research centre at Middlesex University Dubai.

Issa Baluch

Swift Freight International

Issa Baluch founded Swift Freight International in 1989, which now has a network of offices spanning the Middle East, Far East, India and Africa, with over 500 employees around the world. He holds a Master’s degree in Business from the University of Hull (UK). Mr. Baluch was President of the National Association of Freight and Logistics (UAE) from 1993 to 2000, and President of the Sea-Air Operator’s Association (UAE) from 1992 to 1994. He served as President of FIATA (International Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations) from 2003 to 2005. He also serves on the Board of Directors of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA), the Advisory Board of Dubai Logistics City, and the Marketing Committee for the Dubai Flower and Perishables Centre. Mr. Baluch is the author of Transport Logistics: Past, Present and Predictions.

Dr. Kanak Madrecha

SCLG

Dr. Kanak Madrecha has a Ph.D. in Quality Management and has 27 years of rich experience in diversified businesses including being a consultant and trainer for a number of Fortune 500 companies. He is currently the Practice Head – DP World at Business Excellence Center (Dubai World). He is the Founder Board Member of Supply Chain & Logistics Group (SCLG) and is currently serving as the President of Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) - Dubai Round Table. Dr Madrecha is also team leader for Dubai Quality Award & Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award assessment and Assessor for Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Award. He lectures extensively for educational institutes and is a regular guest speaker at supply chain conferences worldwide.

Captain Mansoor Ghafoor

NAFL

Captain Mansoor Ghafoor is the CEO of STALCO Group and president of the National Association of Freight Logistics (NAFL); the Arabian Gulf's first national freight forwarders & logistics association. He has participated under invitation on various committees set up to stream line standards in the industry and in cooperation with the concerned authorities offered suggestions on methods for their implementation. A qualified Master Mariner, Ghafoor serves on the advisory board of Dubai Logistics City, among other bodies. Under his stewardship, the NAFL undertakes studies and maintains information and statistics relating to various aspects of the industry. He is also vice president of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Association (FIATA) and chairman of RAME (Region Middle East and Africa) within FIATA.

Salma Hareb

In September 2005, Salma Ali Saif Bin Hareb, CEO of Jafza and Economic Zones World, made history when she became the first female in the Middle East and North Africa region to be appointed the head of a free zone. And she hasn’t looked back since. By making Jebel Ali Free Zone one of the most customer-friendly organisations in the region, and possibly the world, Ms Hareb has not-only changed the dynamics of the global free zones sector, but has also contributed towards its tremendous growth over the past three years. She is a post-graduate in Medical Lab Sciences from Cardiff Institute of Higher Education in London, and holds a Diploma in Computer Programming and Information Processing from City and Guilds Institute, London. She graduated from the Al Ain University, UAE. In 2008, Ms Hareb topped Forbes Arabia’s list of the 50 most powerful Arab businesswomen.

Sebastian Thomas

ZAFCO

As the head of supply chain at ZAFCO, a leading player in tyres, batteries and lubricants, Sebastian Thomas is entrusted with managing the company’s global supply chain at a strategic level. Mr Thomas was hired by the organisation in 2009 to ensure a modern logistics operation with a specific focus on quality and efficiency. He has 20 years of experience in supply chain management and studied in the United States for his MBA in international business. His achievements were highlighted at the inaugural SCATA ceremony in 2007, when he won the Logistics Manager of The Year award for his time at Al-Futtaim Retail.