Dubai, UAE – In a significant leadership change at DP World, one of the world’s largest port operators, Issa Kazim has been appointed Chairman of the Board, replacing Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem. The move, announced Friday by the Dubai Media Office, also sees Yuvraj Narayan appointed as the Group Chief Executive Officer, succeeding bin Sulayem in that role as well, according to CNN Arabic.
The appointments, confirmed by DP World, are intended to “enhance the system of governance and institutional leadership within the company,” the Dubai Media Office stated via its official X (formerly Twitter) account. Kazim’s appointment as Chairman marks the end of bin Sulayem’s decades-long tenure leading the Dubai-based global trade giant.
Issa Kazim currently serves as the Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Chairman of the Dubai Financial Exchange (DFX). He brings over three decades of experience in the financial and economic sectors, having held leadership positions at the Central Bank of the UAE, the Dubai Department of Economic Development, and the Dubai Financial Market.
Yuvraj Narayan, the newly appointed Group CEO, has been with DP World since 2004. He previously served as the Group’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, a position he held since 2005. His contributions have been instrumental in the company’s expansion and its role as a global integrated provider of supply chain solutions, Al Jazeera reported.
DP World operates in more than 80 countries and boasts a network of over 60 ports and terminals worldwide, according to its website. The company’s extensive infrastructure includes ports, logistics centers, and economic zones.
Alongside the changes at DP World, the Dubai government also announced the appointment of Abdullah bin Damithan as the Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, replacing bin Sulayem in that capacity, according to Al Eqtisadiah.
The leadership transition at DP World occurs as the company navigates a complex global trade landscape. The appointments of Kazim and Narayan signal a focus on strengthening corporate governance and driving sustainable growth, supporting global supply chains, and solidifying Dubai’s position as a key hub for trade and logistics.
