Ghassan Abu Ghazaleh

ghassan abu ghazaleh

Founder at Cloud Nine Holdings

Saudi Arabia

Bio Summary

He is a highly experienced and strategic c-suite executive with nearly 30 years of experience in senior leadership and advisory roles reporting to boards, CEO’s, and governments. At his core he is an innovative leader who can initiate real opportunities, manage complexity, and bring to life next-generation and large-scale destinations, sell to investors and stakeholders, bring on board necessary partners, drive the implementation, and set a path for sustainable growth. As you will see in his CV, he developed expertise and skills in a wide variety of diverse economic and cultural
environments combining international experiences in Europe, North America, Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

Employment History

Ouchhh

Strategic Advisor

Ouchhh

January 2021 - present

Riyadh Saudi Arabia

Working with renowned AI Digital Artist www.OUCHHH.tv on digital public arts experiences in the Middle East
Cloud Nine Holdings

Founder

Cloud Nine Holdings

December 2016 - December 2017

Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Cofounder of the Surf District, a 1 M ft2 USD 185 M integrated leisure, retail, sports, entertainment beach destination. Project developed for EMEA region.

STRATEGIC ADVISOR

December 2006 - present

UAE Multiple roles seconded as strategic and development advisor for Government, Private and Institutions Acting for and on behalf of boards in leadership roles: turnarounds, investment and bringing to life new destinations ...see more
Royal Commission for Al-Ula

STRATEGIC ADVISOR

Royal Commission for Al-Ula

August 2021 - May 2022

Riyadh Saudi Arabia

Created the core strategic development model for the AlUla Development company (UDC - part of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the Royadl Commission of AlUla (RCU)). Strategy was endorsed by the Board and supported ...see more
Public Investment Fund

SENIOR ADVISOR

Public Investment Fund

October 2018 - January 2021

Riyadh Saudi Arabia

Managed the Strategy, Content, and Innovation Programs for Riyadh Hub, a NextGen and highly experiential urban destination prior to CEO selection. Setting up for incorporation, managing multiple consultants, evaluating new op ...see more
MEED

Experience Architect

MEED

January 2016 - December 2016

Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Experience Architect of Innovation.live, a MEED event focused on the innovation agenda for corporates, government and SME's. A first-of-its-kind experiential event for UAE's vision 2021 and subsequently developed for Prime Mi ...see more
Celerant Consulting

MANAGING DIRECTOR - PRIVATE EQUITY,

Celerant Consulting

June 2011 - September 2013

Operations Consultancy for Private Equity and Investment Sectors, acquired by Hitachi in 201 > Support Government, Investment, Family Offices and Private Equity clients in Due Diligence and M&A’s > Established working rel ...see more
Dubai World Trade Centre

HEAD STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

Dubai World Trade Centre

November 2007 - March 2009

Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Oversaw development of 2 major integrated destinations in Dubai – Jebel Ali (7 km2) & One Central (1 km2) > Seconded by MACE to DWTC to turnaround and lead multi-disciplinary teams, hired 62-strong internal team > Develop ...see more
Dubai Holding

DIRECTOR - STRATEGY & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Dubai Holding

December 2004 - December 2006

Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Development of Dubai Holding’s leisure & entertainment destination [Dubailand] > Developed strategy, led multi-disciplinary consultants (ERA, Forrec, KPMG, JLL, CBRE, Deloitte) > Dubai Holding’s lead in entertainment pr ...see more

Education

Artificial Intelligence and Business Strategy

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

2020

Bachelors in Economics, Engineering & Political Sciences

BROWN UNIVERSITY

1992

Language Skills

Country Experience

Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates United States Canada United Kingdom India China Malaysia Egypt Montenegro

Skills

Economics, Policy, and Social Studies

City development,

Economic Planning

Business

Product Development,

Business Case,

Business Planning,

Growth Strategy,

Feasability Studies,

Innovation Strategy,

Portfolio Strategy,

Strategic Management,

Strategic Planning,

Commercial Due Diligence,

Corporate Venture Capital,

Joint Ventures & Alliances,

M&A Strategy & Due Diligence

Industry Experience

Principal Investors

Venture Capital,

Real Estate,

Private Equity