Our People
Honorary Board Members
Honorary Chairman of BLCC
Hamish Cowell CMG
His Majesty’s Ambassador to Lebanon
Honorary Board Member
Nadim Abboud OBE
Managing Partner at Abboud Law and Associates
Board Members
Chairman of BLCC
Farid Chedid
Chairman and Group CEO of Chedid Capital
Farid Chedid is Chairman and Group CEO of Chedid Capital, a leading international investment group operating at the intersection of insurance, reinsurance, and risk- carrying businesses. Since founding the group in 1998, he has built a multinational platform of 82 subsidiaries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, with a strong presence in high-growth and complex markets.
Farid has driven the group’s expansion through a long-term, disciplined, and agile strategy, firmly anchored in robust governance and strategic risk management. His foresight in identifying high-potential markets and cultivating durable global partnerships has been central to the rise of Chedid Re, now ranked among the world’s top 15 reinsurance brokers, with business originating from over 80 countries.
Chedid Capital’s brokerage platforms namely Chedid Insurance Brokers and Ascoma Assureurs Conseils, together form the largest insurance brokerage network in the Middle East and Africa, operating across more than 30 countries. Complementing this scale, Ascoma Health stands as a leading medical Third-Party Administrator in Africa, delivering integrated health insurance administration and care management solutions.
In parallel, Farid has strengthened the group’s risk-carrying and underwriting capabilities through specialized platforms in Qatar, the UAE, and the UK, enabling the structuring and management of large, complex, and cross-border risks.
Committed to institutional resilience and sustainable industry development, Farid founded the Corporate Risk Management Institute (CRMI) and serves on several corporate and philanthropic boards.
Vice Chairman
Rajab Jubaili
Executive Chairman & Founder of Jubaili Agrotec Group
Rajab Jubaili is a highly accomplished entrepreneur and visionary leader in the field of agribusiness. As the Executive Chairman and founder of Jubaili Agrotec Group, Rajab Jubaili has left an indelible mark on the agricultural industry, transforming it with his innovative approaches and strategic insights.
Under Rajab's leadership, Jubaili Agrotec Group has emerged as a renowned and trusted name in the sector. The company, which he established in 2002 in Nigeria, has become a powerhouse in providing comprehensive solutions to the agricultural communities in many other African countries in West and East Africa. Rajab's relentless pursuit of excellence and unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction have been instrumental in driving the group's remarkable growth and success.
Beyond his role at Jubaili Agrotec Group, Rajab has extended his influence by making astute investments in diverse businesses across Africa and Europe. His entrepreneurial acumen and keen eye for identifying promising opportunities have led him to create a diverse investment portfolio. By expanding his reach into other sectors, Rajab has not only diversified his business interests but has also contributed to economic development and job creation in various regions.
Secretary
Amin Makarem
CEO and Managing Director of the International School of London Group
Amin Makarem is an experienced educational leader and executive with a strong background in both technology and international school governance. He holds a Master of Science in Digital Communications and a Bachelor of Engineering in Information Systems Engineering from Imperial College London, where he developed a strong analytical and technical foundation that continues to inform his leadership approach.
Amin is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the International School of London Group, operating across the United Kingdom and Qatar, and is also a founding partner of the Dubai-based consultancy Warwick-5. His career spans more than two decades of strategic leadership, organisational development, and international education management across the UK, the Gulf region, and Africa. He has led complex multi-site organisations, overseen institutional growth, and supported innovation in curriculum and governance.
Throughout his professional journey, Amin has been actively involved with leading international education organisations, including the International Baccalaureate and the European Council of International Schools. He has contributed to the sector as a trustee and committee member for the Alliance for International Education and has delivered conference presentations on language programmes and sustainability initiatives. As Secretary to the BLCC Board, Amin brings together technical expertise, governance insight, and strong multicultural communication skills.
Treasurer
Emile Chaoui
Managing Partner at Omnipharma & Omnilab
Emile Chaoui holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Concordia University and an MBA from IE University. He is the Managing Partner of Omnipharma and Omnilab, two cornerstone companies within a longstanding regional group specializing in the representation and distribution of leading global manufacturers in the pharmaceutical and diagnostics sectors.
Omnipharma is part of a family owned shareholding group whose roots in Lebanon date back to 1946. Over the decades, the group—backed by two families with strong financial capabilities, deep industry expertise, and highly developed human capital—has become a respected leader in healthcare distribution. Together with Omnilab, Omnipharma is recognized as one of Lebanon’s most trusted providers of pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and laboratory products.
Beyond healthcare, the broader Chaoui Group operates across several industries, including pharmaceutical distribution across the Middle East, paper trading, recycling, and wine production.
In his leadership role, Emile drives strategic growth, operational excellence, and long term partnerships across regional markets, ensuring the continued expansion and impact of the group’s healthcare and laboratory divisions.
Board Member
Ziad Kanaan
Owner of Portia Management
Portia contributed to the development of more than 100 Ports worldwide since
1978.
Ziad Kanaan has over twenty-five years of experience in the transport and financial industries. Mr. Kanaan performed leading executive port management roles in the past 15 years in more than 8 port projects. Prior to that, he worked for an investment bank in London. Mr. Kanaan has a Bachelor in Engineering from the Imperial College, University of London and a Master of Science in Transportation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Board Member
Mustapha Madi
Partner at Sidara & Director at Dar and Ui
Mustapha Madi is a Partner at Sidara and a Director at Dar and Ui. With more than 25 years of experience, he leads the Planning, Urban Design, and Landscape Architecture practices across Dar’s offices in the Middle East, the United Kingdom, Africa, Europe, and South America.
Throughout his career, Mustapha has supported clients and communities worldwide, guiding the development of national strategies, regional and spatial plans, and master plans for new cities. His work also includes revitalizing historic urban centers and shaping framework development plans for sites of natural, cultural, and heritage significance.
He has cultivated a strong research agenda focused on emerging industry best practices—particularly in urban sustainability, smart cities, and urban intelligence. Mustapha has also established and led collaborations with renowned research institutions, including MIT and AUB.
Mustapha holds an MBA from Strayer University, a Master of Urban Design, and a Bachelor of Architecture from the American University of Beirut. He is a certified project manager, a LEED-accredited professional, a licensed architect/urban designer in Lebanon (OEA), and a member of both the Saudi Council of Engineers and the American Planning Association.
Board Member
Hani Sheet
Chairman of DIA SARL
Hani Sheet serves as Vice President of the Hotel Owners Syndicate and Chairman of DIA SARL, overseeing prominent hospitality, real estate, and tourism ventures across Lebanon, Dubai, and other international markets. A hospitality digital marketing professional currently completing advanced studies through Cornell University, he is widely recognized for anticipating industry trends and implementing sustainable, technology-driven practices. Through strategic partnerships with leading global brands, he has contributed significantly to elevating Lebanon’s tourism profile.
A major milestone in his career was the introduction of IHG®️ Hotels & Resorts’ VOCO brand to Lebanon, marking the brand’s first entry into the Levant region and reinforcing his commitment to international standards of excellence.
Board Member
Joumana Saddi Chaya
Managing Partner at PSLAB
Board Member
Nadim Tewtael
Managing Director at Tewtel Group
Executive Team
Chief Executive Officer
Yasmine El Hajj
Director of Operations
Diala Michlawi