Alain Bejjani

Alain Bejjani
Bejjani in 2025
Born1973 (age 51–52)
Beirut, Lebanon
EducationCollège Notre Dame de Jamhour
OccupationsBusiness executive, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Group

Alain Bejjani (born 1973) is a Lebanese business executive.

Early life and education

Bejjani was born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1973.

He subsequently studied at the Lycée Champlain in Paris. Bejjani earned a Bachelor's in Civil Law and Master's in Civil and Corporate Law from Université Paris XII in 1994.[1][2] He received a Masters in Lebanese Law from Lebanese Law University in 1995, and was admitted to the bar in Lebanon in 1997.[2]

Career

Bejjani was a founding partner of the law firm Melkane, Rached, Bejjani & Associates in Lebanon from 1999 to 2006.[3] He was also Executive Vice Chairman of the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon from 2001 to 2005.[3][4]

In 2006, he joined the Majid Al Futtaim Group, initially as Vice President Legal at Majid Al Futtaim Properties.[5][6] Beginning in 2009 he was Head of Business Development for Majid Al Futtaim Properties;[6][5][7] in this position he oversaw acquisitions and development and gained an extensive knowledge of the company.[6]

In 2014, he was made Chief Corporate Development Officer and Brand Officer of Majid Al Futtaim. He was responsible for driving the company's brand and business vision, strategy, innovation, and intellectual property.[8][9][3]

In February 2015, Bejjani was appointed CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Group, replacing the departing Iyad Malas.[9][3]

He formed a 25-year aspirational vision for the company, "creating great moments for everyone, every day", and established a five-year plan focused on customer experience, digital capability and data analysis, and leadership and talent development.[10] He established a Leadership Institute for employees.[11][12][13]

Bejjani led a digital transformation of the company[14][15][16][17] by including the usage of data analytics to personalize customers' shopping experience;[18] As part of these efforts the company expanded internal training in data, analytics, and technology through initiatives such as the School of Analytics and Technology.[18][19] Majid Al Futtaim Group also collaborated with Smart Dubai on data enrichment, policy, education, technology, and new technologies such as blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), and the Internet of Things.[18] To support its digital expansion, the company hired Silicon Valley data specialists to strengthen its analytics and e-commerce operations.[20] The company pursued several e-commerce acquisitions to accelerate its online growth.[21] It also partnered with Will.i.am's technology firm to introduce AI-powered conversational and contextual voice-assistant systems in select retail outlets.[15][22] Additionally Majid Al Futtaim brought Dreamscape Immersive virtual-reality experiences to cinemas in the Middle East.[23]

He also led the company's drive to environmental sustainability.[24] In 2017, Majid Al Futtaim became the first Middle Eastern company to adopt a Net Positive strategy, pledging to become net positive in water consumption and carbon emissions by 2040.[25][26][27] In 2018, the group signed a sustainability Memorandum of Understanding with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment to address the causes and impacts of climate change, support the transition to a climate-resilient green economy, and promote a better quality of life.[26] In April 2019, MAF established a Green Finance Framework and a Green Finance Steering Committee, to oversee the selection of projects for its green portfolio.[28] In May 2019, Bejjani led the company's listing of a 10-year corporate benchmark 'green' sukuk worth $600 million on NASDAQ Dubai;[29][28][30] it was the world's first financial instrument of its kind to concentrate on sustainability-focused investments,[31][32] with the proceeds to be used to fund environmentally friendly projects in sectors such as green real estate, renewable energy, sustainable water management, and social impact initiatives.[21][28][32][29]

Bejjani also led Majid Al Futtaim Group's expansion[33] particularly in major expansions in Egypt,[7] and in Saudi Arabia, where the company rolled out shopping centers and numerous cinemas including the first Saudi multiplex.[34][4][35][36]

In January 2023, Bejjani was replaced with the CEO of the firm's property arm, Ahmed Galal Ismail.[37]

Other positions

Bejjani is on the International Advisory Board of the Atlantic Council.[38] In 2019 he was one of the eight co-chairs of the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa.[39][40][41]

In addition to being on the board of directors of Majid Al Futtaim Group,[42] he is on the boards of directors of several MAF joint ventures,[43][5][44] and he is on the investment committee of IM Capital.[45] He is one of the judges of the Maroun N. Chammas Recognition Award, which rewards technological innovation in Lebanon.[46][47]

Recognition

In 2017[48] and 2018,[49] Bejjani was listed in Business of Fashion's BoF 500, the top people shaping the global fashion industry. In 2018, he was number 2 in Forbes Middle East's list of the 50 most influential expats in the United Arab Emirates.[50][51][52] The Middle East-based Construction Week magazine listed him in its Power 100 in 2018[14][53][17] and 2019,[29] in the top 100 GCC real estate developers in 2018[16] and 2019,[54] and in the 20 most influential Arab leaders in Middle East construction in 2019.[55] In 2019, Arabian Business listed him in the Stars of 2019,[56] the GCC 100 Inspiring Leaders 2019,[57] and the DXB 100, influential people who are helping shape Dubai.[58] In 2019, Forbes Middle East also included him in the top 50 international CEOs leading local companies.[4] In 2025, Bejjani joined the panel of investors on Shark Tank Lebanon, appearing as one of the “sharks” on the Lebanese adaptation of the reality investment series.[59]

Personal life

Bejjani is based in Dubai.[18] He is married and has two daughters.[43] He speaks English, Arabic, and French.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Authors". World Economic Forum. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  2. ^ a b c Martindale-Hubbell International Law Directory, Volume 1. Martindale-Hubbell. 2000. ISBN 9781561603770. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d "UAE's Majid Al Futtaim Confirms CEO Iyad Malas' Resignation". Gulf Business. February 3, 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "Top 50 International CEOs Heading Local Companies". Forbes Middle East. October 16, 2019. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  5. ^ a b c "Base Prospectus". Dubai Financial Services Authority. June 12, 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  6. ^ a b c "Interview: Majid Al Futtaim chief Alain Bejjani". Arabian Business. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Majid Al Futtaim Is On An Expansion Spree In Egypt And Here's Why". Forbes Middle East. February 15, 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  8. ^ "Alain Bejjani replaces Iyad Malas as CEO of Majid Al Futtaim". Dhow net. February 3, 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  9. ^ a b "MAF CEO steps down". Gulf News. February 3, 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  10. ^ Keller, Scott; Schaninger, Bill (July 3, 2019). Beyond Performance 2.0: A Proven Approach to Leading Large-Scale Change. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9781119596660. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  11. ^ "Alain Bejjani: Chief Executive Officer". Maroun N. Chammas Recognition Award. Archived from the original on 14 February 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  12. ^ "MAF's H1 2019 financial results show resilient performance". Gulf Today. Aug 29, 2019. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  13. ^ "Majid Al Futtaim revenue up 7% on development, sustainable growth". Khaleej Times. August 6, 2015.
  14. ^ a b "Alain Bejjani". Construction Week Online. October 13, 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  15. ^ a b "MAF head optimistic about 2019 as technology drives its growth". The National. 26 January 2019. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
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  27. ^ "INTERVIEW: UAE's Majid Al Futtaim steps up green finance agenda as sukuk draws 'wide interest'- CEO". Zawya. May 16, 2009. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
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  30. ^ "MAF's UAE CEO addresses green finance agenda". SME10X. June 10, 2019. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
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  36. ^ "Leisure group 'walks the walk' with biggest cinema in Saudi Arabia: Chief executive". Arab News. November 1, 2019. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
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  59. ^ Beyond Shark Tank: Inside the Mind of an Entrepreneur with Alain Bejjani. Retrieved 2025-12-19.
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