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Ian Davis (Former Chairman of Rolls-Royce plc and Senior Partner Emeritus at McKinsey & Company)

Ian Davis

Former Chairman of Rolls-Royce plc and Senior Partner Emeritus at McKinsey & Company

Ian Davis, with his notable leadership as the former Chairman of Rolls-Royce plc, continues to make significant contributions to the corporate world. Currently, he chairs Thoughtworks and holds prominent roles as a Non-Executive Director for Johnson & Johnson Inc and Majid Al Futtaim Holdings. He is also a Senior Advisor to several esteemed private firms and companies.

His vast experience encompasses diverse sectors and leadership roles. From 2013–2021, he chaired Rolls-Royce plc. Between 2010–2020, he served as a Non-Executive Director for BP plc, where he took on the role of Senior Independent (Lead) Director. His commitment to public service and education was evident when he served as a Non-Executive Director of the UK Cabinet Office and of Teach for All, an educational nonprofit, from 2011–2017.

Further, as the Senior Partner Emeritus of McKinsey & Company, Ian Davis has left an indelible mark, having devoted over 30 years to the firm. His leadership peaked when he served as Chair and Worldwide Managing Partner of McKinsey between 2003 and 2009.

Davis has also been associated with Big Society Capital, a pioneering social impact investing organization.

Jane Valls (Executive Director of GCC Board Directors Institute)

Jane Valls

Executive Director of GCC Board Directors Institute

Jane has over 20 years of international experience in corporate governance and working with boards of directors. She is an accredited Corporate Governance trainer with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, and is an accredited trainer with the Ethics Institute, as well as being a Certified Ethics Officer.

From 2010 to 2015, Jane was the CEO of the Mauritius Institute of Directors (MIOD), one of the leading Institutes in Africa. She was the first Chairperson of the African Corporate Governance Network from 2013-2015, a network which she helped to found, bringing together 17 Institutes of Directors from across the African continent.

Jane has held senior positions and directorships in a wide range of business sectors with leading companies including British Airways, Sun International and The Rogers Group as well as running her own management and training consultancy.

Jane holds a BA Hons in French and Italian from Birmingham University, UK. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree by the University of Middlesex for service to business, women’s empowerment and social justice and she was decorated by the Republic of Mauritius as a Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (CSK) for services to corporate governance.

Giel-Jan Van Der Tol (Independent Director and Vice Chair, GCC BDI UAE Chapter)

Giel-Jan Van Der Tol

Independent Director and Vice Chair, GCC BDI UAE Chapter

Giel-Jan (“GJ”) began his career as International Career Banker at ABN AMRO Bank of the Netherlands, where he worked 21 years holding several executive positions of increasing responsibility. In 2000 he was appointed Global Head HR of the Global Markets Division in Amsterdam/London, after which he served as Chief Operating Officer of Saudi Hollandi Bank (SHB) in Riyadh. In 2005 he was appointed CEO and Managing Director of SHB. He also held the positions of Managing Director of Tier One Capital in the Netherlands and Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Bank in the UAE. After the merger of Dubai Bank with Emirates NBD Bank in 2012, he became a member of the latter’s Group Executive Committee, serving as Global Head Wholesale Banking, followed by the position of CEO and Managing Director of Emirates NBD Bank Egypt.

Giel-Jan has worked in multiple jurisdictions, including the Netherlands, Ecuador, United States of America, Pakistan, Lebanon, Aruba, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, holding executive positions in a wide variety of functions including Corporate & Investment Banking, Retail, Commercial, Small Business, Asset Management, IT & Operations and Offshore Banking.

He has served on a variety of boards in the Middle East since 2005. Currently he is Board Member of Tamweel Aloula Finance Co. in Saudi Arabia, also serving on its Board Credit Committee, and as Chairman of the Board Nomination & Remuneration Committee. He is a member of the EMEA Advisory Council of his alma mater, the Thunderbird School of Global Management of Phoenix (AZ), United States of America.

Giel-Jan holds a Bachelor degree in Business Administration from Nyenrode University in the Netherlands and a Master in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management (USA). He has a Certificate in Board Directorship from the GCC Board Directors Institute.