Recognized throughout the United Arab Emirates for his expertise in building global economic and cultural relations. Dr. Al Suwaidi is also a renowned philanthropist and ambassador for the country. With a goal of “respecting our past and shaping our future,” he launched the Al Suwaidi Foundation in 2019 to manage family legacy and preserve the cultural heritage of the United Arab Emirates.

Family

Dr. Al Suwaidi was born into a preeminent Emirati family with widespread influence in the development of the United Arab Emirates and its celebrated arts-oriented culture.

His father, H.E Mohamed Khalifa Bin Yousef Al Suwaidi, is a diplomat and former advisor to the President of the United Arab Emirates. Further cementing the family’s strong connections to the UAE, Dr. Al Suwaidi’s grandfather, Khalifa Bin Yousef Al Suwaidi, was a statesman who played a significant role in creating the United Arab Emirates and its economic and political landscape.

His grandfather on his mother’s side was the first person to read the historic statement of the founding of the United Arab Emirates on Dec. 2, 1971 and the country’s first Foreign Minister.

Education

With a strong commitment to education, Dr. Al Suwaidi completed his Ph.D. in Economics & Finance from the University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom, with significant research on Abu Dhabi’s hospitality and economic tourism sector.

In addition, he is a graduate of Wycliffe College in Gloucestershire, UK, and he also earned a dual degree in International Business and honors in Business Administration from Regents University in London. Further, he received a post-graduate diploma in Finance & Banking as well as a master’s of science degree in Strategic Business from the University of Portsmouth, UK.

To further magnify his education and leadership training, Dr. Al Suwaidi completed the University of Cambridge’s esteemed Leadership Programme and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst’s Military and Strategic Leadership academy.

Career

Launching his career in finance in 2001, Dr. Al Suwaidi started as Credit Analyst and went on to serve as Executive Director and Deputy Head of International Banking as well as Acting Head of International Banking and Regional CEO for the Middle East and Africa for the National Bank of Abu Dhabi, among other key positions, for more than 15 years. In these roles, he contributed significantly to the merger between the National Bank of Abu Dhabi and the First Gulf Bank into what is now First Abu Dhabi Bank, the largest of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa.

Due to his work and influence, the National Bank of Abu Dhabi was welcomed into the International Banking Division Head Office with the United Arab Emirates-United Kingdom Governmental Business Council. Dr. Al Suwaidi also helped position the bank for international commercial and investment relations between the UAE and other countries.

He co-founded First Abu Dhabi Bank’s Regional Office for the Middle East and Africa in 2014, governing the bank’s presence throughout the region and managing regulatory and business affairs for the international business.

Passionate about state policy and trading across borders, Dr. Al Suwaidi created and chaired Portsmouth Limited Abu Dhabi, a trading firm promoting local and foreign investors. Now known as Al Emarat United Limited, the organization represents his extensive international professional work and focus, further establishing his legacy in global relations.

Additionally, Dr. Al Suwaidi spearheaded a delegation representing the United Arab Emirates in Hungary, with a focus on advancing economic development and tourism. As part of the delegation, he met László Kövér, the Acting President of Hungary and the Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary, spurring greater economic balance between the countries.

His previous international work also includes meeting with the Albanian President of the Chamber of Commerce, Minister of Health, Minister of Economy, Minister of Education, Minister of Culture, and Tourism and Youth to explore Emirati opportunities for investments and developments.

Presently, as founder and member of the family council, Al Suwaidi Foundation as well as the Abu Dhabi Arts Society, he manages ongoing international relations and cultural affairs.

Initiatives

With a focus on philanthropy, international relations, world history, and the arts, Dr. Al Suwaidi champions the United Arab Emirates’ culture, tourism, and business endeavors both locally and abroad.

He has stated that, “I was influenced by my upbringing in an environment full of thought and creativity and it was natural to appreciate the arts. We are also educated to open up and benefit from different cultures of the world without forgetting our heritage and our original culture.”

Much of his time, then, involves sharing his interest and knowledge surrounding the arts, heritage, and culture.

He was one of the initial founders of the UK-UAE Year of Culture, which was announced in 2016 by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and His Royal Highness Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales, the Patron of UK-UAE Year of Culture.

Dr. Al Suwaidi recently founded The Abu Dhabi Arts Society, which highlights traditional and emerging artists from the region and convenes a community of artists, collectors, scholars, and enthusiasts across the disciplines of visual arts, poetry, and music.

Among his extensive philanthropic work, Dr. Hamed bin Mohamed Al Suwaidi founded the Al Emarat United Limited in 2014 for international trading and ecommerce, the Ousha Bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi Foundation centered on preserving the heritage of the United Arab Emirates in 2019, and the international art community HART Art-Tech in 2020.

Notable fellowships have included, The Geological Society of London, the Royal Statistical Society in London, the Institute of Leadership Management in London, and the Institute of Travel & Tourism in the UK, among others.

He also dedicates time to supporting young leaders, local artists, and a variety of nonprofits throughout the UAE, EU and UK. Previously, he has supported the Make a Wish Foundation, The Prince’s Trust, the Gifford Wood Appeal, the Lombard Appeal, the Commemorations of Waterloo Battle 200th Anniversary, the 90th Anniversary of The Kate Kennedy Procession of St. Andrew’s University and the Scottish Tartan Association.

Dr. Al Suwaidi was awarded the Licentiateship and Graduateship Awards in Management from the City & Guilds of London Institute in recognition of his achievements in Education, Training, and Employment. Further, he has served as a Governor for the Royal Humane Society, an Official Patron of the Arts for the British School of Al Khubairat, and an Alumni Champion for the British Council’s UAE-UK Alumni Council.

Fluent in Arabic and English, his personal interests include horse riding, hunting, gardening, poetry, world cultures, and playing chess.