ISJ Leaders in Security Conference - Agenda
The Grosvenor House Hotel, Dubai Marina, Dubai, UAE
7th May 2025
Keynote Speaker
- H.E. Khalifa Ibrahim Al Saleis, CEO & Executive Director, Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA)
Speakers
- Ian Stokes, CEO, Centurian Media Ltd.
- H.E. Khalifa Ibrahim Al Saleis, CEO & Executive Director, SIRA
- Ian Todd, Senior Vice President Group Security, Emirates Group
- Ali Thani, Manager, Qualitative Projects, SIRA
- Nasser Hassan, Manager, Security Engineering, SIRA
- Mike Latza, Regional Chief Security Officer, Mastercard Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa
- John E. Katsos, Professor of Management, Entrepreneurship and Strategy, American University of Sharjah
- Mac Segal, CEO, AHNA Group
- James Clark, Sales Director, EMEA & APAC, AMAG Technology
- Matthew Burnard, Principal, Control Risks
- John Cowling, Conference Chair and District Security Manager, Middle East & CIS – Global Security Law, Security and Public Policy, Caterpillar Inc.
Moderators & Panellists
- Dahlia Mihyar, Global Head of National Security Accreditation, SAP
- Giles Hill, Group Head of Global Security Services, International SOS
- Nicolas Keefe, Senior Regional Security Officer, United Arab Emirates
- Aimée Pearce-Kaul, Global Crisis Management, Physical Security, ByteDance
- Nigel Lea, Independent Risk Advisor
- James Clark, Sales Director, EMEA & APAC, AMAG Technology
- Evita Francis, Vice President – Business Resilience, Marsh
- Aaron Coppard, Global Director, Risk Intelligence and Supply Chain Security, GSK
- Yacine Benamane, Head of Market Security, Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, Bangladesh & Central Asia, Unilever
- Phillip Antoniou, Vice President Sales & Marketing, Vaxtor Technologies
- Craig Maurice Brewitt, Senior Security Manager, Siemens Energy
- Nathan O’Brien, Senior Security Manager, McDermott International, Inc.
- Andrew Hudson, Director (Middle East), SSR Personnel
- Mac Segal, CEO, AHNA Group
- Dana Haubold, Independent Cyber Security Advisor/CISO, UAE
- Glen Thomas, Director and Principal, ATPG
- Khaled Al Teneiji, Cyber Security Head, Group IT, Shared Services Center, ENOC
- Alex Bomberg, Group Chairman, Intelligent (UK Holdings) Limited Group of Companies
- Jereme Evans, Associate Director of Strategic Risk Management, WSP
- Rohit Bajpai, Head of Internal Audit, Gulf Islamic Investments
- Sarah Mathers, Vice President and Head of International Security, National Basketball Association (NBA)
- Egle Zemeckaite, Crisis Management/Travel Risk Management, Securitas Security Services
- Nabia Nauman, Geopolitical Risk Analyst
- Eitan Charnoff, Public Safety Advisor and CEO, Potomac Strategy
- John Cowling, Conference Chair and District Security Manager, Middle East & CIS – Global Security Law, Security and Public Policy, Caterpillar Inc.
Keynote Speaker
- H.E. Khalifa Ibrahim Al Saleis, CEO & Executive Director, Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA)
Speakers
- Ian Stokes, CEO, Centurian Media Ltd.
- H.E. Khalifa Ibrahim Al Saleis, CEO & Executive Director, SIRA
- Ian Todd, Senior Vice President Group Security, Emirates Group
- Ali Thani, Manager, Qualitative Projects, SIRA
- Nasser Hassan, Manager, Security Engineering, SIRA
- Mike Latza, Regional Chief Security Officer, Mastercard Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa
- John E. Katsos, Professor of Management, Entrepreneurship and Strategy, American University of Sharjah
- Mac Segal, CEO, AHNA Group
- James Clark, Sales Director, EMEA & APAC, AMAG Technology
- Matthew Burnard, Principal, Control Risks
- John Cowling, Conference Chair and District Security Manager, Middle East & CIS – Global Security Law, Security and Public Policy, Caterpillar Inc.
Panellists & Moderators
- Dahlia Mihyar, Global Head of National Security Accreditation, SAP
- Giles Hill, Group Head of Global Security Services, International SOS
- Nicolas Keefe, Senior Regional Security Officer, United Arab Emirates
- Aimée Pearce-Kaul, Global Crisis Management, Physical Security, ByteDance
- Nigel Lea, Independent Risk Advisor
- James Clark, Sales Director, EMEA & APAC, AMAG Technology
- Evita Francis, Vice President – Business Resilience, Marsh
- Aaron Coppard, Global Director, Risk Intelligence and Supply Chain Security, GSK
- Yacine Benamane, Head of Market Security, Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, Bangladesh & Central Asia, Unilever
- Phillip Antoniou, Vice President Sales & Marketing, Vaxtor Technologies
- Craig Maurice Brewitt, Senior Security Manager, Siemens Energy
- Nathan O’Brien, Senior Security Manager, McDermott International, Inc.
- Andrew Hudson, Director (Middle East), SSR Personnel
- Mac Segal, CEO, AHNA Group
- Dana Haubold, Independent Cyber Security Advisor/CISO, UAE
- Glen Thomas, Director and Principal, ATPG
- Khaled Al Teneiji, Cyber Security Head, Group IT, Shared Services Center, ENOC
- Alex Bomberg, Group Chairman, Intelligent (UK Holdings) Limited Group of Companies
- Jereme Evans, Associate Director of Strategic Risk Management, WSP
- Rohit Bajpai, Head of Internal Audit, Gulf Islamic Investments
- Sarah Mathers, Vice President and Head of International Security, National Basketball Association (NBA)
- Egle Zemeckaite, Crisis Management/Travel Risk Management, Securitas Security Services
- Nabia Nauman, Geopolitical Risk Analyst
- Eitan Charnoff, Public Safety Advisor and CEO, Potomac Strategy
- John Cowling, Conference Chair and District Security Manager, Middle East & CIS – Global Security Law, Security and Public Policy, Caterpillar Inc.
08:00 – 08:50 GST
BREAKFAST AND NETWORKING RECEPTION – TEA & COFFEE
09:10 – 09:15 GST
WELCOME
Ian Stokes, CEO, Centurian Media Ltd.
John Cowling, District Security Manager, Middle East & CIS – Global Security Law, Security and Public Policy, Caterpillar Inc.
09:20 – 09:35 GST
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
H.E. Khalifa Ibrahim Al Saleis, CEO & Executive Director, SIRA
09:40- 10:00 GST
PANEL DISCUSSION – THE NEW REALITY OF CRISIS LEADERSHIP
Moderator: Dahlia Mihyar, Global Head of National Security Accreditation, SAP
Panellists: Giles Hill, Group Head of Global Security Services, International SOS, Nicolas Keefe, Senior Regional Security Officer, United Arab Emirates, Aimée Pearce-Kaul, Global Crisis management, Physical Security, ByteDance, Nigel Lea, Independent Risk Advisor
Crises are escalating at an alarming rate, crippling supply chains, endangering workforce safety and demanding immediate infrastructure recovery. Businesses that fail to adapt don’t just fall behind – they collapse. Survival depends on three non-negotiable factors: Intelligence, communication and collaboration. Real-time data and predictive analytics are no longer luxuries; they are the frontline defence against disaster, separating those who stay ahead from those caught off guard. Meanwhile, strategic communication determines whether an organisation asserts control or fuels chaos – misinformation and hesitation can turn a crisis into a catastrophe. But resilience isn’t built in isolation. No company or sector can withstand today’s crises alone. In regions where economic uncertainty, cyber-threats and geopolitical instability converge, cross-industry cooperation, corporate alliances and public-private partnerships are essential. Without them, response efforts become fragmented, ineffective and slow. As crises become more frequent and unpredictable, the question is clear: Are you evolving fast enough to withstand the next disruption?
09:40- 10:00 GST
PANEL DISCUSSION – THE NEW REALITY OF CRISIS LEADERSHIP
Moderator: Dahlia Mihyar, Global Head of National Security Accreditation, SAP
Panellists: Giles Hill, Group Head of Global Security Services, International SOS, Nicolas Keefe, Senior Regional Security Officer, United Arab Emirates, Aimée Pearce-Kaul, Global Crisis management, Physical Security, ByteDance, Nigel Lea, Group CEO, Sicuro Group LLC
Synopsis
Crises are escalating at an alarming rate, crippling supply chains, endangering workforce safety and demanding immediate infrastructure recovery. Businesses that fail to adapt don’t just fall behind – they collapse. Survival depends on three non-negotiable factors: Intelligence, communication and collaboration. Real-time data and predictive analytics are no longer luxuries; they are the frontline defence against disaster, separating those who stay ahead from those caught off guard. Meanwhile, strategic communication determines whether an organisation asserts control or fuels chaos – misinformation and hesitation can turn a crisis into a catastrophe. But resilience isn’t built in isolation. No company or sector can withstand today’s crises alone. In regions where economic uncertainty, cyber-threats and geopolitical instability converge, cross-industry cooperation, corporate alliances and public-private partnerships are essential. Without them, response efforts become fragmented, ineffective and slow. As crises become more frequent and unpredictable, the question is clear: Are you evolving fast enough to withstand the next disruption?
10:05 – 10:20 GST
PRESENTATION – SYSTEMS INTEGRATORS OR SECURITY INTEGRATORS: THE INFLECTION POINT IN OUR INDUSTRY
Speaker: James Clark, Sales Director, EMEA & APAC, AMAG Technology
The global security market is at an inflection point and the dynamic between how manufacturers, integrators and end users collaborate is evolving. We need to recognise the increasingly symbiotic relationship between these partners in order to drive operational success for all parties. Manufacturers need to work from the end user problem they are trying to solve, align those workflows with the integrator’s install and maintenance team’s needs, to ultimately define a solution that meets the current and future needs of all the stakeholders involved. The channel needs to be respected in order to guarantee success
10:05 – 10:20 GST
PRESENTATION – SYSTEMS INTEGRATORS OR SECURITY INTEGRATORS: THE INFLECTION POINT IN OUR INDUSTRY
Speaker: James Clark, Sales Director, EMEA & APAC, AMAG Technology
Synopsis
The global security market is at an inflection point and the dynamic between how manufacturers, integrators and end users collaborate is evolving. We need to recognise the increasingly symbiotic relationship between these partners in order to drive operational success for all parties. Manufacturers need to work from the end user problem they are trying to solve, align those workflows with the integrator’s install and maintenance team’s needs, to ultimately define a solution that meets the current and future needs of all the stakeholders involved. The channel needs to be respected in order to guarantee success
10:25 – 10:45 GST
PANEL DISCUSSION – WHY LEADERS CAN’T AFFORD TO STAND STILL
Moderator: John Cowling, Conference Chair and District Security Manager, Middle East & CIS – Global Security Law, Security and Public Policy, Caterpillar Inc.
Panellists: James Clark, Sales Director, EMEA & APAC, AMAG Technology, Evita Francis, Vice President – Business Resilience, Marsh, Aaron Coppard, Global Director, Risk Intelligence and Supply Chain Security, GSK, Ali Thani, Manager, Qualitative Projects, SIRA
The threat landscape isn’t just evolving – it’s accelerating and senior security leaders are feeling the full force. As risks become complex and unpredictable, the pressure on these leaders intensifies. They are tasked with making high-stakes, intelligence-driven decisions while constantly adapting to new threats, all while managing stress levels that are off the charts. The responsibility to safeguard people, assets and reputations falls squarely on their shoulders, yet they are often overlooked in wider business discussions, despite being the first to bear the blame when things go wrong. The role of a senior leader is about navigating a relentless barrage of operational minefields in real time. They must balance the weight of decisions with the need to maintain clarity, transparency and an example of leadership that reflects the organisation’s values. But how do they cope with the pressures they face while keeping the organisation secure? How are they being judged in an environment where failure isn’t an option, yet the stakes continue to rise? This discussion will delve into the reality of being a senior security leader under pressure, exploring how they navigate their role amidst constant stress, responsibility and the ever-present threat of consequences.
10:25 – 10:45 GST
PANEL DISCUSSION – WHY LEADERS CAN’T AFFORD TO STAND STILL
Moderator: John Cowling, Conference Chair and District Security Manager, Middle East & CIS – Global Security Law, Security and Public Policy, Caterpillar Inc.
Panellists: James Clark, Sales Director, EMEA & APAC, AMAG Technology, Evita Francis, Vice President – Business Resilience, Marsh, Aaron Coppard, Global Director, Risk Intelligence and Supply Chain Security, GSK, Ali Thani, Manager, Qualitative Projects, SIRA
Synopsis
The threat landscape isn’t just evolving – it’s accelerating and senior security leaders are feeling the full force. As risks become complex and unpredictable, the pressure on these leaders intensifies. They are tasked with making high-stakes, intelligence-driven decisions while constantly adapting to new threats, all while managing stress levels that are off the charts. The responsibility to safeguard people, assets and reputations falls squarely on their shoulders, yet they are often overlooked in wider business discussions, despite being the first to bear the blame when things go wrong. The role of a senior leader is about navigating a relentless barrage of operational minefields in real time. They must balance the weight of decisions with the need to maintain clarity, transparency and an example of leadership that reflects the organisation’s values. But how do they cope with the pressures they face while keeping the organisation secure? How are they being judged in an environment where failure isn’t an option, yet the stakes continue to rise? This discussion will delve into the reality of being a senior security leader under pressure, exploring how they navigate their role amidst constant stress, responsibility and the ever-present threat of consequences.
10:50 – 11:20 GST
MORNING NETWORKING BREAK – TEA & COFFEE
11:25 – 11:45 GST
PRESENTATION – DEPLOYING THE LEADERSHIP TOOLKIT IN SECURITY DECISION-MAKING
Speaker: Ian Todd, Senior Vice President Group Security, Emirates Group
As leaders in the security industry, especially in security operations, we all become familiar with the stress that comes with the constant pressure to make decisions, to avoid the ‘Pan Am’ moment for our companies. How do we use the skills and experience gained throughout our careers to ensure that we make the right decisions at the right time? Importantly, how do we mentor and coach our teams in these situations to prepare the next generation of leaders?
When we are making the judgements that lead to decisions, does experience really matter, or is it empirical evidence and the weight of past data that will win the day? Is an experienced and prepared leader, really what we need in high-pressure situations?
11:25 – 11:45 GST
PRESENTATION – DEPLOYING THE LEADERSHIP TOOLKIT IN SECURITY DECISION-MAKING
Speaker: Ian Todd, Senior Vice President Group Security, Emirates Group
Synopsis
As leaders in the security industry, especially in security operations, we all become familiar with the stress that comes with the constant pressure to make decisions, to avoid the ‘Pan Am’ moment for our companies. How do we use the skills and experience gained throughout our careers to ensure that we make the right decisions at the right time? Importantly, how do we mentor and coach our teams in these situations to prepare the next generation of leaders?
When we are making the judgements that lead to decisions, does experience really matter, or is it empirical evidence and the weight of past data that will win the day? Is an experienced and prepared leader, really what we need in high-pressure situations?
11:50 – 12:10 GST
PANEL DISCUSSION – BUILDING SECURITY TALENT FOR BUSINESS RESILIENCE
Moderator: Yacine Benamane, Head of Market Security, Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, Bangladesh & Central Asia, Unilever
Panellists: Phillip Antoniou, Vice President Sales & Marketing, Vaxtor Technologies, Craig Maurice Brewitt, Senior Security Manager, Siemens Energy, Nathan O’Brien, Senior Security Manager, McDermott International, Inc., Andrew Hudson, Director (Middle East), SSR Personnel
The private security sector has made significant strides in professionalisation, talent development and business integration. However, to secure long-term value, organisations must continue refining strategies that attract, engage and retain top talent. This panel will explore best practices that drive workforce success, from competitive compensation models that foster retention to mental health support frameworks that sustain high-performing teams. While salaries and benefits are important, they are not the sole factors influencing retention and performance. Organisational culture, career development opportunities and a strong reward and recognition system play a critical role in fostering loyalty and commitment. Senior leaders will discuss how a holistic approach can enhance job satisfaction, improve resilience and position security as a key business enabler. By reducing risk, strengthening workforce stability and delivering ROI, security teams can move beyond being seen as a functional necessity to becoming a strategic advantage. Is retention about salaries, or do factors such as a sense of purpose, workplace culture and leadership engagement have a greater impact?
11:50 – 12:10 GST
PANEL DISCUSSION – BUILDING SECURITY TALENT FOR BUSINESS RESILIENCE
Moderator: Yacine Benamane, Head of Market Security, Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, Bangladesh & Central Asia, Unilever
Panellists: Phillip Antoniou, Vice President Sales & Marketing, Vaxtor Technologies, Craig Maurice Brewitt, Senior Security Manager, Siemens Energy, Nathan O’Brien, Senior Security Manager, McDermott International, Inc., Andrew Hudson, Director (Middle East), SSR Personnel
Synopsis
The private security sector has made significant strides in professionalisation, talent development and business integration. However, to secure long-term value, organisations must continue refining strategies that attract, engage and retain top talent. This panel will explore best practices that drive workforce success, from competitive compensation models that foster retention to mental health support frameworks that sustain high-performing teams. While salaries and benefits are important, they are not the sole factors influencing retention and performance. Organisational culture, career development opportunities and a strong reward and recognition system play a critical role in fostering loyalty and commitment. Senior leaders will discuss how a holistic approach can enhance job satisfaction, improve resilience and position security as a key business enabler. By reducing risk, strengthening workforce stability and delivering ROI, security teams can move beyond being seen as a functional necessity to becoming a strategic advantage. Is retention about salaries, or do factors such as a sense of purpose, workplace culture and leadership engagement have a greater impact?
12:15 – 12:35 GST
PRESENTATION – PEOPLE, TECHNOLOGY & INFORMATION: DEVELOPING A TRULY CONVERGED SECURITY FRAMEWORK
Speaker: Mac Segal, CEO, AHNA Group
Convergence is a hot topic in the security industry, with the focus on bringing the physical and cybersecurity disciplines together to counter hybrid threats in a rapidly developing risk environment. But what happens when a disgruntled employee or other insider risk is thrown into the mix, who can circumvent physical and cyber-measures, or what if the data we’re protecting is in a physical format, as well as digital? In these scenarios, what other non-security disciplines within our organisations need to be included in our security frameworks and how do we best align with them to ensure that we are truly ‘converged’?
12:15 – 12:35 GST
PRESENTATION – PEOPLE, TECHNOLOGY & INFORMATION: DEVELOPING A TRULY CONVERGED SECURITY FRAMEWORK
Speaker: Mac Segal, CEO, AHNA Group
Synopsis
Convergence is a hot topic in the security industry, with the focus on bringing the physical and cybersecurity disciplines together to counter hybrid threats in a rapidly developing risk environment. But what happens when a disgruntled employee or other insider risk is thrown into the mix, who can circumvent physical and cyber-measures, or what if the data we’re protecting is in a physical format, as well as digital? In these scenarios, what other non-security disciplines within our organisations need to be included in our security frameworks and how do we best align with them to ensure that we are truly ‘converged’?
12:40 – 13:00 GST
PANEL DISCUSSION – BRIDGING CYBER AND PHYSICAL SECURITY IN A HYPER-CONNECTED WORLD
Moderator: Mac Segal, CEO, AHNA Group
Panellists: Dana Haubold, Independent Cyber Security Advisor/CISO, Glen Thomas, Director and Principal, ATPG, Khaled Al Teneiji, Cyber Security Head, Group IT, Shared Services Center, ENOC, Nasser Hassan, Manager, Security Engineering, SIRA
Following a presentation by Mac Segal, experts will engage in a discussion on the necessity of security convergence beyond the traditional integration of physical and cybersecurity. With threats capable of bypassing conventional defences and critical assets existing in digital and physical domains, organisations must rethink how they align security with business operations. The discussion will explore strategies for breaking down silos and fostering collaboration across departments, emphasising integrated security frameworks that encompass areas like governance, risk and compliance, security assurance, monitoring and detection, training and awareness, incident and crisis management. Experts will examine working models that unify cybersecurity for IT and OT environments alongside physical security, ensuring a seamless, proactive approach to threat mitigation.
12:40 – 13:00 GST
PANEL DISCUSSION – BRIDGING CYBER AND PHYSICAL SECURITY IN A HYPER-CONNECTED WORLD
Moderator: Mac Segal, CEO, AHNA Group
Panellists: Dana Haubold, Independent Cyber Security Advisor/CISO, Glen Thomas, Director and Principal, ATPG, Khaled Al Teneiji, Cyber Security Head, Group IT, Shared Services Center, ENOC, Nasser Hassan, Manager, Security Engineering, SIRA
Synopsis
Following a presentation by Mac Segal, experts will engage in a discussion on the necessity of security convergence beyond the traditional integration of physical and cybersecurity. With threats capable of bypassing conventional defences and critical assets existing in digital and physical domains, organisations must rethink how they align security with business operations. The discussion will explore strategies for breaking down silos and fostering collaboration across departments, emphasising integrated security frameworks that encompass areas like governance, risk and compliance, security assurance, monitoring and detection, training and awareness, incident and crisis management. Experts will examine working models that unify cybersecurity for IT and OT environments alongside physical security, ensuring a seamless, proactive approach to threat mitigation.
13:05 – 14:05 GST
BUFFET-STYLE LUNCH & NETWORKING
14:10 – 14:30 GST
PANEL DISCUSSION – THE HIDDEN RISKS INSIDE YOUR BUSINESS
Moderator: John Cowling, Conference Chair and District Security Manager, Middle East & CIS – Global Security Law, Security and Public Policy, Caterpillar Inc.
Panellists: Alex Bomberg, Group Chairman, Intelligent (UK Holdings) Limited Group of Companies, Jereme Evans, Associate Director of Strategic Risk Management, WSP, Rohit Bajpai, Head of Internal Audit, Gulf Islamic Investments
Threats facing businesses today are social and psychological, woven into the very fabric of corporate culture. Adversaries are increasingly exploiting human behaviour, often seeking to manipulate employee trust and target vulnerabilities in supply chains and processes to bypass the strongest of defences. Deepfakes, misinformation and insider manipulation have turned employees, corporate networks, and third-party vendors into potential attack vectors. Social engineering tactics prey on employee naivety, with many unable to recognise when they are being manipulated or deceived. As a result, traditional security measures are no longer sufficient. To effectively combat these evolving threats, businesses must embrace a zero trust mindset – trusting no one, questioning everything. But how do you train staff to think critically, anticipate threats and feel confident enough to challenge situations where they might be manipulated? This discussion will explore how to create a culture of vigilance, where employees are actively trained to recognise and defend against social engineering tactics, ensuring that security becomes a shared responsibility at every level.
14:10 – 14:30 GST
PANEL DISCUSSION – THE HIDDEN RISKS INSIDE YOUR BUSINESS
Moderator: John Cowling, Conference Chair and District Security Manager, Middle East & CIS – Global Security Law, Security and Public Policy, Caterpillar Inc.
Panellists: Alex Bomberg, Group Chairman, Intelligent (UK Holdings) Limited Group of Companies, Jereme Evans, Associate Director of Strategic Risk Management, WSP, Rohit Bajpai, Head of Internal Audit, Gulf Islamic Investments
Synopsis
Threats facing businesses today are social and psychological, woven into the very fabric of corporate culture. Adversaries are increasingly exploiting human behaviour, often seeking to manipulate employee trust and target vulnerabilities in supply chains and processes to bypass the strongest of defences. Deepfakes, misinformation and insider manipulation have turned employees, corporate networks, and third-party vendors into potential attack vectors. Social engineering tactics prey on employee naivety, with many unable to recognise when they are being manipulated or deceived. As a result, traditional security measures are no longer sufficient. To effectively combat these evolving threats, businesses must embrace a zero trust mindset – trusting no one, questioning everything. But how do you train staff to think critically, anticipate threats and feel confident enough to challenge situations where they might be manipulated? This discussion will explore how to create a culture of vigilance, where employees are actively trained to recognise and defend against social engineering tactics, ensuring that security becomes a shared responsibility at every level.
14:35 – 14:55 GST
PRESENTATION – ETHICAL STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP IN CRISIS: LESSON FOR SECURITY AND BUSINESS EXECUTIVES
Speaker: John E. Katsos, Professor of Management, Entrepreneurship and Strategy, American University of Sharjah
In times of crisis and uncertainty, leaders must make high-stakes decisions that test their ethical resolve, strategic agility, and resilience. The ability to navigate these challenges while maintaining integrity, stability, and long-term success is a defining trait of effective leadership. Drawing from the insights of Ethical Leadership in Conflict and Crisis (Cambridge University Press), this talk explores how leaders operating in extreme environments—ranging from war zones to corporate crises—have successfully balanced ethical imperatives with strategic decision-making. Professor John E. Katsos will present a practical framework for ethical leadership, grounded in extensive research on business responses to geopolitical instability, economic disruptions, and organizational crises. The discussion will examine how successful leaders anticipate and respond to emerging threats with strategic foresight, ensuring that their organizations remain adaptable in volatile environments.
14:35 – 14:55 GST
PRESENTATION – ETHICAL STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP IN CRISIS: LESSON FOR SECURITY AND BUSINESS EXECUTIVES
Speaker: John E. Katsos, Professor of Management, Entrepreneurship and Strategy, American University of Sharjah
Synopsis
In times of crisis and uncertainty, leaders must make high-stakes decisions that test their ethical resolve, strategic agility, and resilience. The ability to navigate these challenges while maintaining integrity, stability, and long-term success is a defining trait of effective leadership. Drawing from the insights of Ethical Leadership in Conflict and Crisis (Cambridge University Press), this talk explores how leaders operating in extreme environments—ranging from war zones to corporate crises—have successfully balanced ethical imperatives with strategic decision-making. Professor John E. Katsos will present a practical framework for ethical leadership, grounded in extensive research on business responses to geopolitical instability, economic disruptions, and organizational crises. The discussion will examine how successful leaders anticipate and respond to emerging threats with strategic foresight, ensuring that their organizations remain adaptable in volatile environments.
15:00 – 15:20 GST
PANEL DISCUSSION – WHO IS TRULY KEEPING YOU SAFE?
Moderator: Sarah Mathers, Vice President and Head of International Security, National Basketball Association
Panellists: Egle Zemeckaite, Crisis Management/Travel Risk Management, Securitas Security Services, Nabia Nauman, Geopolitical Risk Analyst, Eitan Charnoff, Public Safety Advisor and CEO, Potomac Strategy, Mike Latza, Regional Chief Security Officer, Mastercard Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa
The blurred lines between operational necessity and employee safety raise an uncomfortable truth: Are businesses genuinely prioritising the protection of their people, or is security being sidelined in the pursuit of operational continuity? As organisations expand into high-risk regions, duty of care is under intense pressure, with the margin for error growing increasingly thin. Protecting personnel isn’t just a legal or ethical obligation – it’s a fundamental responsibility. Geopolitical instability, armed conflict, crime and logistical vulnerabilities all contribute to a volatile environment where employees are constantly at risk. And these dangers are no longer just confined to the physical realm. A rapidly evolving digital battlefield compounds traditional threats. These risks require a multi-layered security approach – one that integrates physical protection with intelligence-driven risk management. Failure to adopt this holistic strategy not only endangers lives but exposes organisations to legal, financial and reputational consequences. Cutting corners isn’t just irresponsible; it’s a matter of life and death. The responsibility for safeguarding people in these regions has never been more urgent.
15:00 – 15:20 GST
PANEL DISCUSSION – WHO IS TRULY KEEPING YOU SAFE?
Moderator: Sarah Mathers, Vice President and Head of International Security, National Basketball Association
Panellists: Egle Zemeckaite, Crisis Management/Travel Risk Management, Securitas Security Services, Nabia Nauman, Geopolitical Risk Analyst, Eitan Charnoff, Public Safety Advisor and CEO, Potomac Strategy, Mike Latza, Regional Chief Security Officer, Mastercard Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa
Synopsis
The blurred lines between operational necessity and employee safety raise an uncomfortable truth: Are businesses genuinely prioritising the protection of their people, or is security being sidelined in the pursuit of operational continuity? As organisations expand into high-risk regions, duty of care is under intense pressure, with the margin for error growing increasingly thin. Protecting personnel isn’t just a legal or ethical obligation – it’s a fundamental responsibility. Geopolitical instability, armed conflict, crime and logistical vulnerabilities all contribute to a volatile environment where employees are constantly at risk. And these dangers are no longer just confined to the physical realm. A rapidly evolving digital battlefield compounds traditional threats. These risks require a multi-layered security approach – one that integrates physical protection with intelligence-driven risk management. Failure to adopt this holistic strategy not only endangers lives but exposes organisations to legal, financial and reputational consequences. Cutting corners isn’t just irresponsible; it’s a matter of life and death. The responsibility for safeguarding people in these regions has never been more urgent.
15:25 – 16:00 GST
PRESENTATION – REGIONAL ROUND-UP: EXPLORING THE MIDDLE-EAST SECURITY AND POLITICAL THREAT LANDSCAPE
Speaker: Matthew Burnard, Principal, Control Risks
Matthew will present Control Risks’ assessment of the conflicts, issues and dynamics that will shape the Middle East’s security environment over the coming 12 months, provide an outlook for how security considerations will likely impact business and discuss how delegates can position themselves and the organisations they represent for success in the year ahead.
15:25 – 16:00 GST
PRESENTATION – REGIONAL ROUND-UP: EXPLORING THE MIDDLE-EAST SECURITY AND POLITICAL THREAT LANDSCAPE
Speaker: Matthew Burnard, Principal, Control Risks
Synopsis
Matthew will present Control Risks’ assessment of the conflicts, issues and dynamics that will shape the Middle East’s security environment over the coming 12 months, provide an outlook for how security considerations will likely impact business and discuss how delegates can position themselves and the organisations they represent for success in the year ahead.
16:00 – 16:15 GST
CLOSING REMARKS
16:20 GST
EVENT CLOSE & NETWORKING DRINKS
Post-Event Networking Reception Partner: Intelligent Protection International Limited