GLOBAL DUBAI TEA FORUM

Ahmed Bin Sulayem

Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
DMCC

Ahmed Bin Sulayem is the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC and has driven its growth from a start-up of 28 member companies in 2003 to the world’s leading international business district in 2025 with over 25,000 member companies from 180 countries, employing over 90,000 people.

Tasked with enhancing commodity trade flows through Dubai, DMCC has introduced to the market a number of value-added products and services under Mr Bin Sulayem’s leadership. In 2023, DMCC has been named the ‘Global Free Zone of the Year’ by The Financial Times fDi Magazine, for a record ninth consecutive year.

Mr Bin Sulayem oversaw the exponential growth of the DMCC Free Zone master development in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), a 200-hectare business and residential community in Dubai of over 100,000 people living and working across 87 towers. Mr Bin Sulayem also oversees the development of DMCC’s latest real estate project; the much-anticipated Uptown Dubai district.

Mr Bin Sulayem currently serves as the Chairman of the Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE) and the Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange (DGCX).

The Kimberley Process officially appointed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the first and only Arab country to Chair the Kimberley Process in November 2015. Shortly after, the UAE Ministry of Economy officially appointed Mr Bin Sulayem as the UAE’s Chair of the Kimberley Process for 2016. Mr Bin Sulayem was reappointed Chair of the KP for a historic second time in 2024, and has continued his leadership role with the position of Custodian Chair in 2025.

Feryal Ahmadi

Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer,
DMCC

Feryal Ahmadi serves as the Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer of DMCC, playing a pivotal role in cementing its status as the world’s leading authority on international commodities trade and enterprise.

Feryal oversees DMCC’s long-term strategic growth, driving corporate governance excellence and fostering initiatives that amplify global trade flows through Dubai. She has been instrumental in shaping and managing the development of DMCC’s flagship Uptown Dubai and Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) business districts, as well as spearheading the innovative DMCC Smart and Sustainable District Strategy.

As an official DMCC spokesperson, Feryal represents DMCC on global platforms, engaging with local and international media to elevate the organisation’s profile and champion Dubai’s thought leadership credentials on the world stage.

An advocate for sustainability and inclusivity, Feryal is a committed member of the Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs) committee, established by UN Global Compact and UN Women. She leads DMCC’s comprehensive sustainability programmes and actively contributes to a number of semi-governmental boards across the UAE.

Feryal holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the American University of Sharjah and an Executive MBA from Harvard University.

H.E. Abdulaziz Alnuaimi

Assistant Undersecretary for Entrepreneurship and the Economic Affairs Regulatory Sector,
Ministry of Economy

Abdulaziz Alnuaimi currently serves as the Assistant Undersecretary of the Commercial Affairs Regulatory Sector in the UAE’s Ministry of Economy. In this role, he overlooks the strategic and operational aspects of the sector, deploying both legislative and non- legislative tools to spur the country’s economic growth in line with the leadership’s vision and directives.

Prior to joining the Ministry, Abdulaziz contributed to the investments for the UAE sovereign fund through event-driven strategies such as activism and M&A arbitrage, in addition to various other alternatives assets. He later joined a private office where he helped operate high tech and competitive intelligence applications. His expertise focuses on operational strategies for scale and growth, toward shareholder value creation, as well as establishing strategic partnerships between government and private sectors in various domains.

Alnuaimi has also served as the director of a Boston-based satellite company ‘Analytical Space’; the vice president of Harvard Club; and a higher committee member of Mubadala’ s Global Manufacturing and Industrialization Summit “GMIS”, in addition to serving as the managing partner of the strategic partnerships and alliances firm ‘Picture Advisors.’ At the moment, he is the chairperson of Harvard Business School Alumni Angels Association of the GCC.

He earned his Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School, and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the American University of Sharjah. Heis also a Charter Alternative Investment Analyst "CAIA" holder.

Amir Bagheri

Head of Sales,
Ahmad Tea

Amir Bagheri is the Head of Sales at Ahmad Tea, where he leads global sales and market development across 60+ countries. Since joining Ahmad Tea in 2013, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s international growth, evolving its Sales & Marketing functions, and driving its vision to inspire the love of tea worldwide.
Passionate about multicultural collaboration, he thrives on tailoring strategies to meet the unique needs of diverse markets, and as part of the leadership team at Ahmad Tea, he also plays an active role in shaping and delivering the company’s sustainability strategy, Infused with Impact. He focuses particularly on empowering the global sales network to develop and champion sustainability initiatives at a local level across the countries where Ahmad Tea operates. This approach lies at the heart of Ahmad’s philosophy: improving lives through tea.

By working directly and ensuring real impact on the ground, Ahmad Tea aims to go beyond tea — creating positive, lasting impact through every cup.

Anil Cooke

Managing Director,
Asia Siyaka Commodities PLC

Anil R. Cooke is the Managing Director of Asia Siyaka Commodities PLC Group, a leading Broking and Logistics company in Sri Lanka. He is a professional tea taster and marketer of tea throughout his career of more than 40 years.

He chairs the Colombo Tea Traders Association’s Ceylon Tea Road Map 2030 Initiative and serves on Sri Lanka Tea Board, Ministry and CTTA committees. He has been closely associated with digitalisation of the Colombo Tea Auction since inception, and he is a member of the CTTA’s E-Auction Platform Steering Committee.

Anil Cooke has been Chairman of the Colombo Brokers’ Association, Director of the Sri Lanka Tea Board and committee member of the Colombo Tea Traders’ Association many times over the years.

He is an international judge and Director of the World Tea Master Cup, an initiative that promotes development of and competition amongst Tea Sommeliers around the world.

Chris de Lavigne

Executive Director,
Deloitte

Chris is an Executive Director of Deloitte's Strategy Risk and Transactions team based in Singapore. Chris focuses on the Agribusiness sector and works with clients to achieve transformational growth through organic and inorganic strategies. As part of this core, sustainability and technology can not be ignored, and understanding the very real challenges faced by the industry and bringing pertinent and meaningful solutions to it is a passion.

Daniel Bolton

Founder,
Tea Journey Magazine and Tea Biz

Dan is a distinguished publisher and content creator dedicated to fostering genuine connections within the tea community by facilitating informed, captivating discussions among thought leaders. His career spans 55 years, encompassing roles as a reporter, writer, editor, publisher, podcaster, and blogger. He has edited urban daily newspapers, published Animation Magazine and Below the Line, a film and video magazine, and served as CEO of California Beverage Publications.

Dan has worked as editor and publisher of Tea Magazine and as editor and publisher of World Tea News (2010-2020), managing editor of STiR Coffee and Tea Magazine, editor-in-chief of Specialty Coffee Retailer, and founding editor of Natural Food Magazine (San Francisco). He led the successful crowdfunding of Tea Journey Magazine in 2016. He launched the Tea Biz Blog in 2013 and has hosted the Tea Biz Podcast on a weekly basis since 2021, producing 225 episodes to date. He resides in Winnipeg, Canada, with his wife, Susan.

Dilhan Fernando

Chairman & CEO,
Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC

Dilhan C. Fernando is Chairman and CEO of Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC, Dilmah Ceylon Cinnamon Company, and Kahawatte Plantations PLC. Educated at Stonyhurst College and the London School of Economics [B.Sc Econ (Hons)], he is guided by his father Merrill J. Fernando’s philosophy of a family business driven by values and a commitment to humanity. Dilhan leads with a focus on quality, authenticity, and innovation, revitalising Sri Lanka’s tea and cinnamon industries through sustainable practices.

As Managing Trustee of the MJF Foundation and Director of Dilmah Conservation, he ensures that a minimum of 15% of pre-tax profits are invested in humanitarian and environmental initiatives. These entities directly serve underprivileged communities and fragile ecosystems, employing over 300 people in programs that promote dignity, inclusion, education, and biodiversity restoration.

Dilhan chairs Biodiversity Sri Lanka and the Global Compact Network Sri Lanka. He leads the Climate Action Committee of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Executive Council of the UN ESCAP Sustainable Business Network. In 2024, he was appointed Adjunct Professor of Practice in Sustainability at Edith Cowan University, Australia. He is also a member of the Senior Advisory Committee of the London School of Economics South Asia Centre.

George Omuga

Managing Director,
East African Tea Trade Association

George Omuga is the Managing Director East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA) and accomplished in Corporate Management delivering over 20 years of unprecedented success in leadership and Agribusiness Management specializing in business planning, operations, sales and marketing, and project management in the food and beverage industries (Tea and Coffee sector).

I hold a Masters of Science and Bachelors of Science Degree in Agriculture from Egerton University with other areas of expertise including;Association management, Ethical leadership, Operations Management, Financial Planning & Analysis, Business Development, Procurement & Supplies Management, Project Management Human Resource, Strategic planning, Resource Optimization, Process Improvement, Regulatory Compliance and Organizational Development. I have unprecedentedly served in the tea sector for over 24 years across the tea value chain.

James Suranga Perera

Executive Director,
International Tea Committee

James Suranga Perera is the Executive Director of the International Tea Committee (ITC) and has been actively engaged in the global tea industry for over three decades. He began his career in Sri Lanka as a tea taster and broker with Forbes & Walker Ltd, later continuing at Asia Siyaka Commodities. He went on to serve as CEO of Ceylon Tea Brokers PLC. His career as a tea broker has given him the rare opportunity to work across the whole value chain in a producer country, gaining deep insight into the practical challenges faced at every stage.

James also contributed to maintaining high standards in the industry as a member of the Sri Lanka Tea Board's tasting panel. Now based in London, he has broadened his experience by working with tea trading companies, giving him a comprehensive understanding of both producer and consumer challenges.

Today, he leads the work of the International Tea Committee, an organisation at the heart of the global tea trade. ITC provides data to the worldwide tea industry and fosters collaboration across the international tea community.

In addition to his role at the ITC, James shares his knowledge as a tutor at the UK Tea Academy and as a judge at The Leafies, London's international tea awards.

Julius Ng'ang'a

Senior Director East and Southern Africa,
Rainforest Alliance

Julius Ng’ang’a has 20+ years of experience in sustainable agriculture production, processing, marketing and supply chain management, and proven experience in management of certification and climate change and regenerative agriculture programs and community and landscape restoration programs, working with both public and private sector.

Currently, Julius works as the Senior Director for East and Southern Africa at Rainforest Alliance overseeing Rainforest Alliance certification programs and projects portfolio in East and Southern Africa region. Julius joined Rainforest Alliance in 2013.

Before joining the Rainforest Alliance, Julius worked as the General Manager at ECOM’s group companies Sustainable Management Services Limited and Highlands Coffee Company, based in Kenya. Over the past 8 years Julius has worked with 200,000+ smallholder farmers on certification programs including UTZ, Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade, Café Practices and 4C standards, as well as adaptation and mitigation to climate change.

Julius Ng’ang’a is an Agricultural Engineer, with a MSc in Agricultural Engineering from University of Nairobi and a BSc in the same field from Egerton University.

Kurush Bharucha

Former Global Tea Expertise Director,
Lipton Teas and Infusions

Kurush Bharucha has spent 40 years of his professional life in Tea, almost all with Unilever (Brooke Bond and Lipton). He is a specialist tea taster and judge, buyer and blender, trainer and educator, product innovator and developer, sommelier and storyteller. He started his career in 1985, working across all 6 auction centres in North and South India, He often tasted upto 1000 cups of tea each day (yes !), as per his mentor's adage 'Practice makes perfect, so Perfect your practice'. After 20 years in India, Unilever moved him overseas - 8 years in Dubai (in Supply Chain) and 12 in the UK (in R&D). As the Company's Chief Tea Quality Custodian, he 'aspired to inspire' - generously sharing knowledge, instilling belief, and helping build a tea culture. He is now a freelance Tea Industry advisor and consultant. In addition, he teaches at the UK Tea Academy, speaks at Global Tea events, judges International Tea cupping Competitions.

Mao Limin

Zhejiang Tea Doctor Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
Chairman

Dr. Mao Limin serves as Tea Doctor’s Chairman of Zhejiang Tea Doctor Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Dr. Mao holds a Ph.D. in Tea Science from Zhejiang University. He is the Honorary President of the China Tea Circulation Association, and Director of Tea Section of China Chamber of Commerce For Import and Export of Foodstffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products. He had once served as Co-Secretary of the ISO/TC34/SC8(Technical Subcommittee on Tea). Dr. Mao was one of the first scholars in China to spearhead the development of international certification for organic tea. He was listed in the FAO Survey Yearbook for pioneering the development of internationally certified organic tea export companies in China. He was also the founder of a company that brought modern matcha cultivation and production technology from Japan to China. Furthermore, Dr. Mao Limin spearheaded the development of China’s national standard for "matcha." In 2023, he was appointed Chairman of the Organic Tea Professional Committee of the China Tea Science Association.

Melanie Noronha

Principal, Policy & Insights,
Economist Impact

Melanie Noronha is a Principal at Economist Impact and the general manager of The Economist office in Dubai. She has nearly two decades of experience delivering consulting and thought leadership projects to public, private and non-for-profit organisations. Based in Dubai, she leads the Middle East and Africa team on research across trade and supply chains, fintech, food security, recycling and the circular economy. Melanie has an MSc in International Strategy and Economics from the University of St Andrews and a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Mohit Agarwal

Director,
The Asian Tea Group

Mr. Mohit Agarwal comes to us with over 30 years of experience in the tea industry.

He owns the single largest fully certified bio-organic tea plantation in the world, Cha de Magoma which is located in Mozambique and is also one of the larger tea producers in Assam owning several tea estates spread across the north and south banks of the Brahmaputra valley.

He is actively involved with buying, blending and packing operations in major tea growing centres of the world and with a presence in Kolkata & Coimbatore (India), Mombasa (Kenya) and Fuzhou (China) which gives him a unique perspective and insight into the global dynamics in the Tea Industry

A tea taster by profession, he is well versed with deep rooted knowledge about tea cultivation and manufacturing.

He spearheads the Asian Tea Group and handles around 30 million kg’s of teas annually across the world.

Rudra Chatterjee

Managing Director,
Luxmi Group

Rudra Chatterjee is Managing Director of Luxmi Tea, which owns estates in Assam, Darjeeling, and Rwanda, including Makaibari—the world’s first organic and fair-trade tea estate—and a trading office in Dubai. He is Chairman of Brew Tea Co. (UK), a fast-growing brand known for its whole-leaf blends, and of Obeetee, a century-old carpet and furniture company with ateliers across the world. He also chairs TWE-OBT, a joint venture manufacturing non-woven fabrics. Rudra holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a Master’s in History of Design from Oxford University. He serves as Honorary Consul of Rwanda in India, teaches as Adjunct Faculty at IMI and Guest Lecturer at IIM Calcutta, and writes a regular op-ed column for The Telegraph. Recipient of the Young Entrepreneur Award, Hurun Industry Achievement Award, and the Banga Bhushan, the state civilian award. He combines business leadership with an interest in design and development.

Sanjay Sethi

CEO,
Gundlach Packaging DMCC

Sanjay Sethi is a second-generation professional tea taster with over 40 years of experience.

Having trained in Contemporary Tea in Kolkata, Sanjay came to Dubai in 1991, trading in tea for DXB General and launched Leone Tea, a leading brand in the UAE. Successfully built & ran his own business Sherwood FZE for tea blending & packing and developed extensive knowledge of teas from all origins and interacted with regional & international buyers.

Sanjay successfully built and developed the business of the Dubai Tea Trading Centre (DTTC), presently termed as DMCC Tea Centre.

Currently Sanjay is the CEO with Gundlach Packaging, for the printing of tea tags & envelopes and along with this he does Consultancy in tea.

Sherring Thekekkara

Global Executive Vice President - Market Access,
DP World

Sherring is a strategic business leader with over 30 years of experience in multiple industry verticals and geographies. Backed with rich knowledge of managing complexities and heading business successfully in manufacturing, agri-commodities, investments, logistics, pharmaceuticals and FMCG, he is currently the global head of ‘Market Access’ , a unique end-to-end capability within DP World. ‘Market Access’;the latest addition to DP World’s foray into Global Logistics offers first, middle and last mile solutions to principals across key industry verticals and geographies, thus delivering the promise : “ From Factory Floor To Customer Door”. Sherring has led high energy teams, transforming business into leadership positions, unparalleled growth and recognition. With commercial acumen and core training in finance, he has successfully streamlined operations and led mergers and acquisitions both from sell and buy side, creating substantial value to all stake holders. He holds a Degree in Commerce and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.

Tanvi Binani

SVP, Strategy & Ops Excellence,
Vahdam Teas

Tanvi Binani is SVP, Strategy & Ops Excellence at VAHDAM® India, a globally acclaimed wellness brand bringing India’s finest teas, herbs, and botanicals to consumers worldwide. VAHDAM was launched in 2015, with a mission to eliminate middlemen and deliver high-quality Indian produce directly to global consumers.

Today, VAHDAM has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing wellness brands, shipping to over 145 countries. The brand has been endorsed by icons like Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres.

Vahdam is a homegrown Indian brand that stands out globally for its quality, storytelling, and sustainability. Through VAHDAM’s ‘TEAch Me’ initiative, 1% of revenue goes toward the education of tea growers’ children. The brand is also proudly Climate Neutral, Plastic Neutral, and a certified B Corp.

At the Dubai Tea Forum, Tanvi shares insights on building global trust, scaling ethical sourcing, and championing India’s agricultural heritage in the wellness era.

Teddie Levenfiche

Co-Founder,
Perfect Ted

Teddie Levenfiche is the co-founder of PerfectTed - the UK’s fastest-growing energy drink brand and Europe’s largest matcha brand. Since launching in 2021, he’s helped scale the business from bootstrapped startup to now valued at over $200m, with products stocked in 30,000+ stores across 50+ countries.

A former Bain & Company consultant and Division 1 athlete, Teddie turned down Harvard Law School to go all-in on PerfectTed - building the company alongside his brother, Levi and best friend, Marisa. In 2023, he appeared on BBC Dragons’ Den, securing offers from all five Dragons and landing a deal with Steven Bartlett.

He is recognised by Forbes 30 Under 30 and led PerfectTed to become the #1 Fastest Growing Founder Led Business 2025.

Wouter Verelst

Marketing & Business Development,
Satemwa Tea Estates Ltd - Satemwa Europe BV

Wouter Verelst lived and worked with his family in Malawi for 7 years. About 10 years ago he returned back to Belgium to set up the Satemwa Europe direct trade office close to Antwerp in Belgium.

Wouter keeps close relations with different international tea education programs to educate tea professionals about quality tea and herbals from Malawi & Africa. Wouter works with existing and future direct trade partners to set up new and maintain existing tailormade tea projects. Part of that also involves a lot of logistics to make the Satemwa teas & herbals easily accessible and available through our fresh stock in Europe.

When he is not sitting behind his little desk in Antwerp, or shuffling around in the Satemwa warehouse close to Antwerp port he is promoting Satemwa & African teas during international trade shows and fairs around the world. Or he is in Malawi guiding another Malawi Tea Education tour.

Wouter has a background in sales & marketing with some multinational FMCG companies. He has a master in International Relations from the University of Antwerp (Dutch) and a Master in Economics from the University of Louvain La Neuve (French) in Belgium.