The UAE-UK Business Council is a thought leadership forum that brings together senior business representatives, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders from both countries to identify and help to resolve barriers to trade and investment between the two countries.

We are guided by an Advisory Committee of eminent business leaders and academics.

We are funded entirely by our members and are supported by a Joint Secretariat (based in both countries) that represents the interests of both UAE and UK member companies and stakeholders.

The Secretariat delivers campaigns and events and prepares policy papers that are submitted to both Governments for consideration. We also help to deliver on the goals of both governments to strengthen the bilateral trade and investment relationship.

Through our campaigns, events and policy papers we seek to highlight emerging trends and opportunities for closer commercial collaboration.

We work in partnership with both the UAE and UK Governments, and through our Co-Chairs HE Saeed Al Hajeri and Lord Mervyn Davies of Abersoch CBE we provide strategic advice to both Governments on the interests and concerns of our member companies and the wider business community.

His Excellency Saeed Al Hajeri
UAE Co-Chair

His Excellency Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri serves as a Minister of State at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). In this capacity, he plays a key role in advancing the UAE’s global economic agenda and overseeing bilateral relations with countries across the Asia-Pacific region. His Excellency Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri also serves as the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ Special Envoy for Economic Affairs to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Beyond his diplomatic responsibilities, His Excellency Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri holds several prominent leadership roles within the UAE government. Since June 2025, he has served as Chairman of the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), where he leads strategic efforts to develop the UAE’s pharmaceutical sector. He is also a strong advocate for education, serving on the boards of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, INSEAD Abu Dhabi, and AlephYa Education.

Throughout his distinguished career, His Excellency Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri has demonstrated unwavering dedication to the UAE’s economic and social development. His extensive leadership experience includes serving as Executive Director and Board Member of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA); Chairman of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB); Chairman of Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA); Chairman of Salama Islamic Arab Insurance Company (SALAMA); Vice Chairman of Abu Dhabi Investment Company (ADIC); Board Member of Emirates Telecommunication Corporation (Etisalat); Board Member of Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC); Member of the Board of Governors of the CFA Institute; Board Member of Zayed University; and Board Member of the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination.

In recognition of his contributions to the UAE’s financial and public sectors, His Excellency Saeed Bin Mubarak Al Hajeri was named one of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders (Top 250) in 2007. 

His Excellency Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Lewis & Clark College, and completed the Executive Education Program at Harvard Business School.

Lord Mervyn Davies of Abersoch CBE
UK Co-Chair

Mervyn Davies, Lord Davies of Abersoch, CBE is a British former banker and was previously a Labour Government Minister – he was Minister of international Trade during Gordon Brown’s premiership). Prior to Government, he was a Director, Chief Executive and Chairman of Standard Chartered PLC for 12 years. 

Lord Davies is currently Chairman of LetterOne, an investment company with an office in ADGM,  and Chair of the Advisory Board for Consello, alongside his role as Chairman of Glyndebourne Opera House and Chairman of Artfarm (Hauser & Wirth). Lord Davies is also the former Chairman of the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association), finishing a successful tenure after the 2025 Wimbledon Championships.

He is also co-owner and Co-Chair of Salford City Football Club, together with David Beckham, Gary Neville and Declan Kelly.

Lord Davies was awarded a CBE for his services to the financial sector and the community in Hong Kong in June 2002 where he served as a member of the HK Exchange fund for seven years. Lord Davies is a JP in Hong Kong, and he is an Honorary Distinguished Professor at Cardiff Business School.

Lord Davies is married with two children and is a fluent Welsh speaker.

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Bradley Jones
Chief Executive Officer, UAE-UK Business Council

Bradley Jones has been Chief Executive Officer of the UAE–UK Business Council since it was launched in September 2020.

Bradley spent the first ten years of his professional career as a teacher - in Botswana, Fujairah and Singapore. He then worked in a series of roles in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office - including as Private Secretary to five consecutive Ministers in Tony Blair’s Government, as the Head of the South Asia Trade Team, and as Director of Trade and Investment at the British Embassies in Bangkok and Seoul. He spent three years on secondment to the Royal Household in the UK. More recently, Bradley held executive positions in two large corporates in the education sector in Dubai.

Immediately prior to joining the UAE–UK Business Council, Bradley worked for the Government of Jersey, where he led on Jersey’s relations with the UAE.

Kawther Taleb
Head of Policy and Campaigns

Kawther joined the UAE-UK Business Council in November 2022, helping to develop the policy, advocacy and campaigns aspect of the Business Council’s mandate. Prior to taking on this role, she began working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Baghdad, developing social welfare and socio-economic policies and working with vulnerable and marginalised communities affected by political instability within the region. Following this, her role at the Iraqi Embassy in London was focused on projects contributing to development efforts, additionally working alongside the UN, Governments and NGOs in supporting efforts by the international community to contribute to the reconstruction and development of Iraq and its infrastructure.

In 2022, Kawther completed her Masters in International Public Policy at Queen Mary, University of London, combining her personal, professional and academic interests.

In her current role at the UAE-UK Business Council, she leads on delivering all of the campaigns, currently ranging from UK-UAE collaboration in energy transition, sustainable investment, sustainable infrastructure and cancer care.