Sulaiman Abdul-Karim Mohammed Al-Fahim is an Emirati businessman. His specializes in Property Development/Real Estate. He received his bachelor's degree in Marketing from UAE University in al-Ain, and his masters from Kogod School of Business, American University in Finance and Real Estate. He was the CEO of Hydra Properties Real Estate Development Company based in Abu Dhabi. He was the President of Arab Union for Real Estate for two terms from 2009 to 2013 and from 2013 to 2017.
Early life and education
Al-Fahim was born in Dubai in 1977. From the age of eleven he worked in his father's Orient Pharmacy after school. Which taught him key skills such as dealing with various individuals and reinvesting money. At the age eighteen Al Fahim founded the "Sulaiman Al Fahim Group" which financed education and sports in the UAE. Al Fahim was exceptional in chess from a very young age at just nine years old he was ranked fifth in the world by the Chess Federation. During Al Fahims' educational journey he took every opportunity he got and worked in various sectors to gain knowledge and experience. Al Fahim lost his mother, sister and brother in a car accident when he was twenty-one years old. Following this incident he moved to the United States to further his education where he obtained his masters from Kogod School of Business, American University in Washington, D.C., USA. His MBA was in Finance and Real Estate. He received an honorary PhD, therefore, uses the title Dr.
Career
Business Career
From a very young age Al Fahim demonstrated that he was exceptional when it came to making business decisions. He worked in various sectors and areas in different countries. However one of his biggest achievements was when he was the CEO of Hydra Real Estate development Company. He was the President of Arab Union for Real Estate for two terms from 2009 to 2013 and from 2013 to 2017. While Al Fahim was the Chairman of Arab Union for Real Estate he was featured in Roll Call newspaper where he spoke about the former president of the United States, Obama. Al Fahim is dedicated to renewable energy; in 2009 while he was the President of the Arab Union for Real Estate Development he was offering Green Cooperation with New York. Al Fahim’s interest in chess resulted him to sponsor various chess tournaments. He was elected as the president of UAE Chess Federation from 2008 until 2012. Over the years he sponsored various sports tournaments as well.
Al Fahim was a major part in signing Manchester City deal in 2008. Sulaiman Al Fahim can be described as the architect of the deal; at that time he was looking at various clubs and saw the potential of Manchester City, this is when he presented the offer to Abu Dhabi United Group. Al Fahim signed the first agreement with Mr Pairoj who was the legal representative of the former Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra. Al Fahim then presented the offer to Abu Dhabi United Group where HH Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan took the final agreement forward and took over Manchester City.
Portsmouth F.C.
On 4 October 2009 it was reported by Reuters that the Soccer-Portsmouth owner Al-Fahim to sell majority shareholding in the Premier League club to Ali al-Faraj. In 2018 it was rumored that Al Fahim stole £5 million from his wife to fund the purchase of Portsmouth Football Club and was sentenced to five years in jail. This has not been confirmed till this day.
Media Career
Books
Al Fahim published his book BRAND BUILDER, on how to be a successful property developer that gives the reader valuable tips from his experiences.
Television
Al-Fahim is the founder and host of the business themed reality television showHydra Executives which was launched in Spring 2008. It was launched for two seasons.
Humanitarian Work
In December 2008, Al Fahim was appointed by the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina Against Malnutrition as a Goodwill Ambassador at Large in support of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals by encouraging the use of Spirulina to eradicate malnutrition. Al Fahim is an advocate of the International Renewable Energy Organization he has attended the event at the United Nations in New York in 2009. He is determined to provide affordable houses and hospitals for less developed countries.
Recognition and Honors
Over the years Al Fahim was recognized and honored for his achievements and hard work by various organizations and individuals in senior positions around the world. In March 2009, Al Fahim was listed fourth in Arabian Business magazine's list of "The Worlds most influential Arabs". He was also listed eighty seven in 2012 and eighty three in 2013 as "The Worlds most influential Arabs" in Arabian Business magazine. In November 2008 Al Fahim was honored with a gold medal of excellence from HM Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, The King of Malaysia, for his work supporting Equestrian activities worldwide. Al Fahim was honored with this distinction during the FEI World Endurance Championship 2008 in Malaysia. The Mayor of Los Angeles and the President of LA City Counsel Awarded Al Fahim with Real Estate Developer of the Year for his entrepreneurial skills and community service. In September 2008, Al Fahim was presented with a certificate of Special Congressional Recognition by a member of the Congress. Al Fahim was recognized by being named The Friends of South Asian American Communities by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. A member of the senate recognized Al Fahim as the Real Estate Developer of the Year.
