Lara Helmi is the Managing Director and co-founder of CONNEX Assistance Middle East, the leading provider of full service assistance in the region. Since its inception in 1999, Lara has led the company’s expansion to operate in 14 countries across the Middle East and Africa through a vast network of providers.

Dr Gul, a preeminent physician and healthcare executive, carries a rich blend of clinical and managerial expertise to his role as Chief Executive Officer of Dr Soliman Fakeeh Hospital. Acknowledged by Forbes as one of the Top 50 Healthcare Leaders, he is a well-respected thought leader, continually championing progress and innovation within the healthcare sector.

Upon earning his medical degree, Dr Gul pursued management courses at renowned institutions such as Cornell University and Harvard Business School. His career began at the patient’s bedside, which provided him with invaluable insights into patient care. Driven by his passion for healthcare technology and operational efficiency, he assumed diverse and demanding healthcare project management roles. These included building rural clinic chains for petroleum pipeline projects to commissioning the first civilian helicopter ambulance service in Saudi Arabia.

Dr Gul’s commitment to enhancing both patient and caregiver experiences saw him rise to leadership positions at esteemed companies such as Abdul Latif Jameel (ALJ) and Fakeeh Care. He was instrumental in the management of rehabilitation centers, development of outpatient clinic projects, and significantly contributed to international healthcare investments and social initiatives.

His leadership shone when he was entrusted with the commissioning and operation of Dubai’s first teaching hospital, Fakeeh University Hospital, the Middle East’s first environmentally friendly, LEED-certified university hospital. He led the hospital from its construction phase, through its commissioning, and into a successful operational phase. Under Dr Gul’s visionary guidance, the hospital garnered numerous regional firsts and prestigious awards.

As CEO of Dr Soliman Fakeeh Hospital, he brings extensive operational knowledge and empathetic leadership style. His leadership philosophy is centered around a people-centric approach, recognising healthcare as fundamentally a people business. His dedication extends to enriching the employee experience, fostering a satisfying work environment, and most importantly, enhancing patient satisfaction.

Dr Gul is also a passionate advocate for CSR, sustainability, and ESG awareness. He founded CSR Middle East in 2005, an organisation that has garnered numerous international accolades. Through speeches, podcasts, and thought leadership, he encourages the healthcare industry to invest responsibly in the environment, actively supporting King Charles III’s Terra Carta initiative.

Throughout his illustrious career, Dr Gul’s contributions to healthcare have been marked by a relentless pursuit of operational excellence, strategic vision, and unwavering dedication to patient and staff satisfaction. As he leads Dr Soliman Fakeeh Hospital into its next chapter, he remains committed to providing world-class healthcare services, prioritising quality, value, and satisfaction for both patients and caregivers.

Eva Kluge, MBA, is Managing Director of the European Aero-Medical Institute (EURAMI e.V.) She has over 25 years of experience in senior strategic and operational roles within the travel insurance industry with a focus on medical assistance. Likewise, Eva spearheaded business development and marketing for over a decade at two prominent air ambulance companies in Germany and Austria.

During this period, she was the recipient of multiple awards and accolades for her pioneering contributions to the air ambulance industry. She holds a bachelor’s degree in healthcare social management and an MBA in Digital Transformation. Additionally, she is proficient in five languages, including Arabic. She has spent seven years residing in various countries in the Middle East. As a trained Agile Coach and Scrum Master, Eva is a staunch proponent of swift and proactive responses to the myriad of new challenges organizations are facing these days.

Sebastien Bedu is the General Manager of GCC for the Middle East team, based at the International SOS office in Dubai. He joined International SOS as the Branch Manager of MedAire, the Aviation & Maritime division of International SOS in 2015. During that time Sebastien was predominantly responsible for the growth and delivery of the Middle East & Africa’s book of business of the company and also led the development and implementation of the first-in-the-World travel pass during the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, he was promoted into his current role of General Manager, GCC for International SOS where he now manages and oversees the Commercial and Operations teams for the region. Prior to joining International SOS, Sebastien worked for several large corporations where he was Director of Sales for the Middle East.

Mandy Langfield is Director of Publishing for Voyageur Group. In this capacity, she guides the editorial policy of the company, and ensures the content of the magazines (ITIJ and AirMed&Rescue) is relevant, insightful and valuable to their readers. Furthermore, she is a member of all the ITIC executive committees, consulting with other industry professionals on agenda topics and speaker briefs. 

Jonathan Cooper (JC) is the managing director and founder of WIS Group Ltd; through its group companies WIS provides technology and marketing management solutions to insurers and distributors across the GCC that enables efficient distribution of travel related products. With a career spanning over 30 years in insurance, JC has worked with the world’s leading providers in the travel & retail sectors and crafted some of the most innovative and impactful customer solutions. JC has been based in Dubai for the last 9 years, has a passion for travel, and considers it his personal mission to improve traveller protection in the market, while realising the full commercial potential that this presents.