The Global CIO Forum’s UAE Chapter has officially launched its Monthly Leadership Meetup series under the leadership of Ahmad Mohammad Almulla, President – UAE Chapter, marking a strategic shift toward building a sustainable, governance-driven, and community-led CIO ecosystem in the region.
The inaugural leadership meetup brought together core UAE Chapter leaders to align on a shared vision for transforming the Forum from a predominantly event-centric platform into a continuous, value-driven community. Discussions focused on long-term impact, relevance, and sustainability — anchored in governance, measurable outcomes, and meaningful member engagement.
During the session, leaders emphasised the need to establish a clear governance framework, define a strong member value proposition, and adopt a structured onboarding model for CIOs through the VANI platform. The group explored ways to differentiate Global CIO Forum experiences by balancing vendor participation with high-quality peer dialogue, while leveraging research, cross-industry collaboration, and knowledge sharing to strengthen the broader technology ecosystem.
Participants also highlighted the importance of aligning Forum initiatives with the UAE’s national vision, introducing vertical-specific leadership roles, and positioning the UAE Chapter as a credible, neutral platform that contributes constructively to enterprise, government, and technology advancement, without operating as a vendor-led body.
Tushar Sahoo, Founder of Global CIO Forum, underscored the need to move beyond standalone events toward purpose-driven experiences that enable cross-pollination, innovation, and leadership growth across the global CIO community.
Commenting on the launch, Ahmad Mohammad Almulla, President – Global CIO Forum UAE Chapter, said: “The UAE Chapter is entering a new phase where continuity, governance, and real member value will define our success. These monthly leadership meetups are about building a living, breathing CIO community; one that aligns with the UAE’s national vision and creates long-term impact beyond events.”
Venki Mahadevan, Global Board Leader, Global CIO Forum, added: “Sustainability comes from structure and clarity. Our focus is on defining strong governance, clear OKRs across pillars, and a compelling value proposition for CIOs through the VANI platform. This disciplined, community-first approach will set the UAE Chapter apart globally.”
Immediate next steps
As part of the first leadership meetup, the following actions were confirmed:
- The next UAE Chapter Leadership Meetup is scheduled for 5 March, with the agenda to be circulated in advance.
- President Ahmad Almulla and Venki Mahadevan will finalise and share the VANI platform membership value proposition.
- UAE Chapter members will begin onboarding CIOs onto the VANI platform.
- Monthly leadership meetings will be established to track progress, address challenges, and measure outcomes.
The leadership group reaffirmed its commitment to a structured operating rhythm, ensuring the UAE Chapter evolves into a community-led, governance-driven, and future-ready CIO platform. The next meeting will take place after Ramadan, continuing the momentum toward sustained growth and global relevance.
The GCF UAE Chapter leadership includes Kenneth Lindegaard, Peter Gesper, Shijin Prasad, Aditya Kaushik, Gigi Mathew Thomas, and Mohamad Gholoom.
