Michel Kanu

Kanu Group has been established for over 120 years and has diversified businesses including finance, shipping, tourism, machinery, logistics, oil, natural gas, ports, electricity, and chemicals. Michael Kanu is the fourth generation successor to this massive family business. He is one of the most prominent and influential businessmen in the Middle East region. After receiving education in Bahrain and the United States, he returned to the United Arab Emirates to work as an auditor for Andersen Certified Public Accountants before starting his family business in 1997. He also serves as a director of over 15 companies ranging in size from $10 million to over $1 billion, serving as the chairman and vice chairman of several of these companies. In addition, he also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Freightworks, Johnson Arabia, BRC Corporation, and Vice Chairman of UACC. He is a columnist for multiple regional financial publications and a frequent guest speaker at high-level events, including the CEO Roundtable for Middle East Affairs at the International Herald Tribune. Kanu's accurate predictions of economic development in the Middle East and his insightful and just comments on commercial life in the Gulf have earned him a reputation. He was listed as one of the 100 most powerful Arabs and 15 wealthiest Arab businessmen in the world in 2013. Kanu advocates education, believes that life is controllable, and advocates the creed of integrity and progress in life. These positive values are also the secret to the prosperity of the Kanu family for generations, influencing generations of family members.