{"id":83386,"date":"2026-06-11T10:30:59","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T10:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forbesmiddleeast.com\/lists\/?page_id=83386"},"modified":"2026-06-11T10:30:59","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T10:30:59","slug":"suad-merchant-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.forbesmiddleeast.com\/lists\/the-middle-easts-most-influential-cmos\/suad-merchant-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Suad Merchant"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container white-container max-width-1100 hundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-center\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1 list-year\" style=\"text-align:center;\"><p>THE MIDDLE EAST\u2019S<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2 main-list-name\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbesmiddleeast.com\/lists\/the-middle-easts-most-influential-cmos\">Most Influential CMOs<br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><style>\n.custom_rank{\n  display:none !important;\n}\n.main-list-name p a{\n  color:black !important;\n}\n.main-list-name a:hover{\n   color:black !important;\n}\n.forbes-logo-img img{\n    max-width:200px !important;\n    padding:10px 0px;\n}\n.main-list-name p{\n\tfont-family: \"SchnyderM\" !important;\n    font-size: 110px !important;\n    color: black !important;\n    text-align: center !important;\n    line-height: 110px !important;\n    margin-bottom: 50px;\n    font-weight: bold;\n    letter-spacing:0px !important;\n}\n.max-width-1100{\n     max-width: 1500px;\n     margin: 0 auto !important;\n}\n.list-year p{\n   font-size:20px;\n    margin:30px auto;\n    color:white;\n    background:red !important;\n    width:230px;\n    font-family: \"Euclid\" !important;\n    font-weight:bold;\n}\n.main-list-name h2{\n    font-family: \"SchnyderL\" !important;\n    font-size: 65px !important;\n    color: black !important;\n    text-align: center !important;\n    line-height:80px!important;\n    margin-bottom:0px !important;\n    \n}\n\n@media only screen and (max-width: 600px) {\n    .main-list-name h2{\n    font-family: \"EuclidFlex-Bold\" !important;\n    color: black !important;\n    text-align: center !important;\n    margin-bottom: 12px;\n    font-size: 23px !important;\n    line-height: 35px !important;\n    }\n  \n  .list-year p{\n      font-size: 16px !Important; \n      width: 170px !important;\n      margin:10px auto !important;\n      \n    }\n  .main-list-name p{\n    font-family: \"SchnyderM\" !important;\n    color: black !important;\n    text-align: center !important;\n    margin-bottom: 12px;\n    font-size: 25px !important;\n    line-height: 30px !important;\n    font-weight: bold;\n  }\n}\n\n.main-list-name h2{\n    font-weight:bold !important;\n    letter-spacing:-2px;\n    font-family: \"Euclid\" !important;\n}\n\n\n<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-1{ padding-top : 50px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-1{ padding-right : 10px;padding-left : 10px;}}<\/style><\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 fusion-flex-container custom_ads nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: #fff;background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1185.6px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column max-width-900 fusion-no-small-visibility\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div style=\"margin-top: 20px;margin-bottom: 20px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\" id=\"forbe-4004961591\"><script async=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/securepubads.g.doubleclick.net\/tag\/js\/gpt.js\"><\/script>\n<script> var googletag = googletag || {}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || [];<\/script>\n<div id=\"gpt-ad-4447201017279-0\">\n  <script>\n\tgoogletag.cmd.push(function() {\n\t\t\t\tgoogletag.defineSlot( '\/21752631353\/forbes-ws-001', [[728,90],[970,250]], 'gpt-ad-4447201017279-0' )\n\t\t.addService(googletag.pubads());\n\t\t\t\twindow.advadsGamEmptySlotsTimers = window.advadsGamEmptySlotsTimers || {};\n\t\tconst timers                     = window.advadsGamEmptySlotsTimers;\n\n\t\ttimers['gpt-ad-4447201017279-0'] = setTimeout( function () {\n\t\t\tconst id = 'gpt-ad-4447201017279-0';\n\t\t\tdocument.dispatchEvent( new CustomEvent( 'aagam_empty_slot', {detail: id} ) );\n\t\t\tdelete ( timers[id] );\n\t\t}, 1000 );\n\n\t\tif ( typeof window.advadsGamHasEmptySlotListener === 'undefined' ) {\n\t\t\tgoogletag.pubads().addEventListener( 'slotRequested', function ( ev ) {\n\t\t\t\tconst id = 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type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column max-width-900 fusion-no-medium-visibility fusion-no-large-visibility\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><script async=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/securepubads.g.doubleclick.net\/tag\/js\/gpt.js\"><\/script>\n<script> var googletag = googletag || {}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || [];<\/script>\n<div id=\"gpt-ad-3823407819185-0\">\n  <script>\n\tgoogletag.cmd.push(function() {\n\t\t\t\tgoogletag.defineSlot( '\/21752631353\/AR-MOB-list-LDBD', [320,50], 'gpt-ad-3823407819185-0' )\n\t\t.addService(googletag.pubads());\n\t\t\t\twindow.advadsGamEmptySlotsTimers = window.advadsGamEmptySlotsTimers || {};\n\t\tconst timers                     = window.advadsGamEmptySlotsTimers;\n\n\t\ttimers['gpt-ad-3823407819185-0'] = setTimeout( function () {\n\t\t\tconst id = 'gpt-ad-3823407819185-0';\n\t\t\tdocument.dispatchEvent( new CustomEvent( 'aagam_empty_slot', {detail: id} ) );\n\t\t\tdelete ( timers[id] );\n\t\t}, 1000 );\n\n\t\tif ( typeof window.advadsGamHasEmptySlotListener === 'undefined' ) {\n\t\t\tgoogletag.pubads().addEventListener( 'slotRequested', function ( ev ) {\n\t\t\t\tconst id = ev.slot.getSlotElementId();\n\t\t\t\tif ( typeof timers[id] === 'undefined' ) {\n\t\t\t\t\treturn;\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\tclearTimeout( timers[id] );\n\t\t\t\ttimers[id] = setTimeout( function () {\n\t\t\t\t\tdocument.dispatchEvent( new CustomEvent( 'aagam_empty_slot', {detail: id} ) );\n\t\t\t\t\tdelete ( timers[id] );\n\t\t\t\t}, 2500 );\n\t\t\t} );\n\t\t\tgoogletag.pubads().addEventListener( 'slotResponseReceived', function ( ev ) {\n\t\t\t\tconst id = ev.slot.getSlotElementId();\n\t\t\t\tif ( typeof timers[id] !== 'undefined' ) {\n\t\t\t\t\tclearTimeout( timers[id] );\n\t\t\t\t\tdelete ( timers[id] );\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\tif ( ! ev.slot.getResponseInformation() ) {\n\t\t\t\t\tdocument.dispatchEvent( new CustomEvent( 'aagam_empty_slot', {detail: id} ) );\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t} );\n\t\t\twindow.advadsGamHasEmptySlotListener = true;\n\t\t}\n\n\t\tgoogletag.enableServices();\n\t\tgoogletag.display( 'gpt-ad-3823407819185-0' );\n\t} );\n  <\/script>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-2{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;}.fusion-builder-column-2 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-2{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-2 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-2{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-2 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-2{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-3 fusion-flex-container max-width-1140 list_container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: #132030;background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1185.6px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-3 fusion_builder_column_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column list_image\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 20px 20px 20px 20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3 list_image\">    <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"267\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/forbesme-prestaging-media.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/lists\/uploads\/2026\/06\/09110427\/Suad-Merchant.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forbesme-prestaging-media.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/lists\/uploads\/2026\/06\/09110427\/Suad-Merchant-66x66.jpg 66w, https:\/\/forbesme-prestaging-media.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/lists\/uploads\/2026\/06\/09110427\/Suad-Merchant-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/forbesme-prestaging-media.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/lists\/uploads\/2026\/06\/09110427\/Suad-Merchant-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/forbesme-prestaging-media.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/lists\/uploads\/2026\/06\/09110427\/Suad-Merchant.jpg 267w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 267px) 100vw, 267px\" \/>    \n  \n<\/div><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-3{width:33.333333333333% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-3 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 20px !important;padding-right : 20px !important;margin-right : 0%;padding-bottom : 20px !important;padding-left : 20px !important;margin-left : 0%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-3{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-3 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-3{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-3 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 0%;margin-left : 0%;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-4 fusion_builder_column_2_3 2_3 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 20px 20px 20px 20px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-1{margin-top:0px!important;margin-bottom:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-1 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-one list_title\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><h1 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;color:#d00436;\">\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n  @media only screen and (max-width: 600px) {\n    .custom_line_height{\n      line-height: 40px !important;\n    }\n  }\n\n<\/style>\n<h1 class=\"title-heading-left custom_line_height\" style=\"margin:0;color:#d00436;\"><span class=\"custom_rank\">1. <\/span><span class=\"list_entry_title\">Suad Merchant<\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n<\/h1><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-2{margin-top:0px!important;margin-bottom:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-2 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two list_category4\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><div class=\"title-heading-left title-heading-tag\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffffff;\">\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n  .properties_title {\n    color: black;\n    font-weight: 600;\n    font-size: 20px;\n    font-family: 'Euclid';\n}\n\n.custom-spk-value-new {\n    font-family: \"Euclid\" !important;\n    font-size: 17px !important;\n    color: black;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"title-heading-left title-heading-tag\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffffff;\"><span class=\"properties_title\">Designation: <\/span><span class=\"custom-spk-value-new\">CMO<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-3{margin-top:0px!important;margin-bottom:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-3 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two list_category4\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><div class=\"title-heading-left title-heading-tag\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffffff;\">\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n  .properties_title {\n    color: black;\n    font-weight: 600;\n    font-size: 20px;\n    font-family: 'Euclid';\n}\n\n.custom-spk-value-new {\n    font-family: \"Euclid\" !important;\n    font-size: 17px !important;\n    color: black;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"title-heading-left title-heading-tag\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffffff;\"><span class=\"properties_title\">Company: <\/span><span class=\"custom-spk-value-new\">GEMS Education<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-4{margin-top:0px!important;margin-bottom:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-4 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two list_category4\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><div class=\"title-heading-left title-heading-tag\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffffff;\">\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n  .properties_title {\n    color: black;\n    font-weight: 600;\n    font-size: 20px;\n    font-family: 'Euclid';\n}\n\n.custom-spk-value-new {\n    font-family: \"Euclid\" !important;\n    font-size: 17px !important;\n    color: black;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"title-heading-left title-heading-tag\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffffff;\"><span class=\"properties_title\">Nationality: <\/span><span class=\"custom-spk-value-new\">Indian<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-5{margin-top:0px!important;margin-bottom:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-5 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two list_category4\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><div class=\"title-heading-left title-heading-tag\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffffff;\">\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n  .properties_title {\n    color: black;\n    font-weight: 600;\n    font-size: 20px;\n    font-family: 'Euclid';\n}\n\n.custom-spk-value-new {\n    font-family: \"Euclid\" !important;\n    font-size: 17px !important;\n    color: black;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"title-heading-left title-heading-tag\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffffff;\"><span class=\"properties_title\">Country: <\/span><span class=\"custom-spk-value-new\">UAE<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-4\" style=\"font-size:17px;line-height:1.7;letter-spacing:0.01em !Important;color:#ffffff;\">\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n  ._22Ymv{\n    font-family: \"Euclid\" !important;\n    color: black !important;\n    margin-top: 10px;\n  }\n  \n<\/style>\n<div class=\"_22Ymv\">\n<p>Merchant assumed her current position in July 2025. In September 2025, she led the transformation of GEMS Education's marketing function into an integrated parent experience model, aligning communications, marketing, admissions, and customer experience into a unified growth ecosystem. In 2025, she oversaw the launch of GEMS School of Research & Innovation, establishing a differentiated premium education brand centered on research, innovation, and future readiness. 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In September 2025, she led the transformation of GEMS Education&#039;s marketing function into an integrated parent experience model, aligning communications, marketing, admissions, and customer experience into a unified growth ecosystem. In 2025, she oversaw the launch of GEMS School of Research &amp; Innovation, establishing a differentiated premium education brand centered on research, innovation, and future readiness. 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