ISJ Leaders 2025: Shaping the future of security leadership
Eve Goode
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Taking place 7 May 2025 at the prestigious Grosvenor House Hotel, Dubai Marina, this highly anticipated event serves as a vital platform for senior security, risk and crisis management leaders operating across the Middle East and Africa.
The event offers a unique opportunity to exchange insights, tackle pressing challenges and explore technological advancements in security.
Driven by expertise and innovation
At the core of the event is its Advisory Panel, a distinguished group of security experts whose insights and strategic direction are instrumental in shaping the conference agenda.
Their expertise ensures that the event remains at the forefront of industry advancements and emerging security challenges.
Among them is Conference Chair, John Cowling, District Security Manager for the Middle East & CIS – Global Security Law, Security and Public Policy at Caterpillar Inc.
He is joined by Adil Abdel-Hadi, Managing Director of Shield Security Services Limited and Yacine Benamane, Head of Market Security for Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, Bangladesh & Central Asia at Unilever.
Alex Bomberg, Group Chairman of Intelligent (UK Holdings) Limited and Jemma Denikiewicz, Planning and Design Lead for Security Risk Management at WSP Middle East are among new additions to the panel for 2025.
Evita Francis, VP of Business Resilience at Marsh, also joins and represents a leader ensuring businesses can navigate evolving challenges with confidence.
The Advisory Panel once again benefits from the expertise of Dana Haubold, Independent Cyber Security Advisor and former CISO in the UAE, who brings a deep understanding of cyber-threats.
The financial sector is represented by Mike Latza, Regional Chief Security Officer at Mastercard for Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, who holds a key regional role with the global brand.
Adding further depth to the panel is Howard Leedham MBE, Managing Director of ESID DMCC and Sarah Mathers, Vice President and Head of International Security at the National Basketball Association (NBA), as well as Dahlia Mihyar, Global Head of National Security Accreditation at SAP and Iliyan Petrov, Head of Security for the Middle East and Africa at Siemens Energy.
The hospitality and corporate sectors are represented by Vitthal Teli, Director of Security at Park Hyatt Doha and Regional Security Specialist at Hyatt Corporation, with ISJ Editor, James Thorpe, also playing a significant role in the conference’s organisation whilst lending his editorial perspective.
Supported by prestigious partners
The ISJ Leaders in Security Conference 2025 is honoured to be supported by Intellectual Partners the Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA), ASIS International – Dubai Chapter and The Security Institute.
Their involvement is pivotal, with senior management, advisors and members offering in-depth insights, supporting the event through participation in panel discussions and more.
The collaboration and support of these esteemed experts greatly enhances the conference, offering invaluable perspectives and cultivating a dynamic exchange of ideas.
At this year’s ISJ Leaders in Security Conference, His Excellency Khalifa Ibrahim Al Saleis, CEO, Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA) will once again be delivering the Keynote Address.
This year’s event is also supported by a diverse group of Sponsors, including AMAG Technology (Platinum Partner), Vaxtor, acre security, Advancis, Morse Watchmans, Control Risks, CTF, EvTrack, Nedap, Torus, International SOS, XB44, Comm Port, Apstec Systems and Intelligent Protection International Limited.
Their contributions help drive innovation and excellence within the industry.
Platinum Partner Spotlight: AMAG Technology
AMAG Technology is a market leader in physical access control, identity management and integrated security solutions that ensure the safety and security of your people, assets and buildings.
The company’s powerful, unified and open Symmetry platform expands beyond its solid foundation of access control to provide customers with a full solution suite ranging from video, identity management, visitor management, mobile credentials, PSIM, analytics and audio.
A word from our Conference Chair
“As the Chair of this year’s ISJ Leaders in Security Conference in Dubai, I am both honoured and excited by the prospect of again meeting with our industry leaders and innovators at this prestigious annual event, being hosted here in the United Arab Emirates on 7 May 2025,” said John Cowling, Conference Chair and District Security Manager, Middle East & CIS – Global Security Law, Security and Public Policy, Caterpillar Inc.
“With an impressive lineup of interesting and informative speakers and panels members, this event once again will be the highlight of the events calendar here in Dubai for the security professional.
“I am sure that all the participants will have a memorable experience, further enhancing their pursuit of continual professional development.
“This event will have such networking and information sharing opportunities, that this event is a must attend opportunity, essential for inclusion of every security professional’s calendar.
“I encourage all security professionals to register and participate in this and other Leaders in Security events hosted by the Centurian Media team.
“I look forward to seeing you in person at the Grosvenor House Hotel – please be sure to say hello, and let us embrace these opportunities together,” added Cowling.
