In the Media
AI Talent Is Expensive. Now What?
Bashar Kilani is a highly regarded technology executive, consultant, and thought leader with decades of experience. He has worked with top-tier consulting firms, advising blue-chip multinationals and governments in the Middle East and North Africa and leading critical infrastructure, immersive experience, digital economy, and other major projects. He is also a public speaker on the world stage.
Professional Focus
- Nearly 30 years’ experience in technology including global executive, consulting, and board roles
- In-depth technology expertise, specialising in new and emerging technologies including AI, ML, IoT, metaverse, and cloud
- Track record of leading large-scale projects in critical infrastructure, immersive experience, the digital economy, digital transformation, turnaround management, and international expansion
- Public speaker with engagements at high-profile events such as the World Economic Forum, World Government Summit, Dubai Metaverse Assembly, Middle East Banking Summit, Expo 2020, and Investopia
- Fluent in Arabic, English, and German
Business Expertise
- Managing Director, Growth Markets at a major global professional services consultancy specialising in IT; focused on the digital economy, metaverse, cloud, AI, ML, and IoT
- Region Executive, Gulf & Levant at IBM, based in Dubai; promoted to de facto regional CEO with P&L across software, hardware, and consulting; held various roles during 25+ years with the company, including Business Unit Executive, Software; Software Group Manager, Middle East, Egypt & Pakistan; and earlier roles in technical consulting in the UK, Germany, and US
Additional Expertise
- Technology
- Digital
- Fintech
- AI and Software
- Telecoms
- Government Affairs
- Professional Services
- Consulting
Areas of Expertise
Education & Certifications
- MBA from Henley Business School, University of Reading, UK
- Master’s degree (MSc) in Computer Engineering from University of Surrey, UK
- Bachelor’s degree (BSc) in electrical engineering from University of Jordan
Affiliations & Awards
- Vice Chairman, Jordan Business Council - Dubai & Northern Emirates
- Advisory Board Member, Chamber for Digital Economy, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry
- Advisory Board Member, Dubai Future Council for Healthcare & Wellbeing, Dubai Future Foundation
- Advisory Board Member, Digital AI Ethics Board, Digital Dubai
- Advisory Board Member, Blockchain Council, Dubai
- Jury Member, Dubai 10x
Case Studies
View All
From Innovation to Execution: Leadership in Power Semiconductor Development
How Boyden placed a strategic SVP to drive e-mobility growth
Cybersecurity Excellence: Strengthening Trust and Digital Resilience
A Caribbean financial and mortgage bank partnered with Boyden to recruit a strategic Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), enhancing cybersecurity governance and supporting digital transformation across the organization.
Elevating Market Expansion: A Strategic Leadership Search for a Social Media Technology Firm
Identifying and securing a visionary leader to drive U.S. market entry and long-term growth for a fast-scaling social media technology startup.
Thought Leadership
View All
Blog Post
How C-Suite Leadership & New Operating Models Are Driving The Real Economic Value
Artificial intelligence (AI) is fundamentally reshaping economies and organizations, moving from a technical tool to a core driver of strategy, growth, and national development.
Articles & Papers
Preparing the C-Suite for the AI Economy in 2025:
Leadership will make or break the transformation to the AI Economy. Success often pivots on whether an organization’s leadership fully demonstrates their willingness and commitment to change. Clearly, for the transformation to deliver on the desired unprecedented productivity gains of AI, the C-Suite needs to be ready and willing to undertake the organizational “surgery” required. There are no quick fixes. Transform or die!
Blog Post
Corporate Capability and Leadership Development: Unlocking Successful Strategy Execution
Discover how organizations can accelerate strategy realization by integrating capability creation, talent flow, and leadership development, ensuring alignment with corporate culture and business objectives for long-term growth and success.
Articles & Papers
Boyden in Malta: Momentum in the Mediterranean
A look at Malta’s most vibrant industries and economic successes with insights from local Partner Dr. Vassilis Trochalidis of Boyden Greece, Cyprus and Malta.
Contact Bashar Kilani today and let's get started