Asmaa Al Shabibi appointed Managing Director for DIFC Gulf Art Fair

In her new role, Al Shabibi will direct the strategic and operational aspects of the DIFC Gulf Art Fair, which hosted 40 galleries and saw more than 9,000 visitors attend the three-day event in March 2007. Al Shabibi earlier founded a successful interior design business in the UAE, specializing in residential projects. A lawyer by training and education, she has also worked at international law firms in Singapore and London.

"Asmaa's wide breadth of previous responsibilities and expertise in both design and finance make her the ideal candidate to lead the DIFC Gulf Art Fair's efforts from the Middle East. With the DIFC Gulf Art Fair emerging as one of the most exciting art events on the global art calendar, we are increasing the size and scope of our operations to make our 2008 event a further success," said John Martin, Director and Co-founder of the DIFC Gulf Art fair.

"While Asmaa has a background in law and investment services, she comes from an family of gallerists and Middle Eastern art collectors. Her knowledge of both culture and commerce in the Middle East and abroad will help enable the DIFC Gulf Art Fair to more than double in size during the next twelve months," he added.

As the driving force behind the DIFC Gulf Art Fair in the wider Middle East, Al Shabibi will be responsible for the day-to-day management of all operations, as well as the long-term growth of the fair and its related art forum and community projects. She will be responsible for all the fair's functional areas, including administration and community affairs, finance, human resources, information management, marketing and public relations, and process excellence.

Al Shabibi holds a masters degree in Law and International Finance from London University and is a qualified solicitor.