F&E Group announces Middle East management changes

After recently completing a distinguished 23-year career in the United States Air Force (USAF), Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Sharief Fahmy will be joining the Middle East team effective 1 June 2013 as CEO of F&E Aerospace. Sharief most recently served for five years at the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi as an International Regional Area Strategist. In this role, he led the US government to their successful participation in the last two Dubai Airshows and three editions IDEXs. He has served honourably and with success on every level in the United States Government to include USAF Base Level tours, Joint Strategic Level tours at the Pentagon, the White House, Presidential Airlift "Air Force One," United States Central Command, and lastly the United States Embassy Abu Dhabi.

Michele van Akelijen, most recently the Aerospace Director at F&E Aerospace, has been promoted to Managing Director of F&E Aerospace. Michele is an experienced aerospace and defence event professional with 24 years' experience in the industry. Michele has been instrumental in developing and operating the successful Middle East aviation portfolio including the Dubai Airshow since joining F&E Aerospace in 2006.

These management changes will significantly strengthen the Middle East division while creating new opportunities to grow. The Middle Eastern business at Tarsus is responsible for the organisation of market leading events including the Dubai Airshow, Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA), Aircraft Interiors Middle East (AIME), Maintenance Repair and Overhaul show, Gulf Educational Supplies & Solutions (GESS) and Gulf Print & Pack.

Douglas Emslie, F&E Chairman and group Managing Director, Tarsus Group plc, commented, "As a Group with a long-standing reputation and on-going strategic commitment to Dubai and the broader Middle East markets, we continue to work with our major stakeholders and partners to build and develop first class events including the market leading Dubai Airshow. These management changes coupled with the highly successful and experienced team already based in Dubai immediately gives us an enhanced platform for our market leading brands and help to achieve the major growth we have planned for 2013 and the future."