DP World Replaces Chief Named in Jeffrey Epstein Files

DP World Appoints New Leadership Amid Controversy

The United Arab Emirates-based logistics giant DP World has appointed Essa Kazim as its new chairman and Yuvraj Narayan as group CEO, following the departure of Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem due to controversy surrounding his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Bin Sulayem had led the company for over four decades, overseeing more than 60 ports and terminals worldwide.

Recently declassified documents revealed that bin Sulayem had exchanged messages with Epstein before and after the financier’s guilty plea in 2008 to soliciting a minor for prostitution. The documents also showed that bin Sulayem visited Epstein’s private island and shared contacts in business and politics. Additionally, the two men made salacious comments about women.

The controversy surrounding bin Sulayem’s ties to Epstein led to the withdrawal of investments from British International Investment and La Caisse, a Canadian pension fund. La Caisse had invested $2.5 billion in several DP World assets in 2022. However, after the appointment of new leadership, British International Investment announced that it would resume its investment with DP World.

The UAE government’s Dubai Media Office confirmed the appointments of Kazim and Narayan as chairman and group CEO, respectively. The company has stated that it will take necessary actions to address concerns surrounding bin Sulayem’s past.

Source: Al Jazeera