Morning Drive

In this episode of Morning Drive , Tim Elliott is joined by Indranil Ghosh — Editor, Middle East and Africa at Rest of World . They explore why Gulf nations are prioritising overland data corridors to bypass vulnerable maritime choke points, ensuring that vital global digital connectivity remains secure and resilient.

Geopolitical tensions are rippling through global aviation, causing a sharp spike in private jet demand as commercial routes face disruption. Tom Hill, Director of Group Charter at Fly Victor, joins Tim Elliott to discuss managing a 500% increase in requests and the logistical challenges of navigating restricted airspaces.

Gold demand is expected to see a significant uptick as consumers prepare for the upcoming Eid festivities. Traditionally a peak period for the precious metals sector, retailers across the UAE are anticipating increased footfall, driven by seasonal gifting and cultural traditions. Jeff Rhodes, Managing Director for Business Development at Monetary Metals, discussed the market outlook with Tim Ellio...

David Mackenzie, Managing Director of Mackenzie Jones, joins Tim Elliott to explore the shifting recruitment landscape. They discuss how remote working is reshaping job searches and the critical need for a more personalised, empathetic approach to hiring in today's digital environment.

Tim Elliott and Independent Financial Consultant James Thomas explore whether "cash is king" in today’s volatile climate. They discuss the global "holding pattern" affecting markets, the impact of fluctuating oil prices on the cost of living, and professional strategies for protecting your personal wealth during periods of economic uncertainty.

Ride Skipper’s General Manager, Lauren Hamilton, joins Tim Elliott to discuss shifting transport trends as Dubai families adjust their plans. Hamilton explores how their fixed-salary model improves passenger safety and handles the surge in airport runs. She also details managing rigorous driver standards and the demand for long-distance travel to the Oman border.

Andrew Laver, Director at Cavendish Maxwell, joins Tim Elliott to discuss Abu Dhabi’s residential property market's biggest year on record. Sales surged to more than 73 billion dirhams in 2025, with transactions jumping fifty-five percent and off-plan developments dominating the market. 

Tim Elliott and tech journalist Kevin Sebastian analyse the commercial surge behind Pokémon Pokopia . They explore why this release is triggering global stock shortages and providing a fiscal boost for Nintendo. Plus, they share firsthand testing notes on the new Nothing Phone (4a), the Samsung Galaxy S26, and discuss the market impact of Apple’s budget-friendly MacBook Neo.

Tim Elliott and Mario Volpi discuss Emaar founder Mohamed Alabbar’s recent call for market stability over aggressive price hikes. They explore why long-term growth is preferable to the "flipping" culture and how current economic shifts are encouraging a more mature, professional approach to real estate investment in Dubai.

Luxe Vista Real Estate CEO Ajay Menon joins Tim Elliott to discuss the resilience of the Dubai property market. Following his recent repatriation to the UAE, Menon explains why the city remains a global safe haven, how current geopolitical tensions are impacting off-plan launches, and why cash-ready investors are staying put.

Tim Elliott discusses the regional conflict’s impact on aviation with Prashanth Parthasarathy, Head of Aviation at EIRS. They explore the financial toll of 30,000 cancelled flights, the logistics of navigating safe corridors amidst missile threats, how the region is prepared and handling these challenges, and why standard aviation insurance policies often fail to cover these significant geopolitic...

Tim Elliott analyses the current regional travel disruption with Raheesh Babu, COO of musafir.com. They discuss the ground reality of flight cancellations, the impact of rerouting on passenger demand, and how airlines are stabilising schedules. Discover how the industry is adapting to ensure traveller safety and manage visa processing.

Tim Elliott interviews Azad Zangana, Head of GCC Macroeconomic Analysis at Oxford Economics, to examine how escalating regional conflicts are reshaping Gulf economies. They discuss the dual impact of oil price volatility and shipping blockages, alongside shifting forecasts for the travel, tourism, and real estate sectors.

Strategic Advisor Jeff Rhodes joins The Morning Drive to discuss how Monetary Metals is modernising the jewellery sector with a disruptive "gold against gold" leasing model. By decoupling inventory from US dollar fluctuations, this transformative ecosystem allows jewellers to eliminate margin calls and maintain liquidity in volatile markets.

Global Leadership Strategist Ayman Gomaa joins Tim Elliott to analyse how the UAE maintains unrivalled stability despite escalating regional tensions. Drawing on his extensive military background, Gomaa explores the nation’s unique approach to crisis management, risk mitigation, and fostering societal unity between nationals, residents, and visitors.

Independent Financial Consultant James Thomas joins Tim Elliott on Mira Business FM to discuss navigating market volatility. They explore why maintaining a long-term strategy is essential during periods of uncertainty, analysing how global trends impact local portfolios. Gain expert insights into staying disciplined and avoiding emotional decisions in today's climate.

 The UAE Cybersecurity Council has issued an official warning regarding the rapid spread of highly realistic, AI-generated deepfakes. Expert Vasudha Khandeparkar joins Tim Elliott to analyse how sophisticated algorithms now allow anyone to create misleading content, threatening reputations and influencing public perception during sensitive global periods.

Tim Elliott interviews Robin Mills, CEO of Qamar Energy, regarding the serious uncertainty facing global energy markets. They discuss escalating tensions involving Iran and the critical disruptions occurring around the Strait of Hormuz, analysed through the lens of supply security and regional stability.

Tourism and hospitality remain central to the UAE economy. So, on Morning Drive at Mira Business FM, we’re taking a closer look at how hotels are managing supply, occupancy levels, guest confidence, and employee wellbeing during this period. Joining Tim Elliott is Eti Bhasin, Executive Director of Majestic Hotels, to share insights from the ground and what the sector is seeing in real time.

Jeff Rhodes, gold expert, joins Tim Elliott on Morning Drive at Mira Business FM to discuss whether escalating Middle East tensions could push gold to new highs. As investors seek safe-haven assets amid geopolitical uncertainty, they examine market reactions, price outlooks and what rising gold demand could mean for global markets.

As tensions linked to the Israel-Iran conflict create wider regional uncertainty, businesses across the UAE are watching consumer sentiment and market stability closely. The food and beverage sector, in particular, is balancing sales performance, staffing, and team wellbeing while maintaining day-to-day operations. Joining Tim Elliott on Morning Drive are Bart Misztal, Co-founder of Naughty Pizza,...

Mario Volpi joins Tim Elliott to analyse how the Dubai property market is reacting to recent regional events. Volpi shares expert insights into buyer sentiment, the resilience of the UAE's infrastructure, and potential shifts in rental prices, offering a measured perspective on the sector's future.

With rising tensions involving Israel, Iran and the United States, markets across the region are reacting — and here in the United Arab Emirates, many professionals are asking a very practical question: what does this mean for my job search? So — what to do, what not to do, and how to stay proactive without appearing insensitive to the wider situation. Joining Tim Elliott is Zachary Beckett, Talen...

Tim Elliott interviews cybersecurity leader Stephen Mariott regarding a surge in sophisticated scams. Fraudsters are impersonating Dubai authorities to steal sensitive UAE Pass and Emirates ID details, leading to SIM swap fraud. Listen to learn essential strategies to protect your digital identity and secure your personal bank accounts.

Tim Elliott speaks with Mark Mortimer Davies, CEO at Choithrams GCC, about the stability of the UAE’s grocery supply chain. Following government reassurances, Davies confirms that Choithrams maintains approximately fifty days of essential stock. They discuss integrated distribution networks and why social media-driven panic buying is unnecessary.