Morning Drive

Tim Elliott examines the Strait of Hormuz crisis and its impact on global trade, shipping and energy markets. Joining him is Abigail Mathias, Editor at Global Supply Chain Magazine, to discuss rising freight costs, supply chain vulnerabilities, market reaction and what businesses and consumers should prepare for next.

As workplace culture faces intense scrutiny, toxic management remains a primary driver of corporate attrition. In this episode of Morning Drive, recruitment expert David Mackenzie, Managing Director of Mackenzie Jones Middle East, joins Tim Elliott to dismantle the mechanics of bad leadership. They deliver critical insights on identifying destructive managerial behaviours, strategies for employees...

Tim Elliott explores the UAE’s ambitious Naseej initiative, designed to transform textiles into a circular economy success story. Joining him is Kashesh Bhatia Garg, founder and creative director of Kashesh Global, the pioneering fashion house weaving the words of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum into garments, creating wearable literary art.

Abu Dhabi has intervened in the property market by freezing rental increases to anchor consumer costs. Joining Tim Elliott on Mira Business FM, Mario Volpi from Eva Real Estate breaks down this decisive policy shift. He explores how the measure aims to provide immediate stability for tenants, while evaluating the ripple effects it could trigger across Dubai's highly competitive property landsc...

Following recent high-level directives from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum highlighting the robust nature of the city's economy, this episode explores what this macroeconomic strength practically means for organisations on the ground. Tim Elliott sits down with Ramki Jayaraman, Managing Partner at Synarchy Consulting, to break down the key drivers behind Dubai&#3...

As multi-jurisdictional portfolios expand, over 60 per cent of UAE families face severe double taxation and foreign probate risks. Speaking with Tim Elliott, Pooja Bhattia, Co-founder & Director Legal, Ma'an Legacy & Legal Consultancy and Legal Consultancy, warns that standard DIFC or ADGM wills are no longer sufficient to secure global assets, urging families to implement comprehensiv...

As regional geopolitical tensions escalate, cybersecurity expert Stephen Marriott warns that private corporate entities across the GCC, Europe, and the Americas face an unprecedented wave of asymmetric cyber warfare. Speaking with Tim Elliott , Marriott details how threat actors align digital attacks with military operations, leveraging manufactured data breach fears to disrupt global critical inf...

Tim Elliott speaks with Ajay Menon, CEO of Luxe Vista Properties, about the best time and places to buy property in Dubai. Ajay shares insights on market trends, emerging communities, investment opportunities, and key factors buyers should consider when making a property purchase in today’s market.

A beloved homegrown pioneer is rallying the community to script its next chapter. Stevi Lowmass, Founder and CEO of The Camel Soap Factory, joins Tim Elliott to discuss "Save Our Soap"—an inspiring campaign to sell 25,000 bars. They talk about how this innovative Dubai manufacturer is turning a seasonal liquidity challenge into a powerful movement, rallying loyal supporters to protect loca...

As fuel prices hit a four-year high amid geopolitical tensions, global markets face fresh challenges. Tim Elliott speaks with Ryan Lemand, CEO of Neovision Wealth Management, who shares strategic insights on navigating inflation, capitalising on evolving venture-capital AI trends, and identifying resilient investment opportunities to safeguard your portfolio.

As massive wealth migration brings thousands of millionaires into the UAE, managing an elite household has become as complex as running a luxury corporation. Lynsay Kilbane, Founder of The Private Standard, joins Tim Elliott to pull back the curtain on recruitment for the ultra-wealthy, navigating a global talent shortage, and the surging regional demand for female butlers.

As the GCC influencer marketing sector surges towards a projected $770 million valuation by 2032, the era of vanity metrics is facing a major shake-up. Linda Kender, Regional Director at MMA MENA, joins Tim Elliott to discuss the launch of the region’s first standardisation guide, aimed at replacing chaotic pricing models with rigorous, scientific metrics.

As virtual ambassadors shift from sci-fi novelty to corporate reality, the world's first AI influencer talent agency has officially established its headquarters in the UAE. Pixel founder Lewis Davey joins Tim Elliott to discuss how "synthetic marketing" engages global consumers 24/7, the genuine business challenges it solves, and why Dubai is the ultimate launchpad for digital disrupti...

In an exclusive interview with Tim Elliott, David Mackenzie, Managing Director of Mackenzie Jones Middle East, reveals the critical strategies jobseekers need to master to secure what they are truly worth. Breaking down the recruitment lifecycle, Mackenzie outlines how transparency, direct communication, and meticulous preparation minimise wasted time for both candidates and employers.

Dubai-based image scientist and style coach Raluca Marcu joins Tim Elliott to unpack the neuroscience behind executive presence. They discuss why professional judgements take just a tenth of a second and learn actionable visual strategy, body language, and non-verbal communication tactics crucial for securing corporate success.

Mackenzie Jones Middle East Managing Director David Mackenzie joins Tim Elliott to break down the complexities of negotiating remuneration. They discuss practical tips on how to articulate your professional worth, manage evolving salary expectations and confidently navigate crucial financial conversations across every stage of the modern employment life cycle.

Private landlords across the UAE can now legally request tenant credit scores via the UAE Pass and Etihad Credit Bureau. Real estate expert Mario Volpi joins Tim Elliott to analyse how this secure, digital screening system aims to standardise monthly rental payments and safeguard transparent, reliable tenants.

Luxe Vista Properties CEO Ajay Menon joins Tim Elliott to analyse the distinct macroeconomic and regulatory landscapes shaping the UAE real estate sector. From Dubai’s transaction-heavy, global yield hubs to Abu Dhabi’s stable institutional capital, discover how investors can maximise returns and mitigate long-term risk.

The Maldives is seeing steady demand from GCC travellers ahead of Eid and the summer holiday season, with resorts focusing on experience-led tourism, sustainability and longer stays. Fredric Bohez, Chief Operating Officer of the Pulse Group, joins Tim Elliott to discuss shifting regional consumer expectations within a competitive luxury market.

ASEAN’s Islamic finance sector has passed a momentous one-trillion-dollar milestone, reflecting substantial regional growth. Fitch Ratings’ Bashar Al-Natoor joins Tim Elliott to analyse the key domestic drivers across Malaysia and Indonesia, expanding cross-border trade pipelines with the GCC, and why harmonising Shari’ah standardisation remains vital for future expansion.

Dubai Restaurant Week has secured an extended finish ahead of Eid al-Adha following unprecedented consumer demand, Dubai Economy & Tourism’s Alreem Al Redha tells Tim Elliott. Over 125 culinary establishments are capitalising on the extension, boosting city-wide commercial spend and highlighting dominant new trends shaping the market.

Dubai real estate transactions have surged to a staggering fifteen billion dirhams in just one week. Is this extraordinary growth sustainable, or does the data mask on-the-ground market challenges? Industry expert Mario Volpi joins Tim Elliott to analyse the figures, regional masterplans, and what lies ahead for developers.

Global financial and precious metals markets remain locked in a tense holding pattern as investors await a definitive resolution to geopolitical conflict. Speaking from Singapore, Monetary Metals expert Jeff Rhodes joins Tim Elliott to analyse mixed political signals surrounding a potential US-Iran peace deal and the latest trading volumes.

Following a dramatic mountain rescue in Ras Al Khaimah, adventure guide Faisi Shalmani, founder of AFT Adventures, joins Tim Elliott on Mira Business FM. Shalmani details the harrowing moments carrying an exhausted hiker across treacherous terrain, whilst tackling the shifting trends and critical safety standards in the UAE’s rapidly growing ecotourism sector.

A profound shift is under way as Gen Z trades casual side hustles for scalable startups. In this exclusive interview, Heriot-Watt University Dubai’s Anna Schebsdat joins Tim Elliott to discuss how higher education institutions are revolutionising their programmes, transforming campuses into high-tech incubators to fuel the next generation of global entrepreneurs.