Emirati Businessman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem Removed Amid Epstein-Linked Allegations

Prominent Emirati businessman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem has been removed from his leadership position at Dubai-based port and logistics giant DP World following scrutiny over alleged connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to international media reports.

The controversy gained traction after members of the U.S. Congress indicated that bin Sulayem’s name appeared in files linked to Epstein. These documents, released by the U.S. Department of Justice, have drawn renewed attention to his past associations, though Reuters noted it could not independently verify the claims.

Amid mounting pressure, DP World announced a major leadership reshuffle. The Dubai Media Office confirmed that Essa Kazim has been appointed chairman of the board, while Yuvraj Narayan will serve as group chief executive officer. Bin Sulayem, considered one of Dubai’s most influential business figures, had led the company for more than four decades, growing it into one of the world’s largest port and logistics operators, handling nearly 10 percent of global trade.

The fallout extends beyond leadership changes. The United Kingdom’s development finance institution, British International Investment, along with Canada’s second-largest pension fund, has suspended new investments in DP World pending further clarity.

This leadership shake-up underscores the reputational risks global companies face when high-profile executives are linked to sensitive investigations, and the impact can quickly ripple through international investment and operations.