Irishman Gerald Lawless became synonymous with Jumeirah during an 18-year career as head of Dubai’s iconic hotel group. Jumeirah had just two hotels when he joined in 2007 and he left it in 2016 with a portfolio of 23 hotels and 100 restaurants across 12 worldwide destinations. Lawless assumed a new leadership position responsible for tourism and hospitality in Dubai Holding, and is also the chairman of the World Travel & Tourism Council.