In 2005 a group of brand owners and legal consultants alarmed at the continuous expansion of counterfeiting and illicit trade and interested in the enforcement of intellectual property rights joined hands to form the Brand Owners Protection Group (Gulf BPG).
The Brand Owners Protection Group (Gulf BPG), is a non–profit organization that aims to use all legal means to achieve best IP environment and brand protection systems across the GCC and Yemen. The group focuses on education of the business community, consumers, media and interaction/collaboration with authorities – local, regional, and international – to strengthen the enforcement of those laws governing illicit trade in all its forms.
Organization Chart
Gulf Brand Owners Protection Group- Chairman
Malek Hannouf – Louis Vuitton Middle East
- Administrative & Operation Manager
Yara Khalifa – Administrative and Operation Manager
- Administrative and Media Coordinator
Nada Essam – Administrative and Media Coordinator
- Board of Directors
- Deputy Chairman
Norma Akoury Haddad – TotalEnergies UAE Services - Director of Communication
Rima El-Achkar – Louis Vuitton Middle East
- Treasurer
Cameron Walker – Beiersdorf AG
- Members
- Voting Members
- Non-Voting Members
Board Members
Chairman of Gulf BPG
Malek Hannouf is a Lebanese lawyer with over 5 years of IP regional experience.
Educated in France, Malek Holds Masters degree in Business Law and Taxation from Montpellier University.
Malek started his career at Saba IP & Co before joining Louis Vuitton as Head of Intellectual Property Department for Middle East & Africa.
Malek Hannouf is a Lebanese lawyer with over 5 years of IP regional experience.
Educated in France, Malek Holds Masters degree in Business Law and Taxation from Montpellier University.
Malek started his career at Saba IP & Co before joining Louis Vuitton as Head of Intellectual Property Department for Middle East & Africa.
Malek Joined the Gulf Brand Protection Group (Gulf BPG) in 2013, and is currently the Chairman of the Group.
IP Counsel Brand Protection bei PUMA Group
Ulla Sieber is a German IP professional, with frequent changes of geographical responsibilities. She is now responsible for IP enforcement in the Middle East, Africa and West and Central Asia.
Ulla studied economic laws in Germany parallel to her employment.
She started her career at PUMA as a Junior Trademark Manager, optimizing and defending the company’s Trademark portfolio.
Ulla Joined the Gulf Brand Protection Group (Gulf BPG) in 2019, and is currently a member of the board of directors.
Ulla Sieber is a German IP professional, with frequent changes of geographical responsibilities. She is now responsible for IP enforcement in the Middle East, Africa and West and Central Asia.
Ulla studied economic laws in Germany parallel to her employment.
She started her career at PUMA as a Junior Trademark Manager, optimizing and defending the company’s Trademark portfolio.
Ulla Joined the Gulf Brand Protection Group (Gulf BPG) in 2019, and is currently a member of the board of directors.
Intellectual property Executive at Louis Vuitton
Rima El-Achkar is a Lebanese Intellectual property expert in the Middle East & Africa region.
Rima El-Achkar is a Lebanese Intellectual property expert in the Middle East & Africa region.
Rima holds a law degree from the Lebanese University – Filière Francophone de droit in Lebanon and studied her master’s degree in international business law at the same university.
She started her career at CWB Lebanon as an intellectual property paralegal before joining Louis Vuitton’s Intellectual Property team in the UAE as an Intellectual Property executive for Middle East & Africa.
Rima Joined the Gulf Brand Protection Group (Gulf BPG) in 2018 and is currently a member of the board of directors & the Director of Communication of the Gulf BPG.
Head of Legal at Dabur International Ltd
Saikat Mukherjee is an Indian senior legal counsel - commercial and corporate law experience in Asia including South East Asia countries, USA, GCC, African and CIS countries.
Saikat Mukherjee is an Indian senior legal counsel - commercial and corporate law experience in Asia including South East Asia countries, USA, GCC, African and CIS countries.
Saikat is a Bachelor of Commerce from Calcutta University, Post-Graduate in Human Resources Management from Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management and Bachelor in Law studied law at University of Burdwan in India.
Saikat started his career as a practicing lawyer in High Court Calcutta in India and thereafter joined Hindustan Unilever Limited as a Corporate lawyer and has worked in companies like Spencer’s, Marico, Colgate and currently working as Head of Legal and a Director with Dabur International Limited.
Saikat Joined the Gulf Brand Protection Group (Gulf BPG) in 2010, and is currently a member of the board of directors.
Head of Global Brand Protection at Beiersdorf AG
Cameron Ian Walker, British,
In 2010 Cameron Walker joined Beiersdorf as Regional Brand Protection Manager for Middle East, Turkey, Africa and SW Asia at Beiersdorf (NIVEA) after retirement from 35 years of UK Government Service.
Cameron Ian Walker, British,
In 2010 Cameron Walker joined Beiersdorf as Regional Brand Protection Manager for Middle East, Turkey, Africa and SW Asia at Beiersdorf (NIVEA) after retirement from 35 years of UK Government Service.
He previously worked for the H.M. Customs Investigation Service, National Criminal Intelligence Service and Serious Organized Crime Agency (SOCA), tackling both domestic and international organized crime. His last government posting was as the lead UK Crime liaison attaché to the UAE and GCC states from 2004 until late 2010.
Cameron Joined the Gulf Brand Protection Group (Gulf BPG) in 2010, and currently is Deputy Chairman and Treasurer.
Middle East & Turkey Investigations Manager - Brand Protection at HP Inc.
Mohammad Saeed Shaqrah is a Brand Protection and Investigations Manager - of Intellectual Property Protection and Investigations.
Mohammad Saeed Shaqrah is a Brand Protection and Investigations Manager - of Intellectual Property Protection and Investigations.
Mohammad studied at the University of Petra- Amman Jordan and is holder of many professional certificates in Law and investigations.
He started her career at AGIP- Abu Ghazaleh Intellectual Property offices in Dubai and Amman as an in-house Intellectual Property consultant then, CommScope Inc. of North Carolina as Brand Protection Manager EMEA , India & Pakistan , before joining HP Inc. as Middle East investigations Manager- Brand Protection.
Mohammad Joined the Gulf Brand Protection Group (Gulf BPG) in 2018, and is currently a member of the board of directors as Government Relations Director.Ulla studied economic laws in Germany parallel to her employment.
She started her career at PUMA as a Junior Trademark Manager, optimizing and defending the company’s Trademark portfolio.
Ulla Joined the Gulf Brand Protection Group (Gulf BPG) in 2019, and is currently a member of the board of directors.
Legal Manager at TotalEnergies UAE Services
Norma Akoury Haddad is a Lebanese legal counsel - commercial and corporate law experience in the Middle East.
Norma Akoury Haddad is a Lebanese legal counsel - commercial and corporate law experience in the Middle East.
Norma studied law at the Université Saint Joseph in Lebanon and is a certified mediator from the Professional Mediation Center – Beirut.
She started her career at Total Lebanon as an in-house counsel before joining Total’s legal team in the UAE as a Legal Manager.
Norma Joined the Gulf Brand Protection Group (Gulf BPG) in 2018, and is currently a member of the board of directors.
Senior Manager, Global Brand Protection - EMEA Emerging Markets at Johnson & Johnson
Zahra Mansoor is a GCC national - in MNCs based in Middle East.
Zahra Mansoor is a GCC national - in MNCs based in Middle East.
Zahra has a double major degree in Finance & Management at the American University in Dubai.
She started her career at GE and moved to Johnson & Johnson as a Pricing Lead before joining the Global Brand Protection Department covering Middle East, Africa & Pakistan.
Zahra Joined the Gulf Brand Protection Group (Gulf BPG) in 2020, and is currently a member of the board of directors.
Global Brand Relation Manager MENA
Hadi Y. Alkanani, a Saudi citizen with 20+ years’ work experience & a diverse business profile in technical & managerial fields with local & international companies, out of which 15+ years in IP field.
Hadi Y. Alkanani, a Saudi citizen with 20+ years’ work experience & a diverse business profile in technical & managerial fields with local & international companies, out of which 15+ years in IP field.
Hadi holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a Bachler’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, both from King Fahad University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM). Hadi holds several certifications including IP Investigator Certification from Interpol, Project Management Professional (PMP), and Certified Cost Engineer (CCE).
Hadi currently works (since Jan 2021) at Amazon as the Head of Customer Trust in Middle East & North Africa under the International Public Policy Dep’t. Before Amazon, Hadi worked for 15 Years (2006-2020) as the Regional Brand Protection Manager for Procter & Gamble (P&G) managing various regions, including Europe, Middle East, Africa, Pakistan, India & China. Before that, Hadi worked for 7 years in Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) as Head of Planning & System Improvement of Electrical Distribution Projects.
Beside his membership in many groups & associations, Hadi is a founding member of the Gulf Brand Owners Protection Group (Gulf BPG). Hadi has been participating as a BPG member since establishment & continues to be an effective supporter to the BPG board.
Head of Legal at Ferrero GCC
Moutaz Abdullat is a Jordanian lawyer - of regional experience.
Moutaz Abdullat is a Jordanian lawyer - of regional experience.
Moutaz Holds Masters degree in Business International law From Paris Sorbonne University
Moutaz started his career at AGIP as Manager of the legal department, then joined Nestle as Regional counsel for Middle East & North Africa, and currently he is the General Counsel for Ferrero Trading.
Moutaz Joined the Gulf Brand Protection Group (Gulf BPG) in 2013, and is currently a Board Member.
Brand Protection Director, Unilever NAMET
Joined Unilever in October 1993 working in various roles from 1993 to 1999, in the Personal Department & Government relations.
Joined Unilever in October 1993 working in various roles from 1993 to 1999, in the Personal Department & Government relations.
Joined Trademarks department in 1999 as Training & networking Manger for GCC from 1999 to 2002.
Worked as Trademarks Department Manager for GCC, Yemen & Iran from 2003 to 2007 later moved to Brand Protection Manager for North Africa & Middle East role from 2007 to 2014 thereafter Brand Protection Director for NAME MCO, Malta & Turkey from 2014 to present.
Senior Associate at Al Tamimi & Company
Manel Ben Said is a French Legal Counsel specialized in Intellectual Property, based in the UAE.
Manel Ben Said is a French Legal Counsel specialized in Intellectual Property, based in the UAE.
She is currently practicing as a Senior Associate in the Intellectual Property Department with Al Tamimi & Company.
Manel specializes in brand protection and enforcement of IP rights; management of global IP portfolios and alternative dispute resolution for domain names.
Manel studied in France and has been practicing in the Middle East since more than 10 years.
She started her career with IBM in France before joining and Louis Vuitton Malletier as in-house counsel responsible for Anti-counterfeiting matters for the Middle-East, Africa and India.
Manel Joined the Gulf Brand Protection Group (Gulf BPG) in 2015, and is currently a member of the board of directors.
Principal- Country Manager UAE & KSA at Rouse
Bassel El Turk is a Lebanese lawyer - of IP regional experience.
Bassel El Turk is a Lebanese lawyer - of IP regional experience.
Educated in Lebanon & the UK, Bassel Holds BA in Law and a Master of Laws in Commercial Law.
Bassel Joined Rouse in 2006 as a Paralegal, he now heads our UAE and KSA practices as well as heading up our Dispute Resolution Team
Bassel Joined the Gulf Brand Protection Group (Gulf BPG) in 2006, and is currently a Board Member.
Partner and Head of Intellectual Property and Competition at Al Tamimi & Company Vice President of AIPPI-UAE
Omar Obeidat is a Partner in Al Tamimi & Company and the Head of Intellectual Property Department and enjoys over 20 years of experience in this field.
Omar Obeidat is a Partner in Al Tamimi & Company and the Head of Intellectual Property Department and enjoys over 20 years of experience in this field.
Omar obtained his LL.B degree in 1996 from Yarmouk University, Jordan, and his LL.M. degree in 1997 from the University of Georgia at Athens, USA.
Omar is ranked Band 1 in Chambers and Tier 1 in Legal 500, The World Trademark Review ranked Omar as Gold and states “IP head Omar Obeidat is the star of the show; he is strongly endorsed for his anti-counterfeiting know-how and his in-depth understanding of IP law”. Omar was also a Winner of the Client Choice Awards 2015 under the practice Intellectual Property-Trademarks. He was also chosen by Managing Intellectual Property in the IP Stars Handbook of 2014 and 2015.
Omar is a member of the Gulf Brand Protection Group (Gulf BPG) from 2005.
Hady Khawand, Partner & Country Manager at Saba Intellectual Property – UAE, is a Lebanese attorney at Law and holder of an Executive MBA from the American University of Beirut. As member of the Beirut Bar Association (BBA), Hady gained an extensive experience over more than 20 years in Corporate, Contract, Healthcare Insurance and IP Laws in Lebanon and the MENA region. Over the last 10 years, Hady has been providing IP legal and strategic advice to national and international clients based on best financial, taxation, and legal practices in the UAE and the region. He also spearheads law enforcement and anti-counterfeiting activities in various industries on behalf of many of the most valued international brands in the world.
Hady is an active member of many international and national organizations that are concerned with IP matters and in particular he is a board member of the Brand Protection Group in the Gulf (www.gulfbpg.com) and member of the Middle East Global Advisory Council in the International Trademark Association (www.inta.org) as well as a Founding Board Member of the UAE National Group of the AIPPI (The International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property: www.aippi.org).
SABA is the longest-established and most renowned intellectual property firm in the Arab world through an extensive network of branches and representative offices across West Asia, North Africa and their neighboring regions. We are active in all areas of registration, prosecution and enforcement of IPRs.
Gulf BPG Team
Yara Khalifa
Administrative and Operation Manager
