Prominent Emirati businessman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem has been removed from his leadership role following growing scrutiny over his alleged connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to international media reports.
The controversy intensified after members of the U.S. Congress stated that bin Sulayem’s name appeared in files linked to Epstein, prompting renewed attention on his past associations.
The documents were released by the U.S. Department of Justice, though Reuters said it was unable to independently verify the allegations contained in the files.
Amid mounting pressure, Dubai-based port and logistics giant DP World announced a major leadership reshuffle on Friday. The Dubai Media Office confirmed that Essa Kazim has been appointed chairman of the board, while Yuvraj Narayan will take over as group chief executive officer.
Bin Sulayem, considered one of Dubai’s most influential business figures, had led DP World for more than four decades. During his tenure, the company expanded into one of the world’s largest port and logistics operators, claiming to handle nearly 10 percent of global trade.
The fallout from the allegations has extended 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.