Dubai DP World replaces CEO after his name appears in Epstein emails

DUBAI: Dubai’s global ports and logistics giant DP World has replaced its long‑time chairman and chief executive after his name appeared in newly released emails from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, prompting scrutiny from international investors.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, who had led DP World for years, was replaced on Friday by Essa Kazim as chairman of the board and Yuvraj Narayan as group chief executive officer, the company said in a statement issued by the Dubai government’s media office. The announcement made no direct reference to bin Sulayem.

Bin Sulayem’s name appeared more than 9,400 times in documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The files include years of correspondence between him and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died by suicide in a U.S. prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex‑trafficking charges. Some of the emails describe personal interactions and referenced intimate matters. None of the documents publicly allege criminal wrongdoing by bin Sulayem.

The leadership change comes amid increasing pressure from international financial partners. Canada’s La Caisse pension fund and the British development finance institution British International Investment both said earlier this week they would suspend future investments in DP World until the company addressed concerns over the situation.

DP World, one of the world’s largest port operators, runs major container terminals including Jebel Ali in Dubai and has a presence in more than 80 countries. The company is a key pillar of the United Arab Emirates’ trade and logistics sector.

Bin Sulayem had been at the helm of DP World and related Dubai state‑linked entities for decades, helping expand its global footprint. His departure marks the latest fallout from the ongoing release of Epstein‑related documents that has affected several high‑profile individuals worldwide. ([Reuters][3])

In the statement, DP World said the new leadership appointments were aimed at “strengthening the company’s governance and institutional framework” and supporting its long‑term growth strategy, without naming bin Sulayem or detailing the reason for the change

Narayan, who has been with DP World for nearly two decades, and Kazim, a senior Emirati financial executive, are expected to lead the company as it navigates the reputational and business impacts of the recent disclosures.