Planview recently celebrated their launch in the Middle East region through a formal evening event to mark this significant milestone. Held at the Raffles Hotel on the Palm, the event was a celebration of innovation, collaboration, and transformation under the theme “Accelerating Innovation, Shaping the Future of Business.”
To begin the proceedings, Vishal Dhawan, Managing Director and President for Asia Pacific & Middle East at Planview took to the stage to deliver a welcome address. With over two decades of experience in the IT and enterprise software industry, Vishal is known for building high-performing teams, driving large-scale digital transformation deals, and creating innovative, value-driven strategies for growth.
Following this, the evening saw Razat Gaurav, Chief Executive Officer, Planview deliver a keynote speech on “AI Powered Digital Future of Connected Work”. After sharing his perspective on how AI is reshaping the way organisations connect strategy with execution, the event moved on to its next speaker.
Ahmed Samir, Solution Consulting Leader, Planview Middle East sought to showcase how AI-powered portfolio management enables organisations to align, adapt and accelerate success. He brought with him a live demonstration to bring this innovation to life – titled “Planview Live: AI-Powered Portfolio Management.
After this, it was then time for the Customer Panel Discussion on the theme of “Strategy to Execution in Driving Transformation Success”. The panel aimed to highlight how CXOs and transformation leaders are bridging the gap between boardroom strategies and frontline execution, while balancing governance, agility, and value realization. Moderated by Matt Zilli, Chief Revenue Officer at Planview, the panel included Padam (Sundar) Kafle, Head of Innovation at Aster DM Healthcare, Dr. Fayid Kadambodan, Assistant IT Director – Enterprise Solutions at Dubai Integrated Economic Zone’s Authority and Ahmad Mohammad Al Mulla, Chief Technology Officer at Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC).
The second panel of the evening was the Partner Panel Discussion under the theme of “Redefining Success with Transformative Digital Impact”. The discussion explored how global technology expertise, combined with local market understanding, can redefine success through collaborative innovation, operational agility, and sustainable growth. Moderated by Stephen Fernandes, Chief Growth Officer & Head of Middle East at Planview, the panel included Vinod Krishnan, Head Partner Management – Middle East, Africa & Türkiye at AWS, Kawther Haciane, Principal & Digital Risk Lead Partner, MENA at EY, Amit Gupta, Head of Data & AI Practice – Asia, ME, Africa & Europe at e& enterprise and Hande Akdede Erbay, Head of Data & AI, IBM MEA.
To conclude the formalities of the evening, Stephen Fernandes, Chief Growth Officer & Head of Middle East at Planview returned to the stage to deliver a closing address. “It’s an honour to have all of you here today to help make this a special occasion. Having spent 25 years in the region, I’ve witnessed a radical revolution in how the Middle East has grown from being followers to leaders and now trend setters. Transformation was once seen as an initiative but now it’s in the DNA of every organisation, be it in business, technology or people as they progress through the industry. This region continues to make the impossible possible”.
“What I’ve witnessed over my career is that every tech industry has a visionary leader who acts as a lighthouse to illuminate the path forward. I’m proud that Planview is this lighthouse in fields of portfolio and project management, where we have been validated by Gartner, Forrester and IDC. I’d like to end by summarising Planview in three points. Firstly, Planview is an engine of connected work that brings in strategic outcomes powered by AI for organisations. Secondly, Planview turns transformation into traction as we help organisations take their initial vision to the delivery of a meaningful impact. Finally, Planview is your partner for the future as we pride ourselves on long-term commitments”.
Image Credit: Planview