Dr. Khater Massaad

In 1991 and on the advice of H.H. Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, the Crown Prince & Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Dr. Khater Massaad began to create RAK Ceramics. As the driving force behind the Company, he has guided the destiny of what is now the foremost ceramic manufacturing organisation in the world, and a jewel in the manufacturing sector of the entire Middle East, – all achieved within 15 years.

Dr. Massaad’s career in the Middle East region began in earnest in the early eighties when he commenced geophysical investigations for clay deposits, dams and water in the GCC and Levant countries.

He was assigned the position of “Project Manager” for various underground water projects in the United Arab Emirates and in the Sultanate of Oman. However, his professional vision went beyond geophysical investigations and projects to touch the industrial sector of the UAE. He initiated feasibility studies for the development of various factories, thereafter realizing a business plan for the development of a ceramic factory in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.

As the Chief Executive Officer of RAK Ceramics, Dr. Massaad steers the globalisation of the company’s business and conceived a rapid diversification program.

In 2003, Dr. Khater Massaad was appointed Advisor to The Crown Prince & Deputy Ruler of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi.

He plays a key role in the development of the Emirate which has so far encompassed high value investment ventures in the hotel & tourism industry, logistics, computer hardware industry, and high value consumer products such as exclusive porcelain ware.

As CEO of the RAK Investment Authority (RAKIA) a position which he was appointed to in 2005, RAKIA has attracted more than US $1 billion in industrial investments into Ras Al Khaimah.

RAK Ceramics was also chosen as the “Arabian Business” Company of the Year in 2004.

The following year, RAK Ceramics was awarded the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Award (MRM Business Award) for Industry. Dr. Massaad received the award from UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

In 2006, The RAK Ceramics brand was rated as one of the top brands of the UAE, and the topmost brand in the manufacturing sector in a study conducted by Brand Finance Middle East of the United Kingdom.

In 2007, Dr. Massaad won the prestigious FDi Personality of the year award, the Financial Times.

In addition, Dr. Massaad is the Executive Chairman of RAKEEN – the land master-planner and developer in real estate & township development in the Emirate & many international projects.

In 2006, he commenced RAK Tourism to position Ras Al Khaimah as an international tourism success story with a unique and authentic tourism portfolio.

He is leading the development of tourism within the emirate with the introduction of RAK Airways and the up grading of the existing airport, while attracting many new international hotel groups to the emirate, including the development of a new Convention Centre. The formation of RAK Tourism will continue to grown tourism for the emirate.

Dr Massaad is a Swiss National with a PhD in Geophysics and an Msc in Mathematics from Switzerland. He also holds the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors for Rakeen, CEO of Al Hamra Hotels, and MD for RAK Airways.