BIO
Dr Christopher Abraham has three postgraduate qualifications in HRM, Business Administration (Marketing), Labour & Administrative Law and a PhD in Business Administration (Design Thinking & Innovation). He is a Certified Design Thinker from IDEO/Stanford and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (FCIM), UK. He has 34 years’ experience in management consulting, marketing and management education in India, Singapore and the UAE.
Dr Abraham has been a Visiting Professor at many leading universities in Australia, the USA, Canada, Singapore and the UK. Earlier, in Dubai, he headed the Executive MBA program of XLRI, Jamshedpur, one of Asia’s top business schools. His areas of competence are Innovation, Design Thinking, Behavioural Design, Strategy, Neuroscience of Decision Making, Future of Education, Science of Happiness, Leadership, Human Potential, Entrepreneurship, Marketing and Strategy.
A much sought-after 3-time TEDx and international keynote speaker, he has successfully presented at numerous global forums and conducted many consulting and executive development assignments for global organisations including The World Bank, The Executive Council (Government of Dubai), Emirates Airlines, SEWA (Government of Sharjah), Aramex, DHL, Procter & Gamble, LG, Reckitt Benckiser and AW Rostamani (Nissan Auto).
EDUCATION
- PhD, Business Administration, UK
Thesis on Design Thinking & Positive Psychology - MBA, Business Administration and Marketing, Regional Engineering College (now NITT – National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli), Bharathidasan University, India
- MSW, Social Work, Human Resources Management and Organisational Behaviour, Bharathidasan University, India
- PG Diploma in Labour and Administrative Law, Annamalai University, India
ONLINE COURSE
ILEAD – Impactful Leadership
Develop the skills you need to become a successful leader and decision-maker
Duration: 30 hours
EXPERIENCE
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
- Professor and Head of Campus – Dubai, SP Jain School of Global Management (January 2004 – Present)
- Head, Al Abbas Institute of Technology, Dubai (June 1996 – December 2003)
Was the professor in charge of the Executive MBA program and executive education of XLRI, Jamshedpur, India - Assistant Professor, Department of Management Studies, Regional Engineering College (now NITT), India (January 1990 – December 1994)
- Has been a Visiting Professor at the University of Wollongong (Australia), XLRI Jamshedpur (India), Champlain College (USA), University of Paisley (UK), e-TQM College (UAE), University of British Columbia (Canada), South Eastern University (USA), Baker College (USA) and University of Bellevue (USA) for their programs in the UAE
CORPORATE EXPERIENCE
- Corporate HRD & Training Manager, Ali Alhashemi Group of Companies, Dubai (January 1995 – April 1996)
CONSULTING EXPERIENCE
- Philadelphia Consulting Group
- Modi Xerox
- Business Development, TNT Worldwide
- Freelance Consultant (Corporate Strategy, Marketing, Organisational Development & HR, and Executive Development Programs) for many leading global companies and governments
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
| Author(s) | Year of Publication | Title of Publication | |
| Surname | Initial | ||
| Patwa D’Cruz Abraham |
N.P. A.D. C.A. |
2016 | The Brand Inside: Fulfilling the Needs of the New Employee Generation to Create Brand Advocates. International Journal of Business and Economics (Accepted). ABCD “B” Journal. |
| Patwa Contardo Abraham D’Cruz |
N.P. I.C. C.A. A.D. |
2017 | The Role of Online Communities in the Development of Social Commerce. |
| Tarabasz Selakovic Abraham |
A.T. M.S. C.A. |
2018 | The Classroom of the Future: Disrupting the Concept of Contemporary Business Education. |
| Hamelin Abraham Thaichon |
N.H. C.A. P.T. |
2019 | Storytelling, The Scale of Persuasion and Retention. A neuromarketing approach. |
Conference Keynotes & Presentations
- “Emerging Opportunities and Challenges for Corporates” Institute of Chartered Accountants in India (1994)
- “Customer Service Excellence” International Conference on Medical Insurance in Dubai, UAE (2001)
- “From Good to Great – Lessons for Corporates” Annual Conference of Chartered Accountants, Dubai Chapter, UAE (2005)
- “Consumer Trends for the New Millennium” International Symposium of Advertising Professionals, Toronto, Canada (2005)
- “Business Education – New Paradigms, New Challenges” Annual Conference, Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce (SICCI), Singapore (2006)
- “Knowledge Management in the New Economy – Challenges and Opportunities” Institute of Chartered Accountants, Abu Dhabi Chapter, UAE (2006)
- “Innovation in HR Practices – Lessons from the Corporate World” International Conference on Management, New York, USA (2006)
- “World Class People Practices” Middle East HR Conference, UAE (November 2007)
- Keynote Speaker: “Management Trends in the New Millennium” Annual Conference of the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce, Port Louis, Mauritius (June 2008)
- Keynote Speaker: “Science of Happiness – the Neural links” Management Development Conference, Dubai (March 2010)
- Changing Times, Changing Strategies: Keynote speaker on “Creativity & Innovation – Keys to Survival in Changing Times” at the Annual Marketing Conference organised by Paradeep Phosphates, India on 24th and 25th March 2012
- Invited for an exclusive presentation on "Happiness in Action – Lessons from Neuroscience and Positive Psychology" by Procter & Gamble (P&G) MENA and South Asia Regional office on 18th April 2012
- Presented the keynote address on "The Flipside – A Different Way of looking at Markets and Marketers" at the 2012 Annual Commercial Meeting organised by Airarabia, on 14th April 2012
2018
- 10th January 2018 – World Trade Club, DWTC, Dubai
Strategy Making for the Year 2018 for CEO Clubs Network - 18th January 2018 – Made in UAE Summit, Dubai
Panel Chair/Moderator – Made in UAE – Future Forward - 30th January 2018 – World Trade Club, DWTC, Dubai
CEO Clubs Exclusive 5 Key Decision Makers Meeting
Speaker & Moderator - 31st January 2018 – Crowne Plaza, Dubai
Masterclass on Decision Making in Disruptive Times - 13th February 2018 – Logisym Conference, Dubai
Panel Member - The Future of Logistics and Disruptive Technologies - 14th February 2018 – Eighth Indian Education Congress, New Delhi
Keynote - Education 4.0, Reimagining the Future of Education - 1st March 2018 – Leather & Paper World Conference 2018, Dubai
Keynote – Reimagining the Future of Leather - 7th March 2018 – CEO Clubs, Dubai
Panel Member – Women in Leadership - 8th March 2018 – World Women’s Day Celebration, Dubai
Panel Member – Women in Leadership - 8th March 2018 – World Women’s Day
Panel Member – Future of Women’s Empowerment & Emancipation - 11th March 2018 – Dubai Lynx Festival Dubai
Keynote – From Hooks to Habits – A Neuroscience Perspective - 6th March 2018 – Business World 2nd Higher Education Conclave, New Delhi
Keynote – The Future University - 17th March 2018 – TEDx SP Jain Dubai campus
Opening Keynote – Unprecedented – Infinite Opportunities in the Age of Abundance - 18th March 2018 – International Scientific Conference on Challenges in Social Sciences and Business (ISCCSSB), Dubai
Keynote – Reimagining the Future of Social Research - 20th March 2018 – World Happiness Day, Dubai
Keynote – Happiness by Choice - 26th March 2018 – National Seminar on Case Research (Skyline University College), Sharjah
Keynote – Reimaging Case Research in the Age of Disruption - 14th – 15th April 2018 – The Restaurant Show 2018, Dubai
Keynote – Reimagining the Future of the Restaurant Business
Workshop – Redesigning the Future Restaurant through Design Thinking - 17th April 2018 – Centenary Celebrations of the Bucharest University of Economics, Romania
Keynote – The Science of Happiness & Economic Prosperity - 22nd April 2018 – National Conference on Education, Dubai
Panel Member – Future of Higher Education - 24th April 2018 – E Comm MENA, Dubai
Speaker – The Future of Omni Channel Retail - 25th April 2018 – HR Summit, Dubai
Opening Keynote – The Future of HR in the Era of AI - 26th April 2018 – The Arab Women in Leadership Summit, Dubai
Panel Member – Women’s Leadership – Challenges & Opportunities - 30th April 2018 – Strategy Execution and Innovation Forum, Dubai
Keynote, Panel Moderator & Workshop
Monetising innovation through re-shaping organisational vision, planning and directives flow in the Disruptive Era - Melting Pot – Innovation Summit – Rochester Institute of Technology, Dubai
Panel Member – Innovation & Entrepreneurship in the Disruptive Era - 4th May 2018 – HR Conclave, Mumbai, India
Panel Chair – Future of HR in the Era of AI - 8th May 2018 – Middle East Brand Summit 2018, Dubai
Speaker - Neuromarketing & Branding - 2nd June 2018 – GEMS UNICONNECT, Dubai
Workshop on Science of Happiness - 9th June 2018 – IBPC Business Networking Meet, Dubai
Presentation of Partnership Synergies - 23rd June 2018 – IITA – Principals Educational Conference 2018
Keynote: Reimagining Education in the 21st Century - 25th July 2018 – International Conference – Research and Innovation in Higher Education for a Sustainable Society, India
Keynote – Reimagining Education the Age of Disruption - 8th August 2018 – Supply Chain Conclave
Opening Keynote on Future of Supply Chain in the Age of AI - 11th August 2018 – SP Jain Masterclass
The Day Robots Stole our Jobs – How to Prepare for Jobs of the Future in the Age of AI - 30th August 2018 – World Food Safety Meet, Dubai
Keynote - Reimagining the Future of Food - 2nd September 2018 – Design Thinking Bootcamp for FinTech Professionals, India
- 5th September 2018 – Interview on CNBC Arabia Live on Corporate Restructuring, Dubai
- 7th September 2018 – HR Shapers, Dubai
Keynote – The Future of HR in the Age of AI - 9th September 2018 – International Association of Ship Charterers, Dubai
Special Address – The Future of the Shipping Industry in the Age of Technology & Disruption - 20th September 2018 – Innovative Learning Spaces Summit, Barcelona, Spain
Keynote Speaker & Panel Chair – Building Innovative Learning Spaces – Opportunities & Challenges - 6th October 2018 – Seventh Middle East Conference on Global Business, Economics, Finance & Banking, Dubai
Keynote – The Future of the Global Economy in a VUCA World - 7th October 2018 – TEDx ADIS, Abu Dhabi
ReImagine – The Formula for Success in a Distracted & Disconnected World - 14th October 2018 – Digital Marketing Immersion Program, Dubai
Design Thinking for Digital Marketers Boot Camp (For DMM Mumbai cohort) - 18th October 2018 – PWC Knowledge Series, Dubai
Jobs, HR and the Future in the Era of AI - 24th October 2018 – IT Conclave, Dubai
Opening Keynote – Leadership & Governance in the Era of Digital Transformation - 24th October 2018 – Supply Chain & Logistics Arabia 2018, Dubai
- 30th October 2018 – GulfHost Restaurant Development Conference, Dubai
Keynote – Reimagining the Future of the Food & Restaurant Business - 30th October 2018 – Indo–UAE Partnership Summit, Dubai
Panel Member – Innovation in Education - 31st October 2018 – EMBA Master Class Mumbai Batch 8
Design Thinking for Breakthrough Innovation - 4th November 2018 – The Observatory on Borderless Higher Education, Dubai
Panel Member – Internationalisation of Higher Education - 5th November 2018 – EdTech Mena – Education Summit, Dubai
Keynote – Reimagining Education in Disruptive Times - 21st November 2018 – Global Logistics & Supply Chain Summit, Dubai
Keynote – The Future of Logistics & Supply Chains - 29th & 30th November 2018 – St. Petersburg Expo Forum 2018
Keynote Speaker on Reimagining the Future of Learning in Management Education - 6th December 2018 – ReInvent 2018 Innovation Conference, Dubai
Keynote – Innovation in the Age of Disruption - 8th December 2018 – World Association of SMEs – WASME Conference, Dubai
Keynote – Entrepreneurship Opportunities in The Age of Abundance
Workshop – Design Thinking for Entrepreneurs - 11th & 12th December 2018 – L&D Program for Merck India Management on Collaboration & Communication
2019
- ICAI Conference - Keynote “Whither the Future of Economy”
- CEO Clubs + Dubai Chamber of Commerce - Panel Member - Dubai Future Forward 2019
- SEWA - Sharjah Electricity & Water Authority - Annual Event - Keynote on Reimagining the Future of Energy
- Business World - Indian Education Congress - Presentation & Panel Member - Technology & the Future of Learning & Education
- EMBA Masterclass - Future You - How Design Thinking can help design your Life & Career
- Aleem Excellence Awards - Presentation on Innovation & Conservation (Also won an award for Excellence)
- CASE Education Leadership Symposium - Panel Member & Presenter on "Universities as vehicles of progress"
- CEO Clubs + Dubai South - Presentation on Innovation Strategy & Partnerships
- Innovation Arabia - Keynote on Reimagining Education - Learning Technologies in Disruptive times
- Design Thinking Master Class for Professionals - MESHRM
- Designing your Life & Career through Design Thinking Master Class
- Decision Making in the Era of Disruption – Keynote
- Secrets to Career Success in the Age of Disruption – Keynote
- University as an Industry Partner Presentation - DIAC Partnership Meet
- Innovation in Education Conference – Reality & Challenges – Keynote & Masterclass
- Supply Chain & Logistics Group Annual Conference, Dubai – Keynote on the Future of the Global Economy
- E-Com MENA, Dubai – Keynote – The Future Marketplace
- Middle East Food Forum – Keynote – Reimaging & Redesigning the Future of Food
- 15th European Academic Research Conference, Zurich, Switzerland - Guest of Honour & Keynote
- Global Biz Research Group, Dubai - Innovation & Survival Strategies in Disruptive Times, - Keynote
- World VUCA Congress, Poland - Are you ready for the VUCA World - Chief Guest of Honour & Keynote
- Moderator – SME World Summit “How we made it big: Lessons from Top Entrepreneurs”
- Design Thinking workshop for FinTech Batch 3 – Mumbai
- Italy – UAE Business Forum and Focus Sectors – Panel Member
- Keynote – Skills of the Future & Modern Education, The RAK/Fujairah Education Expo
- Future Agenda – The Future of Digital Education – Panel Member
- Keynote Address - Seventh Middle East Conference on Global Business, Economics, Finance & Banking
- Nigeria Society of Engineers Program, Singapore
- Keynote Speaker at the Ideas Arabia 14th International Conference 2019
- Speaker: Academia Advisory Forum – RTA, Govt. of Dubai
- Reimagining Logistics - Keynote speaker, SCLG India Summit, New Delhi, India
- Panel Moderator: 4th Annual Future Manufacturing and Trade Summit, Dubai Trade, Govt. of Dubai
- Keynote & Panel Chair, Reimagining Learning Spaces - The Future of Education at 4th innovative Learning Spaces Summit, Barcelona, Spain
- Global Immersion Energy Bootcamp (in Singapore), SEWA, Govt. of Sharjah
- Keynote speaker – “Education Technology (EdTech) as an enabler of increased accessibility and quality of education” for the Dubai Startup and SMB Summit 2019
- Speaker at LogiSym Dubai 2019
- Panel Chair - CEO Clubs Business Women Summit, Dubai – Women Empowerment
- Speaker - 11th Annual Marketing & Branding Congress, Sharjah, UAE – Reimagining Branding & Marketing
- Keynote Speaker – Positive Psychology & Happiness Summit, Dubai
- Keynote Speaker – Future of Procurement in a VUCA World, Warsaw, PROZAC Poland
- Keynote Speaker – Skills of the Future, University of Lodz, Poland
- Special Address on Future of Work & Role of Higher Education – University of St. Petersburg, Russia
- Esteemed Speaker – 3rd Annual India – UAE Strategic Conclave – Future of Education
- Keynote – Innovation & Future Hour – RTA, Govt. of Dubai – “How to Thrive as a Human in the Era of AI”
- Special Address – Higher Education & Entrepreneurship – IRIES Innovation Hub Awards, Abu Dhabi
- Panel Speaker: Marketing & Sales Show, Dubai – Future of Sales & Marketing
- Keynote Speaker – Dubai Supply Chain & Logistics Group Summit – Leadership Skills for Growth & Innovation
Awards and Honorary Positions
- Twice Awarded “Best CEO in the World” in 2018 & 2019 by Indo – UAE Business & Social Forum
- Twice winner of the Education Leadership Award – World Leadership Congress 2015 & 2017
- Regularly Interviewed in leading TV & Media Channels like CNBC, Dubai Eye and Dubai TV
- Regular news columns and quotes in leading newspapers like Gulf News, Khaleej Times, The National, Times of India and Mumbai Mirror
- Twice awarded “Outstanding Professional of the Year” by Junior Chamber International
- Honorary Fellow – Leaders Excellence at Harvard Square
- Advisor – RTA Innovation Lab, Government of Dubai
- Global Advisory Board Member – World CMO Council (Council of Chief Marketing Officers)
- Advisory Board Member – CEO Clubs Worldwide
- Senior Advisory Board Member – WASME World Association of SMEs (A UNESCO Initiative)
- Senior Advisory Board Member – World Sustainable Business Forum
- Member of Governing Board – Gulf Marketing Association
- Member of the Board – The Abrahamic Business Circle (Based on the UAE- Israeli Abraham Accord)