Profile

Ali Shahid

CEO
The Bench

Ali Shahid is Chief Executive Officer at The Bench, the global platform behind the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS series), the Branded Residences Forum, and AviaDev. He leads the business’s global strategy, product direction, and growth agenda, with a focus on investor-led experiences, capital engagement, and the evolution of high-impact, in-person industry platforms. Having spent nearly a decade at The Bench, Ali has played a central role in shaping the company’s portfolio, brand positioning, and commercial direction as it expanded across the Middle East, Africa, and beyond. His leadership reflects a deep belief that the most valuable platforms are built by serving investors first, creating environments where ideas, capital, and opportunity can connect in meaningful ways. With 19 years of international experience across B2B, media, events, and professional services, Ali brings a broad commercial perspective shaped by work across more than a dozen industries. He is known for combining strategic clarity with a highly collaborative leadership style, unlocking the potential of teams by giving them focus, ownership, and the confidence to move quickly. Ali is a strong advocate for thoughtful innovation, including the practical use of technology and AI as enablers of better decision-making, stronger relationships, and more efficient operations. Under his leadership, The Bench continues to operate with a startup mindset while scaling globally, building platforms that reflect where hospitality, real estate, aviation, and investment are heading next.