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The head of Dubai-based logistics group DP World has left his post after revelations over his ties with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein heaped pressure on the state-backed company to take action.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem’s exit as the group’s chair and chief executive followed the publication of messages between him and Epstein, including about sexual experiences, which were included in the US Department of Justice’s release of documents related to the disgraced financier.
In a statement on Friday that did not mention Sulayem, the Dubai government announced that Essa Kazim had been named as chair of its board and Yuvraj Narayan as chief executive officer.
Two of DP World’s largest international partners, including Canada’s La Caisse pension fund and the UK’s development finance arm British International Investment, said this week they would halt future deals with the group.
Sulayem was one of the most senior business figures in Dubai, helping transform DP World over four decades from an operator at the emirate’s Jebel Ali port into one of the world’s largest logistics companies.
The group owns six ports in Canada, as well as the fast-growing London Gateway container port.
DP World, which is ultimately overseen by Dubai’s ruling family, had repeatedly declined to comment on the revelations about Sulayem’s relationship with Epstein.
As owner of P&O Ferries, DP World attracted scrutiny in the UK in 2022, when the business sacked 800 staff and replaced them with cheaper agency workers, sparking outrage from the public and politicians.
This is a developing story.