People who inspire me: Omer Kaddouri

Who has spurred Rotana CEO and president Omer Kaddouri to success?

1. My mother: She devoted her life to us, sacrificed a lot and brought us up mostly alone as my father was always away on business. She taught me to work hard and commit and always give my best. She is an inspiration to me and I take everything I learned from her and live it with my family.

2. Richard Branson: Forever looking at new angles of business and going places no one else has tried, he challenges major companies (e.g. Virgin vs BA, and with Rotana vs multinational companies), which is something I have related to; and we are not far off!

3. Winston Churchill: Against all odds he rallied all to win. Lead a team, make them feel the ownership of the challenge and win together, is what I take from this.

4. Rafael Nadal: So focused, he never gives up. He is mentally strong and respectful of all his opponents, which has made him one of the world’s greatest tennis players.

5. Angelina Jolie: Even though she is often cited as the world’s most beautiful woman and is highly regarded for her acting abilities, Angelina’s humanitarian acts with UNHCR and her MPJ project in Cambodia, projects in Ethiopia, Afghanistan and many others, including education and protection of women and children are extremely impressive and admirable.