Chris Gardner And H.E. Marwan Obaid Almheiri Join OWS Capital To Scale Its GCC Operations With its newest advisory board members, OWSC is set to gear up to scale across GCC.

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

OWS Capital
Chris Gardner

OWS Capital (OWSC), a multi-investment platform headquartered in Dubai, has announced its newest advisory board members, American motivational speaker, entrepreneur and New York Times best-selling author Chris Gardner, and H.E Marwan Obaid Almheiri, a member of the UAE Federal National Council and the Assistant Secretary General for Executive Affairs at the Executive Council of Ajman.

As OWSC's newest advisory board member, Gardner, known for his autobiography-turned-film Pursuit of Happyness, will utilize his existing network to facilitate new business ventures for the company, emphasizing in GCC countries. With over three decades of experience in financial services, and as the founder of Gardner, Rich & Co., Gardner will also offer support to develop new businesses and advise on global trends.

H.E. Almheiri offers years of experience in strategic roles as a member of the Economic Development Committee for the Government of Ajman, as well as a background in business consultancy and as a member of the Zorah Development Company. From advising on cultural engagement to business expansions across MENA, Almheiri is set to be key in OWS Capital's future.

OWSC Managing Director Oweis Zahran notes the significance of the new members of the advisory board, "I am so proud to have Chris Gardner and H.E. Marwan Obaid Almheiri on our advisory board. As we scale up in the region, we will have the experience and expertise of the highly respected members of the community play a vital role in the overall success of OWS Capital."

OWSC recently brokered a collaboration between real estate development company Miral and American comedian and actor Kevin Hart. The collaboration was executed through MELT-OWSC, a joint venture of OWSC and MELT Middle East, a consulting and investment entity by US television star Steve Harvey, in a bid to open up the Middle East region to A-list celebrities. In November this year, MELT-OWSC is organizing a bespoke gala dinner and charity auction, hosted by Steve Harvey, and attended by prominent A-list celebrities and key members of the UAE and US government and business communities.

Related: Stronger Together: Oweis Zahran, Founder And Chairman, OWS Auto

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Growing a Business

4 AI Tools I Used to Go from Side Hustle to 7 Figures in 12 Months (Step-by-Step)

How I automated traffic, sales and ops with four tools — no team required.

Branding

How Glossier Hacked Social Media to Build A Cult-Like Following

Former blogger Emily Weiss had a hunch: If she could translate women's real needs into products, she could build a beauty company unlike any other.

Entrepreneurs

Redefining Standards: Amina Bahari and Hadeel Ismail are Combining Wellness and Entrepreneurship at Dubai-Based Stay Flawless Beauty Lounge

With Stay Flawless Beauty Lounge, Bahari and Ismail realized a shared dream of creating a community-focused beauty and wellness haven for women. But now, the brand is breaking new ground by moving into the realm of supporting female entrepreneurs.

Growing a Business

3 Measurable Ways Collaboration Grows Businesses

Companies that tear down silos and encourage communication do better by every measure.

Side Hustle

Starbucks Barista's 'Stealth Mode' Side Hustle Now Sees $1 Million Months

Haley Pavone, 29, came up with her business idea after a dance floor injury.