Sheikh Faisal bin Sultan bin Salem Al Qassimi

Sheikh Faisal bin Sultan bin Salem Al Qassimi is a member of the Al Qasimi royal family that rules the Emirates of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah. He founded United Arab Bank and served as Chairman of the Board of Directors since the Bank's inception in 1975, remaining in this role for nearly fifty years until March 2024. Throughout his tenure, he remained the largest single individual shareholder of the Bank.

Sheikh Faisal's military and government service career was substantial. He graduated in 1956 from the Officer Cadet School of Jordan and subsequently attended Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot, where he was promoted to Queen's Commission Officer. After their arrival to Abu Dhabi in 1971, Sheikh Faisal was appointed the Under Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, and a year later was appointed Chief of staff of the Abu Dhabi Defence Force (ADDF). He also served briefly as Chairman of the Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) during 1973-1974, making him the first non-Egyptian to head the organization.

Sheikh Faisal is chairman of the board of directors of several private companies including Faisal Holding LLC, GIBCA, Grand Stores, and Hospitality Management Holdings LLC. He has several companies and affiliates in key industrial sectors such as real estate, hospitality, tourism, trading, marketing, energy and resources, security printing and private equity. As a decorated military figure, Sheikh Faisal received the Jordanian Star 1st Class from King Hussein, the 1st Class Medal of Merit by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, the Superior Order Staff General by King Hassan II of Morocco, the Order of the Two Niles by Sudanese President Gaafar Nimeiry, and the 1st Class Emirates Military Medal by former UAE President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Career history

• Founder and Chairman of United Arab Bank (1975–2024)
• Chairman of the Arab Organization for Industrialization (1973–1974)
• Chief of Staff of the Abu Dhabi Defence Force (1973 onwards)
• Under Secretary of the Ministry of Defence (1971)
• Lieutenant in the Trucial Oman Scouts (1954–1969)

Status Note: Sheikh Faisal stepped down as Chairman of United Arab Bank in March 2024 after nearly 50 years and was succeeded by his son, Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal bin Sultan Al Qassimi. However, he remains deeply connected to UAB as its founder and largest individual shareholder, and continues to chair multiple business enterprises across real estate, hospitality, and investment sectors. His leadership of UAB established it as a major regional financial institution, and his military service during the UAE's formative years contributed directly to the development of the nation's defense infrastructure during the critical post-federation period.