Hind Seddiqi - The Middle East's Most Influential CMOs- Forbes Lists

Hind Seddiqi, chief marketing and communications officer at Seddiqi Holding and CEO of Dubai Watch Week, has been named among the Middle East’s most influential CMOs. Seddiqi joined the family business — founded as a luxury watch and jewelry retailer in 1950 — in 2006 and has overseen a period of expanded brand programming and audience growth, most notably during Dubai Watch Week’s 10th anniversary showcase in November 2025.

"This resulted in a 113% YoY increase in visitors at 49,000, and more than $18 million generated in PR value."

The milestone anniversary of Dubai Watch Week was staged inside Dubai Mall at an 18,580-square-meter venue, bringing over 100 international collectors, six international collector clubs and more than 90 international brands under one roof. Those figures underline the scale of the event’s comeback and the commercial and reputational returns under Seddiqi’s marketing leadership.

Role and responsibilities

• Designation: Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Seddiqi Holding
• CEO: Dubai Watch Week
• Board member: Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy
• Advisory council member: American University of Sharjah

Seddiqi’s career arc inside the family business began in 2006, two generations after the company was established in 1950 as a luxury watch and jewelry retailer. Her remit bridges corporate marketing and the curatorial, promotional and operational demands of a large-scale cultural trade event. Dubai Watch Week’s anniversary figures — 49,000 visitors and more than $18 million in PR value — provide a quantifiable measure of the event’s reach and the brand amplification Seddiqi has driven.

The event’s international draw was notable: attendance included over 100 international collectors, the participation of six distinct international collector clubs and representation from more than 90 global brands. Those elements not only strengthened the event’s content but also reinforced Seddiqi Holding’s positioning as a convenor in the luxury watch ecosystem, fostering connections between collectors, brands and regional audiences.

Context and influence

Beyond the watch exhibition, Seddiqi’s influence extends into institutional and advisory roles. She sits on the board of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy and on the advisory council for the American University of Sharjah, signaling an engagement with both industry policy and academic collaboration. These positions align with a broader remit that spans audience development, sector advocacy and educational outreach.

The visitor surge and PR valuation tied to the 10th anniversary highlight a tandem of earned media success and experiential programming. For a family business that traces its roots to 1950, Seddiqi’s stewardship reflects a concerted push to translate heritage into contemporary cultural capital, leveraging exhibitions and partnerships to expand the brand’s footprint.

Outlook

Looking ahead, the challenge for Seddiqi and Seddiqi Holding will be to sustain the momentum generated in 2025: translating one-off event successes into longer-term audience retention and deeper industry ties. Her positions with the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy and the American University of Sharjah position her to influence the next phase of sector development, blending marketing strategy with institutional engagement. If the 10th anniversary metrics are any indication, the organisation’s ability to attract collectors, brands and global attention under her leadership will remain central to its strategy.