Mr. Syed Abdul Gaffar

Partner, Executive Director, Board of Directors

Mr. Syed Abdul Gaffar, in addition to holding the role as a Partner and Stakeholder to Empire Investments and operating as an Executive Director and member of the board, is a hands-on Chief Executive Officer, and high calibre entrepreneur with expertise in business development, operations, commercial real estate development, large scale industrial manufacturing food mills, and the medical industry specialized in antiageing. Through strategic foresight, drive, and determination, he built a strong formidable foundation for his successful multi-million dollar companies over the past 26 years while strategically diversifying his brands throughout India. As a leader and self-sufficient innovator, Syed is comfortable in any role from the executive boardroom to the manufacturing floor. He is a savvy negotiator known for strong business development and relationship-building skills. Syed’s innate ability to build high-performance teams, including his strategicallyselected executive management staff, has served as a growth catalyst and infused productive energy into all the workplaces he is involved in.

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Mr. Mohammed Azharuddin

Executive Director and Spokesperson

Mohammad Azharuddin is an Executive Director and spokesperson of the Empire Global Group. He has added enormous value to the group through his worldwide networks and intelligent vision and concepts towards new and innovative business ideas and models. Azharuddin is backed up with a distinguished and highly recognized career as one of the greatest cricketers and legends in the sport of all time. Holding a skillset as a strong, captivating and motivating leader, he brings tremendous positive energy, charm and a proven track record of business professionalism and success to the company and to our clients.

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Mr. Bray Hao

Executive Director China Affairs, Board of Directors

A quintessence of global business leadership, Mr. Bray Hao embodies the confluence of strategic acumen with entrepreneurial grandeur. With a legacy marked by successfully steering numerous high- caliber projects valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, with a pronounced footprint in pivotal sectors including oil and gas, renewable energy, international logistics, and blockchain technology, most notably within the Gulf region. A visionary architect in establishing economic and trade alliances between China and the Middle East, Mr. Hao’s business prowess transcends conventional boundaries. His formidable expertise in business intricacies, bolstered by robust networks, heralds him as a pivotal conduit facilitating prosperous inter-regional business synergies. In his esteemed role as the Executive Director of China Affairs, Mr. Bray Hao dedication remains undiminished, echoing his commitment to augmenting the company’s influence and stature in the Far East. Guided by a wealth of experience and strategic foresight, he continues to be the guiding force behind the company’s journey towards ground-breaking innovation and unmatched excellence.

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Mr. KG Basheer Ahamed

Executive Director, Board of Directors

KG Basheer Ahamed is an esteemed professional holding a leadership role of Executive Director at Empire Investments Group. A master in international global large-scale procurement and import/export operations, he has successfully spearheaded the supply chain functions of numerous international companies across diverse industries including Oil and Gas, Mining, Logistics, and Construction throughout the MENA region. As the Head of Procurement and Supply, his steadfast commitment to delivering remarkable supply chain solutions has consistently garnered him well-deserved accolades and recognition in the field. Through his strategic thinking and innovative approach, he has transformed supply chain operations into highly efficient, cost effective and streamlined processes, thus enhancing the productivity of the organizations. KG’s extensive experience and industry expertise bring significant value to the Empire Investments Group and its esteemed clientele, fostering a culture of growth and success. His exceptional leadership skills and ability to navigate complex supply chain challenges make him a highly valuable asset to the organization.

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Mr. Hans Strijker

Director of Operations, Drilling Optimization

Mr. Hans Strijker, boasting a dynamic career spanning over 40 years, currently serves as the Director of Operations for Drilling Optimization at Empire Investments Group. Renowned for his strategic leadership in the oil and gas sector, his storied career is marked by significant achievements in both onshore and offshore drilling operations, with a notable 25 years in top management roles across Europe, Russia, and the Middle East.

In his current role, Mr. Strijker exemplifies excellence in drilling operations. His profound expertise in optimizing drilling processes, coupled with a steadfast commitment to safety and operational efficiency, has established him as an influential and revered figure in the industry. His approach, characterized by innovative thinking and an in-depth understanding of complex operational challenges, consistently enhances performance and cost-effectiveness in numerous drilling projects for major oil and gas corporations.

Mr. Strijker is celebrated not just for his technical acumen, but also for his exceptional ability to cultivate strong client relationships and lead teams to excellence. His contributions are pivotal in propelling Empire Investments Group’s operations, significantly elevating the company’s stature in the competitive oil and gas sector. His leadership extends beyond operational success, adding substantial value to Empire’s ventures and client engagements, and solidifying his role as a cornerstone of the organization. His influence is integral to Empire’s continued growth and success in the oil and gas industry.

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Mr. Anas Baqai

Executive Director, Board of Directors

In addition to his executive responsibilities with the Empire Group, Anas is the Chief Executive Officer founder of Propel Entertainment, one of India’s leading premier entertainment companies. Holding a Master’s degree in Journalism. With a successful career in the media, Anas ventured into the world of sports journalism. It was during this time that he developed strong relationships within the the BCCI and cricketers and began procuring celebrity appearances. In working with the Indian cricketing legend Md. Azharuddin in this capacity, He realized the marketability of athletes and celebrities in India – especially with the advancement of digital and social media sources newly emerging. Establishing the brand in In 2004, he joined forces with AZZA to launch, Propel Sports & Entertainment, mirroring the successful formula of “employing powerful, media-driven celebrity and influencer-based campaigns and experiences” in the sports and entertainment realm, with support of Mohammed Azharuddin were successful to grow the business significantly at an international level worldwide. The company has since merged under the umbrella of Empire Investments

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Mr. Peter Prad

Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Prad joined the Empire Investments Group in late 2017, with a proven 25 years of progressive and diverse F&A accomplishments for firm leaders of private and public corporations. Focused on leadership skills within C-suite and to Board as CFO / CEO. He holds vast expertise in Accounting, Auditing, Financial Accounting, Budget, Finance, Mergers, Acquisitions M&A, Management, SAP, Treasury, Risk Management, Cash Flow, Forecasting, IFRS, Tax, General Ledger, GAAP, Financial Reporting, Payroll, CPA, Accounts Receivable, Internal Controls, Budgets, ERP, Due Diligence, Financial Modelling, Corporate Finance, Internal Audit, Financial Analysis, Business Intelligence, Revenue Recognition, Accounts Payable, Banking, GAAP, Corporate Tax, Inversion, Cost Accounting, Divestitures, Hyperion, Tax Compliance, divestiture accounting, payroll and benefits, treasury, and cash flow management.

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Mr. Faizan Ahamed B

Chief Projects Officer

Holding the pivotal role of Chief Projects Officer at Empire since 2021, Mr. Faizan has emerged as a dynamic leader in venture project management, combining a robust academic background—a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s in Designing & Manufacturing Engineering—with extensive research knowledge. Drawing from valuable experience garnered at industry giants like ExxonMobil and HCL Tech, his expertise is both vast and multifaceted, enriching his diverse skill set, which is further enhanced by prestigious certifications in AI Engineering and Supply Chain & Contract Management from CIPS UK. A central figure in Empire’s AI Research and Development endeavors, Faizan has been instrumental in propelling the company to new heights in innovative domains of technology. His adeptness in project management and strategic acumen have been invaluable in assisting the board with venture structuring, solidifying his role as a key contributor to Empire’s forward-thinking initiatives.

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