Entrepreneur · Strategist · Brand Builder

About Saba

Iraqi-British entrepreneur with over 25 years of building purposeful ventures across the UK, UAE, and GCC.

SK
My Story

Built to Adapt

I've spent over two decades building brands, launching ventures, and helping businesses grow across London, Dubai, and the wider GCC. My journey has been shaped by a deep belief that great ideas deserve great execution, and that storytelling is the bridge between vision and growth.

From co-founding one of the first bilingual Arabic-English health portals in the late 1990s, to building FayBijoux into a recognised luxury jewellery brand stocked in House of Fraser and Galeries Lafayette, to establishing NINIV Consultancy as a bridge between UK and Gulf markets, I've learned entrepreneurship the real way: by doing it.

Today I work with ambitious businesses and purpose-led organisations to sharpen their market positioning, elevate brand visibility, and unlock sustainable growth. I bring not just strategy, but lived experience.

"I've built brands. I've seen markets. But how do I grow smarter, not just bigger?"

That question led me back to academia, completing my MSc in International Business Management at Kingston University, and continues to shape how I think about strategy, markets, and impact. I am bilingual in Arabic and English, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA).

My Journey Let's Talk
Saba Kufaishi at an event
25+
Years of entrepreneurial experience
8
Ventures founded or co-founded
3
Markets , UK · UAE · GCC
FRSA
Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts
Core Expertise

What I Bring

01
Brand Strategy & Identity
Defining market positioning, visual identity, and brand voice. Building brands that resonate and are remembered.
02
Market Expansion
Strategic guidance entering the UAE, GCC, or UK markets, from regulatory navigation to go-to-market execution.
03
Business Development
Identifying growth opportunities, building strategic partnerships, and pipelines that generate real traction.
04
Digital Visibility
SEO, social media strategy, content and campaigns. Building audiences and growing online presence with purpose.
05
Startup Advisory
Practical guidance for early-stage founders, drawing on real lessons from launching, failing, and succeeding.
06
Stakeholder Engagement
Navigating complex relationships with partners, investors, and institutions across cultures and markets.
Recognition

Awards & Media

🏆
Gold Award , BFIIN/GWIIN 2005
Exceptional Creative Items, British Female Inventors & Innovators Network. Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich.
Arab Woman of the Year 2010
FayBijoux Fashion Designer of the Year Sponsor. L'Officiel Magazine prestigious Middle East awards ceremony, Dubai.
📺
TV & Press Coverage
MBC1 Good Morning Arabs, Rotana Khalijia, Studio ONE. Marie Claire Arabia and Zahrat Al Khaleej editorial features.
🎓
MSc International Business
Kingston University, London. Academic rigour applied to real-world entrepreneurial strategy and market growth.
FRSA , Fellow of the RSA
Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, London. Committed to social change, innovation and human ingenuity.
🌎
GlobalWIIN Network
Head of Programme Management. Mentoring women entrepreneurs and advancing gender diversity in innovation.
Full Press & Awards
What People Say

Voices of Trust

I have known Saba for more than a decade. She is a very friendly, caring, open and very reliable person. Saba has an aptitude for aesthetics and design that makes her stand out from other jewelry designers internationally.

Flor Hidalgo, MBA
Principal, Juniper Consulting Group

Her creativity, compassion and consideration is paralleled by her professionalism. Her passion resonates throughout her artistic jewelry creations at Fay Bijoux. Saba will inspire others to reach new heights in the Middle East Fashion Industry.

Rachel Meuleman
Founder, BizzAngels

I have known Saba for over 16 years. From day one I knew she would be a successful businesswoman because she is focused and has the ambition and the passion for success. I always liked and admired her lively and outgoing character.

Haidar Al Athari
Ambassador of Iraq to the Russian Federation

Saba is a professional, sophisticated person with fantastic organising skills. I attended two big events she organised and I was astonished with the level of detail and sophistication.

Muhi Alden
Strategic Finance Leader, Ex-Shell JV CFO

I have known Saba for many years. I admired her enthusiasm and determination for founding FAY. I also admire her for her excellent design ability which put FAY high in the field in just a short time.

Mohamed Alassam
Founder, Executive Chairman

Saba is a fab jewellery designer and a beautiful person. Highly recommend her and her brand.

Charlotte Gram Andersen
C-Level Executive, International Creative Leader

Saba is an exceptional designer with great attention to detail and a flair for modernist interpretation of classical jewellery design. Her pieces stand out and scream with excitement and glamour.

Nina Assam
Photographer & Content Creator, London

Saba is a creative jewellery designer, we enjoy and love her beautiful pieces to appear in Zahrat Al Khaleej photo shoots. She is such a wonderful person to work and deal with.

Ghania Azzam
Zahrat Al Khaleej Magazine
Read All 8 Recommendations