A prominent business leader has been removed from his role at one of the world’s largest logistics companies following the emergence of disturbing email exchanges with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The decision marks a dramatic fall for a figure long regarded as one of the most influential executives in the Gulf region — a businessman who spent nearly two decades reshaping a Dubai-based ports and logistics empire into a global powerhouse. His departure comes after newly released U.S. Department of Justice documents revealed a series of communications between him and Epstein that included explicit sexual references and a message referring to a so-called “torture video.”
The development has also raised questions in the United Kingdom, where the executive had been associated with high-profile philanthropic initiatives, including Prince William’s environmental Earthshot Prize.
A Sudden Exit from a Global Powerhouse
The company at the center of the controversy, DP World, announced a leadership transition without directly referencing the executive’s name in its initial public statement. The Dubai government confirmed that Essa Kazim would assume the role of chairman of the board, while Yuvraj Narayan would serve as chief executive officer.
The announcement signaled the end of a near 20-year tenure that had overseen vast expansion across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Under the departing chairman’s leadership, the company acquired major port terminals, logistics firms, and maritime assets — including ownership of P&O Ferries — and became a sponsor of major sporting events such as the European golf tour.
For years, he was widely viewed as one of the most powerful business figures in the Middle East, credited with transforming the company from a regional port operator into a multinational logistics network handling a significant portion of global trade. His estimated personal fortune has been reported at approximately $7 billion.
It was only after the release of the latest tranche of Epstein-related documents that the executive’s identity became central to public discussion.
That individual is Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.
The Emails That Sparked Outrage
The Epstein files, released by the U.S. Department of Justice, revealed years of communication between Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem and Epstein. Lawmakers in Washington had access to unredacted versions of the documents, and one Republican congressman publicly named Sulayem as one of six powerful individuals whose identities had initially been concealed.
Among the most controversial exchanges was a message sent in April 2009, while Epstein was serving an 18-month sentence in Florida for soliciting underage sex but was permitted work release. In that email, Epstein reportedly wrote: “Where are you? are you ok, I loved the torture video.”
The context of the video referenced in the message has not been publicly detailed in the released documents, but the wording prompted immediate condemnation once disclosed.
Other communications reportedly included explicit discussions about sexual encounters and references to escorts. In one 2013 message cited in media reports, Sulayem described a woman in terms of her age, physical attributes, and appearance, asking Epstein for his opinion. In another exchange, Epstein shared a link to an escort website in Italy, to which Sulayem allegedly responded, “Wow.”
The emails, spanning several years, depicted a level of familiarity that critics say is deeply troubling given Epstein’s criminal record and the nature of his offenses.
Philanthropic Ties Draw Scrutiny
Beyond the corporate implications, the revelations have reverberated in Britain due to Sulayem’s involvement with the Earthshot Prize, the environmental initiative launched in 2020 by Prince William alongside Sir David Attenborough.
DP World is listed as a Global Alliance Founding Partner of the Earthshot Prize and is reported to have donated at least £1 million to the charity. Sulayem appeared alongside Prince William at public events, including the 2022 Earthshot Prize Innovation Showcase in Dubai.
Following publication of the emails, the UK’s Charity Commission confirmed it is assessing concerns related to the sources of funding connected to the Earthshot Prize. A spokesperson stated that the Commission is reviewing available information to determine whether further action is required.
The anti-monarchy campaign group Republic formally reported the matter, arguing that due diligence procedures should be examined in light of the revelations. Its chief executive, Graham Smith, said the seriousness of the disclosures warranted a comprehensive investigation.
“It is not credible to believe that advisers would not have been aware of potential concerns,” Smith said, suggesting that intelligence surrounding Epstein’s associates had been in circulation for years.
Kensington Palace has not issued a direct comment on Sulayem’s removal but previously emphasized that the Earthshot Prize is committed to transparency and ethical partnerships.
Corporate Silence and Repositioning
Notably, DP World’s official statement announcing the leadership change did not reference the Epstein emails or the controversy surrounding Sulayem. Instead, it framed the transition as a forward-looking move in governance.
Corporate governance experts say such carefully worded announcements are common in cases where reputational risk is high. “Companies often avoid explicitly linking leadership changes to scandal,” said one London-based governance analyst. “The objective is to stabilize markets and reassure stakeholders.”
DP World remains one of the most strategically significant logistics companies in the world, operating dozens of ports and inland terminals and managing supply chain networks across multiple continents. Industry analysts suggest the firm will aim to contain reputational fallout while emphasizing continuity in operations.
Legal Context and Broader Implications
It is important to note that being named in the Epstein files does not automatically constitute evidence of criminal conduct. U.S. authorities have previously stated that the presence of a name in Epstein-related documents does not imply wrongdoing. However, critics argue that ethical and reputational standards may extend beyond criminal liability.
The emails in question were exchanged years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction became public knowledge, a fact that has intensified criticism. Observers say that continued association with Epstein after his conviction raises serious questions about judgment and responsibility.
Legal experts note that unless additional evidence emerges demonstrating direct involvement in illegal activity, prosecution would be unlikely. Nevertheless, the reputational consequences can be significant, particularly for individuals in public-facing or philanthropic roles.
The Broader Epstein Shadow
The renewed attention to Epstein’s associates comes amid ongoing scrutiny of individuals connected to his network. The Department of Justice has been releasing files in phases, with lawmakers from both parties calling for transparency while also acknowledging the need to protect victims’ identities.
For corporations and charities linked to individuals named in the files, the reputational calculus can shift rapidly once new documents surface. In Sulayem’s case, the controversy has already led to the end of a decades-long corporate leadership tenure.
A Fall from Influence
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem’s removal marks one of the most high-profile corporate departures linked to the Epstein disclosures in recent months. Once celebrated as a visionary executive who expanded Dubai’s economic reach onto the global stage, he now exits amid controversy that has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers, regulators, and the public.
Whether further consequences will follow remains unclear. What is certain is that the release of the Epstein files continues to cast a long shadow over powerful figures whose past associations are now subject to renewed examination.
As investigations and reviews continue, both corporate governance standards and philanthropic oversight processes are likely to face deeper questioning — not only in the Gulf and the United Kingdom, but internationally.
The intersection of wealth, influence, and accountability remains at the heart of the unfolding story.
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
