Morning Drive

Abu Dhabi is reshaping its property market to target multi-generational family wealth, high-net-worth end users, and family offices rather than yield-seeking speculators. Highlighting a distinct strategy from neighbouring Dubai, government-backed developers are launching premium villa projects priced from AED 8.5 million upwards, positioning the capital as a prime regional safe haven. Tim Elliott speaks to Ajay Menon, CEO of Luxe Vista Properties, to unpack this.

AI is rapidly changing food marketing, giving restaurants and brands new ways to create images, menus and promotional campaigns without traditional production costs. But what does this mean for the creative industry behind food advertising?And as AI-generated food becomes harder to distinguish from the real thing, businesses face a new question: how far can they go without losing customer trust?On Morning Drive, Tim Elliott speaks with Lucy Bradley, Founder of Plug, about how AI is reshaping food marketing.

Regional tensions are putting financial systems across the region under pressure, but Islamic banks are showing resilience. Strong capital and liquidity buffers are helping the sector absorb shocks. So, what is keeping Islamic banks stable, and can that resilience hold if tensions persist? Tim Elliott is joined by Islamic economics and finance expert Dr. Adnan Aziz to break it down.

Geopolitical tensions since February have disrupted travel, air routes and aviation across the Middle East. Now, the region’s airports are adapting to a new operating environment, with resilience, security, technology and investment becoming bigger priorities.Global Airports Forum returns to Riyadh on November 30 and December 1, bringing aviation leaders and investors together to discuss what comes next for the industry.We’re joined by Daniyal Qureshi, Managing Director of Global Airports Forum, to look at how the region’s aviation landscape is changing and what the industry should expect next.

Schools are moving beyond football, basketball and athletics, with specialist sports like golf and motorsport entering the classroom. As schools invest in specialist facilities and academies, sports are becoming a new competitive advantage in education. Tim Elliott speaks to Joshua Levenson, Director of Futures at GEMS School of Research Innovation, about the business behind this shift and what it means for the education market.

As cyber threats become more sophisticated, security teams are facing a growing flood of alerts. At GISEC Global 2026 in Dubai, UAE-based cybersecurity company Paramount has launched SoCMate, an AI-powered assistant designed to help security teams investigate threats and respond faster.Joining us is Pradeep Menon, Chief AI and Security Officer at Paramount, to discuss how AI is changing cybersecurity and why speed can make the difference when an attack hits.

Luxury dining is becoming more focused on value, access and exclusivity, creating new opportunities for businesses that can connect consumers with premium experiences. Mehreen Omar, Co-Founder of SupperClub Global, joins us to discuss the growing demand for exclusive dining benefits, how partnerships with premium hospitality brands are reshaping the customer experience, and what it takes to build a business around this model.

Tim Elliott sits down with Monetary Metals' Jeff Rhodes to dissect the US Federal Reserve's first interest rate hike in three years. They analyse the impact on gold prices, examine shifting oil supply dynamics, and debate whether higher interest rates can truly curb energy-driven global inflation.

Financial stress remains a top contributor to household friction, yet practical money management is rarely discussed openly. In this episode, Tim Elliott speaks with Independent Financial Consultant James Thomas, who leverages 27 years of wealth management experience to break down joint budgeting, asset allocation, and smart strategies for managing shared expenses.

The Maldives remains one of the world’s leading luxury travel destinations, but traveller expectations are changing fast. As the industry looks towards Travel 2040, resorts are rethinking luxury, sustainability and the guest experience. Joining us is Frederic Bohez, COO of Pulse Hotels & Resorts, to discuss the Maldives, Arabian Travel Market 2026 and the future of luxury hospitality.