Johnny Karam is the area vice president, Middle East and Africa, for Citrix, a software company that provides mobile workplace solutions. Mr Karam, 40, who is from Lebanon, has lived in the UAE for 14 years. Based in Dubai, he has previously held leading positions at Symantec as well as key leadership positions at NavLink and Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie. He has been married for 14 years and has three children, two daughters ages 12 and five and a son, eight.
What are your favourite things to do on the weekend?
I have a very busy social life and enjoy interacting with people as there’s a lot to learn from interacting with a broad cross-section of society. I enjoy taking my family out on the weekends to ensure I am a vital part of my children’s lives. The latest generation of children are growing up so fast compared to when I look back to our generation. It is important that I am there to answer questions and teach them how to become great citizens of the world.
What do you consider to be your favourite hobby?
I have a great passion for skiing, so on an annual basis I take ski trips to indulge in this great outdoor sport. Zermatt in Switzerland is my favourite because of the quality of snow, iconic Matterhorn peak, long runs of hundreds of kilometres, amazing scenery and excellent food.
What can’t you live without?
My family are very important to me and I cannot see myself living without them.
What do you consider the secret to your success?
Perseverance and knowing when to ask for help and advice is key to where I am now. Without the help of the people around me, I would not be where I am currently.
What advice would you offer others starting out in your business?
Early in my career, my manager, an inspirational person, told me there are two types of managers: the type that surround themselves with average people and the type that surround themselves with people that are better than them. He went on to conclude that leaders who surround themselves with smart people always end up winning big. I’ve taken this advice to heart and have always reaped the benefits of this behaviour. Surround yourself with great people. They will push you to be the best you can be. Throughout my life, I have been fortunate enough to meet and learn from a number of very wise people, but this one piece of advice has proven to be invaluable over the course of my career.
How do you achieve a work-life balance?
The job requires long hours, full commitment and a lot of travel. So we always plan a short holiday every couple of months as a family, which gives us something to look forward to and keep us going. Every Saturday I completely disconnect from work to ensure family time is uninterrupted.
How do you relax after the working day?
I enjoy running in the evening as it helps me relax after work and is also a key part of my daily routine. I recently started practising yoga, which has a number of health benefits. On a physical level, yoga improves flexibility, strength, balance and endurance. Psychologically, yoga helps to cultivate mindfulness by allowing one to shift their awareness to sensations, thoughts and emotions. I got into yoga to balance the body and mind. In addition, I was positively surprised by the level of fitness you can gain from intense sessions of Bikram Yoga.
If you weren’t in this job what else would you be doing?
The world of finance is large and fascinating, but one area of interest is around public companies and their finances and how to translate this understanding into a sound and value-investing strategy. However, on retirement I would like to be active with charities that are focused on helping children. Education is the solution to all problems. Therefore, putting an effort on children’s causes to close the education divide is something very dear to my heart.
lgraves@thenational.ae
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
THREE
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Moonfall
Director: Rolan Emmerich
Stars: Patrick Wilson, Halle Berry
Rating: 3/5
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Company%20profile
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JOKE'S%20ON%20YOU
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FIXTURES
Thu Mar 15 – West Indies v Afghanistan, UAE v Scotland
Fri Mar 16 – Ireland v Zimbabwe
Sun Mar 18 – Ireland v Scotland
Mon Mar 19 – West Indies v Zimbabwe
Tue Mar 20 – UAE v Afghanistan
Wed Mar 21 – West Indies v Scotland
Thu Mar 22 – UAE v Zimbabwe
Fri Mar 23 – Ireland v Afghanistan
The top two teams qualify for the World Cup
Classification matches
The top-placed side out of Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong or Nepal will be granted one-day international status. UAE and Scotland have already won ODI status, having qualified for the Super Six.
Thu Mar 15 – Netherlands v Hong Kong, PNG v Nepal
Sat Mar 17 – 7th-8th place playoff, 9th-10th place play-off
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Tori Amos
Native Invader
Decca
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PRO BASH
Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
Ain Issa camp:
- Established in 2016
- Houses 13,309 people, 2,092 families, 62 per cent children
- Of the adult population, 49 per cent men, 51 per cent women (not including foreigners annexe)
- Most from Deir Ezzor and Raqqa
- 950 foreigners linked to ISIS and their families
- NGO Blumont runs camp management for the UN
- One of the nine official (UN recognised) camps in the region
Veil (Object Lessons)
Rafia Zakaria
Bloomsbury Academic
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
UAE central contracts
Full time contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Usman, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid
Part time contracts
Aryan Lakra, Ansh Tandon, Karthik Meiyappan, Rahul Bhatia, Alishan Sharafu, CP Rizwaan, Basil Hameed, Matiullah, Fahad Nawaz, Sanchit Sharma
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
