Suad Merchant appointed chief marketing officer at GEMS Education

GEMS Education, the world’s largest private K-12 school operator and a leader in providing quality education across the UAE and beyond, is pleased to announce the appointment of Suad Merchant as its new chief marketing officer (CMO).

Merchant joins GEMS at a pivotal time in the dynamically evolving MENA region, where education’s growing importance as a strategic contributor and shaper of tomorrow’s leaders is undeniable.

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In her role, Merchant will lead the group’s global marketing, brand strategy, and communications efforts, reinforcing GEMS’ reputation as a trusted, family-run institution delivering world-class education with heart and vision. Beyond leading branding and communications, the role is strategically crafted to be a key enabler of business growth and impact and ensure GEMS continues to lead in a sector critical to regional and global development.

With a career spanning over 20 years in leadership roles across industries including financial services, information technology, and transformation consulting, Suad brings a wealth of experience in driving business transformation, building iconic brands, purpose-driven global initiatives, and crafting human-centred storytelling at scale. Her track record includes leading marketing and communications for some of the region’s most respected organisations, delivering measurable impact through innovative campaigns and meaningful engagement across stakeholders and communities.

Her appointment reflects GEMS Education’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team with visionary talent, as the organisation continues on its mission to nurture young minds, empower educators, and leverage the latest technologies including AI to deliver transformative learning experiences.

Commenting on her appointment, Merchant said: "It’s an honour to join GEMS Education, an organisation I’ve long admired for its scale, values, and deep commitment to shaping a brighter future for children around the world. Its technology, innovation, and purpose-driven strategies are redefining not just how their schools operate, but also how they inspire students to be pioneering, empathetic, and prepared to address global challenges with care and a One Team approach. This purpose-led approach resonates deeply with me."

"I look forward to working with our talented teams to tell our story boldly, drive meaningful innovation, accelerate growth, and continue inspiring a world where every child has the opportunity to dream, learn, and thrive," she added.

Jay Varkey, deputy CEO at GEMS Education, added: "We are delighted to welcome Suad to the GEMS family. Her passion for education, coupled with her proven expertise in strategic marketing and transformation, makes her the ideal leader to take our brand and communications efforts to the next level. As we accelerate our growth plans globally and align with the region’s increasing focus on education as a driver of progress, Suad’s leadership will be instrumental in strengthening our brand, scaling our impact, and delivering on our vision. We are confident she will play a key role in driving our ambitions forward."

Merchant holds a master’s degree in marketing management and strategy and has been recognised as a dynamic leader in brand and business transformation in the region.