Dubai-based businessmen honoured by The Queen for furthering UK-UAE relations

Two Dubai-based businessmen have been named in The Queen’s Birthday 2013 Honours List, released on Saturday, June 15, for outstanding work in strengthening relations between the UK and the UAE.

Mark Beer, Registrar of Dubai International Financial Centre Courts and former Chairman of the British Business Group, Dubai and Northern Emirates, has been awarded an OBE for services to British and Emirati business cooperation and enhancing legal cooperation in Dubai.

The UK Honours system recognises people who have made achievements in public life and committed themselves to serving and helping Britain. A statement issued by the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi confirmed the news of two Dubai businessmen being among the list of awardees.

Mark is the immediate past Chairman of the Group that was twice recognised as being the Best British Business Group in the World.

Joseph Tabet, Chairman and Managing Director, Frayland, Dubai, UAE was awarded an MBE for services to furthering UK-UAE relations. Joseph has made an important contribution to collaboration between top class British and Emirati businesses.

“Both Mark and Joseph are dedicated and outstanding members of the community and have served to strengthen the close ties between Dubai and the UK. They have each made a unique contribution to the partnership between the two countries, and the UAE’s extraordinary development over the last few decades,” said Edward Hobart, Her Majesty’s Consul-General in Dubai, in the statement issued by the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

“Frayland is a familiar name in Dubai, contributing to the building of this 21st century city. The DIFC Courts are an example of the excellence which make Dubai an attractive business destination as well as representing the best of British and Emirati collaboration. I congratulate them both and am thrilled to see their service recognised by Her Majesty the Queen,” he added.

“I am enormously grateful to Her Majesty for this honour, as I am grateful for having had the opportunity to play a role in further strengthening UK trade and legal cooperation,” Mark Beer said upon hearing news of his award.

“Building cultural bridges, creating opportunities and strengthening justice are core values for both the UK and the UAE and I have been blessed to have played a part with the support and counsel of so many wonderful people along the way,” he said.

“To be named in Her Majesty’s Birthday Honours list is the most prestigious personal award. I would like to thanks all those who have nominated me for such an Honour, I am truly humbled by my peers,” said Joseph Tabet.

“I am delighted that Mark Beer and Joseph Tabet have been recognised in this way. People make the ties so strong between the UAE and the UK. People like Mark and Joseph who have contributed to these links, and to the British community in this country, over many, many years. Warmest congratulations to them both,” said Dominic Jermey, the UK’s Ambassador to the UAE.

In total, 1,180 people have received an award: 1,022 candidates have been selected at BEM, MBE and OBE level, 297 at BEM, 501 at MBE and 224 at OBE.

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