Capital Club Celebrates First Anniversary
Anniversary Party Proceeds go to START, a not-for-profit Child Development and Art Education Organisation
Under the patronage of H. H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Honorary Chairman, The Capital Club, Dubai’s premier private business club, yesterday held an event to celebrate its First Anniversary and support the START Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation. H. E. Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Chairman of the Capital Club, hosted the Club’s Board of Governors, and Members and other dignitaries at the Club located within Gate Village at the heart of DIFC.
“The Capital Club has become the Number One private club in Dubai,” said Andrew Christon, General Manager of the Capital Club Dubai. “Our aim is to serve the business leaders of the country and to be the premier private business club of the region and we are succeeding in achieving this. Despite the current economic challenges, we have welcomed over 90 new club members this year, bringing our membership to over 1,300 members, an amazing success story considering the short amount of time the club has been open.”
“Dozens of visitors from our 250 global associate clubs have visited the Capital Club in recent months, encouraging global networking. Their feedback confirms that we have a business club on par with the finest in the world,” continued Christon.
Signature Clubs International further established a leadership platform in the development of prestigious private business clubs earlier this month when it celebrated the opening of the Capital Club Bahrain on the top two floors of the Bahrain Financial Harbour. “With the continued support of its main shareholder Abraaj Capital, Signature Clubs International is planning further club expansion across the Middle East,” commented Signature Clubs CEO, Guy Guillemard. “Work is underway in Istanbul and we have some promising discussions in Abu Dhabi, Amman, Mumbai and elsewhere.”
The proceeds of the Capital Club’s Anniversary party will go to the START Foundation, a unique programme in the Middle East that reaches out specifically to refugees, orphans, and special needs children. START delivers practical arts education to children who have limited means to explore their creativity, and enriches the lives of young people by helping them discover their talents, and develop new skills they can be proud of. The non-profit programme was formed in 2007 as a partnership between the Al Madad Foundation and Art Dubai and is funded from donations and fundraising initiatives and all funds are used to purchase art supplies and organize the art workshops.
Since its launch in late 2006, the Capital Club has attracted over 1,300 members, from some 600 organisations including some of the region’s most senior decision-makers and leaders in business, finance and government. Much effort and thought has gone into creating an elegant and welcoming ambience in which club members can meet, exchange ideas and entertain guests. The luxury décor of the club – which houses restaurants, lounges, private meeting rooms, a wellness centre, and guest rooms -- is exquisite and includes contemporary art from the region, fine antiques, handcrafted furniture and rich imported fabrics.
In recent months the Capital Club has hosted or been the chosen venue for exclusive events for members with high-powered international guests and speakers. These have included The President of Singapore, The Royal Family of the Netherlands, The British Royal Family, The Royal Family of Denmark, Ministers from the UK, Thailand, Turkey and Switzerland, a Formula 1 Racing Driver, a World Champion snooker player, and the Board of the UAE Central Bank.
Photo caption: L-R- Mr. Arif Naqvi, Governor; H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Honoury Chairman; H.E Dr Omar bin Sulaiman, Chairman of the Board of Governors; Guy Guillemard, CEO Signature Clubs Int.
