By Kalpesh Khakhria, Group Chairman at Klay Group

Everyone in the wealth management industry claims to offer “personalisation.” Yet, for most traditional institutions, it remains a hollow buzzword, a superficial exercise of sorting investors into predefined “conservative” or “aggressive” risk boxes. This transaction-led and product-pushing model is fundamentally broken for today’s ultra-high-net-worth families, whose lives, businesses, and assets span multiple global jurisdictions. Real personalisation is a structural necessity that requires a radical overhaul of how advice is delivered.

We are operating in an era where wealthy families are building complex, cross-border portfolios. A business might be headquartered in the GCC, hold properties in Europe, and have beneficiaries residing across continents. The most critical point is “What does this capital need to achieve across generations?” Traditional banking silos, driven by high client-to-advisor ratios and transactional commissions, simply lack the agility and independence to answer this effectively.

While personalisation is a growing trend across the broader service industry, in wealth management, it has become the new currency. It is the primary driver of growth and retention, shifting the industry standard from generic products to trust-based, tailored advice. The future of wealth management will be exclusively influenced by trust and deep customisation. True personalisation relies on two specific, uncompromising differentiators: structural independence and relationship-plus-data intelligence.

First, it is impossible to fully understand a family’s cross-border tax realities, liquidity needs, or succession plans if an advisor manages multiple different accounts. Personalisation requires time and undivided attention. That is why boutique advisory models that deliberately cap an advisor’s roster, such as limiting it to just 20 families, are so critical. By removing the pressure of aggressive sales targets and replacing transaction-led commissions with a transparent advisory fee structure, advisors gain the freedom to ask the “why” behind a client’s wealth. This structural independence aligns the advisor’s interests directly with the client’s long-term outcomes, enabling the advisor to act as a true partner.

Second, modern personalisation demands the seamless integration of advanced financial technology. We have entered the era of “Wealth 3.0,” where artificial intelligence and data analytics are fundamentally changing how the industry forecasts risk and segments clients. AI must be utilised to codify a family’s complex constraints, such as multi-currency exposures, jurisdictional rules, and legacy holdings, into actionable, real-time portfolio adjustments and proactive stress testing.

However, the industry must draw an uncompromising line between automation and autonomy. While AI powerfully accelerates scenario analysis, it cannot replace the human connection. The nuanced human judgment, discretion, and contextual understanding required to navigate complex, multi-generational wealth remains absolutely irreplaceable. Technology provides the speed and the insight, but seasoned human strategists must retain ultimate autonomy to ensure that personalisation scales without compromising suitability or compliance.

Wealth management today must transcend simple market timing. It is about actively building multi-generational partnerships. The families that succeed over time are those who partner with independent advisors who are unconditionally in their corner. By combining bespoke human expertise with cutting-edge data intelligence, true personalisation transforms wealth from a static collection of assets into a powerful, coherent legacy that thrives across generations.

The post WHY PERSONALISATION IS THE NEW CURRENCY IN WEALTH MANAGEMENT appeared first on The Integrator.

Created for busy everyday routines, Zahra’s Kitchen offers handcrafted ready meals, snacks and nibbles inspired by comforting recipes and familiar flavours. Made using responsibly sourced ingredients, with no artificial additives or preservatives, products are frozen at peak freshness to help preserve flavour, texture and nutritional value, while offering greater ease, flexibility and variety throughout the week.

This summer, the brand is spotlighting one of the simplest ways to approach mealtimes at home. One ready meal does not need to mean one meal. Instead, Zahra’s Kitchen is sharing how its dishes can become the starting point for multiple meal ideas, helping consumers create more variety with less effort.

Simple ways to rethink summer meals include:

• Beef Bolognese: Serve with pasta for an easy dinner, or turn it into lasagne, pasta bakes, stuffed vegetables or eggplant fattah.
• Chilli Con Carne: Use as a base for tacos, enchiladas, nachos, rice bowls or loaded baked potatoes.
• Butter Chicken: Pair with rice and naan, or fold into wraps, flatbreads, sandwiches and pizzas for a quick lunch or casual dinner.
• Plant-Based Sweet Potato and Chickpea Red Curry: Enjoy on its own, or serve alongside grilled fish, chicken or vegetables for an easy summer meal.

The expanded ready meal range now includes Lentil Soup, Chicken Freekah and Plant-Based Sweet Potato and Chickpea Red Curry, joining customer favourites including Beef Bolognese, Butter Chicken, Beef Meatballs, Chilli Con Carne and Basmati Rice.

Currently available in two-serving portions, the ready meal range has been designed to offer flexibility, value and multiple meal occasions. The upcoming limited edition single-portion range, launching exclusively on Noon Minutes this summer, has been developed for consumers looking for greater flexibility during busier days.

Alongside its ready meal collection, Zahra’s Kitchen also offers a range of snacks and nibbles rooted in Middle Eastern flavours and entertaining traditions, including Musakhan Rolls, Beef Kibbeh, Falafel and Spinach Puff Bites. Ideal for sharing platters, lunchboxes, family gatherings, casual hosting or everyday snacking, the range reflects the same commitment to quality ingredients and ease.

Zahra’s Kitchen is available through Talabat Mart, Noon Minutes, Kibsons and selected retail partners across the UAE.

The post ZAHRA’S KITCHEN SHARES ITS GUIDE TO EASIER SUMMER EATING IN THE UAE appeared first on The Integrator.

Lucky Voice Goes Full Michael Jackson This Summer

Lucky Voice, the iconic karaoke and entertainment venue at Grand Millennium Hotel Dubai, is dedicating the first half of June to the one and only King of Pop. Kicking off with a midweek open mic night on the 10th, building through a glittering Friday night party on the 12th, and closing out with a legendary themed brunch on the 13th, three days of non-stop Michael Jackson magic await.

Whether you’re stepping into the spotlight at the mic or raising a glass over a three-hour brunch, Lucky Voice has crafted three distinct experiences that celebrate the greatest entertainer of all time.

The Experiences

Open Mic: MJ Week — Wednesday, 10th June

The MJ takeover begins on Wednesday evening with Lucky Voice’s Open Mic night, reimagined in full King of Pop fashion. This is your chance to take the stage, choose your favourite Michael Jackson track, and own it. With an electric crowd and a venue dressed for the occasion, even the shyest singer will find their inner MJ. As part of the celebration, guests can compete for the title of best Michael Jackson impersonator or performer, with the winner receiving a brunch for two voucher.

Details at a glance: Date: Wednesday, 10th June,  8 PM – 1 AM | Venue: Lucky Voice, Grand Millennium Hotel Dubai

Summer Bash Party — Michael Jackson Edition, Friday 12th June

Two days later, Lucky Voice turns up the energy for its Summer Bash Party, Michael Jackson Edition. From 8 PM onwards, the venue transforms into a full-on MJ celebration, with a DJ spinning all of Michael Jackson’s greatest hits and keeping the dance floor alive all night. 

With ladies’ packages starting at AED 99 and gentlemen’s at AED 250, this is one of the most accessible nights out on the Dubai social calendar and easily one of the most unforgettable.

Details at a glance: Date: Friday, 12th June | Timings: Starting from 8 PM | Venue: Lucky Voice, Grand Millennium Hotel Dubai | Price: AED 99 per lady  |  AED 250 per gentleman | Includes: 3 hours unlimited food & drinks, Live DJ

Retro Rewind: Don’t Stop ‘Til You Brunch Enough — Saturday 13th June

The weekend closes with a brunch that dares you to sit still. Retro Rewind: Don’t Stop ‘Til You Brunch Enough is a Michael Jackson-themed afternoon experience running from 1 PM to 4 PM, where unlimited food and drinks are paired with open mic karaoke, a live MC, and a DJ spinning nothing but classic MJ hits. It’s equal parts feast and performance, and entirely impossible to leave without singing at least one song.

Guests can choose from three beverage packages: starting at AED 195 for unlimited soft drinks, AED 275 for unlimited house beverages, or AED 350 for unlimited sparkling,  making it easy to tailor the experience to the occasion, whether it’s a birthday, a girls’ day, or simply a Saturday well spent.

Details at a glance: Date: Saturday, 13th June | Timings: 1 PM – 4 PM | Venue: Lucky Voice, Grand Millennium Hotel Dubai | Packages: AED 195 (soft) | AED 275 (house) | AED 350 (sparkling) — all inclusive of unlimited food | Highlights: Michael Jackson theme, open mic karaoke, Live MC & DJ

Grand Millennium Hotel Dubai Hosts Michael Jackson Tribute. Grand Millennium Hotel Dubai presents Lucky Voice Michael Jackson nights, brunch, karaoke, and summer entertainment.

The post MOONWALK INTO JUNE appeared first on The Integrator.

As the Islamic New Year holiday on June 15 approaches, UAE residents have the perfect opportunity to transform a three-day break into an unforgettable island escape with Sun Siyam. Just a short flight from the UAE, the collection’s award-winning resorts across the Maldives offer everything from refined island luxury and wellness-focused retreats to family adventures and world-class marine experiences, making the long weekend feel far longer than it is.

Whether seeking relaxation, adventure, wellness, or quality family time, guests can choose from a collection of distinctive island experiences across Sun Siyam’s Maldivian resorts, each designed to offer effortless luxury against a backdrop of turquoise waters, pristine beaches, and uninterrupted ocean views.

At Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, located in the untouched beauty of Noonu Atoll, guests can experience premium Maldivian island living through spacious villas, curated culinary journeys, and a range of activities designed for both relaxation and discovery. Visitors can spend their days snorkelling vibrant coral reefs, unwinding at The Spa by Thalgo France, enjoying sunset cruises, or simply embracing the resort’s atmosphere of quiet sophistication.

Coinciding with the holiday period, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi will also host a special Wellness Reset Programme, in partnership with Regina Gimranova designed to disccover a path of lasting well-being. The programme complements the spirit of the Islamic New Year, offering guests an opportunity to reset, recharge, and begin the new year with intention.

For travellers seeking a wellness-focused escape, Sun Siyam Iru Veli presents a thoughtfully curated programme centred around self-care and holistic wellbeing. During the holiday period, guests can embark on a specially designed Three-Day Wellness Journey at Ocean Spa, combining therapeutic treatments, hydrotherapy experiences, restorative body rituals, and marine-based skincare therapies.

The wellness experience extends beyond the spa with a calendar of activities including Sunrise Yoga overlooking the Indian Ocean and Sunset Strength & Stillness, a combination of Power Yoga and Pranayama breathing techniques. Guests can also enjoy wellness-inspired culinary experiences such as the Sea to Soul BBQ and refreshing Fresh Juice Pop-Up Bars, designed to nourish both body and mind.

Adding a cultural dimension to the programme, Wellness Week will feature immersive Maldivian Roots experiences, including Traditional Coconut Oil Making sessions and Dhivehibeys Stories & Traditions, where guests can discover local healing wisdom and cultural heritage through engaging sessions led by a visiting practitioner.

Meanwhile, at Siyam World, guests looking for adventure can be among the first to experience the resort’s highly anticipated Shipwreck Dive Site, set to relaunch next week in time for the Islamic New Year holiday. Designed to create a unique underwater attraction for divers and snorkelling enthusiasts, the newly enhanced shipwreck experience will offer guests the opportunity to explore a fascinating marine habitat while discovering yet another side of the Maldives’ vibrant underwater world.

Adding further value is the signature WOW! All Inclusive offering, which combines dining experiences across multiple restaurants, premium beverages, and a curated selection of island activities. Guests booking a summer escape can also take advantage of the resort’s exclusive Summer Offer, with up to 45% off the best available rates. Those staying a minimum of four nights will receive a complimentary shared seaplane transfer for one guest, while stays of seven nights or more include complimentary shared seaplane transfers for two guests, making an island getaway even more rewarding.

At Sun Siyam Olhuveli offers an effortless island escape where the Maldives begins the moment guests arrive. Spread across three interconnected islands, the resort combines expansive beaches, crystal-clear lagoons, and a wide variety of experiences suited to couples, families, and groups of friends. Guests can enjoy added value through complimentary floating breakfasts, savings on airport transfers, indulgent spa experiences with hydrotherapy access, dining privileges across selected à la carte restaurants, room upgrade opportunities, water sports benefits, and special diving offers. With its convenient location close to Malé and an abundance of activities both above and below the water, Sun Siyam Olhuveli is perfectly positioned for travellers seeking a seamless tropical getaway during the long weekend.

From luxurious villa stays and all-inclusive indulgence to transformative wellness experiences and exciting new marine attractions, Sun Siyam offers UAE residents a collection of extraordinary island escapes perfectly suited to the upcoming Islamic New Year long weekend. Because sometimes, three days are all it takes to leave routine behind and rediscover the art of island living.

The post ISLAMIC NEW YEAR LONG WEEKEND: DISCOVER THE MALDIVES WITH SUN SIYAM appeared first on The Integrator.

Exclusive interview with Lewis Davey, Co-Founder Pixelagency.ai Founder & Creative Director at IDEA FARM

You’ve built a career around making brands culturally relevant through human creativity. What convinced you that the next frontier of storytelling might involve entirely virtual personalities?

AI Influencers have been around since 2018, but the technology has made huge strides in the past 18 months – and now hyper-realistic virtual personalities are exploding in popularity. Having worked in PR for 16 years, I think it’s good to be curious and I committed myself to learning about this space and becoming a bit of an expert – I was particularly interested in how brands could leverage AI Influencers as a new marketing channel. At Pixel what we present to brands is how AI Influencers can solve specific business challenges, drive efficiencies, and reach new audiences. This technology is much more than fancy images on Instagram.

Launching the world’s first AI Influencer Talent Management Agency sounds less like a business expansion and more like a prediction. What future did you see emerging that others weren’t paying attention to?

We launched Pixel 18 months ago with the intention of operating like a traditional talent management agency, connecting brands with existing AI Influencers. It’s certainly evolved, as the industry has gained more traction – and we’re banking on all brands owning their own AI Ambassador in the future.

Pixel isn’t just representing AI influencers, it’s helping brands create them. Why do you believe ownership of digital talent will become strategically important for brands?

Custom build AI Influencers is where we think the future is for brands. This is desirable for brands because they have an always-on marketing asset that can be online 24/7, with full creative control and tailored brand messaging. The AI Influencer can slot into their influencer portfolio, working alongside human influencers.

How do cultural sensitivities in the Middle East actually strengthen the case for AI Ambassadors rather than limit them?

I’ve always felt strongly that the Middle East is the perfect market for AI Ambassadors to thrive. There are reputational risks that come with working with real influencers, whereas a brand can have full control over messaging with its own AI Ambassadors. There’s 200 nationalities in Dubai – the other big selling point for AI Ambassadors is they can communicate in hundreds of languages, giving brands a versatile asset to target different demographics.

From a technology standpoint, what sits behind a successful AI Ambassador today, generative AI, language models, synthetic media, behavioural design, or something else entirely?

Of course, technology is important, and through our exclusive deal with The Clueless – the team behind the world’s biggest AI Influencer, Aitana Lopez, we’re bringing the best Gen-AI tools and talent to the GCC. But for me, it’s still the importance of the human behind the AI Ambassador – this is typically talented creatives, or social content creators, planning content schedules, leaning into culture and trends, and engaging with followers. Humans still have an important role in the storytelling element.

What safeguards should exist as AI-generated personalities become increasingly indistinguishable from humans?

It’s a fast-moving industry, and new rules and regulations will undoubtedly continue to come in. The EU will release new legislation in August, which could include the requirement of a watermark. The main one right now, which all our clients follow, is AI disclosure on Instagram. In an industry witnessing significant change, it’s important that responsible operators like Pixel and other partners work together to steer the industry in the right direction.

In an era of misinformation and rapidly evolving news cycles, how valuable is having a communication asset that is always accurate, controlled, and aligned with brand values?

I think it’s super important. During the recent conflict, we saw a segment of human influencers become unreliable, either posting misleading or sensationalised content. That’s troublesome for brands, so owning their own AI Ambassador that aligns with their values is going to become increasingly important. Now is the perfect time for brands in the Middle East to future proof their influencer strategy and consider an AI Ambassador.

The post INSIDE THE RISE OF AI INFLUENCERS WITH IDEA FARM appeared first on The Integrator.

A key focus of the discussion was Nokia’s shift from strategic advisory to real-world execution through its dedicated Automation Excellence Practice, helping operators translate ambitious transformation roadmaps into measurable outcomes. The conversation also highlighted the growing importance of integrated, intelligent and secure networks that can support rising AI workloads, eliminate infrastructure bottlenecks and unlock tangible business value, while maintaining the highest standards of security, privacy and resilience

Could you begin by telling us about your role at Nokia and the journey that brought you here?

I lead Nokia’s Advanced Consulting Services business across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. My journey with Nokia spans nearly seventeen years, beginning at a time when consulting was largely focused on network transformation initiatives. Over the years, I have worked closely with operators around the world on transformation programmes, analytics adoption, customer experience management and digital modernization.

As the industry evolved, so did our consulting focus. Following the Nokia and Alcatel Lucent merger, we established what is today known as Advanced Consulting Services. The organization now spans several domains, including security, business monetization, cloud and technology transformation, autonomous operations, and data and AI.

More recently, we launched an Automation Excellence Practice. The idea was simple. Customers often appreciated our strategic blueprints but needed practical expertise to implement them. Today, we have specialized engineers who combine telecom expertise, AI capabilities and software development skills to turn strategic visions into real automation pipelines, AI-driven workflows and production-ready use cases. Our role is to help customers move from concept to measurable business outcomes.

Nokia is often associated with connectivity, but the company is increasingly talking about AI readiness. How does Nokia’s infrastructure portfolio support this transition?

AI is creating what we describe as an AI supercycle. It is transforming everything from data centres and cloud infrastructure to network architectures and edge computing. Supporting this shift requires a complete ecosystem rather than isolated technologies.

Nokia’s portfolio addresses this across multiple layers. On the network side, we continue to innovate in radio technologies, including AI-RAN capabilities developed alongside strategic partners such as Nvidia. We also have a strong optical networking and IP portfolio that enables the high-capacity connectivity required between data centres, edge locations and cloud environments.

One area that excites me is our innovation in data centre networking. We are introducing highly efficient coherent optical technologies and advanced switching platforms that significantly reduce infrastructure footprints while improving performance and energy efficiency. These innovations are becoming increasingly important as organizations invest in AI factories, AI grids and large-scale inference environments.

Beyond connectivity, we also provide intelligent automation layers through our autonomous networking platforms, enabling operators to manage complex, multi-vendor environments more efficiently and intelligently.

What are some of the biggest infrastructure bottlenecks you see operators and enterprises facing as AI adoption accelerates?

One of the biggest challenges is understanding that AI infrastructure is not just about compute power. Organizations often focus heavily on GPUs and processing capabilities, but connectivity can quickly become the limiting factor.

You can deploy the most powerful AI infrastructure available, but if the network cannot support the required data movement between racks, data centres and edge locations, performance suffers. This is where intelligent networking becomes critical.

At Nokia, we are helping customers design what we call AI-ready connectivity. This includes high-capacity optical networking, intelligent routing and the seamless interconnection of compute environments. As AI workloads become increasingly distributed, the ability to move data efficiently becomes just as important as the ability to process it.

On the consumer side, Nokia has been showcasing AI-driven Wi-Fi management capabilities. How does this improve the end-user experience?

The home network has become far more complex than it was a few years ago. Consumers expect flawless connectivity across multiple devices, applications and services.

Our AI-enabled Wi-Fi solutions continuously monitor network performance and user experience. They can identify coverage gaps, detect congestion, analyze interference patterns and even recommend or automatically implement corrective actions.

The goal is to create a self-optimizing network environment where many issues can be resolved autonomously before they impact the user. This reduces support requirements for service providers while delivering a more consistent and reliable experience for customers.

The Middle East is witnessing an unprecedented surge in data centre investments. How do you see this shaping Nokia’s opportunities in the region?

The Middle East has emerged as one of the most dynamic markets globally for AI infrastructure investments. Governments and enterprises are actively investing in sovereign AI capabilities, advanced data centres and digital ecosystems.

This creates significant opportunities, not only for Nokia but for the broader technology industry. The success of these initiatives depends on having secure, scalable and efficient connectivity between compute resources, cloud environments and end users.

Our role is to help customers build these foundations. Whether it is data centre interconnectivity, optical networking, intelligent routing or autonomous operations, Nokia’s technologies are designed to support the scale and performance requirements of AI-driven economies.

As data volumes continue to grow, security and data sovereignty are becoming increasingly important. How is Nokia addressing these concerns?

Security is deeply embedded into Nokia’s strategy and innovation roadmap. As a European technology company, trust, resilience and security have always been fundamental principles in how we design and operate our solutions.

While we continue to invest heavily in AI innovation, we are equally focused on strengthening security capabilities across our portfolio. This includes advanced network security architectures, AI-driven threat detection and preparations for future technologies such as quantum-safe networking.

We are actively engaged with industry bodies, standards organizations and ecosystem partners to help define the next generation of secure digital infrastructure. As AI becomes increasingly pervasive, security must evolve alongside it, and that is an area where Nokia continues to invest significantly.

Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of AI-driven networks?

What excites me most is the convergence of AI, automation and connectivity. Networks are evolving from passive transport layers into intelligent platforms that can learn, adapt and optimize themselves.

The future will be defined by autonomous operations, AI-native networks and real-time decision-making at scale. Organizations that successfully combine these capabilities will unlock entirely new business models and levels of operational efficiency.

For us, the opportunity is not just about deploying technology. It is about helping customers transform the way they operate, innovate and create value in an increasingly AI-driven world.

The post Networks Must Evolve Before AI Can Scale appeared first on The Integrator.

Synology, a global technology company that enables businesses to manage, secure, and protect their data, unveiled a series of product updates at COMPUTEX 2026 across data management, backup and recovery, surveillance, businessproductivity, and private cloud environments. The latest updates address growing requirements among GCC organizations for stronger cyber resilience, data governance, and AI-driven operations.

The innovations include the next generation of DiskStation Manager (DSM), ActiveProtect Manager 2.0, the new DP5200 appliance, expanded surveillance and access control solutions, new additions to Synology Office Suite, and updates to the Bee Series private cloud ecosystem.

The updates come as organizations across the Middle East, particularly in the GCC, reassess how they manage rapidly growing data volumes, secure increasingly distributed infrastructure, prepare for AI workloads, and improve recovery readiness across on-premises, hybrid, and cloud environments. According to industry forecasts, IT spending in the Middle East and North Africa is expected to reach USD 169 billion in 2026, representing an 8.9 percent increase from 2025, while end-user spending on information security is projected to reach USD 4 billion in 2026.

Philip Wong, Chairman and CEO of Synology, stated: “Data is at the heart of everything we build, and trust is the foundation. From enterprise infrastructure to personal cloud solutions, we develop every product to give users complete control over their data, backed by uncompromising security, reliability, and privacy, so they can embrace what’s next with confidence.”

For regional businesses, the announcements reflect a broader shift in technology priorities as AI adoption accelerates and organizations seek greater control over how data is stored, governed, protected, and recovered across on-premises, hybrid, and cloud environments.

Mike Chen, Senior Regional Sales Manager for the Middle East, Synology, added: “As Middle Eastern enterprises navigate increasingly complex data landscapes, the demand for heightened visibility, governance, and operational resilience has intensified. Our latest enhancements across DSM, ActiveProtect, and our broader enterprise portfolio directly address these requirements. Together, these updates establish a secure data management framework, guarantee business continuity through recovery readiness, and deliver the infrastructure vital for future AI initiatives.”

The next generation of DSM introduces capabilities designed for both AI-ready and enterprise-scale environments. With support for GPU-powered NAS systems and AI appliances, organizations can enable on-premises AI inference and governance while maintaining full control over their data infrastructure. Synology has also introduced DSM Agent to automate and orchestrate workflows across systems, while Cluster Manager provides centralized management for large-scale deployments, including workload migration, quality-of-service controls, and unified protection management. Additional enhancements include Active Insight’s Mass Deployment feature for faster multi-site provisioning and an upgraded Log Center to improve observability, compliance, and security monitoring.

Synology also introduced ActiveProtect Manager 2.0, extending backup and recovery support to AWS EC2, Azure VM, Proxmox, Nutanix AHV, and Google Workspace. The platform enables cross-platform recovery across hybrid cloud and virtualized infrastructures and introduces AI-powered anomaly and malware detection capabilities to help organizations identify threats and strengthen recovery preparedness. Complementing the platform, the new DP5200 appliance expands the ActiveProtect portfoliowith an additional deployment option for centralized data protection.

Further expanding its surveillance ecosystem, Synology introduced new access control solutions, including the AC100 door controller and AR Series readers, alongside new DC Series dome cameras and Deep Video Analytics appliances featuring AI-powered semantic event search and re-identification path tracking. The company also unveiled Surveillance365, a video surveillance-as-a-service (VSaaS) offering that integrates with on-premises Surveillance Station deployments, enabling hybrid cloud monitoring for remote and multi-site environments. The solution is designed for organizations requiring remote and multi-site security monitoring, and other distributed environments where centralized security management is becoming increasingly important.

In business productivity, Synology expanded its Office Suite with the introduction of ChatPlus and Meet, bringing secure communication and virtual meeting capabilities under organizational control. Both solutions feature AI-powered transcription and translation while keeping data stored on-premises, enabling organizations to enhance business productivity without compromising governance or privacy requirements.

For individuals and homes, Synology announced updates to its BeeStation and BeeStation Plus offerings, further expanding storage options. New features include BeeCamera, which enables home monitoring through BeeStation Plus using Synology cameras, and Synology Deep Search, an AI-powered local search function for macOS and Windows that allows users to quickly find and manage personal content while maintaining complete privacy and local data ownership.

Together, these product updates reinforce Synology’s commitment to helping organizations and individuals manage, protect, and maximize the value of their data in an increasingly AI-driven world.

The post SYNOLOGY INTRODUCES UPDATES ACROSS DSM, ACTIVEPROTECT, SURVEILLANCE, BUSINESS PRODUCTIVITY, AND PRIVATE CLOUDPress Release appeared first on The Integrator.

InterContinental Residences Business Bay has announced the appointment of Chef Vincent Gadaud as its new Cluster Executive Chef, overseeing culinary operations across InterContinental Residences Business Bay and Kimpton Sevn Dubai, effective 1^st May 2026. 

This appointment marks a significant step in strengthening the culinary direction and overall guest experience across both properties. As InterContinental Residences Business Bay continues to position itself as a leading residential destination in Dubai and with Kimpton Sevn Dubai bringing its distinct, design-led lifestyle approach to the market, this appointment reinforces a shared commitment to delivering distinctive dining experiences rooted in quality and detail.

Chef Vincent brings over 20 years of international experience across luxury hotels and fine dining establishments in Europe, Japan and the Middle East. A highly accomplished F&B Director and Executive Chef, he is recognised for his ability to seamlessly combine culinary creativity with operational excellence, consistently driving both guest satisfaction and commercial performance.

Most recently, Chef Vincent served as F&B Director and Executive Chef at ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort in Japan, where he oversaw the full scope of culinary and service operations across multiple outlets, managing a team of over 140 professionals. During his tenure, he successfully led sustained top-line growth, significantly increasing revenue while improving departmental profitability, alongside spearheading concept development, menu transformation and brand positioning initiatives.

His career spans a number of prestigious roles, including Executive Chef at ANA Crowne Plaza Fukuoka and The St. Regis Osaka, as well as leading Ladurée’s London operations across Harrods and Covent Garden. He has also played a key role in multiple pre-openings and brand expansions internationally, demonstrating a strong capability in building concepts from the ground up and aligning them with market expectations.

Chef Vincent’s culinary philosophy is shaped by extensive global travel and a deep appreciation for local food cultures, ingredients and techniques. His approach balances precision with intuition, bringing together refined execution with a genuine sense of warmth and accessibility.

Commenting on his appointment, Chef Vincent Gadaud said, “Joining InterContinental Residences Business Bay and Kimpton Sevn Dubai is an exciting opportunity to contribute to two concepts that value both quality and experience. My focus is on building strong foundations within the kitchen, nurturing talent and creating dishes that feel intuitive, honest and memorable for our guests.”

Beyond the professional kitchen, Chef Vincent maintains a strong personal connection to food, often cooking in a more relaxed and instinctive setting for family and friends. An avid traveller, he continues to draw inspiration from discovering new cultures and culinary traditions, while staying active through outdoor pursuits and exploring new destinations with his family.

At the heart of his leadership philosophy is a commitment to team development and mentorship, having guided many individuals throughout his career into leadership roles.

Speaking on the new development, Cluster General Manager of InterContinental Residences Business Bay and Kimpton Sevn Dubai, Mohamed Mahmoud said, “Chef Vincent’s appointment reflects our vision for InterContinental Residences Business Bay and Kimpton Sevn Dubai as destinations that deliver not only exceptional living and lifestyle experiences, but also refined and meaningful dining. His global expertise, strong leadership and proven track record make him a valuable addition to the team and we are confident he will play a key role in shaping our culinary identity.”

Guests and residents can expect to see the first expressions of Chef Vincent’s culinary direction in the coming months, with thoughtfully developed menus and experiences that reflect both his expertise and the propertys’ elevated positioning.

This appointment marks an important milestone for InterContinental Residences Business Bay and Kimpton Sevn Dubai as they continue to enhance their offerings and redefine modern residential and lifestyle hospitality in Dubai.

The post INTERCON RESIDENCES BUSINESS BAY AND KIMPTON SEVN DUBAI APPOINTS CHEF VINCENT GADAUD AS CLUSTER EXECUTIVE CHEF appeared first on The Integrator.

As the UAE accelerates efforts around food security, landfill diversion and circular economy infrastructure, Dubai-based sustainability business The Waste Lab is strengthening its operations across the Emirates to meet growing demand for practical, measurable food waste solutions across the hospitality, corporate, education and F&B sectors.

Founded by Lara Hussein and Ceylan Uren, The Waste Lab has grown from a startup into a licensed end-to-end food waste management and composting platform working with organisations including Accor, Jumeirah, Hyatt, Emirates Flight Catering, Dubai Holding, Expo City Dubai and Dubai World Trade Centre.

The business provides segregation-at-source systems, food waste collection, composting, sustainability reporting and impact tracking through a fully managed model designed to help businesses reduce landfill waste and better understand their environmental footprint. Food waste collected from hotels, offices, schools, restaurants and communities is processed at The Waste Lab’s composting facility in Al Ain, where it is converted into locally produced compost and regenerative soil solutions. It is the only operator in the UAE that closes the full loop – from bin to compost to soil.

The company says momentum around sustainability regulation and ESG accountability is rapidly changing how businesses approach food waste management in the UAE, particularly as landfill diversion and operational reporting become increasingly important across major sectors.

The UAE’s Federal Decree-Law No. 11 of 2024 on the Reduction of Climate Change Effects marks a turning point for businesses operating across the country. The first of its kind in the MENA region, the law shifts climate accountability from voluntary commitment to legal obligation, requiring businesses across designated sectors to measure, report and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, with penalties of up to AED 2 million for non-compliance. Critically, integrated waste management is explicitly named as an approved emissions reduction pathway, meaning food waste is no longer just an operational afterthought, it is a regulated liability. The Waste Lab was built for exactly this moment. Its end-to-end model, covering segregation at source, collection, composting and verified impact reporting, gives businesses a single, fully managed pathway to meet their legal obligations and demonstrate measurable progress. What was once a sustainability choice is now a legal one and The Waste Lab makes compliance straightforward.

According to The Waste Lab, nearly 40% of food in the UAE still ends up in landfill despite the country importing the majority of its food, while around 90% of compost used locally is imported, highlighting a significant gap between food waste generation and local resource recovery. With the UAE importing most of its food and almost all of its compost, locally produced alternatives are not just an environmental benefit, they are a food security and supply chain priority. The business believes composting will play a far bigger role in supporting local food systems, soil regeneration and circular economy goals in the years ahead.

Alongside its operational growth, The Waste Lab is developing a proprietary mobile application that will bring automation, AI-enablement and end-to-end data capture across the full waste management chain. The platform is designed to give clients deeper, real-time visibility into their food waste footprint, providing granular reporting on waste volumes, contamination rates and sustainability impact to help businesses track and report ESG performance and identify operational inefficiencies with greater precision.

A locally produced B2B compost product is also planned for commercial launch by end of 2026, completing the circular loop of its operations. Food waste collected from UAE businesses is composted and returned to UAE soil creating a traceable, locally produced alternative to the imported organic compost that currently dominates the market, and supporting the kind of soil regeneration the country’s agricultural and landscaping sectors urgently need.

Lara Hussein, Co-Founder and CEO of The Waste Lab, said: “Food waste is one of the UAE’s most urgent environmental challenges, yet composting remains one of the most practical and underutilised solutions available today. Businesses are increasingly looking for systems that are measurable, compliant and operationally realistic, especially as sustainability targets become more closely tied to reporting, regulation and long-term business strategy. The UAE’s National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, ne’ma, has set a target to reduce food loss and waste by 50% by 2030, and achieving that requires local infrastructure and scalable solutions that work in the real world. Our role is to make food waste diversion simpler, traceable and commercially viable while helping create healthier soil, stronger local food systems and long-term environmental impact.”

Beyond its commercial operations, The Waste Lab also works alongside ne’ma, Dubai Municipality, Emirates Foundation and Dubai Chambers on wider sustainability and environmental awareness initiatives across the UAE.

As part of its next phase of growth, the business is expanding operations across additional emirates while progressing plans for Saudi Arabia through a joint venture model. The company is also currently raising its seed round to support infrastructure, technology development and regional expansion.

The post THE WASTE LAB EXPANDS ACROSS THE EMIRATES AS THE UAE’S LANDMARK CLIMATE LAW PUTS FOOD WASTE FIRMLY ON THE CORPORATE AGENDA appeared first on The Integrator.

Summer in the UAE is a whole vibe, and your skin routine should match. Between the heat, the humidity and the constant air conditioning, your skin is working overtime and so should your self-care. Dr Teal’s has everything you need to keep your body feeling fresh, smooth and genuinely glowing all season long. A range of body washes and scrubs rooted in the power of Epsom salts, essential oils and nature-driven ingredients, this is summer skin care done right.

Kick off your shower ritual with theEpsom Salt Body Wash in Vitamin C and Citrus Oils. Bright, energising and made for warm mornings, it wakes up the skin with the glow-boosting power of Vitamin C and the zesty lift of citrus essential oils. It evens out skin tone, adds a lit-from-within luminosity and leaves a fresh, uplifting scent that feels made for the season. Pure Epsom salts cleanse deeply from the very first lather, setting you up to take on whatever the day brings.

When the heat calls for a proper cool-down, theEucalyptus and Spearmint Body Wash delivers. The crisp, cooling combination of eucalyptus and spearmint instantly clears the mind and refreshes the body, while Epsom salts ease tired muscles and wash away the tension that builds up through a long summer day. Post-beach, post-gym or just post-everything, this one brings you back to life fast.

For evenings when you want to slow it all down, the Lavender Body Wash is the perfect wind-down companion. Gentle, floral and quietly calming, it soothes the mind and softens the mood while Epsom salts help the body release the heat and heaviness of the day. The kind of shower that actually helps you switch off and sleep well, even on the hottest nights.

Summer skin also needs a good scrub, and theShea Sugar Body Scrub in Shea Butter and Almond Oil is exactly that. Rich but never heavy, it buffs away the buildup of sunscreen, salt and sweat while shea butter and sweet almond oil leave skin deeply nourished and touchably soft. Use it before your body lotion and watch how much better everything absorbs.

For a deeper, more intensive exfoliation, the Pink Himalayan Epsom Salt Body Scrub is a summer staple. The mineral-rich combination of Himalayan salt and Epsom salts works hard on rough patches, heels and elbows, leaving skin visibly smoother and refreshed all over. The kind of scrub that makes you feel like you just stepped out of a spa, without leaving home.

And to keep that summer glow going, the Citrus Shea Sugar Body Scrub is the finishing touch. Bright and uplifting, it polishes the skin with sugar crystals and nourishes with shea butter and citrus oils, leaving behind a fresh, feel-good scent that is pure summer energy. Pair it with the Vitamin C and Citrus Body Wash for the ultimate brightening duo, or reach for it solo whenever your skin needs a little extra love.

Because summer should feel good on your skin. The full range is available across leading supermarkets, hypermarkets and pharmacies across the UAE, and can also be shopped conveniently through major e-commerce platforms.

The post YOUR SUMMER SKIN SORTED: DR TEAL’S RITUALS FOR RADIANCE, ENERGY AND RENEWAL appeared first on The Integrator.