Christophe Nicaise

I'm the Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer at Seddiqi Holding and I have held this position since January 2017. I'm responsible for the diversification and alignment of the Seddiqi Holding Business units and its subsidiaries. This includes a strong emphasis on developing new ventures focusing on brands that share synonymous organizational values and objectives.

I joined the Seddiqi family business in 2008 as the Chief Executive Officer for Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, the longest-standing and largest business unit within the group. I was instrumental in transforming the operations of the flagship brand into an internationally renowned corporate entity, whilst maintaining the vision and ethos of the late founder. My diplomatic approach and optimistic outlook have contributed significantly to the company’s growth and success. Further cementing my role as a trusted sounding board with the family and a testament to my contribution to the business, I established the Executive Committee at Seddiqi Holding, of which I have been longstanding member.

In 2012, I spearheaded the first external strategic expansion of Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons and drove the acquisition of Abu Dhabi watches & jewellery retailer Al Manara International Jewellery, further strengthening the company’s position in the UAE luxury sector.

In 2017, I set my focus on diversifying the family business into niche luxury retail within various verticals under the new business unit, Mizzen. This led to acquiring exclusive omnichannel distribution rights and partnership with Aēsop, an Australian luxury skincare brand, Orlebar Brown, a British men’s resort wear brand and Gentle Monster, a South Korean contemporary eye wear brand, the latter, which is part of a Joint Venture, II COMBINED ME, an innovative company featuring a unique model for retail businesses.

In 2019, I spearheaded the Joint Venture between Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons and WatchBox, a global US platform for certified pre-owned luxury watches. The Joint Venture resulted in establishing WatchBox ME and paved the way for a disruptive step forward. This resulted in broadening the company’s offerings and reshaping the industry’s landscape in the region.

I'm a member of both Dubai and Abu Dhabi Department of Economy and Tourism Retail committees where I represents Seddiqi Holding, a board member of WatchBox ME and II COMBINED ME, and was an Executive Committee member of the Swiss International Scientific School (SISD) from 2020 to 2023.
I received in 2023 the Non Family Member Executive Award from the Family Business Council Gulf.