Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman and chief executive of global ports operator DP World, has stepped down following scrutiny over his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. His resignation comes after newly-released documents revealed that Sulayem exchanged hundreds of emails with Epstein over more than a decade.
DP World confirmed the resignation “effective immediately,” appointing Essa Kazim as chairman and Yuvraj Narayan as chief executive. The company’s website removed Sulayem’s photograph shortly after the announcement.
The emails suggest a long-standing relationship between Sulayem and Epstein, including discussions on business ideas, travel plans, and introductions to political and business figures. Epstein referred to Sulayem as “one of his most trusted friends” in a 2013 email. Correspondence also revealed Sulayem sought Epstein’s advice on personal and family matters.
The files include exchanges about women and personal relationships, though the context of some emails is unclear. The documents also indicate Epstein acted as an intermediary between Sulayem and senior political figures, including Lord Mandelson, and facilitated introductions to international leaders and advisers such as Ehud Barak and Steve Bannon.
DP World, a Dubai-owned logistics giant, has faced growing pressure from business partners, including the UK development finance agency and Canada’s La Caisse pension fund, both of which suspended new investments. The company’s funding of the Prince of Wales’ Earthshot project has also been questioned following the revelations.
Sulayem’s interactions with Epstein reportedly continued until at least 2017, two years before Epstein’s death, despite Epstein’s criminal conviction in 2008. There is no evidence of wrongdoing by Sulayem, and the BBC has reached out to him for comment.
The emails have sparked intense scrutiny of DP World’s leadership and raised broader questions about the influence of Epstein’s network on international business and political circles.
