Christophe Nicaise

Chief Strategy Officer Seddiqi Holding

Christophe Nicaise is the Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer at Seddiqi Holding and has held this position since January 2017. He is 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.  
 
He joined the Seddiqi family business in 2008 as the C.E.O. of Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, the longest-standing and largest business unit within the group. He 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. His diplomatic approach and optimistic outlook have contributed greatly to the company’s growth and success. Further cementing his role as a trusted sounding board with the family and a testament to his contribution, he established the Executive Committee at Seddiqi Holding. 

 
In 2012, Christophe spearheaded the first external strategic expansion of Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons and drove the acquisition of Abu Dhabi watches & jewellery retailer Al Manara International Jewellery, furtherstrengthening the company’s position in the UAE luxury sector.  
 
In 2017, he set his focus on diversifying the family business into niche luxury retail within various verticals under the new business unit, Mizzen. This led to acquiring exclusive brands and developing their footprint in the region with Aēsop, an Australian luxury skincare brand, Orlebar Brown, a British men’s resort wear brand, Gentle Monster, a South Korean contemporary eyewear brand, ON the Swiss footwear & sportswear brand and an iconic Milanese brand, Valextra, specializing in luxury leather handbags. 
 
In 2019, Christophe spearheaded the Joint Venture with Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons and WatchBox, a global US platform for certified pre-owned luxury watches. The Joint Venture resulted in establishing WatchBox ME thus broadening the company’s offerings and reshaping the industry’s landscape in the region.  
 
He is a member of both Dubai and Abu Dhabi Department of Economy and Tourism Retail committees where he represents Seddiqi Holding, a board member of II COMBINED ME, and was an Executive Committee member of the Swiss International Scientific School (SISD) from 2020 to 2023.  
 
He also received the Non-Family Member Executive Award from the Family Business Council Gulf in 2023.