Isobel Abulhoul is a prominent female entrepreneur who has left a mark on the cultural landscape of the UAE. Back in 1975, she co-founded the iconic Magrudy’s bookstores, a cornerstone in the nation's literary journey. Additionally, she was instrumental in the founding of Al Ittihad Private School.
In 2008, she unfurled the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, the Middle East’s largest and award-winning celebration of the written and spoken word. She is a trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation, an institution birthed by a decree from HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. There, she held the mantle of CEO until March 2023. Furthermore, she commands a presence as a trustee of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction and directs the Board of Directors of Mohammed bin Rashid Library. Notably, she was elected to join the Police Advisory Council for Community Service and appointed chairperson for one of the Global Councils focusing on the UN sustainable development goals.
Throughout her career, Isobel has garnered numerous accolades, including the "Cultural Personality of the Year", the OBE award by HM Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain, and UAE Pioneers Award in 2016 from HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Isobel Aboulhol's story begins in Cambridge, United Kingdom, where she was born and received her formal education. In 1968, she embarked on a transformative journey, relocating to Dubai and embracing this vibrant city as her new home where she continued her professional career.