WEB SOURCES FOR DUBAI PRINCE NO LONGER ONLINE

Domain address of private office in US$500m pledge shows message that it is not connected to website, and LinkedIn page also unavailable

The website and LinkedIn page of Dubai Sheikh Ali Rashed Ali Saeed Al Maktoum’s private office were no longer accessible yesterday, despite his earlier pledge to return to the city to open a US$500 million family office after an abrupt postponement last month.

The private office’s domain www.sheikhalialmaktoum.com led to a page that said: “Looks like this domain isn’t connected to a website yet.”

The LinkedIn page of the private office, as well as the profile of Ryan Melad, its chief marketing officer, were also unavailable yesterday afternoon.

But the website of Here4U Entertainment, described in Melad’s LinkedIn profile as an event and talent management company under the sheikh’s private office, remained accessible. Melad had said on his LinkedIn page that he was Here4U’s chief marketing officer.

Eleanor Jane Mak, CEO of the prince’s Hong Kong-based family office, said she would get back to the Post later with comment as Dubai was still on its Eid break.

“We [have been in] contact every day but don’t want to bother them on Eid holiday, ” she added.

Mak was later seen at the office in Sheung Wan and left in a car, after telling a Post reporter she had no comment when asked about the website.

A signboard with his office’s emblem remained visible on the premises in the Shun Tak Centre.

Amira Lobaton, the private office’s head of business development, has also been contacted for comment.

The Hong Kong office last month said the inauguration ceremony would be postponed to late May just hours before it was scheduled to take place on March 28. It gave “urgent matters in Dubai” that required the sheikh’s attention as the reason for the eleventh hour postponement.

The decision to postpone the launch of the Hong Kong family office sparked questions from some about the prince’s commitment to the investment.

The Post last Tuesday reported Maktoum had an alter ego as a singer-songwriter known as Alira.

Maktoum began his shift from a performer to a sustainabilityfocused investor last year.

Lobaton said the day after news of his stage career broke that the family office remained committed to investment in the city.

Government sources earlier said only “basic” checks were done before Maktoum was invited to the Wealth for Good in Hong Kong summit last month, as they feared an investigation into his background might offend the VIP.

Maktoum’s office also signed a memorandum of understanding to promote sustainable development with Hang Seng University during his visit to Hong Kong. He was also appointed an honorary professor in sustainability leadership at the ceremony.

The university subsequently updated a press release, removing any mention of Maktoum and his office, but a spokesman said on Tuesday the agreement and appointment remained in effect.

Mak earlier said the company registration of the family office had started in mid-March after all paperwork was properly signed.

A government spokeswoman yesterday said establishing family offices in Hong Kong did not require special approval.

The Post has contacted the university for comment.

We [have been in] contact every day but don’t want to bother them on Eid holiday ELEANOR JANE MAK, CEO OF THE PRINCE’S HONG KONG-BASED FAMILY OFFICE