06 November 2025

Ismail Ibrahim, General Manager, CEMEA at SUSE

Which law would you most like to change?
Entry/Exit laws (Visa restrictions). I love traveling and experiencing new countries and cultures, and I would appreciate an easier experience when it comes to traveling and being able to go anywhere without having to plan a visa beforehand.

Who was your hero when you were growing up?
Growing up, Arnold Schwarzenegger fascinated me. The idea of someone outworking everyone else and dominating every field he entered, starting with bodybuilding, then movies, business, and finally politics, was extremely motivational. It showed me that you don’t necessarily have to stay in one career or follow just one path. The notion that hard work and determination are the secrets to success, no matter the field, was very enlightening to me. I admired his resilience and his ability to reinvent himself at every stage. That mindset taught me to never stop learning and to embrace reinvention as a lifelong process.

What was your big career break?
I had a very successful career in services and was fortunate to work in some of the best organisations in the tech space. However, I consider my current role with SUSE to be my most cherished. Not only was I given the opportunity to lead all lines of business, but also to establish and grow our brand across three different and diverse sub-regions: Central Eastern Europe, the Middle East & North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa. It has been both a professional and personal journey of growth. Working with multicultural teams, adapting to different market dynamics, and driving impact at scale has shaped me into a more empathetic and versatile leader.

The Rolling Stones or the Beatles?
The Beatles, their timeless creativity, evolution, and ability to redefine music across generations are unmatched.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I always struggled with pinpointing exactly what I wanted to be, and to this day, I cannot claim that I know precisely what I want from my future. However, one thing that was always a constant for me was that I always wanted to be able to make a difference and have an impact. I’ve come to realise that what matters most isn’t the title or the industry, it’s whether what you’re doing leaves something better behind. That belief continues to guide me every day.

What would you do with £1 million?
If I simply won it, I would probably give it away to charity, as I much prefer money that is earned. When you work hard for something, it has a completely different taste. However, if earned, I would probably invest it in three or four Egyptian SMEs, something I have been doing for the past decade as a passion. It involves being part of something small and seeing it grow and add value to people’s lives, and it is part of my giving back to my home country. I also believe in the long-term massive potential of the Egyptian economy and the power of entrepreneurship to transform communities.

If you could dine with any famous person, past or present, who would you choose?
I think dining with Steve Jobs would be at the top of my list. Being able to have a conversation with such a prolific figure would have been an experience of a lifetime. His perspective on design, innovation, and simplicity fascinates me, he had an almost spiritual approach to technology. I’d love to understand how he connected intuition with business and how he balanced creativity with commercial success.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
In my very first job while still a university student, my manager and mentor at the time shared a quote with me that I have lived by my entire career: “Today I will do what others won’t so tomorrow I can do what others can’t.” It’s a powerful reminder that short-term sacrifices create long-term freedom. It has carried me through countless challenges and moments of doubt.

What’s the greatest technological advancement in your lifetime?
Definitely the internet and smartphones, but it also feels like we are about to experience another massive shift and advancement with artificial intelligence (AI).
The way that it’s reshaping productivity, creativity, and even human connection is something I find both exciting and humbling. We’re living through a new technological renaissance, and I’m excited to see where it all goes.