About The Collective.
The Global Collective is The Essential Network for Business Leaders.
We exist for founders and senior leaders who want a better way to grow — with less noise, more trust, and results that come from the right relationships.
Building a business today is demanding. Trusted partners are hard to find, AI-generated outreach clutters your inbox, and most networking doesn’t lead anywhere. The Global Collective changes that.
Every room is curated. Every conversation has intent. Every introduction is designed to move a real objective forward — whether that’s market entry, supplier leverage, strategic partnerships, capital access, or brand credibility across the UAE, UK, US, and beyond.
How it works is simple: apply to join, plug into curated events and targeted introductions, and work alongside a community that values trust over noise and outcomes over activity.
Your network is your net worth — when it’s the right one.
The right people.
Leaders in our network bring over a decade of shared experience and represent businesses with a combined turnover of $3.75 billion — consistently outperforming market growth.
When you join The Global Collective, you tap into that level of momentum, insight, and performance to move your own business further, faster.
The UAE may be small in size, but its pace, ambition, and scale of opportunity make it a powerful environment for sharp-minded entrepreneurs who want to grow fast, think bigger, and build something that lasts.
“If you’re not going to be you, who will?”
-DEAN KELLY
The founders.
The people behind the essential network for business leaders.
Dean Kelly
Dean Kelly is an entrepreneur, mentor, and investor with a proven history of building, scaling, and exiting high-growth businesses across recruitment and technology. One of the youngest CEOs on the stock market at 30, he led a zero-to-exit agency to a $20m+ sale in under three years and co-founded RDLC, the largest network of human capital CEOs in the UK and Europe.
His connection to Dubai began in 2003 with a landmark global contract for GEMS Education, anchoring two decades of work across the UAE, UK, and beyond. Today, through a portfolio of leadership, investment, and advisory roles, Dean focuses on helping founders and business leaders access the right people, strategy, and opportunities to grow stronger, faster, and smarter.
jat deo
Jat Deo is a recruitment leader, investor, and advisor with over 25 years’ experience building high-performing teams and growth-focused businesses. As Founder of Involved Solutions, he has led successful delivery across technology and transformation markets, and expanded operations into the UAE.
Alongside his core business, Jat is actively building a property portfolio in Dubai and partnering with leading organisations across the region, giving him a practical understanding of the UAE’s opportunities, regulations, and commercial culture. He is known for helping leadership teams scale sustainably, tighten execution, and navigate real-world challenges with clarity and pace.
Danny Herbert
Danny Herbert brings over 25 years’ experience in sales, technology staffing, and international expansion. As Founder and CEO of SOLA Group since 2005, he has led high-performing teams that support organisations in building specialist talent, entering new markets, and scaling effectively. In 2009, he established SOLA’s first international office in Dubai, and has since helped numerous businesses navigate the commercial, cultural, and regulatory landscape of the MENA region.
Danny serves as an advisor to several boards across the UAE, UK, and US, guiding strategic growth, go-to-market execution, and complex turnaround projects. Well connected across the investor and leadership community, he is known for creating the right introductions and frameworks that help serious businesses move faster with confidence.
Any questions?
Have questions about Global Collective events, membership, mentoring, or how the network works?
Get in touch and we’ll help you find the right next step.
“If the problem you are trying to solve is obvious and logical, then everyone will end up in the same place. Find a better way.”
-DEAN KELLY