How I got here

Mahmoud Itani is a strategic, creative, and entrepreneurial Marketing and Communications professional with international experience spanning the luxury, yachting, manufacturing, retail, and governmental sectors.

Throughout his career, Mahmoud has built a reputation for turning ideas into opportunities—developing business, creating high-impact marketing and communications strategies, building lasting client relationships, and delivering world-class campaigns, events, and experiences. His international track record includes more than 70 shows and private events across markets including Australia, Singapore, Dubai, London, and Florida.

Today, Mahmoud is the Co-Founder of YachtFinds.com, the Gulf region’s first online yachting marketplace, connecting yacht owners, buyers, charter clients, and industry professionals through a dedicated digital platform. He is also Managing Partner of IR Yachts, where he advises international shipyards, brokerage houses, and marine-industry professionals on entering and expanding their presence in the Middle East, with a focus on business development, marketing, communications, networking, and luxury events.

A natural negotiator and analytical decision-maker, Mahmoud combines strategic thinking with a hands-on approach. He is self-taught, driven, adaptable, and comfortable navigating the challenges that come with building businesses and delivering under pressure. Whether developing a new market, managing a major event, or building a brand from the ground up, he believes in rolling up his sleeves, finding solutions, and making things happen.
His expertise spans marketing and communications strategy, media, budgeting and planning, event and project management, public relations, sales, business development, client relationship management, and digital marketing.

Mahmoud’s leadership and business achievements have been recognized with the Best Business Leader Award in both 2016 and 2018.