Akram Tarik appointed Founding & Executive Principal

Dubai, May 12, 2026: GEMS Education has announced the launch of GEMS Founders School – Nad Al Hamar (GFH), marking the fifth addition to the GEMS Founders family of schools. The new campus will welcome its first students in August 2026.

The school will offer the National Curriculum for England from FS1 to Year 8 in its first year, expanding annually up to Year 13.

Founders Brand Leader Akram Tarik has been appointed as Founding and Executive Principal of GEMS Founders School – Nad Al Hamar (GFH)

Akram Tarik, Founders Brand Leader has been appointed as Founding and Executive Principal of GFH. An educational leader with more than a decade of experience as Principal/CEO of GEMS Founders School – Al Mizhar (GFM) within the network, Tarik will also continue to serve GFM as Executive Principal, ensuring leadership oversight and alignment across the Founders network.

Mia Chorfi, currently Vice Principal – Academics at GFM will succeed Tarik as Principal of GFM. Having served in several senior academic leadership roles over the past five years, Chorfi has been supporting the school’s growth and academic progress.

GFH brings the Founders school model to the Nad Al Hamar community, serving families across Dubai Creek, Dubai Festival City, Deira and surrounding areas.

The GEMS Founders brand was launched in 2016. Today, Founders schools educate more than 14,000 students across the UAE. The Founders brand currently operates schools in Al Barsha South, Al Mizhar, Dubai South and Masdar City, with GEMS Founders School – Nad Al Hamar marking the fifth addition.

Mia Chorfi, currently Vice Principal – Academics at GEMS Founders School – Al Mizhar (GFM) has been appointed as Principal of GFM

Dino Varkey, Group Chief Executive Officer of GEMS Education says, “We look forward to beginning the next chapter in the Founders legacy by welcoming GFH’s founding cohort of students in August 2026 and seeing both Akram and Mia lead the next phase of excellence across the Founders network.”

Matthew Burfield, Executive Vice President – Education at GEMS Education and Founding Principal of GEMS Founders School – Dubai adds, “Over the past decade, Founders has built a reputation for combining ambition, inclusion and consistently strong outcomes at scale. GFH represents the next chapter in that journey, supported by experienced leaders who deeply understand the ethos and expectations that define the Founders family.”