Anam Ahmad, Co-Founder and CEO, The Hanging HouseThe Hanging House, an award-winning, Dubai-based experiential agency, has appointed founder Anam Ahmad as Chief Executive Officer. She steps up from her previous role as Chief Creative Officer as the business enters its next phase of growth.
The appointment marks a structural shift for the almost decade-old studio as it evolves beyond a traditional, campaign-led agency model towards building long-term creative platforms and intellectual property.
This follows a year of international recognition and strategic momentum delivering large-scale experiential projects for brands and institutions including Nissan, NBA and Dubai Holding.
As CEO, Ahmad will lead this transition through what she describes as a “House of Possibilities” – an IP-led studio focused on creating proprietary ideas, immersive worlds and scalable creative platforms for brands.
Ahmad’s role will shift from leading individual creative projects to shaping the long-term direction of the business. Her focus will include culture, partnerships, new markets and the systems required to scale creativity while maintaining the studio’s distinctive identity.
She will continue to work closely with Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Husam Haris, who oversees operations and financial management.
Commenting on the appointment, Anam Ahmad, CEO at The Hanging House, said, “The Hanging House began as an experimental creative studio built on curiosity and imagination. Today, we’re evolving into a business focused on creating long-term value, not just individual moments.”
Ahmad added, “In the current market that continues to shift across the GCC, we’re thinking carefully about how to build with both ambition and resilience. We’re moving beyond one-off experiences to create platforms, worlds, and intellectual property that brands can own and grow over time. As CEO, my role is to bring structure to that ambition, building the systems, partnerships, and culture needed to scale creativity in a more intentional and sustainable way. I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
While one-off campaigns remain a core part of the business, The Hanging House is increasingly focused on extending these into longer-term opportunities – developing ideas that can grow into owned platforms, content and cultural assets over time. The ambition is to build sustained brand relationships and future-facing experiences that extend beyond individual briefs.
Alongside its UAE base, the business is also taking a long-term view on regional growth. Saudi Arabia has been identified as a key market for future expansion, as The Hanging House continues to build its regional presence.
The announcement comes at a complex moment for the MENA region, with the studio prioritising team wellbeing and operational flexibility, including remote working and adjusted timelines where needed.
Ahmad co-founded The Hanging House in 2017 at the age of 21 and has led its creative direction since inception, establishing its distinctive position within the regional experiential landscape and building a reputation for immersive storytelling and culturally rooted experiences across the region.
In 2025, she was named on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, alongside multiple regional and global award wins recognising the studio’s immersive and culturally driven work.
