our team

People
Cofounder, Chairman & CEO

Davison Simango

Cofounder & Ambassador

Emile Heskey

DIRECTOR CSR

Ruhena Begum

Partner & Global Ambassador

Didier Drogba

SENIOR PARTNER

Raphael Tobias

Senior Partner

Aref Kanafani

Technical Advisor

Jonathan Ing

Compliance Advisor

Paul Smith

Davison Simango

Co founder & CEO

Davison Simango is a results driven entrepreneur based in Manchester and the visionary behind Zotus Group’s international expansion. As Founder and Group CEO, he has led Zotus into key global markets, establishing the company as a trusted leader in infrastructure development, urban innovation, and strategic investment.

Under his leadership, Zotus has entered and thrived in high growth sectors including energy, transport, infrastructure, housing, and ports developments. His ability to build strategic partnerships with governments, institutional investors, and global stakeholders has positioned Zotus as a major force in delivering transformative, future proof projects across Africa, Asia, and other emerging markets.

In recognition of his business acumen and innovative approach, Davison was named one of Yahoo Finance’s Top 5 Entrepreneurs to Look Out For in 2021, listed alongside global changemakers such as Elon Musk. This accolade reflects his growing influence on the global business landscape and his commitment to reshaping how infrastructure serves people and economies.

Driven by a clear strategic vision and a relentless focus on execution, Davison combines commercial insight with a deep commitment to sustainable development. His leadership continues to attract world class partners and investors who share his goal of delivering impactful, long term growth.

Emile Heskey

AMBASSADOR

Emile Heskey is a globally respected football icon and the Ambassador of Zotus Group, where he plays a pivotal role in advancing the Group’s vision for sustainable development, infrastructure innovation, and economic transformation across Africa and beyond.

With a career that spans the highest levels of international football including over 500 Premier League appearances and 62 caps for England, Emile brings a legacy of leadership, discipline, and global recognition to Zotus. His deep connections with senior government officials, business leaders, and influential figures across Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean uniquely position him to open doors and drive strategic partnerships for Zotus’ flagship developments.

Emile is passionately committed to creating meaningful change. As Ambassador, he champions Zotus’ mission to deliver inclusive opportunities, unlock local potential, and build cities of the future. His work reflects a strong belief in fairness, innovation, and long-term impact, values he has carried from the pitch into the world of international development.

Gary W Lee

Director CSR

Ruhena is a dynamic entrepreneur, dedicated philanthropist, and a driving force behind Zotus Group’s transformative Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives since joining the organization in 2022. Her visionary leadership has helped shape CSR programs that are not only impactful but life changing bringing hope, opportunity, and empowerment to communities across the globe.

With a background in the beauty industry, Ruhena has co-founded several ventures that uniquely position beauty as a tool for empowerment. Her businesses have provided platforms for women from underprivileged backgrounds to build confidence, gain independence, and access new opportunities for growth.

Over the past decade, Ruhena has passionately championed social impact causes, dedicating her time and energy to uplifting women and children from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Her humanitarian efforts span the UK supporting parentless children to impactful work across Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Africa. She has also extended her compassion globally through the support of animal welfare organizations and shelters.

At Zotus Group, Ruhena leads the CSR strategy with a strong focus on sustainability, education, and social empowerment. She has spearheaded charitable infrastructure projects, developed education and health programs, and fostered public-private sponsorship collaborations that are reshaping lives. Her ability to connect purpose with progress makes her an inspiring leader in the Zotus family and a true champion for positive change.


 

Alex Rayner

STRATEGIC ADVISOR

Aref Kanafani is a seasoned international business strategist with a distinguished record in global investments, strategic development, and cross-border advisory. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from McGill University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Oxford, England.

With a career spanning the Gulf, Middle East, and emerging markets, Mr. Kanafani has provided strategic counsel to multinational enterprises and investment groups on large-scale acquisitions, capital structuring, and infrastructure development. As Senior Principal Advisor to the Al-Wazzan Group of Companies in Kuwait, he played a pivotal role in shaping the group’s expansion across petrochemicals, infrastructure, and natural resource sectors.

Today, Mr. Kanafani serves as Strategic Advisor to Zotus Group, where he applies his global network and investment expertise to advance the Group’s smart city and special economic zone initiatives across Africa. His focus lies in mobilising sustainable capital, fostering innovation, and forging partnerships that position Zotus City as a blueprint for integrated urban development in the 21st century.

Jonathan Ing

Technical Advisor

With over 25 years of experience in the construction industry, he has led major commercial, residential, and mixed-use developments across the GCC and internationally. His portfolio includes landmark projects such as Diriyah Gate in Saudi Arabia, The Opus by Zaha Hadid, Dubai Hills Estate, Paramount Towers, Etihad Towers, and the Cleveland Clinic Hospital in Abu Dhabi.

He brings extensive expertise in delivering large-scale, high-profile projects, with a deep understanding of Saudi Arabia’s real estate landscape, regulatory framework, and construction standards. As a proven Programme and Project Director, he has overseen developments from concept to completion, leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver projects on time, within budget, and to world-class quality standards.

 

Currently serving as Executive Director at SARCC, a PIF-backed entity in Riyadh, he is responsible for the full lifecycle delivery of residential and mixed-use projects across Saudi Arabia. His leadership ensures seamless integration of design, procurement, construction, and operational readiness, maintaining excellence at every stage of development.