Atif Malik to Lead Global Freeport Activity

ISS Holdings Appoints Global Freeport Authority Atif Malik to Lead Worldwide Freeport Division as Second ISS Airview Hub Launches at Teesside International Airport

In a landmark move, ISS Holdings Limited has appointed international trade expert Atif Malik as the Global Head of its Freeport Division- ISS Freeports, marking a major milestone in the company's mission to build an integrated network of international trade, investment, and innovation hubs.

Atif will lead the global rollout of ISS’s ISS Airview model, beginning with the launch of its second hub at Teesside International Airport — strategically connecting to its operational flagship at Newcastle International Airport. Together, these hubs form the UKs first joined-up Freeport-based international trade corridor, accelerating access to global markets from the North East of England.

A celebrated figure in global enterprise and international trade, Atif Malik brings over 25 years of entrepreneurial leadership and 19 years of pioneering experience in Freeports and economic zones. As the official UK and European representative for Ajman Free Zone in the UAE, and strategic Trade advisor to Pakistan, Atif played a vital role in shaping inward investment strategies and creating public-private partnerships across multiple jurisdictions.

His extensive portfolio includes large-scale regeneration projects, commercial property developments, and cross-border innovation ventures.

“Atif’s appointment is transformational,” said Ammar Mirza CBE, Executive Chair of ISS Holdings. “He’s a globally respected leader in Freeports and enterprise zones — someone who understands how to unlock real economic value by connecting regions to the world. We’re proud to welcome him as the driving force behind our global Freeport division. With Atif on board, we’re not just building infrastructure — we’re building legacy.”

Atif’s role will centre on scaling ISS Airview’s proven value proposition, grounded in the three pillars of Innovation, Internationalisation, and Investment. Each ISS hub delivers tailored trade and scaling support for scaleups, corporates, and international investors, combining a strategic blend of people, place, and programmes.

“It is a privilege to lead ISS’s global Freeport strategy at such a pivotal moment,” said Atif Malik.“The UK — and Teesside in particular — has the potential to become a global centre for trade, investment, and clean industrial growth. With ISS Airview, we are creating an international ecosystem that connects the North East to Riyadh, Bangalore, and beyond. What excites me most is that we are doing this in collaboration — not in competition — with existing Freeport partners, adding value and amplifying their impact.”

Atif’s appointment comes at a time when Teesside Freeport is rapidly becoming one of Europe’s most dynamic industrial zones. As the UK’s first and largest operational Freeport, it is projected to create 18,000 jobs and inject billions into the economy over the next five years, supported by a unique mix of customs zones, tax incentives, and clean growth opportunities across sites such as Teesworks, Wilton International, and Teesside International Airport.

By launching its second hub inside the Teesside Freeport customs zone, ISS Airview positions itself as a collaborative enabler of global market access — connecting the region’s clean energy, offshore, and advanced manufacturing sectors to international trade flows and capital networks.

“We’re proud to welcome ISS Freeports and Atif Malik to Teesside International Airport as part of our growing Freeport ecosystem. The launch of ISS Airview’s second hub here strengthens our position as a gateway for global trade and investment. Atif’s international experience and ISS’s commitment to collaboration and innovation will play a key role in unlocking new opportunities for businesses across the Tees Valley and beyond.” Said, Phil Forster, Managing Director, Teesside International Airport

Phil Forster Managing Director Teesside Airport, Ammar Mirza CBE, Atif Malik Managing Director of ISS Freeports

This expansion follows the successful launch of the Newcastle hub in January 2025 and is part of a wider ISS Airview strategy to establish a global network of Freeport-linked hubs, with Riyadh and Bangalore already in development.