Bassel Ounah
MANCHESTER,United Kingdom
Summary
Commercially minded founder and transformation lead with a track record of building and scaling ventures across immersive technology (VR/AR), education, training, wellbeing and trading businesses. Founder & CEO of Neptune's Submerge (UK), delivering immersive experiences and digital transformation solutions that help non-tech organisations create new services, reach new audiences and unlock new routes to market. Skilled across go-to-market delivery, partnerships, stakeholder management, operational leadership and IP development, with an Executive MBA and a reputation for calm, high-quality execution under pressure.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Neptune's Submerge Ltd
2023.01 - Current
- Founded and scaled a UK immersive technology venture delivering VR/AR experiences and transformation projects across education, training, wellbeing and visitor engagement.
- Led adoption of immersive solutions in non-tech environments, creating new offerings and opening new customer segments and routes to market.
- Registered and protected IP to strengthen product differentiation and long-term commercial value.
- Built and managed strategic collaborations with The University of Manchester, University of Salford ThinkLab, University of Birmingham and Manchester Metropolitan University to support product innovation and development.
- Secured innovation support from Innovate UK, GM Business Growth Hub, and specialist innovation centres to accelerate growth and capability.
- Achieved external recognition, including Best Immersive Experience Award (MediaCity UK, 2025) and Highly Commended (Signature Awards Manchester, 2025).
- Maintained profitability in every trading year since launch while balancing delivery, partnerships, product development and market expansion.
- Selected outcomes to add (for even stronger ATS impact):
- Revenue growth: £[Add metric] | Number of clients/projects delivered: [Add metric]
- Sectors served (e.g., education/heritage / corporate training): [Add detail]
- Tools/platforms used (e.g., Unity, Unreal, Meta, HTC, WebXR, 360 video): [Add tools]
Managing Director
Apnea Zone
Dubai
2017.01 - Current
- Built and led a multilingual training and experiences business delivering freediving, mermaid, snorkelling and breathing-based wellbeing programmes.
- Managed instructors, partners and day-to-day operations across customer training, corporate workshops, events and specialist experiences.
- Trained 500+ students and instructors while maintaining high standards of safety, service quality and customer experience.
- Coordinated delivery in high-pressure environments, ensuring consistent governance, quality control and team alignment.
- Strengthened the brand through community-led initiatives and partnerships.
General Manager
Ounah International Trading FZE
2013.01 - Current
- Led import/trading operations and regional client relationships, building strong commercial discipline and operational oversight.
- Managed supplier coordination, sales activity and delivery standards to support reliable service and performance.
- Add to strengthen: key markets, product categories, scale (turnover, SKUs, regions): [Add detail]
Founder & General Manager
Ounah Optical Est.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
2005.01 - 2013.01
- Assisted in establishing and growing an optical trading business by supporting sourcing, sales, distribution, and branch development.
- Coordinated staff and supplier activities while helping manage daily operations to strengthen leadership and service delivery skills.
- Contributed to problem-solving efforts to improve service outcomes and operational efficiency.
Senior Manager
Nour Optic
2001.01 - 2004.01
- Managed a cross-functional team of 25+ employees across production, quality and operations.
- Supported operational improvement and quality standards across day-to-day delivery.
Education
Executive MBA -
University of East London
01.2025
Marketing (Master's-level study, partial) -
European University
01.2011
Business Management -
ICS London
01.2004
Skills
- Business Transformation & Digital Enablement
- Immersive Technology (VR/AR) & Experiential Learning
- Go-to-Market Strategy & Market Expansion
- Commercial Growth & Business Development
- Partnerships & Academic/Innovation Collaboration
- Stakeholder Management (public/private/education)
- IP Registration & Innovation Management
- Operations, Delivery & Quality Assurance
- Funding Support & Innovation Ecosystems (eg, Innovate UK)
- Team Leadership & Supplier/Partner Management
- Programme Design (Training / Education / Engagement)
- Risk, Safety & Governance in Delivery Environments
Certification
- PADI Freediver Instructor Trainer
- PADI Mermaid Instructor Trainer
- AIDA Freediving Instructor
- AIDA Freediving Judge
- PADI EFR Instructor Trainer
- SSI Freediving Instructor
Languages
Arabic (native)
English (fluent)
German (conversational)
Websites, Portfolios and Profiles
LinkedIn
Awards
- Best Immersive Experience Award, MediaCity Immersive Technologies Innovation Hub, MediaCity UK, 2025
- Highly Commended Award, Signature Awards Manchester, 2025
- AIDA freediving judge at international competition level, including world competition in Limassol, Cyprus.
- Contributor/author on freediving, breathwork, wellbeing and marine-related topics.
Timeline
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Neptune's Submerge Ltd
2023.01 - Current
Managing Director
Apnea Zone
2017.01 - Current
General Manager
Ounah International Trading FZE
2013.01 - Current
Founder & General Manager
Ounah Optical Est.
2005.01 - 2013.01
Senior Manager
Nour Optic
2001.01 - 2004.01
Executive MBA -
University of East London
Marketing (Master's-level study, partial) -
European University
Business Management -
ICS London