< PreviousEntrepreneurs MOST INFLUENTIAL The ‘IT’ Woman KIRAN CHHABRIA @HowSheSpendsIt DIRECTOR, JUMBO ELECTRONICS One of the most powerful businesspersons in the UAE, Kiran Chhabria leads the flagship company of the Jumbo Group – Jumbo Electronics which has a turnover exceeding $1billion and over 2000 employees. She obtained her majors from Boston College, and had previously schooled at the Institute Le Rosey at Switzerland. Shortly after her graduation in 2000, Kiran was being groomed for a leadership role. She began her career as a management trainee when she was thrust into the spotlight of her family-run business, shortly after her father and the founder of Jumbo, the charismatic Manu Chhabria, suddenly passed away. Ever since, Kiran has played a significant role in the rapid growth of Jumbo guided by her mother, Vidya Chhabria. She has headed the corporate communications stream at the Jumbo Group since 2002, focusing primarily on building the brand, repositioning the corporate identity, managing corporate affairs and setting the overall business direction for the group. Today, Jumbo is a reputed business house, engaged in the distribution and retailing of leading brands in consumer electronics, IT, telecommunications, smart devices etc. A member of EO (Entrepreneurs Organization) since 2003, Kiran was nominated for Young Business Leader award for MENA region by World Forum of Business Leaders and Professionals. She is an avid art collector, while writing is her passion – her columns have been published in leading newspapers. She also authored a novel, Kitty in the City, a witty take on life in Dubai through the eyes of a protagonist who is uncannily similar to Kiran – a billionaire heiress who is single, gifts herself emeralds, loves catching up with her girls and lunches with her mother. WORDS: SHALAKA PARADKAR; PICTURE: SUPPLIED MASALA! 61 Entrepreneurs MOST INFLUENTIAL It’s Shoe-Biz ARIQ HUSAIN AND SYED SALMAN MASUD @matte_online CO-FOUNDERS, MATTE FOOTWEAR AND ACCESSORIES This is a true example of Asian enterprise making global strides. British Bangladeshi entrepreneur Ariq Husain is part-owner of a restaurant in Dhaka and founder of a co- working office space and IT-based consultancy space. His uncle, Singapore resident Syed Salman Masud, MD, Dana Group, leads one of the most reputed companies operating in Singapore, Malaysia, China, Bangladesh and UAE. He has contributed to diverse sectors: from power, engineering, apparel, oil & gas to dredging, petroleum and chemicals. Along with Salman and his brother Riyad, Ariq launched Matte footwear and accessories, a brand that is about being classic with a touch of contemporary. With their focus on quality, comfort and attention to detail, clients get premium footwear and accessories at an affordable range. The soft launch, held in 2017-18, positioned the brand as a tech-based out-of-the-box footwear brand. The overwhelming response led them to other parts of the world including the Middle East. Some of Matte’s designs are available at Mr Draper, a curated shopping service for men. The larger goal is to have their products available through their portal in the Middle East and then go to Europe as well. The brand also collaborated with designer Varoin Marwah showcasing their collection at Fashion Forward. A global vision with a strong Asian footprint, Ariq, Riyad and Salman are all set to storm the world of men’s fashion with a brand that marries amazing designs with realistic pricing for the modern, aspirational man. WORDS: MASALA!; PICTURES: SUPPLIED Trailblazers MOST INFLUENTIAL Life’s a game MANU SAWHNEY @icc CHIEF EXECUTIVE, ICC This year, Manu Sawhney was appointed the fifth Chief Executive of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Cricket is a religion for the people of the subcontinent, and the ICC as its global governing body, is quite a powerful head priest. Headquartered in Dubai and representing 105 members, the ICC governs and administrates the game and is responsible for staging all the major international cricket tournaments including the ICC Men’s World Cup and Women’s World Cup and the ICC Men’s and Women’s T20 World Cups. Manu has been tasked with leading the ICC to deliver the global growth strategy for cricket in partnership with members and driving the future commercial direction of the sport. A mechanical engineering graduate from BITS Pilani, Manu is a media veteran with 22 years of commercial experience in both sports and broadcasting in senior leadership roles. He is the former CEO of Singapore Sports Hub and was managing director of ESPN Star Sports, where he worked for 17 years. During his tenure as managing director, he was responsible for scaling the business and doubling annual revenues whilst delivering an innovative content and digital growth strategy and building strong partnerships with stakeholders across 24 countries in Asia. Additionally, he led the global broadcast partnership deal with the ICC that ran from 2007-2015. Manu is also a non-executive director and member of the audit committee of Manchester United. He is married to Rachna and has a son, Arjun and a daughter, Gaurika. WORDS: SHALAKA PARADKAR; PICTURE: AJITH NARENDRA Trailblazers MOST INFLUENTIAL64 MASALA! Trailblazers MOST INFLUENTIAL High Five ALOKI BATRA @fivepalmjumeirah CEO, FIVE HOSPITALITY The Chief Executive Officer of Five Hospitality, Aloki Batra, is a true marketer and ideas man, bringing his charm, chutzpah, influence and knowledge into his properties’ identity. Ever since its launch, Five Palm Jumeirah has become the go-to hotspot for the city’s hip crowd. Especially the amazing brunch, party venue and the iconic rooftop bar The Penthouse has Dubai’s smart set in thrall. No surprises then, the property enjoys year-round occupancy rates of 92% with no dips in seasonality. Recently, Aloki launched the new, vibrant Five Jumeirah Village that, in a short while, has made its mark on the ever- changing and super competitive hospitality scene. Aloki’s strength lies in creating, conceptualising and developing homegrown concepts such as The Penthouse, renowned for its Skyline Thursdays, the very fun Soul Street that serves street food favourites and Maiden Shanghai that has been ranked among Dubai’s best Chinese restaurants. Aloki’s current passion project is Luvya, a three-day beach festival at Five Palm Jumeirah that brings together music, food, art and fashion. Luvya will feature performances by DJs Dimitri Vegas and Luke Mike, Craig David and dance sensation Lost Frequencies. It’s going to be a party like no other! The fun-loving and award-winning hotelier plans to bring even more luxury lifestyle concepts to life such as Beach by FIVE. The action just won’t stop at FIVE! WORDS: SHALAKA PARADKAR; PICTURE: JESSICA SAMPSON Trailblazers MOST INFLUENTIAL The Alchemist DR SALIHA AFRIDI @DrSalihaAfridi MANAGING DIRECTOR, THE LIGHTHOUSE ARABIA – CENTER FOR WELLBEING Saliha likens the work she does with her clients to alchemy; working with difficulties and suffering and transforming it into wisdom and meaning. A clinical psychologist raised and educated in the US, her experience spans a wide range of mental health issues. Saliha worked at a private practice in Dubai for several years, before co-founding The LightHouse Arabia in 2011 to make a positive impact on the mental health of individuals and families living in the Middle East. Over the last decade, together with her team, she has spent thousands of hours delivering talks, free of charge, on the topics of mental health, wellness and pa renting to schools, companies, healthcare professionals, government institutions and community centres. An established parenting expert in the region, Saliha provides accessible and practical parenting advice with methods and tools that have supported countless parents and families in improving their relationships and communication. Today, she is addressing the ever- increasing need to raise awareness and destigmatise mental health, globally. She has launched an online platform to use her experience and voice to play a part in normalising human suffering, with a focus on providing guidance for individuals struggling to evolve authentically through the mid/quarter life passage. WORDS: SHALAKA PARADKAR; PICTURE: SUPPLIED Trailblazers MOST INFLUENTIAL The Healing Touch ZANUBIA SHAMS @zulekhahospitals CO-CHAIRPERSON, ZULEKHA HEALTHCARE GROUP Her mother’s daughter in the truest sense, Zanubia Shams is a visionary leader, entrepreneur, philanthropist and healthcare ambassador. The legendary Dr Zulekha Daud’s daughter has invested her passion in Zulekha Healthcare Group, now one of the region’s leading healthcare brands. With innovative campaigns and smart collaborations, Zanubia has made a difference to thousands of lives in the UAE and beyond. Some of her most significant initiatives are: cancer awareness, increasing women’s employment, upliftment and rehabilitation of people with determination and awareness about healthy lifestyles. Under her leadership, Zulekha Hospital joined hands with IFC– World Bank to drive ‘She Works’, a global campaign to enhance women’s employment opportunities. Currently over 60% employees in her organisation are women. A stickler for ensuring quality control, the hospital has been awarded JCI (the gold standard in global healthcare), multiple times and honoured with the LEED and CSR Label certification for sustainability. When it comes to quality healthcare, there is no compromise on any aspect. Her association with welfare organisations such as Friends of Cancer Patients, Dar Al Ber Charity Society, Pink Caravan, Rahma Cancer Patient Care Society, Emirates Red Crescent and Make a Wish Foundation have resulted in numerous community initiatives. Under Zanubia’s leadership, Zulekha Hospital is one of the most preferred employers in the region. Envisioning a strong and sustainable future, complemented with a healing touch at the smallest level, Zanubia’s vision to create a healthier society, is not just admirable but inspiring as well. WORDS: MASALA!; PICTURE: SUPPLIED MASALA! 67 Trailblazers MOST INFLUENTIAL Lofty Ideals ADITYA RAJARAM @aloftdubaisouth MANAGING DIRECTOR, RADAR HOLDINGS Aditya helms Radar Holdings, the family-run hospitality and real estate development enterprise, which owns Aloft Dubai South, the first boutique hotel in the Dubai South masterplan development, home of Expo 2020. Aditya typifies the Aloft Dubai South guest: the “always-on” global traveller who appreciates the uber-trendy hotel’s tech-savvy approach, fresh design and buzz-worthy happenings. Aditya earned his Master of Management in Hospitality with a specialisation in Real Estate Finance at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration where he chaired the professional development committee. He holds dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Business and Hotel Management from Pennsylvania State University’s Smeal School of Business and Hotel School, respectively. His hospitality education, he says, has taught him everything, from “how to manage a kitchen line to the right way to clean dishes, teamwork, how to motivate staff, revenue management and the basics of hospitality real estate.” Aditya has spent many hours in the trenches of the hospitality industry, before setting up Radar Holdings with his family. He worked with Ernst & Young in their specialised hospitality, real estate and finance team. He has manned the front desk at the Mayflower Hotel, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, in Washington D.C and worked in various roles at plush properties such as The Regent Four Seasons in Singapore, The Burj Al Arab and Emirates Towers in Dubai and the Sofitel St James in London. WORDS: SHALAKA PARADKAR; PICTURE: AJITH NARENDRA Trailblazers MOST INFLUENTIALTrailblazers MOST INFLUENTIAL Media Maven GAURAV TANDON @gauravtandonkkompany FOUNDER, KKOMPANY Gaurav Tandon started off as a hugely popular RJ among the South Asian diaspora but it wasn’t long before he branched out to television. One of the pioneers of the Asian broadcast scene in Dubai, today his KKompany is one of the largest Asian TV and Radio production companies in the country. The fully equipped studio with state-of-the-art infrastructure, produces high-quality TV spots, ads and shows. The highly-rated Weekend Out, his show that covers the best of food and entertainment scene in the UAE is officially the longest running TV show (12 years and counting!) in the region. Gaurav has taken it far and wide, beyond the borders of the UAE, covering newer territories like Azerbaijaan and Belarus. Food is clearly his passion. Eight years ago, KKompany launched Foodshala – a food reality show that brings together budding chefs and gives them an opportunity to showcase their creativity which is then judged and rewarded. It struck a huge chord and the show became larger, more exciting and innovative year on year. Currently, they are on their way to becoming the first TV show format to be franchised from this region. Foodshala also launched the kids version which is the only interschool food reality show catering to an international audience. Gary Rhodes and Sanjeev Kapoor are two of the celebrity chefs who judged the show. Gaurav’s success also stems from the fact that he adds his own touch of quirk and colour to his projects – a trait that is reflected as much in the creative interiors of his office as it does in his vibrant personality. WORDS: LEKHA MENON; PICTURE: AJITH NARENDRA Next >