Most influential Indians in the region 2024

We profile some of the most iconic Indian business titans based in the Gulf, highlighting their journeys and achievements

by Gulf Business

August 24, 2024

Image credit: AI generated

Millions of Indian expatriates have moved to the GCC, not only contributing to the region’s fast-growing economies but also building multi-billion-dollar businesses.

Others have climbed the corporate ladder to become key captains of industry.

In the August issue of Gulf Business, we acknowledged these icons of influence and movers and shakers in our special report on the most influential Indians in the GCC.

There are three sections to our list, which is now available online and published further below.

The first section, dubbed ‘Icons of Influence’, profiles some of the wealthiest of the Gulf-based business titans in India.

The second section focuses on India-based business moguls who are driving innovation and who have built massive enterprises within India itself.

The third and final section looks at Indian leaders who have made a significant impact as top corporate executives and founders in the Gulf region.

Icons of Influence

Yusuff Ali M A

Chairman and Managing Director, Lulu Group International

Sunny Varkey

Chairperson, GEMS Education

Dr Azad Moopen

Founder and Chairman, Aster DM Healthcare

Shamsheer Vayalil

Founder and Chairman, Burjeel Holdings and Chairman, Amanat Holdings

Dr Thumbay Moideen

Founder President, Thumbay Group

Yogesh Mehta

Founder and CEO, Petrochem Middle East

Renuka Jagtiani

CEO and Chairwoman, Landmark Group

Rizwan Sajan

Founder and Chairman, Danube Group

PNC Menon

Founder and Chairman, Sobha Group

Joy Alukkas

Chairman and Managing Director, Joyalukkas Group

Rajen Khilachand

Chairman and President, Dodsal Group

Sima Ved

Founder and Chairwoman, Apparel Group

Firoz Merchant

Chairperson, Pure Gold Jewellers

Tony Jashanmal

Group President, Jashanmal Group

Sunil Vaswani

Chairman, Stallion Group

Ravi Pillai

Chairman and Managing Director, RP Group of Companies

Dr Zulekha Daud

Founder and Chairperson, Zulekha Healthcare Group

Vasu Shroff

Chairman, Regal Group of Companies

Ramesh S Ramakrishnan

Chairman, Transworld Group

Vidya M Chhabria

Chairperson, Jumbo Group

Surender Kandhari

Chairman and Founder, Al Dobowi Group

Syed Mohammed Salahuddin

Managing Director, ETA Ascon Star Group

Paras Shahdadpuri

Chairman, Nikai Group

Naresh Kumar Bhawnani

Founder and Chairman, West Zone Group

Kabir Mulchandani

Founder and Chairman, Five Holdings

Nawab Shaji Ul Mulk

Founder and Chairman, Mulk Holdings

Sohan Roy

Founder, Chairman and CEO, Aries Group

L.T. Pagarani

Chairman, Choithram & Sons

Bharat Bhatia

Founder and CEO, Conares

Mohan Valrani

Founding Senior Vice Chairman, Al Shirawi Group

Shyam Bhatia

Chairman, Alam Steel Group

Sundar Menon

Chairman and Managing Director, Sun Group International

Ramesh Prabhakar

Vice Chairman and Managing Partner, Rivoli Group

Faizal E Kottikollon

Founder and Chairman, KEF Holdings

Industry Titans

Mukesh Ambani

Managing Director and Chairman, Reliance Industries

Lakshmi Mittal

Executive Chairman, ArcelorMittal

Ratan Tata

Former Chairman, Tata Group

Gautam Adani

Founder and Chairman, Adani Group

Azim Premji

Chairman, Wipro

Shiv Nadar

Founder and Chairman, HCL Technologies

Narayana Murthy

Founder, Infosys

Kumar Mangalam Birla

Chairman, Aditya Birla Group

Savitri Jindal

Chairperson, Jindal Group

Cyrus Poonawalla

Chairman and Managing Director, Poonawalla Group

Radhakishan Damani

Chairperson, VST Industries

Ravi Jaipuria

Chairman, RJ Corp

Dilip Shanghvi

Founder, Chairman and Managing Director, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries

Prateek Suri

Founder and CEO, Maser Group

Mega Movers and Shakers

Atif Rahman

Chairman and Founder, ORO24 Developments

Captain Pradeep Singh

Founder, Karma Realty Developers, and Chairman, Aethon Group

Shitij Kapoor

CEO and Founder, Luxury Concierge Real Estate (LCRE)

Dileep Kumar

Founder and Chairman, Heilbronn Properties

Harish Prithvi

FCOO, AIX Investment Group

Bal Krishen

Chairman and CEO, Century Group

Amit Jain

Corporate Office, Emaar Properties

Dr Adnan Chilwan

Group CEO, Dubai Islamic Bank

Ashish Koshy

Group COO, M42

Ramesh Cidambi

Managing Director, Dubai Duty Free

Gaurav Shah

CEO, Emirates Investment Bank

Rishi Kapoor

Co-Chief Executive Officer, Investcorp

Dr Harmeek Singh

Founder and Chairman, Plan B Group

Suresh Vaidhyanathan

CEO – Special Projects, Ghassan Aboud Group

Zubin Karkaria

Founder and CEO, VFS Global

Satya Anand

President, EMEA Marriott International