After four decades of leading Dubai Duty Free, Colm McLoughlin, the Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, has announced he is stepping down.
“I am pleased to announce my retirement and want to extend my sincere thanks to all of our management and staff who have supported me so well,” McLoughlin said.
McLoughlin has been instrumental in the growth and success of Dubai Duty Free, which has become the world’s largest duty-free operation under his leadership.
He will continue to maintain an advisory role and remain as Chairman of the Dubai Duty Free Foundation.
Effective June 1st, 2024, Ramesh Cidambi, the current COO of Dubai Duty Free, will succeed McLoughlin as Managing Director and report directly to H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free.
Salah Tahlak, the current Joint COO, will become Deputy Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free.
McLoughlin expressed his confidence in the leadership of his successors and a bright future for the company:
“Longevity is a key factor in the success of Dubai Duty Free and both Ramesh and Salah are great examples of this. I am confident that Dubai Duty Free will continue to grow and I see a very bright future for the operation.” said McLoughlin
Ramesh Cidambi has served as COO since 2016 and played a significant role in the company’s retail projects at Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport.
In 2022, Sahal Tahlak was appointed as joint COO following his tremendous efforts in his role as Executive Vice President for Corporate Services responsible for Marketing, IT, Logistics and Corporate Security.
“I have had a long and rewarding career with Dubai Duty Free and I want to thank our Chairman, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and of course Colm McLoughlin for this new opportunity. Colm has been like a father figure to me over the years and I have learnt so much from him.” said Tahlak on his new role.
Under McLoughlin’s leadership, Dubai Duty Free’s business has grown from US$20 million in 1984 to US$2.16 billion in 2023. The company has received over 780 awards, 86 of which have been attributed to McLoughlin directly.
He has been honored with prestigious awards, including the ‘Most Distinguished Employee Award’ presented by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the ‘Irish Presidential Distinguished Service Award’ presented by President Michael D. Higgins. In 2017, Middlesex University Dubai conferred an honorary doctorate on McLoughlin.
Follow us on
