He might have left behind a career in computer science, but Shamlal Ahamed’s next move was good as gold – literally. He joined the family’s jewellery business, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, only to find retail was his calling.
Despite starting at a young age, he helped turn the firm into one of the most successful jewellery firms in the world, raking in $4b in annual turnover. In 2008, he took the decision to expand to the UAE. Less than a decade later, the company has over 180 stores spread across nine countries, including countries such as Singapore and Malaysia. And Ahmed is not stopping there, having revealed plans to expand into Hong Kong and Indonesia in the next two years, as well as the US and the UK afterwards.
Considering the price of gold continues to rise, we reckon Ahamed will have no issues keeping up the Malabar name.
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