Senior Management

Mr. Saifee Rupawala has been the Chief Executive Officer of Lulu Retail since July 2024 and a Director of Lulu Retail since September 2019. He has also served as a Director on the Selling Shareholder’s Board since December 2017. Mr. Rupawala was the Chief Executive Officer of Lulu Group from September 2005 until June 2024. Having first joined the Lulu Group in July 1982, his career spans over four decades, during which he has been instrumental in driving the company's expansion initiatives.

In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Mr. Rupawala is actively involved in community and professional organizations. He is a board member at the Indian Business and Professional Group in Abu Dhabi and a steering committee member of the Indian Professional Business Council in Dubai. He is also a member of the India Social & Cultural Centre. Furthermore, he holds a board position alongside Mr. Yusuff Ali. at the Indian Business and Professional Group.

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Mumbai University and a Master of Business Administration degree specialising in Financial Management and Human Resources from Vinayaka Mission University.

Mr. Ashraf Ali MA has served as the Executive Director of Global Operations at Lulu Retail since July 2024. He has also been a Director on the Selling Shareholder’s Board since May 2020. Previously, he served as the Executive Director of Lulu Group from 1982 until June 2024. He first joined the Lulu Group in 1981 as a Sales Executive and has since played a pivotal role in the creation and innovation of Lulu Group’s stores, as well as streamlining their operations across the GCC region.

Mr. Ashraf Ali currently leads the group’s retail operations, with a particular focus on innovation, including their expansion into e-commerce and the development of its private label offerings.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Calicut.

Mr. Prasad KK has served as the Chief Financial Officer of Lulu Retail since July 2024. Previously, he was the Director of Audit for the Lulu Group from May 2016 until June 2024. Mr. Prasad is responsible for supporting the development of the strategies by providing financial and operational insights, assisting the Chief Executive Officer in setting revenue and profitability targets, obtaining approval for the budget, and approving and presenting the performance analysis to the Chief Executive Officer and Board. He also oversees the approval of quarterly and annual financial statements and supports the establishment of the risk management framework. Additionally, he provides the necessary information, insights, and guidance to effectively operate the business while identifying and addressing the financial impact of strategic decisions and initiatives. Mr. Prasad first joined the Lulu Group in 1998.

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calicut and is also a Chartered Accountant.

Mr. Saleem VI is the Director and Chief Operating & Strategy Officer of Lulu and serves on the boards of several group companies. He joined Lulu Group in 1986 and has held various positions, including serving as Chief Operating Officer of Lulu Group until June 2024.

Mr. Saleem is responsible for the development, implementation, and supervision of the group’s operational policies, regulations, initiatives, and objectives.

He holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Commerce from the University of Calicut.

Mr. Salim has served as the Group Director of Global Operations for Lulu Retail since July 2024. Previously, he was the Director of Global Operations for Lulu Group from 2012 until June 2024. Mr. Salim oversees the global operations and leads the fast-moving consumer goods and fruits and vegetables segments. He has also led the operations in Dubai, the Northern Emirates, and Far-East countries and played a key role in opening sourcing offices around the world. Mr. Salim first joined the Lulu Group in 1989 as the Business Development Manager for the Group’s UAE operations.

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Kerala University.

Mr. Mohamed Althaf has served as the Group Director of Global Operations & Chief Sustainability Officer of Lulu Retail since July 2024. Previously, he was the Regional Director for Qatar at Lulu Group from 2006 until June 2024. Mr. Althaf oversees the export and distribution operations in the USA, UK, Canada, Italy, Spain, and Australia. He first joined the Lulu Group in 2001 as Head of Operations for Qatar.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Gujarat University and a Master’s degree in English Literature and Linguistics from the University of Delhi. He also holds a Bachelor of Law (LLB) from the University of Delhi. Additionally, he was awarded a Doctorate in Global Leadership and Management from the European International University, Paris, and holds an executive qualification in Advanced Management Leadership from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.

Mr. Parameswaran Nampoothiri has served as the Director of Finance of Lulu Retail since July 2024. Previously, he was the Finance Director for Lulu Group from May 2016 to June 2024. Mr. Nampoothiri is responsible for managing the Group’s financial risks in line with its strategy, including overseeing the hedging policy, managing working capital and investment-related funding requirements, and ensuring adequate headroom in financial facilities. He also maintains strong relationships with financial institutions across various geographies, negotiates optimal banking facilities, monitors and reports banking covenants, and ensures proper accounting for treasury, investing activities, and cash flow matters. Mr. Nampoothiri first joined Lulu Group in 2001.

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Kerala University and is also a Chartered Accountant.

Mr. Santhoshkumar Raghavan Pillai has served as the Director – Accounts & Control of Lulu Retail since July 2024. Previously, Mr. Santhosh served as the Director – Internal Audit for the Lulu Group from January 2021 until June 2024. Mr. Santhosh is in-charge of the Accounts and Control function and is responsible for managing and ensuring timely and accurate preparation and reporting of the accounts on quarterly and annual basis in compliance with relevant reporting requirements, analysing and reporting on the operational and financial performance on a periodic basis, driving and overseeing the development of the financial plans, budgets and forecasts, driving the tax compliance and planning, and managing the financial risk registers and the internal controls over financial reporting. He is also responsible for designing, developing and implementing accounting policies and procedures consistent with the standards and to ensure statutory compliance. Mr. Santhosh first joined the Lulu Group in 2001 as an Internal Auditor.

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Kerala University. He is also a Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.

Mr. Shabu Abdul Majeed has served as the Director of Global Operations of Lulu Retail since July 2024. Previously, he was the Director of Retail Operations for Lulu Group from March 2013 until June 2024. Mr. Shabu is responsible for overseeing strategic planning and global operations, including supply chain management, procurement, inventory control, quality assurance, and retail operations at the group level. He first joined Lulu Group in 1996.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Calicut.

Mr. Nandakumar V has served as the Director of Marketing and Communications for Lulu Retail since July 2024. Previously, he was the Director of Marketing and Communications for Lulu Group from 2020 until June 2024. Mr. Nandakumar first joined Lulu Group in 2001 as an Advertising Coordinator. He also served as the Group’s Chief Communications Officer from 2012 to 2020 and as Manager of Advertising & Promotions from 2006 to 2012.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Business from Sambalpur University.

Mr. Abdu Rasak has served as the Director of HR of Lulu Retail since July 2024. Previously, he was the Director of HR for Lulu Group from 2014 until June 2024. Mr. Rasak is responsible for forecasting staffing needs, succession planning, addressing employee grievances, ensuring compliance with labor laws, and designing competitive compensation packages and benefits programs. He first joined Lulu Group in 1993.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Calicut.

Mr. Anish has served as the Group Chief Information Officer of Lulu Retail since July 2024. Previously, he was the Group Chief Information Officer for Lulu Group from August 2022 until June 2024. Mr. Anish is responsible for developing and implementing IT strategies to support business goals, managing retail technology solutions, and driving the Group’s digital transformation. He first joined Lulu Group in 2005 as a Junior Software Developer and previously served as the Deputy Group IT Manager.

He holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in Information Technology from Mahatma Gandhi University.

Mr. Jeevan Krishna has served as the Chief Legal & Compliance Officer of Lulu Retail since July 2024. Previously, he was the Chief Legal & Compliance Officer for Lulu Group from 2019 until June 2024. Mr. Jeevan has over three decades of experience in the legal field, both internationally and particularly in the Middle East. In his current role, he is responsible for managing and directing the Group’s legal and compliance functions, ensuring that all operations and activities comply with relevant laws, regulations, and ethical standards. He works closely with internal teams and external stakeholders to provide legal guidance, mitigate risks, and ensure the Group’s compliance with legal requirements. Prior to joining Lulu Group, Mr. Jeevan served as Senior Legal Counsel for another UAE-based entity, overseeing the legal department and managing joint ventures in various jurisdictions.

He holds a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree from Mangalore University and a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from Kerala University.

Mr. Nidhin Jose has served as the Director of Investor Relations and Group Company Secretary of Lulu Retail since July 2024. Previously, he was the Group Company Secretary for Lulu Group from November 2020 until June 2024. Mr. Nidhin manages relationships with investors, analysts, and other key stakeholders, and is responsible for overseeing board-related matters in his capacity as Group Company Secretary.

Mr. Nidhin first joined Lulu Group in 2020 as a Company Secretary. Prior to that, he served as Company Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer for a listed Indian pharmaceutical company, where he played a key role in navigating complex regulatory landscapes and enhancing corporate governance frameworks.

He holds a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree from Karnataka State Law University, a Master of Commerce degree from Indira Gandhi National Open University, and a Postgraduate degree (FCS) in Company Secretaryship from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India.