Saleem Ansari, CFA

Investing, mentoring and developing small businesses in India and the GCC
Business performance turn-around consulting
Sourcing attractive PE opportunities in Education, Healthcare, F&B, RE and Healthcare for clients

Asset management responsibilities for PE investments across geographies and industries
Monitoring of global public equities portfolio including the GCC investments
Represent Dubai Group at the Boards of various investee companies
Managing Fund of Funds portfolio including PE, Real Estate and various Hedge Funds
Overall responsibility for Operations functions including Back Office, IT and Administration
Led Dubai Insurance Group as its COO during its formative years
Risk owner for Fraud Risk and Business Continuity for the Group
Shortlisted for CFA sponsorship by Dubai Holding’s ISHRAQ Programme (2010-12)

Turned around the loss-making Foreign Exchange and Travel Services business into the best performing business in the group; reconfigured the business model, established a sizeable retail network, launched new products and completed the vertical integration of the tour operating business and thereby improved relationship with the Government and the Central Bank.

Turned around a loss making business to deliver 90% ROCE within 3 years
Redefined the business model to focus on higher margin, repeat purchase segments
Diversified the business, introduced new products, improved gross margins by 120%
Established a sustainable business model for long-term growth and profitability
Actively lobbied and secured the first Islamic Bank license for Dubai Group in Mauritius

The position was created to establish new businesses for future growth including outbound charter airline business, enter new strategic markets such as China, medical tourism, etc.

Succeeded in having India’s National Civil Aviation Policy modified to fit our strategy
Successfully lobbied with the Ministry of Civil Aviation in conjunction with business chambers and Ministry of Tourism to have the national civil aviation policy amended
Identified, negotiated and developed the framework for a JV with a leading Chinese company
Managed the transition to a stronger business model for Thomas Cook Sri Lanka

The position was created to establish an IT outsourcing business in India with a view to establish an Indian subsidiary of www.worldtraveldirect.com, and Aerotech Inc, a travel technology provider

Identified a local partner for IT outsourcing and managed the relationship
Undertook competitive product research and improved the product portfolio while generating substantial savings through implementation of a strategic buying process
Incorporation and winding up of Culver India Private Limited

Brought together a team to co-found an up-market, web-based, tailor-made tour operator in the UK with substantial processes outsourced to India. Undertook independent consulting assignments to generate additional income.

Despite not securing the first round funding, gained immensely in terms of start-up experience while generating substantial consulting income from varied assignments

Developed the business plan, management team and supplier relations for start-up funding
Advised SCA Hygiene Products AG on setting-up an interim logistics flow in the Far East
Business strategy work for Interface Systems Group, a travel and hospitality solutions IT company in India, on their global expansion starting with the UK
Undertook a business viability and competitive market research work for Thomas Cook UK to assess their entry into the Incoming business in India
Advised a number of British companies assess and identify technology partners in India for software development
Preparation of emerging market profile reports for the British Food exports

Travel Club was set-up as a direct holiday sales division within the leisure travel business. As Head of Contracting the role included setting up a central contracting team to negotiate group-wide contracts and securing tactical last minute deals for the direct sales business.

Central contracting efforts improved margins by 650 basis points while registering 45% growth in holiday sales with nearly 20% of all sales being generated by Travel Club

Improved supplier relations through selective partnership approach
Developed cost effective operations and IT processes for seamless service delivery

Undertook a highly strategic project for 'positioning Cox & Kings Travel as an up-market, long-haul exotic destinations specialist in the UK holiday market'.

Project implementation boosted the gross margins by over 300 basis points through commission cuts and refocused the business efforts to build upon its niche positioning

Role incorporated strategic co-ordination across functions and global operations to keep the management team focused on identified KPI ’s. Led new projects and initiatives.

Launched new businesses in JV with a foreign partner and revived the loss making MICE division to contribute US$500K within a year leading to a fully paid MBA sponsorship
Conducted competitive research, project reports, including financials and legal co-ordination work to set-up JV’s in the area of foreign exchange and hotel booking engines.
Actively contributed to the marketing mix, including the design of travel and related products, their pricing, promotions, distribution, budgeting and MIS reports, etc.