Colm McLoughlin

Colm McLoughlin is the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free, an airport retailer with a turnover of US$1.85 billion in 2016 (AED Dh6.67 billion). Owned by the Government of Dubai, and part of the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), Dubai Duty Free manages all aspects of the retail operation at Dubai International Airport.

Born in Ballinasloe 1943, Co. Galway and is one of five children. Educated at Garbally College in Ballinasloe, McLoughlin was a sportsman who played hurling and tennis and went on to play rugby for his province. He also holds a private pilot license (small aircraft).

Colm McLoughlin has three children and lives in Dubai with his wife Breeda. His eldest son also lives in Dubai while his two daughters and two grandchildren live in the UK. He is an active member of the Dubai business and social community and is the former Chairman of the Dubai Irish Society, former President of the Dubai Celts and former Captain of the Dubai Irish Society Golf. He was the Captain of the Emirates Golf Club (1995/1996) and the Dubai Creek and Golf Club (2007).

Colm McLoughlin's intended career in dentistry took a back seat when he went to London in the early 1960s and began working in retail. He joined the popular high-street chain of Woolworths, where he worked his way up to become one of the youngest managers in the company. During a summer holiday back in Ireland in 1969 he responded to an advert for a manager at Shannon Airport Duty Free. He got the job and went on to become General Manager of the duty-free operation. In 1983, at the request of the Government of Dubai, he was one of a team of ten from Aer Rianta (the Irish Airport Authority) contracted by the Dubai Government to set up Dubai Duty Free at Dubai International Airport. Following the successful opening in December 1983, he was asked to remain as General Manager of the fledging operation which in its first year of business achieved sales of US$20 million. He went on to become Managing Director in 1995.

Dubai Duty Free has seen massive growth and development over the years and was named the single largest airport retailer in the world in terms of turnover, based on 2008-2010 and 2013. The retail operation covers some 35,000 square metres of retail space at Dubai International Airport. Meanwhile, the Dubai Duty Free operation at Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport continues to do well and covers 2,500 square metres. In the long term, the airport has capacity for over 160 million passengers and ultimately, the retail operation will cover some 64,000 square metres. Currently employs around 6,000 staff, including 31 of its original 100 staff recruited in 1983. Under his lead, Dubai Duty Free has won more than 500 awards around the world. By the year 2020, it expects business to be in excess of US$3 billion a year, employing between 9,000 and 10,000 people.

...
Wikipedia