Driving one of the world ’ s largest duty-free operators for the last 40 years , Dubai Duty Free octogenarian Colm McLoughlin is aiming for a record-breaking year
LIFETIME OF ACHIEVEMENT
Colm McLoughlin The 80-year-old CEO who put Dubai on the global aviation map
Driving one of the world ’ s largest duty-free operators for the last 40 years , Dubai Duty Free octogenarian Colm McLoughlin is aiming for a record-breaking year
WRITTEN BY : KATE BIRCH
When it comes to a lifetime of achievement , Colm McLoughlin is up there with the global greats .
At 80 years old , and with more than half a century of industry experience under his belt , the Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO remains at the sharp end of leadership – rubbing shoulders with the likes of 91-year-old Warren Buffet , Berkshire Hathaway ’ s chief executive for 58 years .
Regarded as something of a pioneer – having put Dubai on the global aviation map by launching Dubai Duty Free ( DDF ) in 1983 – Colm is the engine behind DDF ’ s extraordinary growth , from US $ 20 million in 1984 to US $ 2 billion 25 years later ( 2019 ).
And with better-than-expected turnover of US $ 1.74 billion in 2022 , and sales likely to surpass 2019 ’ s record by the end of 2023 , the Dubai-based octogenarian is unlikely to be hanging up his corporate boots anytime soon .
24 November 2023