Visionaries.
Strategists. Partners.

Salim joined African + Eastern in 2000 as the Chief Information Officer with additional and subsequent responsibility for the Supply Chain Function and the Exports business.
His preceding role was as Regional Systems Manager for Inchcape Middle East, the parent company of MMI, where he joined as IT Manager in 1991. Salim also had a brief stint with GAC, at the start of his Middle East career. Before moving to Dubai, Salim worked with Unilever India for seven years in various roles, his last role being Systems Application Manager.
Salim did his MBA on completion of his graduate degree in Electronics Engineering. He is also a Certified Information Systems Auditor.

Stuart re-joined African + Eastern in 2017 as General Manager – Wholesale & Corporate Services. This is his second stint with the company, having previously worked as General Manager – Marketing from 2000 - 2010, managing the Marketing function as well as overseeing the development of the Dubai Retail and Duty Free Businesses. Stuart left A&E in 2010 to create the Special Licence Office in Abu Dhabi, a government entity formed within Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, to manage and develop the legislation around alcohol licensing and control within the Emirate. Before joining African + Eastern in 2000, he worked in various managerial roles within the Inchcape Group - Commercial Manager (MMI), Travel business and Liquor Manager, Gray Mackenzie Abu Dhabi, after beginning his tenure as On Trade Manager in 1992 with MMI. Stuart graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Heriot Watt University, focussing in Business Studies and Marketing.

Charles is currently our Head of Travel Retail and brings deep industry knowledge and long-stranding regional experience to the business. He has been a part of the broader African + Eastern family for 17 years, working across several sales leadership roles in the UAE On Trade and has built a career defined by strong partnerships, commercial leadership and a clear understanding of the complexities of beverage alcohol in the GCC.
As head of Travel Retail for Gulf Beverages, Charles shapes our channel strategy and works closely with brand owners, airport / duty free operator and airline partners to deliver sustainable growth and premium brand executions across the channel.
Earlier in his career, Charles worked with a specialist importer of nice and craft beer brands, sourcing products from around the world and managing the distribution & growth across both the On & Off Trade channels in the UK & Western Europe. This formative period shaped his passion for authentic brands, route to market strategy, and customer-led growth.

Anup joined Gulf Beverages FZE in 2009 as Customer Service Manager, following seven years in leadership roles with global technology leaders HP and Dell. Over his tenure, he has advanced through strategic operational and commercial positions overseeing Coastal Communities, Travel Retail, Airlines and Export markets and currently leads the Hubbing business. Committed to service excellence, Anup champions superior customer and brand owner experiences as essential to sustainable success. He holds an MBA with specializations in Information Technology and Marketing. Outside work, Anup prioritizes fitness, travel and family time.

Sudip joined Gulf Beverages in 2015 as Manager – Route to Market. Since then, he was promoted as Group Business Manager – Route to Market providing operational, commercial and strategic leadership to the diplomatic and trading business.
Sudip has worked in international business for close to 30 years in various capacities, geographies and categories. Prior to joining Gulf Beverages, his last assignment was with Laser, a leading FMCG Company specialising in Men’s grooming. He was the regional head for Africa and Levant for Laser and was operating out of their UAE office. Sudip also worked for Emami out of their Dubai office leading their business development into the MEA region. Before moving to Dubai, Sudip was based out of Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, as the business head in West and Central Africa for a large distribution Group specialising in Food and Beverages. Sudip has a Masters in International Business from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade. His time off work is often spent hiking and climbing summits.