The 100 NRIs – 2026: Sima Gamwani Ved, CEO, Apparel Group
SIMA GANWANI VED
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This article forms part of The 100 NRIs, a special edition by Entrepreneur Middle East spotlighting the most influential non-resident Indians shaping business, innovation, and investment across the region.
Sima Gamwani Ved is the dynamic Founder and Chairwoman of Apparel Group, a leading multinational retail conglomerate based in the UAE. With a vision to revolutionise the retail landscape, she has grown the company into a powerhouse managing over 85 prestigious brands, spanning more than 2,500 stores across 14 countries and employing a workforce exceeding 27,000.
Her strategic leadership has positioned Apparel Group as a dominant force within the Middle Eastern retail sector, renowned for its extensive omni-channel approach and diverse portfolio, which includes brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Skechers, Aldo, and Tim Hortons.
Born in Africa, Ganwani Ved relocated to Dubai in the 1970s with her family, led by her father Lal Ganwani, a pioneering entrepreneur and Founder of Lal’s Group. She pursued higher education at King’s College London, earning both a bachelor’s degree and an MBA in Business Management, equipping her with a solid foundation for her entrepreneurial journey.
In 1996, alongside her husband Nilesh Ved, she recognised a gap in the Middle Eastern market for international brands and founded Apparel Group to fill this void. Since then, she has steered the company through continuous growth and innovation, making it a global leader in retail. Under her guidance, the group embraces sustainable development goals (SDGs), exemplified by initiatives such as F5 Global, a sustainable athleisure brand launched by her daughter, with profits supporting education for underprivileged children.
She is also deeply committed to social impact, actively engaging with organisations like YPO and mentoring her daughters in entrepreneurial ventures. Ganwani Ved’s leadership exemplifies a blend of visionary entrepreneurship and compassionate philanthropy, shaping the future of retail in the Middle East and beyond.
Related: Entrepreneur Middle East Reveals “The 100 NRIs” List
This article forms part of The 100 NRIs, a special edition by Entrepreneur Middle East spotlighting the most influential non-resident Indians shaping business, innovation, and investment across the region.
Sima Gamwani Ved is the dynamic Founder and Chairwoman of Apparel Group, a leading multinational retail conglomerate based in the UAE. With a vision to revolutionise the retail landscape, she has grown the company into a powerhouse managing over 85 prestigious brands, spanning more than 2,500 stores across 14 countries and employing a workforce exceeding 27,000.
Her strategic leadership has positioned Apparel Group as a dominant force within the Middle Eastern retail sector, renowned for its extensive omni-channel approach and diverse portfolio, which includes brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Skechers, Aldo, and Tim Hortons.
