Ishwar Chugani is the CEO and Managing Director of Giordano Middle East (FZE) and a member of the Management Committee of Giordano International, Hong Kong.

Globally, Giordano International operates over 2,400 stores in 30 countries with plans to explore many more untapped markets across the world.

As CEO and Managing Director of Giordano Middle East, he heads the group’s business in the Middle East, India, Africa, Central Asia and Europe. Giordano Middle East (FZE) is a 100% subsidiary of Giordano International Hong Kong and provides strategic support, logistics, and management to Giordano’s franchise partners across the region.

Chugani began his career in 1979 when he set up Sindbad’s Wonderland, Middle East’s first Indoor Family Entertainment Centre at Al Ghurair Centre, Dubai.

In 1993, he successfully entered into a joint venture with Giordano International and has successfully expanded the business from its original base in the UAE to numerous markets around the region.

In recognition of its success, Giordano was recently listed as one of the Top 100 Companies Making a Difference in the Arab World by the prestigious Forbes magazine. The company also received the 2013 Global Emerging Market Retailer of the Year award in London, UK and the 2015 International Retailer Award in Dubai, UAE, both from Retail and Leisure International (RLI).

Known for his distinct management and leadership style, Chugani received the 2014 Retail Professional of the Year Award from the Middle East and North Africa Shopping Centre and Retailer Awards organized by the Middle East Council of Shopping Centers and the International Council of Shopping Centers. He has also received numerous accolades during his career including a Special Recognition award in the 2013 Arabian Business Indian CEO Awards in Dubai and has consistentlybeen named as one of the Top 20 Indian CEOs in the Arab World by Forbes magazine in 2015, 2016 and 2017. In 2013, he was bestowed the prestigious St. La Salle Award as an outstanding alumnus by his alma mater, De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines.

In 2016 and 2017, Chugani had been named as one of the 100 influential Filipinos in the Middle East by Illustrado Magazine.

In June 2017, he was appointed as the FICCI – Philippines (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce Inc.) first Foreign Ambassador of Goodwill.

Apart from his responsibilities at Giordano, Chugani is also a founding member of the Middle East Council of Shopping Centres. His contribution to the retail industry in the region spans 38 distinguished years.

Chugani studied business management at De La Salle University in the Philippines, where he graduated with honours.