Author Archives: Sandeep Chandna
Sandeep has been an integral part of Tech Mahindra, contributing significantly to the company's growth and success. By keeping sustainability at the forefront, he ensures that it is embedded in Tech Mahindra's culture as well as vision. Sandeep is also Chief Customer Officer of Tech Mahindra with a 360-degree view of our customers' requirements.
His deep understanding of the industry and unparalleled insights has been instrumental in driving innovation and delivering exceptional results. Before joining Tech Mahindra, Sandeep amassed a rich portfolio of experiences at renowned organizations in multiple sectors marked by pivotal roles and impactful contributions.
Under his leadership, Tech Mahindra has achieved significant milestones such as being the only Indian company to receive HRH The Prince of Wales' Terra Carta Seal in 2021 along with top position in various sustainability disclosures and indices such as CDP, DJSI, EcoVadis, and more.
As a versatile, goal-driven and result oriented executive, he has a proven track record of over 25 years. His outstanding contributions have gained numerous awards and recognitions in sustainability. He has recently been acknowledged in the 'Top 100 CSOs 2023' by Sustainability Magazine, achieving the notable 14th position, in addition to being recognized as the 'BW Sustainability World Businessperson of the Year' at the Sustainable World Conclave 2023 as a testament to his commitment to excellence and innovation in sustainability.
Sandeep also actively engages in key industry forums like NASSCOM and UNGC to share insights, collaborate with peers, and shape the future of sustainability in technology. Sandeep has a degree in Computer Engineering (B.E) and an MBA from Pune University. Additionally, he has completed the Mitsui GMA Program from Harvard Business School.
Financing a greener future: The rise of sustainable finance
by Sandeep Chandna
With the world's evolving challenges, financial institutions now recognise their power to fund initiatives that promote long-term sustainability
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Gulf Business
26 minutes ago
- Gulf Business
Gulf Business Awards 2025: Celebrating businesses across the region
Attendees at the Gulf Business Awards 2024- File photo The Gulf Business Awards, the region's premier platform for recognising excellence and innovation across industries, is back. Scheduled for September 24, 2025, in Dubai, this prestigious event will once again honour the companies and individuals shaping the Gulf's economic and business landscape. For nominations, click For more information, click Now in its 13th year, the Gulf Business Awards continues to celebrate innovation, resilience, leadership, and impact across sectors ranging from banking and real estate to healthcare, technology, and tourism. File photo Honoring the best and brightest in business The 2025 edition promises an evening of recognition, inspiration, and high-profile networking. Industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and executives from across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region are expected to attend the gala ceremony, where the region's top performers will be recognised for their contributions to economic growth, technological innovation, and leadership. 'This event is more than just a ceremony — it's a celebration of the extraordinary efforts that drive the Gulf's vibrant business ecosystem,' said Ian Fairservice, Managing Partner and Group Editor-in-Chief of Motivate Media Group, the event's organizer. A platform for regional recognition Each year, the Gulf Business Awards shines a spotlight on achievements across both the public and private sectors, offering a rare platform for industry-wide recognition. Whether it's a startup disrupting traditional models or a conglomerate expanding regional influence, the awards represent a comprehensive celebration of business excellence. Winners are selected by an independent panel of judges composed of regional experts, industry veterans, and editorial leadership from Gulf Business . The judging process ensures fairness, transparency, and acknowledgment of real merit. A look back at 2024's milestone event Last year's edition, held on September 24, 2024, at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), was attended by more than 300 prominent business leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs. The night celebrated outstanding achievements from companies and individuals across key sectors of the economy. The 2024 ceremony also marked a special moment for Motivate Media Group, as it celebrated its 45th anniversary. Among the evening's highlights was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Mishal Kanoo, chairman of The Kanoo Group. Recognised for his enduring contributions to the region's commercial and philanthropic landscapes, Kanoo has long been regarded as a pioneering force in the Gulf's business landscape. File photo 2024 winners: A legacy of excellence From innovative startups to established market leaders, the 2024 winners reflected the diversity and strength of the Gulf's economy. Awardees included: EFG Hermes ONE – Online Trading Company of the Year ADCB – Banking Company of the Year AIX Investment Group – Finance Advisory Company of the Year valU – Payment Solutions Company of the Year Amali Island by Amali Properties – Lifestyle Project of the Year TORINO by ORO24 Developments – Best Project Delivery of the Year fäm Properties – Real Estate Agency of the Year Sobha Realty – Developer of the Year Samana Barari Views – Project of the Year PRYPCO – Proptech Company of the Year Saudi Red Sea Authority – Tourism Company of the Year Millennium Hotels and Resorts – Hospitality Company of the Year Alshaya Group – Retail Company of the Year Emirates – Transport and Logistics Company of the Year Mediclinic Middle East – Healthcare Company of the Year GE Vernova – Energy Company of the Year stc Bahrain – Telecom Infrastructure Innovation LEAP 2024 – Technology Event of the Year These recognitions were decided by a distinguished panel that included Gareth van Zyl, Group Editor of Gulf Business ; Helen Barrett, Deputy Chair of the British Business Group Dubai; Robin Joffe, Managing Director of Frost & Sullivan MEASA; and Mahmoud Bartawi, serial entrepreneur and founder. Categories for the 2025 edition The upcoming 2025 Gulf Business Awards will again feature a robust list of categories designed to reflect the evolving regional landscape. This year's classifications include: Overall awards Lifetime Achievement Company of the Year Business Leader of the Year Company awards Banking Company of the Year Real Estate Company of the Year Tourism and Hospitality Company of the Year Retail Company of the Year Transport Company of the Year Healthcare Company of the Year Energy Company of the Year Technology Company of the Year Investment Company of the Year Logistics Company of the Year Leader awards Banking Leader of the Year Real Estate Leader of the Year Tourism & Hospitality Leader of the Year Retail Leader of the Year Transport Leader of the Year Healthcare Leader of the Year Energy Leader of the Year Technology Leader of the Year Investment Leader of the Year Logistics Leader of the Year Editor's choice awards Artificial Intelligence Innovator of the Year Blockchain Innovator of the Year SME of the Year Education Institution of the Year MICE Business of the Year These categories reflect the Gulf's forward-looking, innovation-driven economy and will help honor those pioneering new paths in both traditional and emerging industries. Why should you attend the event? For entrepreneurs, executives, and decision-makers, the Gulf Business Awards offers much more than recognition. The event is a rare opportunity to network with industry peers, share insights, and build connections with regional influencers. It also serves as an excellent platform for businesses seeking to boost their credibility and brand exposure across the GCC. With a legacy of over a decade, the Gulf Business Awards continues to play a vital role in fostering a culture of excellence and resilience among Gulf enterprises. As the region undergoes rapid transformation, events like these ensure that innovation and leadership remain at the forefront of business conversations. Mark your calendar The Gulf Business Awards 2025 will be held in Dubai on September 24. Nominations are open across all categories, and companies and individuals interested in being part of this prestigious recognition are encouraged to apply early. For more information and a full list of categories, visit the Nomination payment options To submit a nomination, all participants must register online. Fees apply per company or individual, per category, and vary depending on the number of nominations submitted: 1–4 categories: Dhs735 per category ($200) 5–9 categories: Dhs643 per category (minimum of 5 nominations required) ($175) 10+ categories: Dhs550 per category (minimum of 10 nominations required) ($150) Each registration includes online entry processing and digital collateral Please note: These fees also apply to all Leader category nominations. Click on the Judges This esteemed panel of judges brings extensive expertise across media, business, technology, and innovation. With decades of leadership experience and significant regional influence, I an F airservice ( Managing Partner and Group Editor-in-Chief, Motivate Media Group ) Ian Fairservice founded Motivate in 1979 with the launch of What's On , the UAE's first independent magazine. With a diverse portfolio of award-winning publications—including Gulf Business , Emirates Woman , and Identity —Motivate's consumer and trade brands reach over 2.5 million users per month. The group's Books division, established in 1986, has published more than 300 titles. In addition to books and magazines, Motivate produces content across video, digital media, exhibitions and events, social media, influencer marketing, out-of-home media, talent management, training, and cinema. M ishal Kanoo ( Chairman, The Kanoo Group ) Mishal Kanoo is Chairman of The Kanoo Group, one of the Gulf region's largest and oldest family-owned conglomerates. Operating across multiple sectors, the group is widely recognized for its longstanding contribution to the region's economic development. A respected business leader and futurist, Mr. Kanoo is known for his strategic foresight and economic commentary. He holds leadership roles in several companies, including Gulf Capital, KHK & Partners, Dalma Capital, Crane Industrial Services, Akzo Nobel UAE Paints, and KAAF Investments. In 2024, he received Gulf Business ' Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his regional impact. Kanoo began his career within the family business before gaining experience as an auditor at Arthur Andersen in Dubai. He holds two MBAs—one in finance from the University of St. Thomas, Texas, and another from the American University of Sharjah. Beyond business, he is a published writer in regional media and business journals, and a motivational speaker passionate about mentoring others. He upholds the Kanoo family's legacy of excellence, integrity, and philanthropy. Jawad Jalal Abbassi ( Head of Middle East and North Africa (MENA), GSMA ) Jawad Jalal Abbassi is Head of the MENA region at the GSMA, overseeing activities across 25 countries. He leads the GSMA's regional advocacy and strategic programs—focusing on 5G, IoT, AI, and digital identity—working with mobile operators, regulators, and policymakers to promote sustainable mobile broadband investment. Jawad's team collaborates with GSMA's global offices, engaging stakeholders to advance the mobile sector's role in economic development. He is a frequent speaker at regional technology and communications forums. He joined the GSMA in 2015 after founding the Arab Advisors Group in 2001, a leading research and consulting firm later partially acquired by the Arab Jordan Investment Bank. Previously, he worked as a telecoms and tech analyst with the Yankee Group and the Economist Intelligence Unit in Boston. Jawad holds a BSc in engineering from the American University in Cairo and an MSc in information systems from the London School of Economics. He has also completed executive programs at Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School. Dr Marwan Al Zarouni ( CEO of Artificial Intelligence, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) ) Dr Marwan Al Zarouni is CEO of Artificial Intelligence at Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), leading the emirate's AI agenda under the 'Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence'. He is also CEO of the Dubai Blockchain Center (DBCC), placing him at the forefront of regional tech strategy. With more than 20 years of experience in technology, digital forensics, cybersecurity, and AI, Dr Al Zarouni works closely with public and private sector stakeholders to shape forward-looking AI and blockchain policies that improve quality of life and visitor experience in Dubai. His leadership at DBCC has accelerated blockchain adoption in the UAE. He is a founding member of both the Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) and the Artificial Intelligence Ethical Committee (AIEC), helping guide the ethical use of emerging technologies. In 2022, CoinTelegraph named him among the top 100 influential figures in blockchain and crypto. He also served on the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on Cryptocurrencies from 2020 to 2021. GARETH VAN ZYL ( Group Editor, Gulf Business ) Gareth van Zyl is Group Editor of Gulf Business , bringing over 15 years of experience reporting on technology and business in the UAE and South Africa. He has held senior editorial roles, including bureau chief for News24's business section, roles at ITWeb (Africa's largest IT publisher), and deputy editor at Earlier in his career, Gareth lived and worked in Dubai from 2008 to 2012, contributing to Windows Middle East magazine, 7DAYS newspaper, and The National . For further information and assistance, please contact: Manish Chopra: Mario Saaiby: Hitesh Kumar: Or call T +971 4 427 3000 and ask to be connected to the Gulf Business Team.
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
As the years go by, when should your business replace its PC hardware?
Common sense dictates that South African businesses hold onto their technology for as long as possible. In the face of turbulent market conditions and economic uncertainty, as well as the fact that they can represent a significant upfront capital investment, PC hardware needs to deliver as much value as possible and be capable of supporting modern business operations in the long term. Werner Joubert, Commercial SYS business director (South Africa and SADC) at Asus But what happens when that hardware starts to show its age? Telltale signs and helpful tips Upgrading hardware may feel like a grudge purchase in the moment, but the fact is that upgrading comes as a result of a company's technology stack no longer being able to fully meet its digital and IT needs or is hurting its business activities or operations in an optimised manner. Some of the signs that it's time to upgrade your PC include: - Outdated platforms: If your device is unable to run the latest versions of essential business platforms and applications, then it's time to upgrade. A prime example of this is the upcoming end-of-life deadline for Windows 10, which is prompting many users to upgrade to devices that can run Windows 11. - Application performance: As application workloads become more hardware-intensive, users may discover their older hardware cannot run them optimally. Apps may be slow to start up and run, negatively impacting business and users' productivity. - Multitasking: With businesses relying more and more on digital-first functions and processes, users may find themselves unable to carry out multiple tasks on their PCs at the same time, further impacting productivity and performance. - Noise and heat: Constant noise from a PC's fan signals the PC is generating a lot of heat, which can indicate that it is working overtime to carry out computational tasks. That all said, businesses can also take steps to prolong the lifespan of their devices without having to outright replace them. This includes keeping the devices clean and free of dust, which can lead to overheating, regularly defragmenting and reformatting hard drives, keeping them in cool, dry working environments. Users should also adhere to optimised power and battery life management practices, while businesses can also upgrade components (if possible) such as Ram and storage. A lifecycle well spent With the help of a formal PC lifecycle policy, South African businesses can better manage the lifespan of their devices, starting with the initial purchase planning and ending with their decommissioning and ethical disposal. This includes several important practices. For example, businesses should base the length of PC lifecycles on workloads and users' needs. Not every organisation or user is equally reliant on their hardware, so businesses should deploy a uniform distribution system where possible, meaning they should procure and allocate devices based on groups' and departments' individual use cases (e.g. a programmer requires a PC with high advanced computational capabilities while a salesperson needs a PC with levels of portability and good battery life). By doing so, businesses can also track device warranties and oversee support options, ensuring everyone in the organisation remains connected and capable of fulfilling their digital responsibilities. A lifecycle policy also creates the opportunity for businesses to integrate their technology into their organisation's greater sustainability goals and objectives. Knowing when and how to replace PC hardware (i.e. e-waste) can align with businesses' initiatives to lower their carbon footprints and minimise the impact of their operations on the environment. Upgrade strategically to stay competitive, innovative, and agile Never underestimate the impact of old or outdated hardware on business continuity, with devices unable to fully leverage the latest generation of enterprise applications (and that includes new technologies such as AI, which marks a turning point in multiple industries across South Africa) or process-intensive workloads. The result is not just a rig that's slow to boot up, but a liability that hinders overall productivity and performance. By keeping up to date and investing in capable, up-to-date hardware, local businesses can remain competitive in their respective industries, reinforce their ability to innovate using digital platforms and solutions, and be agile towards shifting consumer and market needs and expectations.
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development launches ‘Future Entrepreneur' program to enhance entrepreneurship skills
Abu Dhabi: The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED) is launching tomorrow, July 4, 2025, the 'Future Entrepreneur' program to foster entrepreneurship skills among the youth aged between 6 and 18. The key objectives of the program includes fostering innovation, empowering young people with financial management skills and building a new generation of national entrepreneurs using tools for excellence in a practical environment under the guidance of a committee of experts. The program is projected to attract 5,000 participants and develop 2,500 entrepreneurial projects and 1,000 small ventures under the 'Future Entrepreneurs Permit' initiative, launched by the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA), an arm of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) to develop and regulate the business sector, over the next five years. It follows a comprehensive process to select exceptional young entrepreneurs based on their eligibility, thinking methodology, creativity and performance. It mainly focuses on innovative problem-solvers and young individuals with the capability to make a long-term impact on Abu Dhabi's economic ecosystem. The program aims to support participants within certain age groups to innovate, develop and sell products and services in a realistic environment. Through this program, participants will receive expert guidance and feedback, helping them reach an idea pitching stage, where they can showcase products and services in a marketplace to promote and sell them and win awards. The training camp, under the program, enables participants to apply their acquired skills in real markets across various key fields, such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, pre-owned goods market and food and beverage kiosks. The camp will also include a stringent evaluation system to recognise exceptional talents and qualify them to be part of 'Builders of Future Launchpad.' Her Excellency Mouza Obaid Al Nasri, CEO of the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, said, 'The Future Entrepreneur program is a testament to our wise leadership's progressive vision to support young talents, investing in programs to make them future leaders. Through this initiative, we aim to foster a culture of innovation among youth and reinforce national entrepreneurship, which is one of the key pillars of national economy and a driver of its sustainable growth and diversification. Furthermore, we seek to offer an enabling ecosystem to transform the aspirations of the participants into success stories at the beginning stage itself, allowing them to grow as successful entrepreneurs and create a lasting impact across Abu Dhabi's major sectors.' The initiative is going to start with an opening ceremony, in "Nabd Al Falah" Center in Al Falah City, offering participants an opportunity to register and select their preferred pathway under the 'Inventor' or 'Trader' categories. The selected participants can then engage in a two-week summer camp and gain practical knowledge in pricing and brand development. The program will extend over a four-week period beginning mid-July, with two extensive study days per week. It seeks to nurture skills of young individuals in areas of idea generation, prototype development, budget planning, storytelling and digital tools. About Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development: The Khalifa Fund is an independent, non-profit organisation affiliated with the Abu Dhabi Government. Its mission is to nurture the culture of entrepreneurship, promote innovation, and offer support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the UAE through a balanced ecosystem. Founded in 2007 in accordance with Law No. 14 of 2005 and its amendments, the Fund was established to align with the vision of the late Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, former President of the United Arab Emirates.
