Nilesh Ved heads up the UAE’s Apparel Group, which has over 900 stores and more than 50 international brands under its umbrella. It is aiming to have over 1,200 stores by the end of this year, Ved was instrumental in 1999 in bringing the US clothing brand Ninewest from America, and launched the first stores in Lamcy Plaza in Dubai. He has also masterminded the launch of the Tim Hortons chain in the Gulf. Ved also runs the India-based Major Brands, which franchises over a dozen brands including Mango on the subcontinent. The company now employs over 8,000 staff and operates on four continents — and is planning to enter new markets, including Egypt and the broader African continent.