Ramesh Cidambi is the Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free reporting directly to H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free.

Prior to his current role, Ramesh spent eight years as the retailer’s Chief Operating Officer, responsible for all aspects of the company’s operation.

He joined the company in 1988 as head of the IT division. Over the years he took on a variety of senior positions in the company with responsibility for areas such as IT and logistics and overseeing the major retail developments at both of Dubai’s airports, covering over 40,000 square meters of retail space. Ramesh also oversees the Dubai Duty Free Leisure business which includes The Creekside Hotel Dubai and The Irish Village Bar and Restaurant (in two locations), the Century Village and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.

During his 38-year tenure, Dubai Duty Free has grown to be one of the world’s largest airport retailers in a single location with sales of US$2.378 billion in 2025.

Cidambi maintains his links with the domestic retail market through the chairmanship of a Merchants Advisory Board and as a treasurer of Dubai’s Retail Business Group.

His primary leisure interests are sailing (with his wife Alpana) and the practice of Iyengar yoga.