As the man overseeing the finances of the brand behemoth, Alshaya Group, Surinder Sarna is one of the most powerful figures in the Middle East retail industry today. From a modest start in 1999, Alshaya Group is the name behind a string of Gulf household brands; H&M, Debenhams, Starbucks and Topshop, to name just four. The $2bn group operates some 1,800 franchise stores in fifteen countries, manned by 18,000 staff - a sizeable payroll to sign off each month.

Despite a tough 2009 that blew a hole in the UAE's famed retail industry, Alshaya Group has remained bullish on Dubai's future as a top shopping destination. The group poured $40m into the emirate's newest mall, Mirdiff City Centre, in property, people and marketing. At its launch, the mall featured a staggering 29 of Alshaya's brands - including the Gulf debut of US-based labels Pottery Barn and American Eagle.