A strategic, results-oriented leader, Rajiv has over 30 years of business leadership experience primarily focused on the corporate finance and business management domain. As CEO of the GCC region, Rajiv overlooks all aspects of retail, distribution, and production at Choithrams ensuring the brand provides a consistent, best in class experience to its customers everywhere. Steering the business through authentic and purposeful leadership, Rajiv’s vision to drive change in the organisation is evident from the company’s newfound transparent, communicative, proactive and conscious culture.
Since the launch of our first store in the UAE in 1974, Choithrams has worked towards bringing freshness, goodness, and convenience to our customer's everyday lives
Our commitment to quality, our keen support of charitable causes and our dedicated approach towards sustainability have been some of the building blocks to our continued success.
Our GCC Operations
Our conveniently located stores and our unrivaled distribution network have made Choithrams a household name,trusted by millions as a brand of choice.
Our Leadership
Thakurdas Choithram PagaraniFounder, Choithrams
A visionary, an entrepreneur and a philanthropist, the story of Thakurdas Choithram Pagarani dates back to 1943, when he opened his first grocery store in Sierra Leone.
Decades later his legacy continues, transforming from a one outlet, one country venture to a global footprint spanning retail, distribution and manufacturing.
Mr. T C Pagarani's culture of giving saw its roots in early 1959 when he founded the first of our many charitable trusts operating schools, clinics, and hospitals, continuing to inspire the company's 'Full of Goodness' philosophy to this day.
Leadership Team
GCC
GCC
Qatar
Oman
Bahrain
GCC
Commerce
GCC
GCC
GCC
Values
Customer
Centricity
We put the customer at the heart of everything we do
Leadership
We lead by example in all that we do within our industry
Integrity
We are honest, ethical and treat everyone with trust, dignity, and respect
Meritocracy
We reward results and recognize efforts
Boundaryless
We eliminate barriers, share ideas, and identify the best course for the organization
Quality & Food Safety Assurance
A brand you can trust, Choithrams is dedicated to excellence in quality and food safety. Our focus on compliance and strict adherence to HACCP guidelines ensures that we protect the health and well being of our consumers.
Recent Awards
Business Impact Award - WESTFORD AWARDS 2024
Appreciation from EMIRATES NATURE-WWF for unwavering commitment and exceptional contributions to environmental conservation throughout the year.
The Most Admired Responsible Retailer - 2023
Dubai Cares
Outstanding effort and support in raising food safety awareness in 2020 by Dubai Municipality
Awarded by Emirates Nature – WWF for being part of the Green Giving Initiative
Contribution to the Dubai Chamber Sustainability Week 2021
Global Best Employer Brand Award 2019 at 13th Employer Branding Awards
Appreciation from DIFC for providing Iftar Meals during Ramadan
Good hygiene practice by Sharjah Municipality
For supporting the Health Education and Promotion Department’s programs
Global HR Excellence Awards 2022
Global HR Excellence Awards 2021
UAE's Natural Heritage
Champion of Inclusion Award
GCC
An Engineer with a Postgraduate in Finance and over 23 years of working in the financial sector across Asia and GCC, Chandra brings extensive experience and a wealth of expertise to Choithrams as the Chief Financial Officer. With his innovative and proactive mindset, Chandra plays a pivotal role in steering the organization’s financial landscape, optimizing capital management, and ensuring the highest standards of financial governance, leading to sustained and profitable growth.
Qatar
With a Masters in Business Administration and an extensive career spanning over 25 years in the FMCG sector with global and Indian MNC corporates, Cherian serves as the General Manager in Qatar for NBK Trading and Megamart. In this capacity, he strategically oversees the expansion of sales within the retail and commerce divisions in Qatar. Cherian is deeply involved in devising and executing comprehensive integrated business plans, fostering cross-functional effectiveness, and instilling a culture of performance, speed, and efficiency within the organization. Embracing a Founders mindset, he firmly believes that the strength of an individual is only as formidable as that of their team, embodying his role as a crucial business stakeholder in Qatar.
Oman
Having joined the group in 1984, Mahesh has grown through the ranks to lead the country’s operations as General Manager, Oman. Mahesh has played a vital role in developing Leone, the company’s popular in-house tea brand and been instrumental in setting-up the state of art logistics centre in Oman. His commitment and dedication towards business development has helped garner several successful partnerships including the recent acquisition of the brand distribution for Coca Cola in Oman.
Bahrain
As General Manager of Bahrain operations, Anil manages the growth of sales and extends his responsibilities to procurement and leasing for the retail and commerce divisions for the company’s Babasons brand. His three decades experience in the retail industry allows him to successfully guide his team towards their combined goal of increasing sales and ensuring a smooth and seamless customer experience across all stores in the country.
GCC
Commerce
With over two decades of expertise in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector in both local and multinational companies across the GCC, Africa and Asia, Kishore, the General Manager - Commerce at Choithrams has a comprehensive understanding of the industry’s intricacies and global dynamics. Centred on the philosophy of ‘performance with purpose’ Kishore is adept at guiding brands to align business decisions with evolving consumer needs, ensuring strategies drive financial success and contribute positively to society.
GCC
GCC
An MBA in supply chain and business management and over 30 years of working with MNCs across various sectors including food retail, household, personnel care, automotive and food service, Kapila brings vast knowledge and experience to Choithrams as the Head of Supply Chain. Kapila has spearheaded the initiatives of cost and process optimization through people engagement and development as well as actively led the food safety compliance initiative through cold chain monitoring.
GCC
Head of Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE) at Choithrams, Smitha’s commitment towards her role is evident from her rich experience and vast educational background. Smitha led the first Choithrams supermarket to be certified in HACCP in 2009 and established a stringent and graded internal food safety audit program since 2010 to spearhead the food safety culture in the organization. An ardent believer of UN Sustainable Development Goals works at making key contributions towards the brand’s GRI (Global Reporting Initiatives) membership.
