Driving Innovation and Resilience: Millenium's leadership in the UAE's dynamic market

Hareeish Kumar explains what keeps the brand relevant with shifting market trends

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2 MIN READ
Driving Innovation and Resilience: Millenium's leadership in the UAE's dynamic market

What drives your leadership philosophy, and how has it evolved in the UAE’s dynamic business environment?

My leadership is guided by vision, adaptability, and people empowerment. I believe in leading with integrity, building long-term partnerships, and creating opportunities for teams to excel. The UAE’s fast-paced and diverse business ecosystem has shaped me to be both globally connected and locally rooted, ensuring that Millenium consistently delivers excellence across markets.

How do you ensure your organisation stays agile and resilient amid shifting regional and global market trends?

Agility comes from foresight and resilience from diversification. At Millenium, we combine product availability as always, robust supply chains, advanced logistics, and regional warehousing with empowered teams who can make quick decisions. By closely tracking market trends and investing in technology and training, we position ourselves to anticipate change rather than merely react to it.

In what ways have you contributed to transforming your sector or reshaping industry benchmarks in the UAE?

Millenium has raised industry benchmarks by bringing global innovation into the GCC and tailoring it to regional needs. From partnering with world leaders like, Kerry from the UK and USA , Red arrow, DALLAS group, BUNGE from USA, KMC from Denmark, BASF, Nutrinova From Germany, Sensient, Lactalis from France, British Salt from UK, Mitsui, Toyota from Japan, LG, Samsung Lotte from Korea, to serving multinational clients such as Nestlé , Unilever, Kraft Heinz, Mcormik, Americanas, and Big Fast food giants. We have set new standards of quality, food safety, and sustainability. Our approach — blending technical expertise with cost-effective solutions — has helped position the UAE as a centre of excellence in our sector.

What role does innovation play in your decision-making, and how do you cultivate a culture of forward thinking?

For us, innovation is not optional — it’s a responsibility. Whether in product reformulation, supply chain optimisation, or customer solutions, every decision is driven by innovation. We foster this culture by encouraging curiosity, rewarding new ideas, and collaborating with our global principals, ensuring that forward thinking flows across every department and customer interaction.

How do you balance profitability with sustainability and social responsibility in today’s competitive landscape?

Profitability and responsibility go hand in hand. At Millenium, we integrate ethical practices, environmental stewardship, and resource optimisation into our business model. By offering sustainable product alternatives and leveraging efficient trade and logistics frameworks, we deliver value while contributing positively to both the environment and the communities we serve.

Looking ahead, what is your vision for growth, and what legacy do you hope to leave behind as a business leader?

Our vision is to further strengthen Millenium’s role as a regional leader with global influence — driving innovation in food & beverage, wellness, taste & nutrition, and specialty ingredients while expanding across the GCC and beyond. I hope to leave behind the legacy of a leader who not only built a successful company but also shaped industries, empowered people, adding life, and left a lasting, positive impact on the region

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