Sudhir Kumaran’s journey from Mumbai’s Electronic Data Processing (EDP) rooms in the 1980s to leading boardroom conversations in Dubai spans more than four decades. His story is about more than technology; it is about enabling people, strengthening businesses, and building trust at every step.
Early Days: Coding a New Future
The story began in Mumbai when “IT” was still called Electronic Data Processing, and computers were large machines occupying special rooms instead of being in every pocket. Armed with a science degree and a postgraduate diploma in Computer Science, Sudhir Kumaran started his career as a Programmer/Analyst. He wrote business applications in programming languages like dBase, QuickBasic, COBOL, and Fortran for clients who were just beginning to see how software could reshape their operations.
Those early years taught him that technology is only as powerful as the problems it solves and the people it empowers.
Eager to deepen both his craft and contribution, Sudhir Kumaran moved into a senior role with the Walchand Group, where he led systems analysis and development for a growing industrial enterprise. At the same time, he served as adjunct faculty at Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, teaching computer science to aspiring managers. This experience sparked a lifelong passion for mentoring and translating complex concepts into practical business value.
A Leap to Dubai and the World of Logistics
In the early 1990s, a defining opportunity brought Sudhir Kumaran to Dubai, where he joined GAC, a global leader in shipping, logistics, and marine services. He began as EDP Supervisor for its pioneering third-party logistics operations. This was a period when the logistics sector in the region was evolving rapidly, and technology was becoming the invisible backbone of supply chains.
Over the next three decades, Sudhir Kumaran grew with the organization, eventually serving as Regional IT Manager for the Middle East. In this role, he was responsible for enterprise-wide IT operations, strategy, and governance across multiple data centers, offices, and over 1,200 users.
He successfully led more than 200 IT projects with a 100 percent on-time, on-budget delivery record, generating savings exceeding AED in millions. These projects ranged from infrastructure modernization to application rollouts and integration programs, all designed to achieve high availability, robust security, and seamless user experience for business-critical operations.
Integrating Systems, Industries, and Relationships
One of the most fulfilling aspects of Sudhir Kumaran’s work has been steering complex systems integration projects for third-party logistics customers across Dubai’s most demanding sectors. These include fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), pharmaceuticals and healthcare, retail and e-commerce, fashion and apparel, automotive parts, electronics, food and beverage, and energy and utilities.
Each engagement required not just technical know-how but a deep understanding of industry processes, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations.
Working closely with manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, Sudhir Kumaran led integrations between warehouse management systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, transport management, and customer platforms. This ensured real-time visibility, accurate inventory, and smooth order flows.
Consistently achieving a 100 percent success rate in these integrations was possible because every project started with listening. Understanding the customer’s business, mapping their pain points, and aligning solutions to measurable outcomes were the foundation of his approach.
Building Resilience, Security, and Governance
Over the years, Sudhir Kumaran’s focus expanded from simply keeping systems running to building resilient, secure, and governed digital ecosystems.
He designed and implemented IT policies covering network management, service management, cybersecurity, risk management, business continuity, and disaster recovery. This ensured that IT was not only operationally strong but also compliant and auditable.
His journey was supported by an extensive set of global certifications, including CISA, CISM, CRISC, CGEIT, CDPSE, ISO 27001 and ISO 22301 Lead Auditor, ITIL, COBIT 5, and PMP among others.
High availability became a non-negotiable principle. Through redundant architectures, robust backup strategies, and tested continuity plans, Sudhir Kumaran and his teams achieved 100 percent IT service availability for critical production systems. This guaranteed that logistics operations continued uninterrupted even in the face of disruptions.
Recognition such as the Chairman’s Award for Environmental Excellence and long-service honors from GAC reflected not only technical excellence but also a sustained commitment to safety, sustainability, and organizational values.
Leading with Empathy in a Digital Age
Across geographies and time zones, Sudhir Kumaran has had the privilege of leading multicultural teams and working directly with C-level stakeholders, regulators, academia, and industry bodies.
Whether mentoring young professionals, guiding virtual CIO engagements, or shaping IT strategy with business leaders, the constant thread in his work has been the belief that empathy is as critical as expertise.
Technology projects succeed when people feel heard, respected, and included in the journey.
Today, as Director of Information Technology in Dubai, Sudhir Kumaran’s mission remains clear: to design and lead IT initiatives that create tangible business and customer value, ensure secure and cost-effective operations, and prepare enterprises for the next wave of digital transformation.
From on-premise mainframes to cloud computing, from standalone applications to integrated digital ecosystems, the tools have changed dramatically. But the purpose has not: to use technology with a human touch so organizations in the UAE and beyond can grow, adapt, and thrive in an uncertain world.
A Legacy of Dependable, Human-Centered Technology
Sudhir Kumaran’s story is a powerful reminder that behind every successful technology transformation is a leader who believes in reliability, trust, and people-first leadership.
From coding in Mumbai’s early Electronic Data Processing rooms to driving enterprise IT strategy in Dubai, Sudhir Kumaran has consistently demonstrated how technology can be both dependable and deeply human.
His career serves as an inspiration to IT professionals and business leaders alike, showing that with resilience, governance, and empathy, technology can truly transform industries and lives.
Do connect him on LinkedIn
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