In one of the year’s most notable leadership developments in the Middle East’s jewellery retail sector, Ananthanarayanan Hariharan has assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer at Damas Jewellery—the storied GCC brand now majority-owned by Titan Company Ltd. Hariharan will operate from Dubai, the company’s home since its founding in 1907.

His appointment follows Titan’s strategic acquisition of a 67% stake in Damas through its subsidiary, Titan Holdings International FZCO, in a transaction valued at approximately AED 1,038 million (~₹2,438 crore / ~$283 million).

The leadership transition represents Titan’s most assertive international retail expansion to date, bringing together its expertise in organised jewellery retail with Damas’s rich heritage, strong regional presence, and deep cultural resonance across the Gulf.

With over three decades of experience across some of India’s most influential retail and consumer businesses, Hariharan brings a rare blend of operational, commercial, and strategic capabilities to Damas.

He began his career in supply chain and operations at Madura Coats, before spending nearly a decade at Reliance Retail, where he held key roles across supply chain, category management, and retail operations. His leadership further evolved at Reliance Trends, where he oversaw supply chain and non-apparel categories, honing his expertise in inventory velocity, assortment planning, and store network optimisation.

Hariharan later joined Titan Industries as General Manager – Merchandising for Tanishq, one of India’s most trusted and high-performing jewellery brands. In this role, he worked at the crucial intersection of product design, sourcing, merchandising, and consumer insight—skills that will be pivotal as Damas enters its next phase of growth.