Ajay Harinath Singh Greatest Brand Leader 2018-2019

Dr. B.R. Shetty
Fulfilling Desire, Dream and
Destiny in the Desert Land
Propelling ordinary traits of hard work & passion to extraordinary levels, and blending them with phenomenal
vision, Dr. B.R. Shetty, Founder & Chairman of several leading companies in the UAE, has played a prominent
role in the growth of the UAE as an imposing economic power under the guidance, support and vision of the
royal family of the UAE
Abenevolent soul since beginning,
Dr. B.R. Shetty set out in his
professional life as the Vice
Chairman of the Municipal Council in
Udupi, Karnataka, determined to help
people improve their lives. However, a
desire, a dream and destiny brought him
to the desert land of the United Arab
Emirates.
Though visibly he only had a clinical
degree in Pharmacy, he possessed innate
attributes of dedication towards any task
at hand and a rare sense of curiosity &
interest in everything around him, clubbed
with derivation of feelings of adventure
and determination to meet any challenge
in sight. He found them enough to build
a global empire of multiple businesses
including healthcare, finance, trading,
ventures and many more.
Knack for Seeing Inconspicuous
Opportunities
Renowned for an uncommon vision for
identifying doors of opportunities which
others fail to notice, Dr. Shetty put to use
his knowledge of Pharmacy and began
to offer healthcare facilities in the UAE
at a time, in 1975, when there was a
tremendous need of excellent targeted
healthcare in a rapidly growing nation.
Thus, establishing New Medical Centre
(NMC) in 1975, meeting direct needs and
harnessing the tremendous potential in a
growing healthcare industry in the UAE,
with dedication and unswerving focus,
he rapidly grew his business over the
years to emerge as the UAE’s largest
private healthcare provider currently. His
ingenious insights led NMC to become the
first healthcare company from the region
to be listed on the London Stock Exchange
and a part of the FTSE100 index, and later
a Member of the prestigious club of MSCI
Global Index.
Next, Dr. Shetty founded the UAE
Exchange in 1980 as he realized that
Indian expatriates in the UAE regularly
remitted to their families back home
and this was a great opportunity to help
them in quick and commendable financial
services of global remittance, foreign
exchange and payment solutions.
Another milestone was achieved as
Dr. Shetty established Neopharma as an
outstanding pharmaceutical manufacturer
in 2003, targeting the entire healthcare
value chain of the UAE. Built over the
concept of modular manufacturing with
international standards, with efficient
control mechanisms put in place,
Neopharma does its own research and
development to offer quality medicines at
affordable prices.
An observant mind over his shoulders,
Dr. Shetty followed closely the progress
of the UAE as a developing hub of
manufacturing and services to a world
leader in high-tech and splendid products,
tourism and global businesses, and
“My mission in life is to serve the
community, by way of my professional
ventures and personal pursuits”
discovered another opportunity of building
a highly reliable network of distribution
of pharmaceuticals, medical & scientific
equipment, fast-moving consumer goods,
and educational & veterinary products.
It is highly remarkable that commencing
its operations in 1981, NMC Trading is
today the only distribution business to
have a pan-UAE presence across all its
distribution categories.
Determined to create new avenues of
value and solutions, Dr. Shetty has founded
BRS Ventures – targeting healthcare in
emerging economies, food & beverage and
education – which is his holding company
for new growth businesses.
Achieving phenomenal success through
a multitude of businesses that he has
painstakingly established over a period of
about five decades, he has always lent on
the support of his better half – Dr. C.R.
Shetty, whom he considers the strongest
pillar in his life – his other family members
and his close associates.
Deserving Recognitions
Showered with prestigious awards and
honours for his outstanding personal
and professional achievements, he was
bestowed with the ‘Order of Abu Dhabi’ by
the Government of Abu Dhabi, the highest
civilian award for contribution to the
development of the community and the
cause of the Emirate; honoured with the
prestigious civilian award ‘Padma Shri’
by the Government of India; the First-
Ever Swiss Ambassador’s Award; Pravasi
Bhartiya Samman Award by President of
India, Dr. Kalam; Middle East Top Indian
Leaders in the UAE Award; Honorary
Doctorate from Middlesex University,
Dubai; and several more.
Back to the Society
Education being close to Dr. Shetty’s
heart, he has contributed profusely
towards building a brilliant future of the
students in the region by establishing
several best-in-class schools in Abu
Dhabi and Dubai, including Deira Private
School, Bright Riders School (MBZ,
Western Region and DIP) as well as Sara
Nursery, and has also founded the Indian
Pharmaceuticals Association in the
Emirates. In addition, he serves as the
Honorary Chairman of Abu Dhabi Indian
School – the largest community school in
the region; is on the Board of Directors of
Haldwani Medical College in Uttaranchal
and Manipal Medical Academy; and is
the Chairman of the Board of Brindavan
College.
Leading several philanthropic
initiatives, the benevolent Dr. Shetty
has donated with a large heart to the
Indian community, people from all walks
of life, as well as several charitable
organizations. Considering himself a
citizen of the world, he has offered aids
during natural calamities in Bangladesh,
Japan, Indonesia and India.
He has offered relief to people of
Turkey, Sri Lanka and Thailand in times
of need, has supplied medicines to the
grief-stricken Palestinian State, and in
the capacity of the Director of the Special
Care Center in Abu Dhabi and the Cancer
Foundation helped countless with medical
and healthcare benefits.
He says, “It is society which nurtures
you. It is your duty to give back to society.
Only when you share your success, does
it multiply. My mission in life is to serve
the community, by way of my professional
ventures and personal pursuits.”
16 | india’s greatest leaders 2019-20 |