We, at O’Brien PR were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Colm McLoughlin, former Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, who died in the UK on the 30th of October, following a short illness. Colm, a native of Ireland, lived in Dubai for over 40 years and led Dubai Duty Free from 1983 to his retirement in May of this year. We have represented Dubai Duty Free in Ireland for nearly 20 years and had the great pleasure of getting to know him both professionally and personally. He was always kind and generous to everyone he met and was a pleasure to work with and to spend time in his company. A proud Irish man who flew the flag of Ireland in the Middle East and around the world he was described by many people as an extraordinary person. An innovator, a dynamo and a progressive person who could see how travel would impact global economics and tourism years before others could even dream of such a day.
Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director, Dubai Duty Free said, “Colm was a great leader who built an award-winning retail business at Dubai Airport and steered its growth to a 2-billion-dollar business with over 6,000 employees at the time of his retirement. He was a true friend who touched so many lives within the travel retail industry. I join our Chairman, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and all of our employees in sending our deepest condolences to Colm’s wife Breeda, his son Niall and his daughters Tyna and Mandy and all of their families. Our thoughts and prayers are with Breeda and the family at this very difficult time.”
A well-known and much-loved figure in Dubai, Colm was part of the original ten-man team from Aer Rianta who came to Dubai in July 1983 to set up the duty-free operation. His initial contract with the government of Dubai was for six months but he went on to run the business for over four decades. Under his leadership, Dubai Duty Free became one of the largest single airport operations in the world. He also continued to serve the Irish diaspora throughout his life in Dubai and was a recipient of the Irish Presidential Award in 2014 for his services to Ireland.
Colm also helped establish the Dubai Duty Free Foundation in 2004 and was very proud of the work that was done to support 119 local and international charities. Irish charities who were beneficiaries of Dubai Duty Free include the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation and Barrettstown Children’s Charity among many other local community organisations.
Under Colm’s tenure Dubai Duty Free were proud supporters of sport in Ireland and have been the title sponsor of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh Racecourse for nearly 20 years. The company were also the title sponsor of the Irish Open and revived the whole golf tournament when they came on board as title sponsor in 2015.
Apart from the business acumen, Colm will be warmly remembered by many for his easy-going personality, his warmth, his generosity, extraordinary kindness and friendship. That will be his enduring legacy.
We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Breeda, son Niall, daughters Tyna and Mandy, his grandchildren, his brother and sister and his many, many friends and former colleagues. We will miss him terribly. Rest in Peace Colm.
