From Kerala To Corporate Heights: Unravelling Pradeep Sasidharan's Trade Secrets Leading To His Meteoric Rise

In the heart of the UAE, where dreams soar as high as the skyscrapers, countless souls arrive with hopes of carving out a brighter future. For some, those dreams remain just out of reach, while for others, they blossom into extraordinary realities. Then there are the rare few whose journeys ignite inspiration, weaving tales of grit, growth, and triumph.

Pradeep Sasidharan is one such soul — a young man from Kerala who stepped off a plane in the late 90s with little more than determination, only to rise from a struggler to a successful leader and a sustainability trailblazer, leading with heart and vision in Abu Dhabi’s corporate world.

Pradeep's life and career, culminating in his role as General Manager of Supply Chain at the National Corporation for Tourism and Hotels (NCTH) in Abu Dhabi, weave a story of resilience, growth, and a deep commitment to sustainability.

A Rocky Start in the Land of Opportunities

In 1997, Pradeep arrived in Dubai from Kerala, India, as a teenager with the aim of finding work and supporting his family. His entry into the UAE was not without its challenges. Although he held a valid visa, his age led to a nine-hour delay at immigration.

Despite this early obstacle, Pradeep would go on to build a long-standing career in the UAE, eventually becoming the General Manager of Supply Chain at the National Corporation for Tourism and Hotels (NCTH) in Abu Dhabi.

Early Years: Grit, Mechanics, and Learning on the Go

Pradeep's early years in the UAE were shaped by manual work and hands-on learning. His father, a mechanic specializing in jet skis and motorcycles, was a guiding influence. Pradeep began his career assisting his father and later worked in workshops, honing his skills in mechanics.

Language barriers posed a challenge—his English was limited due to his Malayalam-medium education in India — but supportive classmates and colleagues and interactions with customers helped him improve. He also learned conversational Arabic, a skill he picked up informally while working.

Shifting Gears: From Tools to Office Desks

Over time, his work ethic caught the attention of a director at Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH), leading to a position as an office assistant. Pradeep transitioned from mechanical work to administrative roles, taking on various positions such as cashier, clerk, and purchasing assistant. His ability to learn on the job and his willingness to take on new responsibilities enabled him to move up within the organization.

By 2012, Pradeep was serving as a purchasing supervisor during a merger with Compass Group, managing a supply chain valued at approximately $470 million. Despite his growing corporate responsibilities, he continued to engage in mechanical work during weekends, maintaining jet skis for affluent clients in the capital. This dual involvement illustrated his ongoing connection to his early trade and his reliability in both corporate and technical environments.

Later that year, Pradeep transitioned to NCTH as a Purchasing Manager. The move came after a former colleague recommended him for the role. Before joining, he ensured a smooth transition from his existing job, prioritizing professionalism and maintaining strong relationships with former mentors. Over time, he rose to the role of General Manager, overseeing supply chain operations that included procurement for hospitals and accommodation camps.

A Personal Commitment to Sustainability

Pradeep has driven impactful sustainability initiatives. A key effort is his personal engagement with Sparklo's recycling app, starting May 19, 2024. Pradeep collects and deposits plastic bottles into reverse vending machines across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, contributing 16,000 bottles and ranking 480th among users. He photographs each deposit to track progress.

This activity not only reduces plastic waste but also serves as a stress-reliever, with the machine's dual engagement—inserting bottles and monitoring counts—keeping him focused. His eco-enthusiast status reflects a commitment to environmental stewardship, inspired by a local's example.

Greening the Office: Smart Solutions in Action

At NCTH, Pradeep has led several environmental initiatives aimed at reducing waste and improving operational efficiency. One example is the replacement of traditional business cards with digital smart cards. These cards, certified by an international organization, can share contact information via QR code or tap and are expected to reduce the company's paper use significantly if widely adopted.

He has also implemented resource-saving practices within the office environment. The printing system has been reconfigured to promote the reuse of single-sided paper, with a dedicated tray for reprint purposes. Staff are encouraged to remove staples from reused sheets to avoid maintenance issues with the copier.

Additionally, Pradeep introduced a smart lighting system using Amazon Alexa to reduce energy consumption. Office lights operate on a scheduled timer, and employees who stay late must obtain approval to keep lights on, contributing to electricity savings and supporting broader sustainability goals.

In the kitchen and food services area, Pradeep has initiated the use of Chefify, a UK-based food waste tracking app. Staff record discarded food items by weight, allowing management to monitor waste levels and adjust procurement accordingly. He is currently exploring composting as a complementary effort to further reduce food-related waste.

As part of his ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility, Pradeep has spearheaded the rollout of AirOWater reusable glass bottles across leading hotels in Abu Dhabi. These bottles are hygienically filled, sealed, and distributed from a centralized production facility in Dubai Production City, ensuring the highest standards of quality, safety, and consistency. This initiative not only promotes sustainable water consumption, but also actively supports the development of a circular economy across the hospitality sector.

NCTH's broader sustainability efforts include battery recycling in collaboration with Dubat, the conversion of used cooking oil into biodiesel, and the recycling of plastic bottles. The company also participates in desert cleanup campaigns with the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG). Pradeep's procurement strategies prioritize local sourcing, which led to significant cost savings—AED 2.9 million in 2014 and an average of AED 12 million annually during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Corporate-Wide Sustainability Milestones

In addition to his work in sustainability and supply chain management, Pradeep is actively involved in community service. He organizes clothing donation drives through partnerships with organizations such as Emirates Red Crescent. Items are labeled, packed, and delivered with care to ensure they reach recipients in good condition. He also donates blood regularly and contributes to charity campaigns led by his local community group.

His career reflects a consistent commitment to professional growth, environmental responsibility, and community engagement. From humble beginnings in a workshop to managing complex procurement operations and leading corporate sustainability initiatives, Pradeep has built a diverse and impactful professional profile.

His journey illustrates how skills learned early in life—adaptability, discipline, and mechanical understanding—can translate into leadership in corporate settings. Today, his role at NCTH positions him at the intersection of operations and sustainability, where his contributions continue to shape both the company's performance and its environmental impact.