The Thiruvananthapuram native achieves a rare feat, becoming the only Malayali to feature in both the 2020 and 2026 prestigious Forbes Middle East marketing lists.
DUBAI: Forbes has officially presented its prestigious award to V. Nandakumar, Director of Marketing & Communications at LuLu Group, recognizing him as one of the region’s elite marketing minds. Nandakumar received the honor after being featured in the highly anticipated Forbes “Most Influential CMOs 2026” list. This marks a historic achievement for the Thiruvananthapuram native, who also secured a spot in the 2020 edition, making him the only Malayali professional to be honored in both editions of this exclusive ranking.
With a stellar career spanning over three decades across media, marketing, and corporate communications, Nandakumar has been an integral part of the LuLu Group for the past 26 years. Working closely alongside LuLu Group Chairman M.A. Yusuff Ali, he has played a pivotal role in driving the conglomerate’s expansion strategies and navigating its various phases of exponential growth.
Currently steering the global marketing and communications division of LuLu Group, Nandakumar’s expertise covers brand development, digital transformation, e-commerce, and corporate public relations. His visionary approach has been central to the planning and execution of numerous high-profile projects, product launches, mega campaigns, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives across both India and the Middle East. Notably, he has also been the driving force behind LuLu Group’s key projects and impactful interventions in Kerala.
The Forbes Middle East list, which is published only once every five years, identifies and celebrates 101 top-tier marketing professionals driving innovation across diverse industries. The 2026 edition features marketing heads from the region’s most powerful conglomerates and entities, including ADNOC, e&, Dubai Holding, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Al-Futtaim Group, DIFC Dubai, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Qatar Financial Centre, and LuLu Group.
Geographically, the 2026 list is heavily dominated by professionals from Egypt, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, featuring 21 Egyptian, 13 Emirati, and 12 Saudi marketing leaders. With Indian professionals representing a small minority on this elite regional index, Nandakumar’s repeated inclusion underscores his exceptional caliber and the significant impact of Indian executive talent in shaping the Middle East’s economic landscape.
