EXPERIENCE. IMAGINATION. RESPONSIBILITY.

Collectively, the FIVE Hotels and Resorts and The Pacha Group portfolio, now unified under one ecosystem, stand as global symbols of high-performance experiential travel. In Q3 2025, the Group delivered AED 612.8 million in total revenue, supported by a 15% increase in hospitality revenue compared with the same period in 2024. Hospitality EBITDA also rose by 5% in the quarter to AED 195.2 million. For the nine months to September 2025, total revenue reached AED 1.70 billion, an 11% uplift year-on-year, while total EBITDA closed at AED 540.9 million. Over the same period, hospitality revenue grew 20% to AED 1.45 billion, and hospitality EBITDA increased 18% to AED 513.9 million.

These results are the product of Mulchandani’s integrated development model, where hospitality drives demand, real estate monetises desire, and brand lifestyle sustains it. By embedding ESG principles and experiential design into high-yield assets, he has elevated return potential without compromising cultural or environmental value.

This integrated strategy extends beyond Dubai to the Group’s European portfolio. The Pacha Group has rapidly become a cornerstone of FIVE’s global entertainment ecosystem. In Q3 2025, Pacha generated EUR 75.7 million in revenue, contributing to EUR 118.8 million for the nine months to September 2025. These results demonstrate Mulchandani’s ability to scale FIVE’s model of experience-led hospitality across geographies, turning cultural icons into commercial assets while preserving their authentic spirit.

This remarkable financial momentum enabled FIVE Holdings to secure a landmark USD 460 million Revolving Credit Facility (RCF) with leading financial institutions, Commercial Bank of Dubai, AAIB, and Santander. The agreement allows FIVE to gain the freedom to invest in growth, act swiftly on opportunities, and reinforce its position as a leading force in experiential hospitality and is set to invest $500 million over the next two years to expand and elevate its portfolio of world-class entertainment assets. The Group is committed to strengthening its presence in Europe while expanding across the United States, Asia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Mulchandani has built a vertically integrated global powerhouse that redefines the intersection of hospitality, real estate, and entertainment. At the centre of his strategy is the ‘Global Sustainable Entertainment Ecosystem,’ a next-generation model where hotels, nightlife, music, fashion, real estate, and digital innovation operate as one connected structure.

High-energy entertainment drives cultural relevance; sustainability and engineering drive asset performance; and digital storytelling extends every experience across global audiences. It is a framework created for luxury travellers who value both indulgence and impact, proving that environmental responsibility and commercial excellence can reinforce one another.

This ethos is reflected across FIVE’s worldwide operations. In 2022, FIVE became the first hotel group in the UAE to operate entirely on renewable electricity, verified through International Renewable Energy Certification (I-REC). Today, all operational properties in Dubai, Zurich and Spain run on 100% renewable power, with FIVE Palm Jumeirah, and FIVE Jumeirah Village in Dubai achieving carbon footprints up to 4X lower than the UAE resort average, as validated by leading global hospitality benchmark, CHSB 2024.

The Group’s properties hold over 1,500 LEED Platinum-certified keys, with FIVE LUXE JBR achieving an outstanding 89-point LEED Platinum certification under the LEED v4 BD+C category, positioning us as a global leader within the hospitality industry.

From the reimagining of Destino Five Ibiza to the development of SENSORIA with the world’s first 2,800 sqm ONYX Solar façade, Mulchandani continues to push the boundaries of sustainable luxury. His ecosystem model has reshaped experiential hospitality into a commercially resilient, culturally relevant, and globally scalable platform.

FIVE’s vision is to build a globally scalable model of regenerative tourism that protects the planet while driving performance. Anchored by a robust Green Finance Framework, including a $350M Green Bond and validated by an ‘A’ ESG Rating from ISS which has landed FIVE at the top of the list internationally, ahead of brands like Apple, Microsoft and Tesla, FIVE’s strategy proves sustainability and profitability go hand in hand.

With a net worth of $2.2.B, Mulchandani is a Forbes World’s Billionaire and ranked #20 on Forbes Middle East’s Richest Billionaires list, Mulchandani also appears at #16 on Forbes Middle East’s Top 100 Travel and Tourism Leaders 2025 and #8 on Forbes Middle East’s Sustainability Leaders 2025 list in the Travel and Tourism category.

He features prominently across the region’s most influential 2025 power lists, including #35 on Forbes Middle East’s Most Impactful Real Estate Leaders, #2 on Arabian Business’ Indian Aces Change Makers List and Dubai 100 List, Gulf Business’ Top Indians List 2025 and Top Business Influencers 2025, and Entrepreneur Middle East’s 33 Indian Visionaries List. He has also been shortlisted for some of the world’s most prestigious environmental honours: The World Sustainability Awards 2024, Reuters Events Sustainability Trailblazer Award 2024, and the edie Awards’ 2024 Sustainable Leader of the Year category.

FIVE Palm Jumeirah and FIVE Jumeirah Village received the prestigious Gold Tier Stamp for Sustainable Tourism Excellence in the Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) Second Cycle. Both properties exhibit an exceptional commitment with the 19 Sustainability Requirements, a framework designed by DET to align the hospitality sector with global environmental standards, the UAE’s NetZero 2050 goals, and the Dubai Economic Agenda – D33. In 2025, FIVE Palm Jumeirah and FIVE LUXE JBR were awarded Forbes Travel Guide’s “Responsible Hospitality Verified” accreditation, recognising adherence to over 100 rigorous environmental and social standards — a further endorsement of FIVE’s leadership in sustainable luxury.

FIVE Holdings secured a finalist spot at the Skift IDEA Awards 2025 in the hospitality category. 

ZAYA GROUP

Nadia Zaal’s role was pivotal in the development of Zaya Nurai Island. Her undying passion for sustainability is evidently reflected in Zaya’s inaugural project in Abu Dhabi. The island had the region’s first floating solar plant in the sea, generating 30 percent of the power for the island. Zaal’s mission to create sustainability in the luxury real estate world was further extended through the introduction of public solar lighting throughout the island as well as transportation solely via use of electric buggies. Moreover, the novel and visionary ‘green carpet’ concept also ensures that Nurai is designed to appear as a ‘virgin’ island with minimal concrete views across the panorama of the landscape.

AL BARARI

Nadia Zaal was the driving force behind the Al Barari project, a first mixed-use development to target the premium segment of the real estate market while still focusing on the concepts of sustainability and eco-conservation. With Al Barari, Zaal created the lowest-density lush microclimate community in the region which was conceptualised keeping greening practices in mind and encouraging strong social interactions with ample community space, specially for children. Al Barari also recycles all its grey water and green waste to use for composting.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

A ‘hands-on’ entrepreneur and developer, Nadia is the recipient of the Women in Leadership Achievement in Dubai and The Arab Woman Award for Business. Her extensive experience in project development, structuring and funding has won her monikers such as Most Influential Women in the Middle East by Arabian Business, One of the Top 50 Travel and Tourism Leaders and one of the Forbes Middle East’s  Top 100 Most Powerful Women in the Middle East.

Batra is regularly featured among the region’s most impactful executives, appearing on Gulf Business’s Top 30 Most Influential CEOs list and ranking #9 on Arabian Business’ Indian Aces Change Makers list in 2025. He has also earned CEO Middle East’s CEO of the Year 2023 – Hospitality. Under his leadership, FIVE Holdings and FIVE Hotels and Resorts have received numerous accolades, including Condé Nast Traveller ME Readers’ Choice Awards Favourite Leisure Hotel (MENA) 2025 for FIVE LUXE JBR, Gulf Business Awards 2025 Hospitality Company of the Year, Inc. Arabia Best in Business Awards Dubai 2025 Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Award, Fast Company ME Most Innovative Companies 2025 Sustainable Luxury Hospitality for FIVE LUXE JBR, the MIT Sloan Middle East Customer Centricity Award 2024, and #25 on Arabian Business’ 2024 Most Admired Companies list.

Since becoming CEO in 2017, his leadership has consistently translated into commercial performance, positioning the Group as a market leader in lifestyle-led hospitality. One of the most significant milestones was the early repayment of the Group’s US$ 350 million bond, made possible after securing a US$ 460 million Revolving Credit Facility in September 2025 with leading financial institutions Commercial Bank of Dubai, AAIB, and Santander — a testament to the confidence of leading financial institutions in the Group’s performance and strategy. With more than US$ 300 million in available liquidity after repayment, the Group is positioned to evaluate opportunities with greater agility, strengthening its presence in Ibiza while expanding across the United States, Asia, and the United Arab Emirates. 

Financial performance has mirrored this momentum. This momentum carried into Q3 2025, with the Group delivering AED 612.8 million in total revenue, driven by a 15% increase in hospitality revenue compared with the same period in 2024. Hospitality EBITDA also rose by 5% in the quarter to AED 195.2 million. For the nine months to September 2025, total revenue reached AED 1.70 billion, an 11% uplift year-on-year, while total EBITDA closed at AED 540.9 million. Over the same period, hospitality revenue grew 20% to AED 1.45 billion, and hospitality EBITDA increased 18% to AED 513.9 million.

Batra’s acquisition of The Pacha Group in 2023 became a defining strategic move. In Q3 2025, The Pacha Group generated EUR 75.7 million in revenue, contributing to EUR 118.8 million for the nine months to September 2025. These results build on the solid momentum reported earlier in the year. In the first half of 2025, revenue grew to EUR 43.2 million from EUR 37.8 million the year before, while EBITDA rose 26% to EUR 13.1 million — figures that demonstrate his ability to not only preserve but scale the commercial strength of an iconic brand.

A defining hallmark of Batra’s leadership is the creation of the ‘Vibe at FIVE,’ a dynamic, experiential ecosystem that unites dining, nightlife, entertainment, and lifestyle under one roof. This high-impact model reduces operational costs while increasing average spend, guest engagement, and repeat visitation. Across more than 30 venues hosting daily events, FIVE’s signature entertainment IPs—including Bohemia Presents, The Penthouse Dubai’s Skyline Saturdays, and Pacha ICONS at Playa Pacha, FIVE LUXE JBR —regularly feature world-renowned artists such as Lost Frequencies, Robin Schulz, Keinemusik duo Adam Port and Rampa, Joseph Capriati, Marco Carola, Black Coffee, Peggy Gou, BLOND:ISH, ANOTR, Mochakk, and many others. The result is a continuously evolving musical and cultural calendar that appeals deeply to Millennials and Gen Z, the core demographic driving FIVE’s global influence.

Alongside entertainment, Batra has cultivated a powerful culinary ecosystem. Concepts like The Penthouse Dubai – DJ Mag’s #1 Nightclub in the Middle East for 2025-2023—blur the lines between gastronomy and nightlife. FIVE’s culinary portfolio is regularly honoured in prestigious guides and awards: Cinque holds recognition from MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2025, Gault&Millau 2022-2025 and Gambero Rosso International’s Top Italian Restaurants Guide 2024-2025, while Ronin earned “Opening of the Year” in the MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2025. 

FIVE’s dining and nightlife venues continue to dominate the region’s awards landscape. Time Out Dubai Nightlife Awards 2025 recognized Tête-à-Tête for Best Party Brunch and Paradiso Dubai was Highly Commended for Best Cocktail Bar, Whats On Nightlife Awards 2025 commended Playa Pacha Pool and Beach Club for Best international DJ Set (Rampa), Whats On Awards 2025 awarded Bohemia Beach Club or Favourite Concert, Show, or Festival, while Praia won Best Ladies Day. Goose Island Tap House continues to dominate regional awards from TimeOut Dubai Nightlife Awards 2025 and FACT Dining Awards Dubai 2025. In Switzerland, Batra expanded FIVE Zurich with Cinque Studio, Soul St., and The Penthouse Zurich – a finalist for the Swiss Bar Awards 2024.

Batra’s cultural impact extends into music through FIVE Music and the state-of-the-art FIVE Music Studio at The Penthouse Dubai. With original releases, global artist collaborations, and weekly events across Dubai and Zurich, FIVE Music has become the brand’s sonic identity. 

He has also reimagined The Pacha Collection from nightlife merchandise into a global lifestyle brand and launched FIVE Mode, a fashion line inspired by the ‘Vibe at FIVE.’ Its limited-edition pieces include a Swarovski-encrusted BALR. jersey gifted to Gerard Piqué in his role as President of the Kings League.

Further extending the brand, Batra conceptualized Fly FIVE, a private jet experience that mirrors the Group’s hallmark extravagance with 16 seats, an in-flight dining area, a private suite and shower, curated entertainment, and signature culinary service—bringing FIVE’s high-energy luxury into the aviation space.

Batra’s digital-first strategy has positioned FIVE Holdings at the forefront of global online engagement. In 2025, the Group surpassed 438 million TikTok views and 4,7 million social followers. Today, 50% of all bookings are generated directly through FIVE’s proprietary website and reservations system. FIVE Jumeirah Village is Booking.com’s most-reviewed hotel with more than 32,000 reviews and a 9/10 rating; FIVE LUXE JBR leads with 9.4/10 and FIVE Palm Jumeirah holds 8.9/10. 

Batra’s personal thought leadership has also gained momentum, extending across the industry and online. His LinkedIn content reaches over 1.5 million users, offering insights into leadership, hospitality innovation, and brand-building.

His voice is consistently featured in major publications, including Forbes Middle East, Billboard, Numero, CEO Middle East, Entrepreneur Middle East, Arabian Business, Hotelier Middle East, Vogue, Vanity Fair, GQ, Rolling Stone, Esquire, Business Insider, Robb Report, and more.

His leadership has earned extensive accolades: Forbes Middle East Top 100 CEOs (2022–2025), Gulf Business Top 30 Most Influential CEOs in MENA 2025, Arabian Business Indian Aces (2023–2025), Arabian Business 100 Most Inspiring Leaders 2024, and CEO of the Year – Hospitality 2023. Additionally, FIVE Palm Jumeirah and FIVE LUXE JBR have been recognized with the Forbes Travel Guide Responsible Hospitality Badge, while FIVE Palm Jumeirah and FIVE Jumeirah Village earned Dubai Economy and Tourism’s Sustainability Stamp. 

FIVE’s commitment to excellence extends to its workplace culture. Recognized as a Great Place to Work, FIVE ranked #14 Best Workplaces in the Middle East 2025 – Large Organizations, #13 among Best Workplaces in the UAE (Large Category) 2025 and #19 Best Workplaces in Hospitality™️ – GCC. FIVE has also been honoured as having some of the happiest employees in the region, ranking ahead of major global companies.

Born and raised in Mumbai, Batra studied at The Cathedral and John Connon School before earning a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business from Sydenham College. Now based in Dubai with his wife and three children, he continues to redefine experiential luxury and entertainment while expanding FIVE’s global footprint and cultural impact.

Since 2012, Akiki has spearheaded every FIVE Holdings Development, overseeing the end-to-end lifecycle from feasibility to handover. His relentless focus on detail and functional excellence has resulted in a portfolio of architecturally iconic, commercially high-yielding assets that consistently outperform market expectations.

Akiki’s blueprint for FIVE’s development strategy began with FIVE Palm Jumeirah. Completed in 2016, this architectural icon redefined beachfront living through a bold structure. Akiki, along with FIVE’s leadership team, led the architectural concept, designing a cascading, amphitheatre-style structure that ensures every guest, whether in a hotel room or a branded residence, remains visually connected to the energy of the central pool deck. In 2019, Akiki scaled this philosophy vertically with FIVE Jumeirah Village. His globally patented corkscrew tower design, registered in 168 countries, created 501 ‘Villas in the Sky,’ each with private terraces and pools that spiral around the building’s central core. In 2020, Akiki spearheaded FIVE’s first European expansion with FIVE Zurich. Tasked with transforming a protected heritage building into a lifestyle destination, he delivered a meticulous retrofit that preserved architectural integrity while infusing FIVE’s experiential DNA.

Akiki’s architectural skills and operational control, along with FIVE leadership team’s vision  have been pivotal in scaling FIVE’s ‘Global Entertainment Ecosystem’ into Spain. This journey began in 2023 when FIVE Holdings acquired The Pacha Group, a move that added legendary assets like Destino Pacha Hotel Ibiza (now Destino Five Ibiza) and Pacha Ibiza nightclub to the Group’s portfolio. Akiki led the transformational redesign of Destino Pacha Hotel Ibiza, reopening it as Destino Five Ibiza in June 2025. Retaining the property’s lush garden-like footprint, he introduced a new spatial rhythm, seamlessly blending private terraces with expansive communal areas to cultivate an atmosphere of social energy and immersive luxury. Akiki is now leading the development of Casa Pacha Residences, a new collection of branded residences that will extend FIVE’s immersive living experience into the residential segment.  

 At FIVE Holdings, development is viewed as an integrated, performance-driven discipline. Under Akiki’s execution-first leadership style, every project is managed as a closed-loop system where design, budgeting, procurement, and execution are aligned under a single, accountable structure. Akiki’s leadership style is hands-on and solution-oriented, addressing challenges in real time and streamlining processes to maintain momentum. 

Long before sustainability became a commercial imperative, FIVE’s leadership team has been a pioneering force in embedding ESG into FIVE Holdings’ development DNA. Today, all FIVE’s properties in Dubai, Zurich and Ibiza are LEED Platinum certified or targeting LEED Gold or Higher Certification. At FIVE LUXE JBR, Akiki oversaw the design and construction process that achieved the world’s highest 5 Star LEED Platinum rating under LEEDv4 (BD+C) at 89 points. 

FIVE Holdings, along with The Pacha Group, is committed to leading Ibiza’s transition to clean energy. Pacha Ibiza has achieved a groundbreaking milestone as the world’s first and only LEED Platinum-certified nightclub, earning 81 points and setting a new benchmark for sustainable nightlife, powered entirely by renewable energy and free from single-use plastics. Pacha Hotel, now certified as Ibiza’s first and only LEED Platinum hotel with 83 points, and Destino Five Ibiza all operate fully on Green Power, contributing to the Group’s 34% carbon footprint reduction and accelerating the Balearics’ Net-Zero targets. Across FIVE’s portfolio, Akiki’s projects account for over 1,550 LEED Platinum hotel keys, compared to fewer than 300 certified under the latest LEEDv4+ standards in the entire USA.

Akiki’s architectural and development vision ensures sustainability is integrated into every contract, construction methodology, and operational system. This approach dates back to the design and development of FIVE Palm Jumeirah in 2014 which was developed to LEED Platinum standards, ensuring that sustainability was built into the system. This philosophy has since been implemented across all FIVE developments, as a company strategy, with on-site wastewater treatment, energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems, solar power integration, and circular material sourcing now part of the Group’s default specification. Akiki’s prowess in harmonising luxury development models with cutting-edge green building performance has defined the Group’s pioneering Global Sustainable Entertainment Ecosystem. 

In just five years, FIVE Holdings became the number one rated ESG company in the world by ISS, receiving an ‘A’ grade out of more than 7,000 companies assessed globally. The Group holds six ISO certifications, including ISO 50001 (Energy Management System), making FIVE the only five-star hotel group in the UAE to achieve this distinction. In 2025, FIVE Palm Jumeirah and FIVE Jumeirah Village were awarded the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Gold Stamp, placing them in the top 1% of Dubai’s hotels for sustainability excellence. 

During the 2025 season, Destino Five Ibiza reduced water consumption by 40% compared to 2023 through Akiki’s integration of recycling systems and efficiency measures, easing pressure on the island’s groundwater reserves. Today, the Pacha Group and all FIVE Hotels and Resorts destinations in Dubai and Zurich run on 100% green electricity. From 65% reduction in carbon footprint in Dubai in 2024 to the Pacha Group’s 15% reduction in emissions, Akiki’s ability to align luxury design with ESG performance has transformed the industry and continues to set new benchmarks. 

Few development leaders can match Akiki’s track record of delivering award-winning, market-dominating assets. In 2025, Nakiki was ranked #13 on Design Middle East’s Creative Power List which recognises the pioneers defining the future of the region. His patented design for FIVE Jumeirah Village earned the MIPIM Future Project Award (2016) and the CTBUH Best Tall Building Award (2021). He was ranked #30 on Design Middle East’s Architects Power List (2022). Akiki has also featured in reputed press titles from Forbes Middle East, Arabian Business, Construction Week Middle East, Design Middle East, MEP Middle East, and more. 

Under his contribution to FIVE’s leadership, FIVE Holdings has consistently earned top honours across Europe and the Middle East. In 2025, FIVE Palm Jumeirah and FIVE Jumeirah Village were awarded the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Gold Stamp, placing them in the top tier of Dubai’s sustainability leaders. FIVE LUXE JBR secured top honours at the Arabian Property Awards 2025 as Leisure Development Dubai winner, and dominated at the MEED Projects Awards, earning the title of Hotel Project of the Year (UAE National Winner).

A champion of the UAE’s visionary leadership in sustainability, Anand is a proven Green Building developer, leading FIVE to become the first and only 100% LEED Platinum Hotel Group (Dubai and Zurich). Pacha Ibiza has achieved a groundbreaking milestone as the world’s first and only LEED Platinum-certified nightclub, earning an impressive 81 points, setting a new benchmark for sustainable nightlife, powered entirely by renewable energy and free from single-use plastics for an eco-friendly clubbing experience. In July 2025, Pacha Hotel broke ground as Ibiza’s first and only LEED Platinum certified hotel on the road to scaling FIVE’s LEED Commitments across The Pacha Group with Destino Five Ibiza on track to earn LEED Gold or Higher certification. Additional achievements include leading FIVE Zurich to become Switzerland’s first LEED Platinum hotel and FIVE LUXE JBR holding the world’s highest 5 Star LEED Platinum rating under LEEDv4 (BD+C) at 89 points. Today, FIVE operates 1,571 LEED Platinum rated hotel rooms compared to just 295 in the entire USA, under LEEDv4+. 

Securing the only UAE hotel agreement with DEWA to source 100% solar power for his three Dubai hotels reflects Anand’s commitment to carbon reduction and Dubai’s D33 vision under Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Since 2024, FIVE Holdings has operated its global portfolio on 100% green power, including FIVE Zurich and all properties within The Pacha Group. This has resulted in over 46,000 MtCO2e avoided emissions in Dubai since 2022, and within The Pacha Group, the company avoided 538 MtCO2e in 2024 alone. 

In just five years, Anand led FIVE to become the number one rated ESG company in the world by ISS, receiving an ‘A’ grade out of 7000+ companies. Committed to excellence, Anand has led his teams to earn six ISO’s, including ISO 50001 (Energy Management System) of which FIVE Holdings is the only 5-star hotel in the UAE to hold. In 2025, under Anand’s leadership, FIVE Palm Jumeirah and FIVE Jumeirah Village earned the highest Gold Stamp Award from Dubai Sustainable Tourism, placing in the top 1% of Dubai’s hotels for sustainability excellence. 

In 2023, Anand as Group CFO (2020-2024) led the successful over-subscription of FIVE Holdings’ debut USD 350 million Green Bond listed on Nasdaq Dubai. This green financial achievement underlines FIVE Holdings’ steadfast commitment to sustainable finance and its consistent leadership in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. In 2025, FIVE Holdings reinforced its growth trajectory by securing a USD 460 million Revolving Credit Facility with Commercial Bank of Dubai, AAIB, and Santander. The facility enabled the early prepayment of the Group’s USD 350 million Green Bond, significantly reducing borrowing costs while strengthening liquidity. With more than USD 300 million in available cash post-repayment, FIVE has gained the flexibility to accelerate expansion across Dubai, Ibiza, and key international markets, including the United States and Asia.

In line with FIVE Holdings’ Green Finance Framework, Anand has registered The Pacha Group’s assets with the US Green Building Council. In 2025, Pacha Ibiza became the world’s first and only LEED Platinum nightclub while Pacha Hotel became Ibiza’s first and only LEED Platinum certified hotel, demonstrating Anand’s executional prowess in scaling FIVE’s global sustainable entertainment ecosystem model and championing Balearic Net Zero ambitions. The group boasts 1,571 LEED Platinum hotel keys compared to 295 in the USA under the latest LEEDv4+ standards. 

In 2024, The Pacha Group secured a 100% green power contract for its properties and locked in a 34% reduction in carbon footprint from 2022 levels. Destino Five Ibiza activated innovative water reduction and recycling measures, in 2025 saving over 40% in water use compared to 2023. With 86% of its fruits and vegetables sourced from Spain, 40% of which come from Ibiza directly in 2024, The Pacha Group pursues sustainability across its ecosystem of operations, thanks to Anand’s unyielding ambition on the journey of excellence, supporting the Balearic 0Km program. 

Globally, Anand oversees more than 3,000 employees from 80+ nationalities, managing 1,700+ keys across the Group. His focus on driving top and bottom-line growth, while improving operational efficiency has led to a 65% reduction in Carbon Use Intensity, 45% reduction in Water Per Capita, and 44% reduction in Waste Per Capita (FIVE Palm Jumeirah and FIVE Jumeirah Village Hotels 2024 vs 2020 baseline). Key highlights include 23,672 metric tons of CO2 avoided in 2024 alone, 590,000 kg material recycled, and 3 million plastic bottles eliminated per year through glass bottling. Undertaking a Hotel Carbon Footprint Benchmarking exercise with global leader Greenview and CHSB, FIVE Hotels and Resorts reported Carbon Footprints between 4x to 6x lower than the average Dubai 5 Star Resort and Water Footprints 4.6x lower for FIVE Palm Jumeirah and 2.7x lower for FIVE Jumeirah Village; lower than the average luxury hotel in the USA. FIVE also demonstrated a water footprint that is 160%–280% lower than the average Dubai 5-Star Resort (CHSB 2024). 

The completion of FIVE LUXE JBR earned the Group its highest LEED Platinum score to date, at 89 points for Building Design and Construction (BD+C), positioning it as the highest-rated 5-star hotel globally for LEED v4 BD+C. Adding to the portfolio, SENSORIA, a luxurious residential tower with a 2,800 sqm ONYX Solar Facade generating 300 kW through 3,100 photovoltaic panels, reflects the Group’s commitment to ‘Sustainable Indulgence’ and is set to join the LEED Platinum ecosystem with 91 applied credits. Its Green Chiller Network will recycle over 25mn liters of water in 2025, while its steel structure reduces embodied carbon by 36% compared to conventional concrete, enhancing energy efficiency through smart systems and IoT-integrated Building Management Systems. In testament to its success, SENSORIA has also been named “Sustainable Project of the Year” at the Construction Week Awards Middle East in 2025. 

Anand’s influential role is featured by Forbes Magazine for his pioneering leadership unlocking competitive advantages in luxury hospitality through his eco-tech approach. He is listed in Hotelier Middle East’s Executive Power List 2025, 2024, 2023 and 2022, where he stands amongst the top leaders shaping the hospitality landscape in the Middle East. In 2025 Anand was named one of the UAE’s Most Influential Sustainability Leaders by Khaleej Times. A trailblazer of technology and sustainability within real estate and hospitality, FIVE Holdings was also named Hospitality Company of the Year at Gulf Business Awards 2025, listed at #29 on Construction Week Middle East’s Top 100 GCC Developers 2025 List and recognised as one of the Most Innovative Companies of The Year in 2022 (the only Hospitality Group included in the Annual List) by Fast Company Middle East.

Kundu joined FIVE in October 2024 with decades of experience across hospitality, energy, consumer goods, EPC, and real estate. His background covers finance, international law, taxation, forensic analytics, digital transformation, and cybersecurity, supported by an MBA in Finance and an LLB from the University of London. This breadth enables him to navigate a company that simultaneously operates in hospitality, entertainment, nightlife, and lifestyle—and to bring coherence to a portfolio designed for high performance.

His remit extends across all FIVE Holdings operations, from hospitality and entertainment to fashion, development, and global investment. He oversees the financial performance and strategic direction of FIVE Palm Jumeirah, FIVE Jumeirah Village, FIVE LUXE JBR, FIVE Zurich, FIVE Mode, FIVE Music, and The Pacha Group, which includes Destino Five Ibiza, Pacha Hotel, Pacha Ibiza, Toy Room Clubs, WooMoon Storytellers, and The Pacha Collection fashion line.

Beyond business-line oversight, Kundu drives strategic financing initiatives and treasury management. His leadership ensures the Group’s capital structure remains optimized for growth while aligning development with long-term value creation and global expansion.

 Kundu oversees a financial model engineered for resilience, agility, and long-term value creation. FIVE blends disciplined capital management with an operating structure that allows the Group to scale without compromising control, enabling growth driven by performance rather than external capital dependency. Diversity across regions, assets, and revenue streams is, for him, a strategic advantage rather than a complexity to be contained.

In his CEO Middle East feature, The Strategist, he described the approach: “The financial strategy is architected like a symphony, where each business vertical plays a distinct instrument but follows the same score: value creation through intensity, innovation, and integration.” He reinforces that creativity and accountability are not opposites: “We operate with creative freedom and financial restraint – both in high definition. We don’t kill ideas with spreadsheets, but we challenge them with accountability. Our financial controls are deeply embedded into real-time systems – the margin of error is reduced not through fear, but through data.”

The Group’s ability to fund growth internally while consistently delivering returns reflects the financial discipline he has helped entrench.

Kundu has transformed the finance function from retrospective accounting into a source of real-time intelligence. Functions once reliant on manual inputs now run through automation, predictive forecasting, integrated controls, and system-led governance.

His digital agenda rests on four interconnected pillars. First, strengthening revenue intelligence through advanced analytics that give leaders sharper visibility into performance drivers across markets and verticals. Second, reinforcing revenue protection through system-led controls and real-time oversight that have pushed leakage to zero in several areas. Third, embedding cost discipline into daily decision-making so inefficiencies are identified before they accumulate. Fourth, instituting robust waste-control mechanisms supported by dashboards that convert operational data into actionable insights.

With this structure, Kundu has built a unified digital finance framework supported by advanced analytics, AI-enabled processes, and blockchain-based controls, transforming finance into a responsive and dependable partner to the business. As he observed, “what used to take weeks now takes minutes – and more importantly, it enables managers to act, not just react.” For him, technology is a strategic multiplier, not an accessory.

Under Kundu’s leadership, FIVE has strengthened its balance sheet, increased liquidity, and expanded access to efficient capital. One of the most significant milestones was the early repayment of the Group’s US$ 350 million bond, made possible after securing a US$ 460 million Revolving Credit Facility with leading financial institutions Commercial Bank of Dubai, AAIB, and Santander. The transition from a fixed-obligation bond to a flexible revolving structure has given the Group greater control over its liquidity position and allowed financial planning to move in step with the pace of its operations. The facility also reflects the confidence major regional and international lenders place in FIVE’s governance and financial performance. With more than US$ 300 million in available liquidity after repayment, the Group is positioned to evaluate opportunities with greater agility, strengthening its presence in Ibiza while expanding across the United States, Asia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Operational results reflect this financial strength. In Q3 2025, the Group delivered AED 612.8 million in total revenue, supported by a 15% increase in hospitality revenue compared with the same period in 2024. Hospitality EBITDA also rose by 5% in the quarter to AED 195.2 million. For the nine months to September 2025, total revenue reached AED 1.70 billion, an 11% uplift year-on-year, while total EBITDA closed at AED 540.9 million. Over the same period, hospitality revenue grew 20% to AED 1.45 billion, and hospitality EBITDA increased 18% to AED 513.9 million.

The consistency across quarters, markets, and business lines underscores the effectiveness of Kundu’s financial strategy, which prioritises disciplined allocation, cost efficiency, and resilience across economic cycles.

The Pacha Group continues to strengthen FIVE’s integrated hospitality-entertainment ecosystem. In Q3 2025, Pacha generated EUR 75.7 million in revenue, contributing to EUR 118.8 million (+16% YoY) for the nine months to September 2025. 

Kundu approaches financial performance with a perspective that goes beyond reported figures. For him, numbers are a starting point; real insight comes from understanding the dynamics behind them. His philosophy blends technical discipline with global judgement and a habit of interrogating the “why” behind every trend. This informs how he evaluates returns: ROI is not only a percentage but a measure of participation, loyalty, and lifetime value created when high-intensity experiences are consistently delivered. His focus remains on strengthening existing assets, ensuring capital allocation elevates the brand and protects FIVE’s distinctive value proposition.

Kundu brings structure and clarity to a Group that moves at high velocity across markets and verticals. He strengthens internal decision-making by ensuring teams work with unified information, aligned assumptions, and a shared view of financial priorities. This coherence is essential at FIVE, where strategic decisions move quickly and outcomes depend on synchronized execution across hospitality, entertainment, development, and corporate functions.

He emphasizes linking objectives, resources, and performance. By clarifying how decisions are evaluated and how trade-offs are considered, he enables teams to plan confidently and execute with alignment. His influence has also elevated finance from a reporting function to a strategic partner shaping frameworks for growth, risk, and operational efficiency. This has deepened cross-functional collaboration and supported disciplined scaling during the Group’s global expansion.

For Kundu, cultural alignment is inseparable from performance. When teams understand the rationale behind decisions, they operate with greater precision and accountability. His leadership provides that foundation—supporting sustained performance in an environment defined by ambition and pace.

Kundu’s contribution to FIVE lies in translating complexity into clarity and momentum into discipline. He equips the organisation with the financial architecture, governance, and strategic confidence needed to scale across markets without losing identity or intensity. By shaping the systems that underpin growth, he ensures that FIVE’s ambition is matched by the stability and foresight required to sustain it.