About us


AWR Holding consists of several companies, representing seven diverse sectors and offering exceptional products and services aimed at enriching lives.

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OUR HISTORY

It all started with a dream


As a family-owned business that was set up in Dubai in the early 50s, it gives us great pride to call the fastest growing metropolis in the world our home. Over the years, we have grown to become one of the most progressive and innovative business houses in the region, and a beacon for excellence in the Middle East and beyond.

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STEWARDSHIP

Towards success – Philosophy of I CAN


With passion, I CAN

With integrity, I CAN

With commitment, I CAN

By adding value, I CAN

By never being satisfied, I CAN

OUR FOUNDER

Abdul Wahid Al Rostamani

Nothing is impossible with inspired leadership

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Our Founder


Abdul Wahid Al Rostamani started a small Dubai bookstore in 1954 and laid the foundations for what now is the AW Rostamani Group, which has grown and prospered over the years to become one of the region’s most progressive and innovative business houses.

Equipped with his business acumen and exceptional people skills, he was committed to adding real value to the nation, customers, and stakeholders. Building upon his vision, we remain vigilant to this hallmark of quality across all our businesses and in all we do.

Corporate Executives of AWR

Khalid Al Rostamani started his career with the family group in 1993. Since then, he has been involved in managing and growing the diverse portfolio of companies under the group. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a major in finance from the George Washington University, Washington, D.C.

KHALID AL ROSTAMANI
Chairman and Group CEO

Dr. Amina Al Rostamani, Executive Board Member, Shareholder and Director at AW Rostamani Group, she is the Chief Operating Officer of the Group, overseeing The Group corporate services and function. She also oversees the Group Properties division, being the Chief Executive Officer of AWR Properties. In addition, Dr. Amina is a Non-Executive Board member at HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, Non-Executive Board Member at Al Jalila Foundation, Non-Executive Board Member at Sandooq Al Watan, Non-Executive Board Member of Dubai Chambers, Non-Executive Board Member of Ajman University’s Board of Trustees, Committee Member of the UAE National Election Committee and Advisory Board Member at Tharawat Family Business Forum. Dr. Amina holds degrees at both the Bachelor and Master levels, as well as a Doctorate in Engineering from George Washington University, Washington D.C. She is an acknowledged authority on wireless technologies, and her contributions have been published in several leading publications and journals.

DR AMINA AL ROSTAMANI
Director and Board Member

Huda Al Rostamani has been the managing director and board member of AW Rostamani Group since 2007. She monitors and manages the performance of the companies under the group’s portfolio and ensures their alignment with the group’s overarching business planning and strategies. Huda Al Rostamani oversees new business development and business turnaround functions Huda Al Rostamani holds a master’s degree in medical engineering as well as a minor in data processing from George Washington University, Washington D.C.

HUDA AL ROSTAMANI
Board Member and Director

Hana Al Rostamani is the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), the United Arab Emirate’s largest bank and one of the world’s largest and safest financial institutions, with over USD 300 billion in total assets. Recognised for being a change leader, focused on embedding a culture driven by innovation, diversity and inclusion, Hana is the first female CEO in FAB’s history. With more than 25 years of experience in banking and financial services, Hana brings solid industry experience to the Group. Prior to being named GCEO in February 2021, she was Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer and Group Head of Personal Banking at FAB, responsible for leading the transformation of FAB’s consumer bank, instilling a customer and digital-first mindset. Prior to joining FAB, Hana held various roles of increasing domestic and international accountabilities at First Gulf Bank, Citibank and AW Rostamani Group. Hana is currently Chair of the Global Council on the Sustainable Development Goals, with a key interest in development goal 7, ‘Affordable and Clean Energy.’ She is a Board member of several entities, including: Buna, the Arab Monetary Fund’s cross-border payment system aimed at strengthening investment ties among Arab economies; the Institute of International Finance (IIF), the financial industry’s global association; the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), a renowned academic institution consistently ranked among the leading management and executive education centres globally; and the Executive Board of the US-UAE Business Council. She is a graduate of George Washington University in the United States, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Information Management. Hana’s most recent accolade includes her first-place ranking in Forbes Middle East’s list of the region’s most powerful businesswomen. Hana is a UAE native, and she is married with three children.

HANA AL ROSTAMANI
Group Chief Executive Officer

History

#WeAreAWR

Since AW Rostamani Group’s inception in 1954, it has grown to become one of the largest, privately-owned family businesses in the Middle East.

1954
Al-Ahliya Library, Dubai’s first bookshop, founded by the Al Rostamani brothers.
1957
The Al Rostamani brothers venture into general trading as Central Trading Company.
1968
The Al Rostamani Brothers enter into partnership with Nissan Motor Company. Arabian Automobiles is established.
1979
AW Rostamani Building Industries, a leading provider of services for the architectural and interior fit-out markets, is launched.
1982
Arabian Automobiles enters into partnership with Infiniti. Real Estate is established to offer property development, leasing and asset management services.
1996
Sponsorship of the first Dubai Shopping Festival.
1998
AW Rostamani Logistics, a global logistics service provider, is established. AW Rostamani Lumina, a premier manufacturer of high quality luminaires and lighting control equipment, is launched. Certified Quality Cars is established, subsequently renamed as Certified Pre Owned.
1999
AW Rostamani Lumina forms partnership with world-renowned Spanish lighting brand, Frater.
2004
Start of a strategic partnership with Oracle.
2005
Arabian Automobiles enters a partnership with Renault.
2006
AW Rostamani Shift Technologies, a pioneering IT and business consulting firm, is established.
2007
AW Rostamani Group brand is established.
2008
AW Rostamani Shift Car Rental is established.
2009
AW Rostamani Trading, distributor of various allied automotive products and services, is established.
2010
AW Rostamani Group enters the Indian market as Prime Honda.
2011
AW Rostamani Arabian Automobiles is the first automotive company in the region to implement a Customer Loyalty Program (Nissan Road Miles). AW Rostamani enters a partnership with KAR Freight & Forwarding to provide global customised and integrated logistics solutions.
2012
AW Rostamani Lifestyle, the retail arm of the group, is established. AW Rostamani enters a partnership with KAR Transport to manage the logistics operations for the Group’s automotive companies.
2013
AW Rostamani enters partnership with BCD Travel. AW Rostamani sets a new Guinness World Record for the largest number of car brands in a parade.
2014
Arabian Automobiles becomes the first automotive distributor in the UAE to win the esteemed Dubai Quality Award for business excellence and outstanding performance.
2015
AW Rostamani Lumina sign exclusive partnership agreement with GE. AW Rostamani Group Treasury Win ACT Middle East Treasury Award for 2015.
2016
Launch of Enrich Club, the AW Rostamani customer loyalty programme. Government of Dubai, Department of Economic Development honours Nissan with the Best Service Performance Brand Award.
2017
AW Rostamani Arabian Automobiles receive Dubai Quality Gold Award in recognition for their contribution to excellence.
2018
In 2018, AW Rostamani Group became the major shareholder in Brayleys Cars, an industry leading automotive business based in the United Kingdom.
2019
Al Rostamani Real Estate entered a new phase of growth in 2019, under the rebranded AWR Properties.

Corporate Social Responsibility


Enriching Communities program was launched in 2018, to affirm the Group’s commitment to CSR and helping local and international communities. CSR is embedded in the organization’s culture, as we continue to launch initiatives to support the UAE leadership’s vision and contribute to the economic development while improving the quality of life of our society, customers, partners, and employees.

At AWR, we are committed to enriching the communities we operate in through four pillars: Environment, Community, Stakeholders, and workplace. In collaboration with various charitable centers and institutions, education is the framework we follow, and we aspire to contribute in educating as many stakeholders as possible.

Awards

#WEAREAWR

AW Rostamani has a long, rich heritage started in 1954 and it has grown to become one of the largest, privately-owned family businesses in the Middle East.

AAC Renault Dealer of the Year
2013
AAC Infiniti Global Performance Award
2013
Hall of Fame
2013
Shift Leasing_Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award
2014
AAC_Nissan Global Award
2014
AAC_Dubai Quality Award
2014
AAC_MRM Award
2015
AAC Dubai Quality Gold Award
2017
DHDA AWRostamani
2018
Tawteen Award
2018
KAR Award
2018
JD Power Awards
2018
MRM Award
2019
Renault VOC
2019