Renuka Jagtiani, chief executive officer, Landmark International was awarded the Outstanding Asian Business Woman of the Year at the first Asian Business Awards Middle East (ABA ME) which held yesterday at the Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi.

Jagtiani is credited for turning Splash brand into a household name that symbolises trendy fashion.

According to the Asian Business Awards, “the Middle East based Asian Woman is powerful, strong-willed and embodies the culture and values of both Asia and the Middle East. She is committed to excellence, innovation and healthy interpersonal relationships within her business environment. Above all, she is an achiever who cherishes family and community values, and achieves a balance between her work and her home... all these are true characteristics of Renuka Jagtiani.

Jagtiani has been one of the driving forces behind the growth and success of the Landmark Group. She has been instrumental in setting up Splash in Dubai in 1993 and has played a pivotal role in making Splash earn international recognition as a fashion brand.

Jagtiani has now moved on from Splash to expand the group’s fashion portfolio by developing a division, Landmark International, franchising international brands such as New Look, Aftershock, Reiss and Koton in the Middle East and Bossini, Kappa and Springfield in India.

In 1999, Landmark entered India with the opening of the first Lifestyle department store in Chennai. Jagtiani, with her guidance and support, has helped Lifestyle revolutionise retailing in India by offering a truly international shopping experience to the Indian consumers.

Accepting the award, Jagtiani said, “I feel privileged to be honoured here at the first Asian Business Awards Middle East. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my husband Micky Jagtiani. I have been fortunate to have someone like Micky as my mentor. This award goes out to all at Landmark Group who have worked really hard for this.”

The business community, government dignitaries, and prominent personalities attended the function from Asia and the Middle East. The ABA ME is instituted to recognise and award business excellence within the Asian community and nurture economic relations between the Middle East and the sub-continent. –TradeArabia News Service