Mumbai: Damas Jewellery, one of the Gulf’s most established fine jewellery brands, has appointed Ananthanarayanan Hariharan as its new Chief Executive Officer. The leadership transition comes at a pivotal moment, as Titan Company Ltd., through its UAE subsidiary, progresses toward a transaction that would give it a 67% stake in Damas, with Mannai Corporation retaining 33%.
Hariharan brings over 30 years of experience across India’s leading consumer, fashion, and jewellery businesses. His career spans operations, merchandising, product development and retail strategy, with early roles at Madura Coats and Reliance Retail. His tenure at Reliance Trends sharpened his expertise in modern fashion retail, while his time at Titan — particularly as General Manager – Merchandising for Tanishq — helped build a deep understanding of design, sourcing, and the emotional nuances of jewellery. His recent roles at Reliance Retail and Novel Jewels further enhanced his strengths in customer experience, retail architecture and design-driven strategy.
Founded in 1907, Damas holds a significant place in the region’s jewellery culture, known for collections that reflect Middle Eastern craftsmanship while evolving with cosmopolitan tastes. As the GCC market transforms — driven by younger buyers, tourism-led spending and a rising demand for design-led, certified jewellery — the brand stands at an important inflection point.
Titan’s prospective majority ownership is expected to add long-term strategic momentum through its design-led approach and strong retail discipline. Combined with Hariharan’s leadership, industry observers expect a renewed focus on strengthening Damas’s design language, refining its product architecture, and elevating the brand’s contemporary appeal while retaining its heritage roots. Enhancements to retail environments and a sharper integration of regional and global design influences are also anticipated.
With the transaction moving toward completion, Hariharan’s appointment signals the beginning of a closely watched new chapter for Damas — one that could reshape its position in the GCC’s luxury jewellery landscape and set new benchmarks for design, craftsmanship and customer experience in the region.
