As a Royal Marines Commando, he operated in some of the most extreme environments in the world and finished his military career at the helm of 600 marines while completing his studies in management.
After moving from his native UK and settling in Dubai, Adrian now covers a complex and contrasting region with responsibility for food service sales in countries built on high-end hospitality as well as those that are volatile and conflict prone.
You’re our Sales Director, Food Service, Middle East & Pakistan – tell us more about your role.
Managing all food service equipment sales across Middle East & Pakistan involves building close and strong relationships with our food service dealers, kitchen design consultants and hotel operators. It also means frequent travel to the 13 countries I cover in this tumultuous region.
What route did you take in terms of studies and jobs to where you are today?
I spent 23 years as a Royal Marines Commando in the UK Armed Forces where I served in 45 countries and undertook operational tours of Iraq and Sierra Leone. I moved to Dubai in 2008 having accepted a position of Military Advisor for the Government of the UAE. 
Whilst in the Marines, I completed degrees in Leadership and Management and Human Resources. I left military circles in 2011 and commenced a Business Development and Logistics role in the Oil and Gas industry.
In 2013 I joined Al Ansari in Oman – the key Electrolux Professional dealer in Muscat – and while expanding their operational footprint and assisting in opening offices in Dubai, Qatar and Saudi Arabia I involved Electrolux Professional on multiple projects. I then joined the company itself in 2017.
What skills do you draw on from your time in the military to your second-act career today?
I got to experience progressive leadership, starting off being in charge of four people, eight, 32, 100 and by the time I left I was in responsible of fitness and weapons training for around 600 marines.
Obviously, in the military you have to be a good communicator because people have to follow you into battle, and I became increasingly confident in speaking in front of big audiences. So, when it comes to sales, that experience made me confident when meeting total strangers and developing solid business relationships.
What do you love about the role?
I thoroughly enjoy being the Middle East ambassador for food service and am proud to work with the Electrolux Professional brand. I am very much a people person and enjoy meeting people of all cultures, which is must in the Middle East Region, where establishing good relationships is key.
What advice would you give to people wanting to work in a position like yours?
You have to be extremely proactive and enjoy meeting people from all backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures. Due to nature of the Middle East region, you also need to have a degree of patience and accept that regional instability can affect business.
Why choose to work at Electrolux Professional Group?
It’s a company that encourages you to grow; if you are keen and driven, the sky’s the limit and you could literally find yourself working anywhere in the world! Personally, I find our reputation and heritage gives me a sense of kudos with a strong ambition to uphold the name of Electrolux Professional Group.
Check out our global career site, if you aspire to pursue a career similar to Adrian´s.