Nadir Zaptia - Head of Operations

Q: Where is Nadir based?

Nadir is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates .

Q: What languages does Nadir speak?

Nadir speaks the following languages: English (Native), Arabic (Intermediate), French (Intermediate), Italian (Intermediate) .

Q: How many years of experience does Nadir have?

Nadir has at least 33 years of experience. During this time, Nadir has worked in at least 5 different roles and for 8 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 4 years and 2 months . Note that Nadir may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Nadir's latest experience?

Nadir's most recent position is Head of Operations at MII Business Recovery Oman .

Q: What companies has Nadir worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Nadir has worked for MII Business Recovery Oman , Tredici Ventures , SLATE Surgical Training Centre , and STEPEVI .

Q: Which industries is Nadir most experienced in?

Nadir is most experienced in industries like Professional Services , Retail , and Food and Beverage . Nadir also has some experience in Energy , Media and Entertainment , and Transportation .

Q: Which business areas is Nadir most experienced in?

Nadir is most experienced in business areas like Marketing , Sales , and Logistics . Nadir also has some experience in Supply Chain Management , Finance , and Operations .

Q: Which industries has Nadir worked in recently?

Nadir has recently worked in industries like Professional Services , Retail , and Healthcare .

Q: Which business areas has Nadir worked in recently?

Nadir has recently worked in business areas like Marketing , Sales , and Supply Chain Management .

Recommended expert

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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Experience

Mar 2025 - Present

1 year 5 months

Head of Operations

MII Business Recovery Oman

Providing strategic counsel to banks, investment firms, and distressed companies across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Leading complex negotiations and recovery initiatives, advising on transactions and restructurings exceeding $50 million in value.
Consulting governments and private enterprises on financial recovery, investment strategy, and economic development projects.
Leading multimillion-dollar financing with banks for infrastructure and agricultural development.
Delivering actionable strategic insights to enhance liquidity, reduce risk, and drive sustainable business turnaround.

Mar 2025 - Present

1 year 5 months

Managing Director & Principal Consultant

Tredici Ventures

Providing bespoke advisory services to start-ups, SMEs, and high-net-worth clients, supporting portfolios exceeding $10 million in combined enterprise value.
Advising on business model design, cost structures, and negotiation strategies, driving client revenue growth of up to 40% year-on-year across multiple industries.
Trading NYSE and Nasdaq-listed equities with active portfolios surpassing $5 million AUM, focusing on liquidity, volatility, and sector rotation.
Executing position, swing, and intraday strategies across the S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, and Russell 2000, delivering 20–30% average annual returns.
Integrating macroeconomic, earnings, and geopolitical research into market positioning and asset allocation.
Utilising advanced technical systems including multi-timeframe charting, volume analytics, and price action models to achieve high win-rate execution.
Maintaining disciplined risk and capital management with under 8% drawdown and consistent long-term equity growth.

Feb 2023 - Mar 2025

2 years 2 months

Cape Town, South Africa

Business Development Executive

SLATE Surgical Training Centre

Spearheaded the creation of South Africa's first privately owned advanced surgical training centre, including the planning and securing of a compliant facility.
Spearheaded a $5M project establishing South Africa’s first privately owned advanced surgical training centre, delivered on time and within budget.
Directed facility planning and compliance, training over 1,000 clinicians annually to international safety and biohazard standards.
Built partnerships with Philips Healthcare, Karl Storz, Smith & Nephew, Dahlhausen, and Boston Scientific, securing over $3M in equipment and sponsorships.
Led regulatory engagement to secure full approvals for live surgical and pre-clinical training programs.
Oversaw architectural and technical development integrating advanced imaging, endoscopy, and C-arm systems.
Executed marketing and stakeholder strategy achieving 90% facility utilisation within the first year.
Launched sustainable training programs generating over $1M in annual revenue.
Applied strategic project management to align financial, clinical, and operational teams for long-term growth.

Aug 2007 - Aug 2022

15 years 1 month

South Africa

Managing Director

STEPEVI

Spearheaded African market entry and franchise development, launching and managing flagship stores in Johannesburg and Cape Town as part of a $2 million expansion initiative.
Built and maintained a portfolio of 200+ high-net-worth clients and industry partners across South Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, supplying luxury interior projects valued at over $10 million.
Directed comprehensive brand marketing campaigns, elevating market visibility and driving a 40% increase in year-over-year sales.
Supervised import/export logistics and global supply chains, ensuring seamless operations with international freight carriers and managing financials exceeding $1.5 million annually.
Developed and executed growth strategies focused on high-touch luxury sales, achieving consistent double-digit revenue growth.
Collaborated with leading architects and interior designers to secure recurring project-based contracts, strengthening long-term client relationships.
Recognised with Global Franchisee of the Year (2009) for outstanding brand performance, innovation, and international market growth.

Apr 2006 - Dec 2016

10 years 9 months

Managing Director

AFF Exports

Founded and led a global fruit export enterprise generating over $25 million in annual revenue, supplying markets across Europe, the UK, North America, the Middle East, and Asia.
Built and maintained strategic partnerships with top-tier retailers and wholesalers in the Netherlands, the UK, Canada, the UAE, Italy, and Asia, expanding distribution to more than 20 markets.
Oversaw end-to-end export and logistics operations, ensuring full compliance with international regulations and quality standards.
Negotiated multi-million-dollar seasonal supply contracts, achieving up to 15% margin improvement through optimized pricing and volume agreements.
Directed financial operations, including FX management, payments, and banking relations across multiple jurisdictions.
Managed global freight logistics, ensuring cold chain integrity for over 1,000 shipments annually and minimizing spoilage losses below 2%.
Recruited and developed high-performing teams, established new market entry strategies, and led the business through a decade of sustained growth and profitability.

Jan 2002 - Jan 2006

4 years 1 month

Managing Director

Progressive Diesel

Appointed official South African representative for EC-1500, leading negotiations and securing multi-year exclusivity agreements valued at over $5 million.
Directed importation, logistics, and regulatory compliance, ensuring seamless cross-border operations and FX management.
Expanded client base across aviation, mining, and logistics sectors, achieving national rollout through successful fleet trials.
Designed and introduced a custom dosing device that improved product accuracy and enabled large-scale deployment.
Led marketing and technical outreach, producing content and materials that increased market visibility and adoption.
Coordinated verified field trials demonstrating 8–12% fuel savings and reduced emissions, validated by Ricardo (UK).
Managed product pricing, sales strategy, and client onboarding, driving EC-1500’s competitive market entry in South Africa.

Jan 1991 - Aug 1998

7 years 8 months

London, United Kingdom

Managing Director

B2B Records

Co-founded B2B Records, an independent label generating over $500K in project revenue and producing original funk, soul, and jazz-infused electronic music.
Signed and produced more than 10 artists through in-house studio collaborations focused on originality, musical integrity, and live instrumentation.
Negotiated international distribution and licensing agreements with UK-based labels, including Chilli Funk Records, reaching audiences across Europe and Asia.
Directed A&R strategy and curated a catalog of over 25 releases, overseeing production, mastering, and creative branding.
Managed all label operations, including budgeting, publishing rights, royalties, and marketing, ensuring sustainable growth.
Produced and managed a live band under the B2B umbrella, coordinating over 50 studio sessions and live performances.
Expanded label presence through partnerships and showcases within London’s independent music scene, growing the audience base by over 300%.

Apr 1989 - Jul 1994

5 years 4 months

London, United Kingdom

Procurement Manager

IOPSS

Oversaw international sourcing and export of high-specification spare parts worth over $50 million for power stations across the Middle East, including major clients in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Established supplier partnerships with 20+ global manufacturers and engineering firms such as ABB Kent, ensuring consistent supply of certified, high-quality components.
Managed over $15 million in annual Letter of Credit transactions, preparing and submitting complete, compliant documentation to international banks.
Coordinated more than 200 annual shipments via air and sea freight, optimizing logistics, insurance, and customs processes under multiple Incoterms frameworks.
Liaised with multiple banks and freight forwarders to ensure secure fund transfers and mitigate financial and operational risks in high-value export deals.
Maintained 100% compliance with international trade and export regulations, achieving 98% on-time delivery performance and strong client retention across the region.
Monitored foreign exchange positions and structured payment terms to minimize exposure, ensuring stable cash flow and transaction integrity.

Industry Experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.

Experienced in Professional Services, Retail, Food and Beverage, Energy, Media and Entertainment, and Transportation.

Professional Services

Retail

Food and Beverage

Energy

Media and Entertainment

Transportation

Business Area Experience

See which departments and functions this freelancer has contributed to most.

Experienced in Marketing, Sales, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Finance, and Operations.

Marketing

Sales

Logistics

Supply Chain Management

Finance

Operations

Summary

A strategic international business leader with 25+ years' experience driving growth and launching ventures across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Expert in founding and advising diverse sectors such as luxury retail, global trade, healthcare, and finance, offering a unique cross-functional approach to corporate strategy, market entry, and expansion.

Proven success delivering strategic projects in 20+ countries for corporate, government, and international partners. Skilled in developing growth strategies, business development, and cross-cultural negotiation to accelerate global operations.

Skills

Business Development Executive
Strategic Relationship Building
Cross-Cultural Negotiation
Stakeholder Influence
Adaptive Leadership
Complex Deal Structuring
Exceptional Soft Skills

Languages

English

Native

Arabic

Intermediate

French

Intermediate

Italian

Intermediate

Education

Jan 1994 - Jan 1998

London Metropolitan University

Bachelor of Arts · Business & French · London, United Kingdom

Statistics

Experience

Total positions 8

Experience in Professional Services 16.5 y

Avg length 5 y 11 m

Longest experience 15 y

Global Experience

Countries worked in 2 (South Africa, United Kingdom)

Primary country South Africa

Expertise

Recent roles Head of Operations, Managing Director & Principal Consultant, Business Development Executive

Main industries Professional Services, Retail, Food and Beverage

Main business areas Marketing, Sales, Logistics

Qualifications

Highest degree Bachelor

Profile

Created

October 2025

Last Update

November 2025

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Frequently asked questions

Have questions? Find more information here.

Where is Nadir based?

Nadir is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

What languages does Nadir speak?

Nadir speaks the following languages: English (Native), Arabic (Intermediate), French (Intermediate), Italian (Intermediate).

How many years of experience does Nadir have?

Nadir has at least 33 years of experience. During this time, Nadir has worked in at least 5 different roles and for 8 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 4 years and 2 months. Note that Nadir may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Nadir be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Nadir would be well-suited for roles such as: Head of Operations, Managing Director & Principal Consultant, Business Development Executive.

What is Nadir's latest experience?

Nadir's most recent position is Head of Operations at MII Business Recovery Oman.

What companies has Nadir worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Nadir has worked for MII Business Recovery Oman, Tredici Ventures, SLATE Surgical Training Centre, and STEPEVI.

Which industries is Nadir most experienced in?

Nadir is most experienced in industries like Professional Services, Retail, and Food and Beverage. Nadir also has some experience in Energy, Media and Entertainment, and Transportation.

Which business areas is Nadir most experienced in?

Nadir is most experienced in business areas like Marketing, Sales, and Logistics. Nadir also has some experience in Supply Chain Management, Finance, and Operations.

Which industries has Nadir worked in recently?

Nadir has recently worked in industries like Professional Services, Retail, and Healthcare.

Which business areas has Nadir worked in recently?

Nadir has recently worked in business areas like Marketing, Sales, and Supply Chain Management.

What is Nadir's education?

Nadir holds a Bachelor in Business & French from London Metropolitan University.

What is the availability of Nadir?

Nadir is immediately available for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Nadir?

Nadir's rate depends on the specific project requirements. Please use the Meet button on the profile to schedule a meeting and discuss the details.