Ashish Kohli
Dubai
Summary
Adaptive business leader with over 15 years of experience in the mobile phone industry, specializing in driving sustainable growth, strategic channel management, and profitable market expansion across multiple geographies. Proven ability to lead high-performing teams, secure strategic partnerships, and deliver exceptional financial results.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager, Middle East
HMD Global
07.2022 - Current
- General Manager KSA & Qatar | Jul'22 - Jul'23 | Promoted to General Manager of Middle East in Aug'23
- Led a team of 113, driving turnaround and strengthening team morale during market transition.
- Elevated two team members to AMEA regional leadership roles.
- Achieved EBIT positivity by second quarter exit of HMD smartphones launch. liquidate legacy Nokia inventory and focused sales acceleration of the new HMD portfolio.
- Reduced operational costs by 38% through channel team restructuring, removing redundancies, and creating co-funded teams with partners.
- Generated $0.5M+ co-investment from key distribution partners to support the launch of the HMD brand.
- Improved cash flow by shortening the receivable cycle by 18 days.
- Increased ROI by shifting from fixed space rentals to a co-marketing investment model with channel partners, directly linking spend to sales.
- Negotiated zero listing fees for HMD’s regional brand launch by localizing negotiations and collaborating with partner business teams.
- Designed and executed go-to-market strategies balancing objectives of Reach with Cost-to-Serve .
- Pioneered Device as a Service (DaaS) business model; initiating pilot programs with top regional operators.
Head of Product Management & Services Business, MENA
HMD Global
01.2022 - 06.2022
- Formulated and executed the regional product and services roadmap, aligning with global teams and Area General Managers to ensure seamless market rollout.
- Developed and piloted an end-to-end Device as a Service (DaaS) business model for the consumer segment, supporting regional business transformation.
- Launched a customized device management solution integrated with a Fintech partner and POS system, enabling commercial rollout of device financing in open market channels.
Business Manager, UAE, Qatar & Yemen
HMD Global
01.2017 - 12.2021
- Onboarded and managed distribution, retail, and telco partners across the UAE, driving market expansion through a partnership-focused strategy.
- Secured $4.2M co-investment from key partners in the first year to accelerate demand generation for Nokia smart devices.
- Developed and launched innovative consumer offers with DU and Etisalat, including reverse subsidy, data bundling, and digital wallet integration, increasing open market prepaid adoption.
- Led the business to positive contribution margin by FY19, transforming operations to profitability within three years.
Business Manager UAE|GRM UAE| Business Manager, Srilanka
Microsoft
11.2013 - 12.2016
- Managed the strategic ramp-down of the Lumia business in the UAE, minimizing costs for both the organization and partners while maintaining uninterrupted Nokia Feature phone sales.
- Led remote teams in Sri Lanka to achieve a peak 21.7% market share for Lumia (GFK Q4’15)—the highest global share for Windows phones. Received the Microsoft Circle of Excellence ‘Platinum’ award (Global Recognition).
Business Manager Srilanka | India-Experience Channel Manager, Pune| Area Sales Manager, Pune
Nokia
05.2010 - 10.2013
Sales Manager Rajasthan| Sales Process Manager
AKZO NOBEL
05.2008 - 04.2010
Business Manager
Mindshare
03.2006 - 07.2006
Jr. Manager, Corporate Affairs Division
Steel Authority of India Ltd.
05.2004 - 02.2006
Education
Diploma - Leadership With AI
Indian School of Business
Hyderabad11-2024
PGDBM - Business Management
IMT Ghaziabad
04.2008
PGD - Advertising & Public Relations
IIMC
04.2004
Skills
- Leadership and Team building
- Strategic Sales Planning & Execution
- Channel Development & Management
- P&L Ownership & Financial Optimization
- Negotiation & Stakeholder Engagement
- Managing Strategic Partnerships
- Key Account Management
- Data driven Decision Making
- Go-to-Market Strategy & Execution
- Operational Efficiency & Cost Optimization
Timeline
General Manager, Middle East
HMD Global
07.2022 - Current
Head of Product Management & Services Business, MENA
HMD Global
01.2022 - 06.2022
Business Manager, UAE, Qatar & Yemen
HMD Global
01.2017 - 12.2021
Business Manager UAE|GRM UAE| Business Manager, Srilanka
Microsoft
11.2013 - 12.2016
Business Manager Srilanka | India-Experience Channel Manager, Pune| Area Sales Manager, Pune
Nokia
05.2010 - 10.2013
Sales Manager Rajasthan| Sales Process Manager
AKZO NOBEL
05.2008 - 04.2010
Business Manager
Mindshare
03.2006 - 07.2006
Jr. Manager, Corporate Affairs Division
Steel Authority of India Ltd.
05.2004 - 02.2006
PGDBM - Business Management
IMT Ghaziabad
PGD - Advertising & Public Relations
IIMC
Diploma - Leadership With AI
Indian School of Business
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