Girish Rao

Former CEO, ESSAR Steel Middle East

Girish Rao has more than 35 years of experience in the fields of consumer durables, steel, and retail. An MMS graduate from BHU, he worked with BPL where he had a successful stint, ending as Head of Sales. Then he joined LG Electronics as Vice President of Sales and Marketing, where he drove market expansion taking the brand to the leading position in all categories in India.

Later as CEO of ESSAR Steel Hypermart, he set up a first-of-its-kind retail business for steel, catering to the MSME sector. This model became a pioneering benchmark in the steel industry and set new standards.

As CEO for ESSAR Steel Middle East in Dubai, he increased the company’s presence in the GCC and Iraq. Currently, he is a consultant and has set up INSALESPRO, a community for the sales fraternity in the country. Girish is an avid traveler, reader and golfer.