Shamsudheen Bin Muhiyudheen’s life can be described as a remarkable success story. Hailing from the small village of Kalpakanchery in Malappuram, Kerala, he rose to prominence in one of the world’s most modern cities—Dubai. Today, he is a well-respected figure among the UAE’s royal family and a trusted associate of Dubai’s ruler. As the captain steering the successful business empire of the Regency Group, his journey reflects determination, vision and deep personal values.
But Shamsudheen’s story goes beyond business. He is among the rare Malayalis to receive UAE honorary citizenship, awarded in 2003 in recognition of his exceptional service. Over the years, he has become deeply involved in various philanthropic and social initiatives, holding key roles such as board member of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for World Peace and advisor to the Police Council for Community Services since 2021. In 2009, he received the Kerala Kalakendra Global Excellence Award from Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma.
A Life Transformed by Dubai
After completing his 10th grade, Shamsudheen followed in the footsteps of many young men from northern Kerala and flew to the Gulf. On April 1, 1980, he arrived in Dubai with the encouragement of his father, Muhiyudheen Kutty Master. Thanks to his brothers, Abdu Samad and Abdu Rahman, who worked at the Dubai ruler’s palace, Shamsudheen began working there too. Soon, he was appointed to the personal office of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, marking the start of a lifelong connection with the ruler.
His honesty, humility and work ethic quickly won over Sheikh Mohammed and their bond deepened over the years. Shamsudheen became part of the ruler’s personal department and accompanied him on official trips. For more than four decades, their relationship has endured with mutual trust and respect.
Shamsudheen had a front-row seat as Sheikh Mohammed transformed Dubai into a global metropolis. Those experiences taught him invaluable lessons in leadership and vision, which continue to shape his work and life philosophy.
Building the Regency Group Empire
The Regency Group, co-founded in 1994 by Shamsudheen and his brothers, including the late Aslam Bin Muhiyudheen, grew alongside Dubai. Under their joint leadership, the group expanded into several sectors including food and beverages, property management, imports and exports, hospitality, healthcare, advertising and steel fabrication. Today, Regency Group operates across the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and India.
One of the flagship ventures of the group is Grand Hypermarket, renowned across the GCC for delivering high-quality products at affordable prices. The chain has over 90 outlets, more than 30 warehouses and employs over 7,000 people. It serves over 350,000 customers daily across multiple countries.
In Kerala, the group made a mark with Focus Mall in Kozhikode, one of the first shopping malls in the state. Retail outlets of Grand Hyper also operate in Kochi and Kozhikode. After the passing of Aslam Bin Muhiyudheen, Shamsudheen assumed the role of chairman and continued to lead the group with strategic clarity. His nephew, Dr. Anwar Ameen Chelat, plays a key role as Managing Director and supports the group’s business, social and cultural activities.
A Life Committed to Compassion
Shamsudheen’s commitment to philanthropy is evident in his involvement with ‘Thanal’, a charity initiative started by his late brother Aslam in their hometown. Thanal, supported by his brother Abdu Samad, offers assistance in education, housing, healthcare and employment for economically and socially disadvantaged communities.
Thanal runs a palliative care center, a sustainable pension scheme for underprivileged families and an orphanage for children without parents. It also provides clothing in northern India, medical aid to hospitals and NGOs and distributes thousands of food kits during Ramadan across Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. In Bihar, Thanal has built schools in memory of Aslam Bin Muhiyudheen to support children in backward regions.
Shamsudheen is also active in various cultural and social organizations, including Al Manar Islamic Center, where his wife Shamsunnisa volunteers as a teacher. Thanal is chaired by A.P. Abdusamad, with trustees including Abdurahiman, A.P. Azad, Dr. C. Anwar Ameen, A.P. Nabeel, Rashid Aslam and Muhammad Aslam.
Living by the Values of Dreams and Ethics
Shamsudheen credits Sheikh Mohammed’s mentorship for shaping his worldview. He lives by the motto “Grow by dreaming”. To him, vision and persistence are the keys to success and failures are merely lessons on the path to achievement. According to Shamsudheen, ethical integrity is non-negotiable. Any success without ethics, he says, is the same as failure.
He finds joy in both work and worship, seeing them as intertwined aspects of life. His children, Subhan Bin Shamsudheen and Latheefa Bint Shamsudheen, completed their studies at the American University of Sharjah. The children of his late brother Aslam—Rashid and Muhammad—are also actively involved in the family and business legacy.