Nigora Rapilbekova

Leading multinational lifestyle hospitality company with 90+ properties in 26 countries, recognised for award-winning dining, daylife, nightlife, and hotels. Reported to Chief People Officer, leading a team of 4 direct reports and a broader network of sustainability champions, external auditors, consultants, and regulators across 26 countries. Responsible for integrating ESG, HSE, and food safety strategy across all group operations and institutionalising frameworks aligned to ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 26000, HACCP, GRI, SASB, CSRD, SDGs, SBTi, IFRS, and GSTC. Key achievements: ◼ Successfully obtained ISO 14001, ISO 26000, and HACCP certification across 16 UAE outlets, establishing a replicable, audit-ready framework positioned for rollout across 74+ remaining properties in 26 countries. ◼ Developed and launched 5-year ESG strategy aligned to group executive priorities, regulatory requirements, and international disclosure frameworks. ◼ Designed and implemented Diversity & Inclusion strategy across all business functions, embedding social governance standards group-wide. ◼ Delivered 4,000+ hours of ESG, HSE, and food safety training across 1,000+ personnel, driving measurable improvement in ESG awareness and compliance group-wide. ◼ Improved Dubai Municipality food safety inspection scores across certified outlets through structured audit preparation and gap remediation programmes. ◼ Reduced operational risk assessment findings and legal compliance gaps through proactive controls and structured internal assessments. ◼ Promoted from Manager to Director within 11 months, reflecting delivery of all certification targets, strategic programme ownership, and demonstrated leadership across the group.

Responsible for building the foundational ESG, HSE, and food safety governance structure across group operations. Led baseline assessments, developed ISO and HACCP aligned policies and SOPs, built risk registers and audit tools, and verified compliance across all regions.

Reported to CEO, managing 2 direct reports and network of 12 sustainability champions, ensuring sustainability strategies and goals aligned to Net Positive by 2050 vision are prepared, implemented, monitored, and achieved. Key achievements: ◼ Designed and launched inaugural sustainability function, establishing team structure, governance framework, roles, and processes from ground up. ◼ Conducted comprehensive ESG gap analysis across GRI, SASB, TCFD, ISO 14001/45001/26001, CDSB, SBTi, CSRD/ESRS, and IFRS, identifying priority data gaps across energy, water, emissions, and waste. ◼ Developed first sustainability strategy and multi-year action plan aligned to Net Positive by 2050 vision and 10 UN SDGs, securing SLT approval and integrating ESG KPIs into management performance tracking. ◼ Developed energy, water, and waste baselines, established benchmarks, and drove reduction initiatives to underpin future Net Zero and regulatory reporting objectives. ◼ Improved data capture and quality of data across energy, water, and waste streams to strengthen environmental performance tracking. ◼ Secured approval for annual sustainability budget and provided recommendations on improving operational performance and service efficiencies. ◼ Facilitated sustainability training and awareness events to build internal capability across all functions. ◼ Achieved LEED Gold certification for mall management portfolio through coordinated LEED O+M v4.1 readiness programme, delivering gap analysis, vendor alignment, green cleaning protocols, and full credit documentation.

Reported to Director of Excellence and Compliance, with 3 direct reports and indirectly responsible for 800 personnel, ensuring sustainability strategies and goals of Net Positive by 2040 are prepared, implemented, monitored, and achieved across 107 stores in GCC. Key achievements: ◼ Successfully obtained ISO 45001 accreditation across 23 stores, managing 350k budget, delivering 4,000+ hours of structured training, and achieving full certification 30% under budget. ◼ Reduced water consumption by ~5% across 34 stores and energy consumption by 4% across 42 stores through introduction of air-to-water and LED/sensor technologies. ◼ Conducted 120 structured inspections of employee and contractor living quarters, ensuring full alignment to ILO's 8 core conventions across GCC and improving accommodation standards by 10%. ◼ Delivered 20% cost savings in 2019 and 52% cost savings in 2020 through rigorous vendor management, contract renegotiations, and facilities cost controls across 60+ active vendors. ◼ Developed and implemented sustainability processes and policies aligned to Net Positive by 2040 vision and 10 UN SDGs across all stores. ◼ Led all aspects of HSE including management system development, training delivery, and auditing per ISO 45001 and NEBOSH standards. ◼ Directed sustainability, safety and facility management across 107 stores prior to Monsoon & Majid Al Futtaim split in January 2021.