Thirty years have passed since KU Hashim first encountered Colm McLoughlin. Yet, the Indian expatriate vividly recalls the day as if it were yesterday. 'I had been working at the Dubai Airport, but it was in 1984 that I joined Colm McLoughlin's Dubai Duty Free (DDF) team,' he shared with Khaleej Times. 'In our initial meeting, he emphasized that he would tolerate anything except theft. Even the slightest act of stealing, even one dirham, was unforgivable. At that moment, I felt immense respect for him and was proud to be part of his team.' Hashim began his career as a sales executive and was integral to McLoughlin's core team when he took over DDF. 'He treated every staff member as if they were family,' Hashim fondly remembered. 'Anyone could approach him with any issue, and he would listen.'
On Wednesday, McLoughlin, who led the launch of DDF, passed away in the UK at the age of 81. In May, he retired after 55 years in the travel retail industry. In his final face-to-face interview with Khaleej Times, he stressed the importance of staff care. 'Taking care of your staff is the most crucial aspect of operations,' he stated, adding, 'Our managers and supervisors began at the ground level and were promoted internally, a policy we strictly adhered to. I am pleased we rewarded our staff and enjoyed their loyalty.'
Hashim, who retired in 2012 as assistant manager from DDF, noted that Colm was his greatest supporter when he wanted to pursue something different. 'I was an enthusiastic volleyball player and wanted to form a DDF volleyball team,' he said. 'I recruited players from various departments, but all the managers were displeased, feeling I was distracting and tiring the employees. However, Colm stood by me. He supported me when everyone else opposed me.' Hashim recounted how the team went on to compete in a tournament in Abu Dhabi. 'We returned very late at night,' he said. 'All of us had duty early the next morning, but none of us were late. Colm appreciated how we never let our passion for sports interfere with our dedication to work.'
Hashim then established the men's and women's basketball and cricket teams for DDF. 'I coordinated everything, and Colm was very appreciative,' he said. 'In those days, being fit and playing sports wasn't as trendy as it is today. But Colm, with his foresight, understood the importance of physical activity for staff.' He mentioned how McLoughlin ensured the players had a court to practice on and a gym nearby for workouts. Now living in India, Hashim last saw McLoughlin in November during his visit to the UAE. 'He was in great spirits at the time,' he said. 'Though he may be gone, his contributions to Dubai Airport and Duty Free will endure through time.'
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