Today’s spotlight turns to Samer Alawiah, Managing Director of Daikin UAE, a leader known for his clear vision and steady resolve. His journey with Daikin has been defined by focus and persistence. These qualities have shaped both his leadership and the company’s growing role in promoting a cleaner, more energy-conscious UAE.
Samer explains that when he joined Daikin, he saw more than a senior leadership position. He recognised an opportunity to influence an industry and contribute to the country’s sustainable future. Hence, his focus honed in. That belief set the tone for everything that followed.
Several factors aligned in his favour, including the UAE’s rapidly expanding economy, its ambitious climate goals, and its strong appetite for innovation. Together, they created the right environment for Daikin’s vision to take root, one centred on delivering advanced, energy-efficient HVAC-R solutions. “The UAE represents a unique convergence of innovation, sustainability, and ambition,” Samer highlights, “values that mirror Daikin’s own.”
Over time, his vision has evolved sharply. It shifted from expanding market presence to positioning Daikin UAE as a strategic solutions partner. The company now supports critical sectors, from residential comfort to data centres that power the digital economy.
With persistence and consistency, that vision began to take shape. It marks what Samer considers one of his most transformative professional achievements.
Leadership Poised to Strike the Right Balance
Leading Daikin UAE by striking a balance between long-term vision and flawless operational execution is his hallmark. Samer believes that staying close to market and consumer trends gives any business an edge. That’s why he remains connected to market signals and encourages his teams to do the same.
For him, empowering people is central to sound decision-making. He also places strong emphasis on building trust and turning shared insights into practical innovation. As Samer puts it, “My role is to connect strategic direction with operational excellence, ensuring that immediate execution always feeds into our broader roadmap of sustainable growth.”
Values that Shaped His Leadership
The pace of change in today’s market is faster than ever, and so are the shifts in business norms. What once defined conventional practice is now being reimagined. In such an environment, leaders must stay adaptable and act decisively to guide their organisations forward.
To Samer, the leadership values that have guided him so far are integrity, resilience, and inclusivity. This three-pronged mantra has helped him overcome many volatile situations. One of the most defining tests came during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“That period,” Samer notes, “taught me adaptability, transparency, and communication, and the importance of bolstering local capabilities to withstand global uncertainty.”
Promoting Innovation While Upholding Global Norms
For Samer, innovation is not confined to laboratories or research centres. It is a collaborative process shaped through partnerships and shared insights. He believes true innovation lies in responding to local needs while maintaining global standards of quality.
At Daikin UAE, teams are encouraged to experiment and develop solutions suited to the country’s climate and customer requirements, always meeting Daikin’s global benchmarks. This approach has guided the company’s expansion into areas such as data centre cooling, modular cooling, refrigeration plants, and system modernisation.
Samer explains that these domains represent important growth opportunities where Daikin is exploring new solutions and setting practical examples for the industry.
A Promise to Sustainability
Samer leads a team that demonstrates how technology can be both environmentally responsible and highly effective. This approach reflects Daikin UAE’s commitment to developing solutions that support a more sustainable marketplace.
Under his leadership, the company has aligned its strategy with the UAE’s net-zero agenda by introducing energy-efficient chillers, VRV systems, and refrigerant innovations. Daikin UAE is also localising manufacturing and investing in workforce development to strengthen long-term capability.
In his words, “We are building the capabilities today that will drive a greener HVAC-R industry for decades to come.”
Mentoring the Future Potentials
Samer believes mentoring plays a vital role in helping professionals grow and reach their potential. He is a strong advocate of leadership development and sees mentorship as an important part of building a strong organisation.
He personally invests time in guiding emerging leaders, looking for qualities such as curiosity, accountability, and the ability to inspire others. “I believe in exposing emerging leaders,” Samer states, “to real business challenges early, so they grow into professionals who think today’s targets are tomorrow’s opportunities.”
The lessons he shares come from both his successes and setbacks. At all levels, from junior staff to senior executives, Daikin UAE encourages continuous learning so that every team member is prepared to take on greater responsibility when the time comes.
Advising the Aspirants
Samer encourages those aiming to lead in the industry to remain curious and adaptable. He emphasises the importance of understanding not just the commercial side but also the technical and strategic aspects that ensure a product’s integrity. “This industry sits at the heart of global energy transition and digital transformation,” he points out.
For him, sustainability is no longer a side conversation. It has become a core measure of credible leadership. True leaders balance both customer needs and environmental responsibility, speaking with equal clarity about profit and purpose.
At Daikin UAE, this approach is reinforced through partnerships and collaboration with suppliers worldwide, ensuring that sustainability and quality are embedded across every aspect of the business.
What Works for a Cross-Functional Culture
Daikin UAE is a globally integrated organisation, operating across diverse teams, functions, and cultures. This diversity has shaped Samer’s approach to leadership, particularly his focus on collaboration. He sees the value of bringing together specialised teams to develop strong, practical solutions and prioritises teamwork as a key driver of success.
Samer also emphasises the importance of creating a culture where people feel included and respected. Open communication, mutual trust, and accountability form the foundation of this environment.
“Success comes from building bridges between cultures, between local and global teams, and between industries and regulators,” Samer remarks. He adds, “My role is to be both connector and catalyst.”
The veteran ensures that every voice is heard and that diversity is treated as a strength rather than a checkbox. This approach to collaboration helps Daikin UAE operate more effectively, adapt quickly, and remain closely connected to its market and stakeholders.
The Flagship of Daikin UAE
For Samer, the future focuses on expanding the role of HVAC-R in national development. He expects Daikin UAE to be involved in a broader range of applications, from modular cooling and refrigeration plants to sustainable mega-projects and data centres.
“I am most excited about Daikin’s ability to redefine the future of cooling in the country, and the region at large,” Samer states. He continues, “We are not just supporting growth; we are setting global benchmarks.” This reflects both his personal commitment and the collective vision of the Daikin UAE team.
Visionary leaders like Samer remind us that in a changing industry, real success comes from attention to purpose, careful planning, and nurturing the people you work with. It has a little to do with following every new trend.
In a field influenced by technology and environmental priorities, his leadership stands out as a steady anchor. His mark is seen in the knowledge he shares, the decisions he helps shape, and the culture of integrity, resilience, and collaboration that grows stronger under his guidance.
