Dr. Anil Sharma

Founder & CEO at Global Marketing Systems (GMS)

Speaker

Dr. Anil Sharma is a financial and industrial pioneer with a long-term vision and is leading the change that is positively steering the direction of ship and offshore recycling.

A man who wears many hats – doctorate, professor, entrepreneur, and visionary – Dr. Sharma is the head of Global Marketing Systems (GMS), the world’s first ISO-Certified Cash Buyer in the maritime industry for ships and offshore assets.

Originally from India Dr. Sharma is now a citizen of the U.S. and a resident of the U.A.E.

Dr. Sharma earned a Master's (MBA) and Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) from universities in the U.S.A. Subsequently, he spent the first ten years of his career as a Professor and then Chairman of the Business Department at a state university in the U.S.A. before founding GMS in 1992.

With its roots originating from a humble basement of a residence in Maryland, U.S.A., GMS has since evolved into a three-vertical global enterprise with a reputation for innovation, green practices, and thought leadership.

After living in the U.S. for 27 years, he moved GMS to its new global HQ to Dubai. Today, with offices and representatives in 15 countries, GMS is one of the most recognized brands in shipping. The company also owns a fleet of over 30 ships operated from Greece including bulk carriers, tankers, and cruise ships.

Through his vocal support of green recycling practices and provision of free training workshops under the Sustainable Ship & Offshore Recycling Program (SSORP) banner, Dr. Sharma is delivering on his mission to build, and share the knowledge of environmentally responsible ship recycling processes. Dr. Sharma has spearheaded a number of key award-winning initiatives aimed at making ship recycling cleaner, greener, and more sustainable over the years and in the years to come.

With a passion for the long term, GMS shows its commitment to attracting young talent toward ship recycling by providing internships to university students.

For the last 13 years in rows, Dr. Sharma has been ranked amongst the 100 most influential people in the shipping industry by Lloyd's List.

In addition to his shipping, real estate, and cruising investments, Dr. Sharma is also the proud owner of the Odisha Football Club (OFC), the 1st division club in the Indian Super League (ISL). OFC has been ranked as the "Most Valued ISL Club" last year.