Catalyst in Global Business
There are some luminaries whose prolific work stands above the realm of the ordinary. It is their trailblazing creations that lay a foundation for the future. One such global catalyst is the young and dynamic Robin Titus.
Based in Dubai, Robin has over 2 decades of experience in Business Leadership and International Management. He holds the rare distinction of being one of the youngest General Managers of a multimillion global business at 25; is an award-winning International Sales Expert; was selected as Brand Ambassador for Mercedes Benz; has trained aspiring leaders from more than 43 nationalities; and has travelled to more than 68 countries over his career.
Today, he is the Founding Partner and Board Member at Optima Orbits, a revolutionary concept which bridges People, Ideas and Capital by building upon strategic entrepreneurial alliances and forging innovative business collaborations, trans-geographically and inter-generationally. The 3 orbits of Optima comprise:
THE SALON – The Modern Day Salon hosts a progressive and pioneering community of industry stakeholders, by collaborating together with academic, cultural, entrepreneurial and philanthropic partners. Harnessing our heritage, energized by innovation and conscious of our succession. Salon facilitates the cross pollination of ideas through intimate gatherings to focuse on 8 key spheres formed as ‘LIVES’: Thought Leadership, Innovation, Impact, Venture, Entrepreneurship, Economies of the Future, and Sustainability.
SENSORY – Sensory is an integrated design-concept hub. In the intersection of art, architecture and engineering, it develops innovative concepts for bespoke projects. It integrates algorithmic and molecular thinking to projects, to achieve the most optimized, organized and systemized working-creating methodologies.
SYNDICATE – Syndicate explores, evaluates and enables cross sectoral and geographical opportunities, and focuses on business consulting, deal flow, and market access. It reacts to the fast nature of shared opportunities while uniquely sourcing and sharing top tier deals among partners and affiliates.
Speaking passionately about his vision for Optima, Robin tells us, “Optima is a Universe that nurtures progress and prowess. With a collective experience of multiple decades, we have assembled a global team of dynamic individuals who possess strong and diverse international experience over multiple industries, backed by vibrant cultural and entrepreneurial spirit. We are constantly on the lookout for great work quality and opportunities to invest and co-invest within our thriving eco-system. However, I am more interested in the philosophical value of Optima, the greater meaning it has, beyond me. We strongly possess the belief – ‘I am, because we are!’ This energy manifests in momentum, benefits from mutual alignment, connects visions, and enables missions.”
Robin co-founded Optima in April 2022, prior to which he had an illustrious career serving in senior multi-disciplinary and cross-functional positions within B2B events, fund placement, and real estate investment industries. “I started my career at 17 when I was plucked out of my comfort zone and planted as a seedling in a nurtured environment with great mentors who invested in my upbringing. They gave me opportunities that shaped me, built business acumen, provided first-hand experience, direct interactions, deep negotiations, and exposure to diverse cultural teams. I was fortunate to learn from the best, travel extensively, and build strong values that focused on early goals.”
Robin has done them all proud by emerging as an Industry Thought Leader himself. He has been featured in several newspapers, was highlighted on the front page of a major business newspaper in the GCC, and featured in Ahlan’s prestigious ‘Top 100’ report on the Middle East. He is a member of the Oxford & Cambridge Society UAE as well as The Oxford Business Alumni (OBA) network which boasts a 17,000 strong alumni community globally. Recently, he completed the inaugural ‘CHINA CEO program’ with CKGSB, inducting him into the influential CKGSB network.
What is the passion that drives him, we ask Robin. “Without purpose, passion is enthusiasm without drive. It all comes down to ambition; seeking opportunity to improve, grow, become capable, and make a change. Learning is also a natural drive. Whenever I have free time, I yearn for more information to fill my mind, solve problems, etc. Without the passion to learn, you will not be fulfilled or do great work. But, there is no secret sauce for passion; the best you can do is recognise it, grab it when it is present, and rethink when it is not.”
As talk turns to success, Robin reflects that success is the outcome of deliberate action. Sporadic effort gives only momentary success, one must embrace success as a lifestyle. “One of my first and biggest achievements is building a house for my parents at 22,” he recalls.
Family is central to Robin’s being. When we spoke to him, he had temporarily migrated with his family from Dubai to spend the summer in Europe. “Work often takes precedence over everything else. Thus I balance the demands of career with the needs of personal life. It is important to be in the present moment and avoid a guilt trip later. As Mahatma Gandhi said: ‘Live as if you were to die tomorrow, learn as if you were to live forever’.”