About GBL International

GBL International is a strategy-led advisory firm that helps ambitious SMEs in the UAE scale with confidence using a practical blend of business strategy, AI, and digital execution. We act as a virtual C-Suite for founders who want structure, clarity, and sustainable growth without adding unnecessary corporate complexity.

Headquartered in Dubai, we support businesses across the Emirates through an integrated approach that combines strategic planning, AI-enabled consulting, and digital marketing into one coherent growth engine. Our clients range from marine logistics and premium automotive services to B2B services and technology-led businesses, all united by a common goal: scale up without losing control.

At GBL International, strategy is not a slide deck; it is an operating system for your business. We help you define where to play, how to win, and which systems, teams, and technologies must align to support that growth. From diagnosing capability gaps to designing a clear roadmap and guiding implementation, we stay close to your execution reality, not just the boardroom plan.

Our delivery model combines a UAE-based strategic core with a trusted global execution network. The core team partners with leadership on business scaling strategy, governance, and project leadership, while specialist execution partners across analytics, AI, automation, and digital marketing ensure fast, cost-effective delivery. This gives clients enterprise-grade capability without the overhead of building large internal teams.

Founded by AI Strategy & Business Transformation Advisor Gita S., GBL International is built on two decades of experience in digital transformation, procurement excellence, and data-driven decision-making across 20+ countries and multiple industries. Gita has led global programs covering 12 billion in spend, advanced analytics, and automation, generating hundreds of millions in savings and significant process efficiency improvements. Today, that experience is distilled into practical frameworks that help SMEs adopt AI, build strong leadership teams, and scale sustainably in the UAE market.

About GBL International

GBL International is a strategy-led advisory firm that helps ambitious UAE-based SMEs scale with confidence. Founded in March 2025 by Gita Sivanandan, a former corporate executive with 20+ years of global experience, GBL was born from a simple observation: mid-sized businesses often have the ambition to grow, but lack the enterprise-grade systems and leadership structures to do so sustainably.

We act as a virtual C-Suite for founders

Our mission is to bridge the gap between “running a business” and “leading a legacy.” We provide the strategic discipline, AI-enabled decision support, and governance usually reserved for multinationals, but delivered with the speed and heart of an entrepreneurial partner.

Our Core Philosophy: Human-Led, AI-Augmented

We believe strategy is not a slide deck; it is your business operating system. As explored in Gita’s upcoming book, Modern and Future-Fit Leadership, we specialize in building organizations where technology serves humanity. Our approach to AI is rooted in sustainability and ethics—using automation to remove the “drudge work” so your team can focus on what humans do best: creativity, empathy, and complex problem-solving.

Beyond the Boardroom: Nurturing the Future 

At GBL, we believe growth is an ecosystem. This is why we launched Future Forge, our flagship internship program. We don’t just advise today’s leaders; we nurture the next generation of business practitioners. By bringing young talent into real-world strategy and AI projects, we help SMEs access fresh perspectives while providing students with a launching pad into the future of work.

Early Journey

GBL International was co-founded by AI strategy and leadership practitioners Gita S. and Tanuka Bhattacharjee, who partnered to build an advisory model that blends enterprise-grade thinking with practical execution for SMEs. Together, they shaped GBL’s core philosophy: make advanced strategy, AI, and digital capabilities accessible, simple, and results-focused for growing businesses in the UAE.

In its early journey, GBL was shaped by the complementary strengths of both co-founders: Gita’s background in strategy, data, and systems, and Tanuka’s expertise in leadership, storytelling, and executive presence. That foundation continues to influence how GBL designs its programs today—connecting hard metrics with human-centered leadership so that growth is both sustainable and deeply aligned with the founder’s vision