For more than 18 years, Anna Mansurova has been helping to shape Hellmann Healthcare Logistics. Today, as Head of Healthcare Logistics for Hellmann in the Indian Subcontinent, Middle East and Africa (IMEA), and Managing Director of Hellmann Calipar Healthcare Logistics, she works with teams across the region to ensure the safe and compliant movement of healthcare products. In this interview, she shares insights into her leadership journey, discusses key developments in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and India, and explains how healthcare supply chains are evolving in an increasingly complex environment.
 

Anna, you have been part of Hellmann for almost two decades. Looking back, what experiences have shaped your leadership approach the most? 

Anna Mansurova: Being part of Hellmann for more than 18 years has given me the opportunity to grow alongside the company. Throughout that time, our strong focus on people and customers has remained a constant. What has evolved over the years is my understanding of the importance of leadership and teamwork.

One defining experience was an early leadership challenge that, in hindsight, became a catalyst for personal growth. It encouraged me to adopt a more reflective and empathetic leadership style, which has had a lasting impact on how I work with teams today.

I see my role as identifying opportunities through the customer lens, setting direction, and then creating space for teams to develop the right solutions. Continuous learning and adaptation are essential, particularly in healthcare logistics, where customer needs and market conditions continue to evolve. Ultimately, our focus is always on supporting customers and ensuring patients receive the products they depend on.

Dubai has become one of the most important Healthcare Logistics hubs in the region. What makes the UAE such an attractive location for healthcare supply chains? 

Anna Mansurova: The UAE's success is built on a clear alignment between vision, strategy and execution. The country has invested heavily in creating world-class logistics ecosystems, supported by strong collaboration between infrastructure providers, regulatory authorities and logistics partners.

Another important factor is the ability to think in ecosystems rather than individual facilities. The interconnectedness of ports, airports, free zones and regulatory frameworks creates significant advantages for regional distribution.
At the same time, recent developments in the region have highlighted the importance of resilience. While the GCC benefits from strong infrastructure, developing additional routes and alternative supply chain options will further strengthen the region’s position as a leading regional and global healthcare distribution hub.

Hellmann continues to expand its healthcare presence across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and India. What makes these markets unique, and how do those differences influence your approach?

Anna Mansurova: Each market has its own characteristics shaped by economic, geographic and demographic factors.
Saudi Arabia is currently undergoing significant transformation and investing heavily in logistics infrastructure. One of the most interesting challenges will be developing healthcare-specific logistics networks that can reliably serve remote areas while maintaining compliance and product integrity.

India is already one of the world's leading pharmaceutical markets and a major exporter of healthcare products. Competition is strong, making operational excellence and cost efficiency particularly important. At the same time, developments such as the expiry of patents for certain therapies are creating new opportunities and increasing demand for advanced cold chain capabilities.
In the UAE, innovation remains a key driver. The focus is on developing new ways to create value for customers and improve access to healthcare products across the wider region.

Healthcare Logistics is becoming increasingly complex. How is Hellmann preparing to meet growing regulatory and quality requirements?

Anna Mansurova: We build on a strong foundation of mature, GDP-compliant quality management systems. From a process perspective, we adapt our operations to the specific requirements of each product and customer.

On the infrastructure side, we continue to invest in specialized capabilities, including dangerous goods handling, temperature-controlled storage, cold rooms and liquid nitrogen facilities. Equally important are route risk assessments and the validation of packaging solutions that are tailored to specific transport lanes.

Compliance is never static. It requires continuous evaluation and improvement to ensure that products are transported safely, securely and in accordance with all regulatory requirements.

Hellmann Calipar Healthcare Logistics recently opened its fifth facility in Dubai. What role does this investment play in your long-term strategy?

Anna Mansurova: The new facility in Dubai South is a natural next step in supporting the growing requirements of both existing customers and new partnerships. Many of our customer relationships span more than a decade, and continuing to develop solutions that support their growth is a key priority. The facility strengthens our position as a trusted healthcare logistics partner while creating additional capacity for future expansion.

It also reflects our commitment to innovation and sustainability. Built according to the latest standards, the facility incorporates efficient technologies that support both operational excellence and our broader sustainability ambitions.
 

Regional disruptions and geopolitical developments continue to challenge global supply chains. How is Hellmann helping healthcare customers navigate this environment? 

Anna Mansurova: Hellmann's regional and global setup enables us to work as one team, developing multimodal solutions that span countries and regions. This flexibility allows us to respond quickly when established transport routes are disrupted.
A recent example is an air and road solution into Iraq via Turkey that maintained full temperature integrity throughout the journey. We have also supported customers with road freight solutions from Europe into the GCC when traditional sea freight routes faced challenges.

The ability to draw expertise across our global network helps us create resilient solutions while maintaining the high standards required for healthcare logistics.

Digitalization is playing an increasingly important role in healthcare logistics. What developments are you most excited about?

Anna Mansurova: Digital capabilities have become a core pillar of healthcare logistics infrastructure. Customers increasingly expect real-time visibility and access to data that helps them make informed decisions.
Solutions that combine shipment visibility, temperature monitoring, humidity tracking, CO₂ emissions data and transport documentation in a single platform create significant value. More importantly, they enable proactive intervention when required.
The combination of specialized healthcare expertise and digital tools will continue to strengthen supply chain resilience and improve service quality across the industry.

Looking ahead, what continues to motivate you after more than 18 years with Hellmann?

Anna Mansurova: Healthcare Logistics is a constantly evolving environment. No two days are the same, and there is always an opportunity to learn, improve and develop new solutions together with our customers and teams.
What motivates me most is the purpose behind what we do. Every shipment represents more than a product moving from one location to another. At the end of the supply chain is a patient who depends on timely and reliable access to healthcare products.
Knowing that our work contributes to improving and sometimes even saving lives remains the greatest motivation of all.

Read more about Healthcare Logistics in IMEA