As one of the leading groups in Mauritius, SBM Group comprises a team of high-calibre individuals who are responsible for the strategic direction of the Group and its long-term success in all the markets we serve.
MR RAOUL CLAUDE NICOLAS GUFFLET
Date of appointment:
28 November 2022
Background and experience
Mr Gufflet is a seasoned professional, who has spent over three decades in the banking and financial sector, over which he has gathered an extensive knowledge of the banking sector and financial markets across a large variety of jurisdictions. He started his career as a strategic consultant in the field of restructuring and corporate advisory at PwC in France, Eastern Europe and Africa. He has been involved in several studies which were jointly conducted with the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on financial institutions, both in developed and transitional economies. Prior to joining the SBM Group, he was the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of a renowned bank in Mauritius and served as the Director of its entities across Africa and the Indian Ocean. He spearheaded the transformation of most of its business lines, aligning them with best international standards as well as with new digital, regulatory and compliance international practices. He has also been instrumental in developing that institution’s Corporate and Institutional Banking arm and led the creation of its franchise in the Structured Finance and Commodities spectrum on the African continent. As a firm believer in ESG principles for responsible banking and finance, he is committed to developing a sustainable banking and capital market philosophy, which is a prerequisite for unlocking shareholder value.
Qualifications
• Advanced Management Programme – INSEAD, France
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) – Institute of Internal Auditors, USA
• Post Graduate Diploma International Finance – Université de Paris XIII, France
• Master’s Degree in Economics (specialisation in Finance) – University of Paris (La Sorbonne), France
• BSc Economics – University of Paris (La Sorbonne), France
Directorship in other entities
Banque SBM Madagascar SA, SBM (Bank) Holdings Ltd, SBM Bank (India) Limited, SBM Bank (Kenya) Limited, SBM Bank (Mauritius) Ltd, SBM Capital Markets Ltd, SBM Factors Ltd, SBM (NBFC) Holdings Ltd and other entities of the SBM Group.
Other Members of our Leadership Team
MR JASWANT RAO (NUVIN) BALLOO
Background and experience
Mr Balloo is a seasoned professional with around 18 years of experience in the banking and financial services sector. At SBM Holdings Ltd, he is currently in charge of the overall strategy management, while catering for the Company’s Investor Relations function and acting as its main Economist.
After obtaining his Master of Economics from the University of Sydney, Australia, Mr Balloo worked as an Economic Advisor at KPMG Mauritius, where he participated in influential projects and studies for private and public sector clients operating locally and abroad. He then joined a leading banking and financial services player where he acted as the Deputy Head of the Strategy, Research and Development department as well as the Lead Economist. There, he took part in a wide range of high-profile projects and assignments that closely contributed to the sound and sustained growth of the organisation in Mauritius and across the African continent, alongside helping to strengthen its image and goodwill vis-à-vis multiple stakeholders.
Qualifications
• Master of Economics – University of Sydney, Australia
• BSc Economics – University of Mauritius, Mauritius
MR AKSHAY FAUGOO
Background and experience
Mr Faugoo has over 20 years of experience in the banking and financial services and technology sectors. Before joining SBM Holdings Ltd, he was the Head of Transformation at Bank One Ltd, where he led the bank’s transformation through an ambitious programme consisting of channels revamp, process digitalisation, data, fintech and innovation.
Prior to that, Mr Faugoo worked at MCB Ltd where he was instrumental in setting up the bank’s digital transformation programme and had the responsibility of customer journey transformation as part of their digital agenda.
He started his career and lived in Singapore for several years, where he worked as a consultant in the telecommunications and technology sectors with reputable organisations such as Siemens and Accenture.
Qualifications
• Master’s Degree in Strategy and Organisational Consulting – Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Paris, France
• Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology with Business – National University of Singapore, Singapore
• Fintech Certificate – Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
MR SIVAKRISNA (KOVI) GOINDEN
Background and experience
Mr Goinden has served 16 years in the banking sector with an overall 19 years’ experience in the finance and accounting sector. He currently manages the finance, capital and procurement functions of the Group, providing support and assistance to the different entities across the SBM Group on finance related matters as well as capital usage and requirements.
Over the years, Mr Goinden has contributed much to the expansion of the SBM Group given his vast past experience in merger and acquisitions, Group restructuring and capital projects.
Mr Goinden acts as Director on several entities of the SBM Group and is a Councillor on the SBM Foundation, the CSR arm of the Group.
Qualifications
• Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, UK (FCCA)
• Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration – Heriot-Watt University, UK
Directorship in other entities
Industrial Finance Corporation of Mauritius (Equity) Ltd (Previously known as “SME Equity Fund”)
MRS RITA-DEVI PERSAND GUJADHUR
Background and experience
Mrs Gujadhur is a seasoned banker with a long career spanning over 36 years at SBM. She joined the Trade Finance Department in 1988, where she spent 9 years and acquired a full insight of the trade finance operations before moving to the International Banking Division. She has, from then on, assumed various positions of increasing responsibilities within the Bank and at Holdings level as Head of Value-Based Performance Management, Head of Operations Centre & Trade Finance, Head of Strategy & Data Analytics and Group Head Financial Management. She currently assumes the function of Chief Financial Management Officer at both SBM Bank (Mauritius) Ltd (the “Bank”) and SBM Holdings Ltd.
Mrs Gujadhur has been an active member in various key forums such as the Operational Risk Forum, the Management Credit Forum, the Portfolio Credit Forum, the Asset and Liability Management Committee and the Group Executive Forum. She has also been involved in the implementation of major IT projects within the Bank.
Qualifications
• Master of Business Administration – Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh Business School, UK
• Diploma in Business Management – Surrey European Management School, University of Surrey, UK
MR NADIM IMRIT
Background and Experience
Mr Imrit leads the development and management of sustainability strategies across all SBM Holdings Ltd entities, ensuring alignment with the Group’s Sustainability Agenda.
With a robust two-decade tenure in banking and financial services sector, Mr Imrit’s expertise is foundational to the Group’s strategic endeavours. Prior to joining SBM Holdings Ltd, he served as the Chief Risk Officer at SBM Bank (Mauritius) Ltd, where he was instrumental in crafting and deploying a governance and risk management framework with an emphasis on climate and environmental financial risks.
Prior to that, Mr Imrit worked as the Head of Credit Analysis & Structuring at MCB Ltd for their Corporate & Institutional Banking division. There, he spearheaded the integration of Environmental and Social Risk Management into the bank’s credit process. Additionally, he played a crucial role in developing sustainable finance products and establishing a comprehensive sustainability strategy across the bank’s functions.
Mr Imrit started his career in the UK’s consultancy sector with KPMG and Deloitte, which set the stage for his advancement into strategic management roles within prestigious banking institutions such as Barclays Group and Renaissance Capital.
Qualifications
• Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (FCA, ICAEW)
• BSc in Management & Information Technology - University of Manchester, UK
MR AHMAD MAZAHIR KOUSSA
Background and experience
Mr Koussa brings more than two decades of functional expertise gained at Barclays Capital (England), Standard Bank Group (South Africa), Barclays DIFC (UAE) and most recently First Abu Dhabi Bank in the UAE where he served as Vice President, Group Risk Management for their global Corporate and Investment Banking division with operations spanning across over 20 countries.
He held senior risk management and governance positions in his previous roles, successfully driving effective risk management, overseeing take overs and acquisitions, instilling strong risk culture, embracing technology and establishing enhanced rapport with various stakeholders.
Mr Koussa is a Fellow Chartered Accountant and started his career with a Big 4 firm in London.
Qualifications
• Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (FCA, ICAEW)
• BA (Econ) Hons in Accounting and Finance – University of Manchester, UK
MR ANOOP KUMAR NILAMBER
Background and experience
Mr Nilamber is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in the banking, investment and corporate sectors, having worked in international reputed financial institutions, including HSBC France.
He was previously a member on the board of several key entities including MauBank Ltd, Airports of Mauritius Co. Ltd, the State Investment Corporation Ltd, SME Mauritius Ltd and the Mauritius Revenue Authority, amongst others.
His past experiences include those of Economic Advisor at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Chief Executive Officer at Mauritius Duty Free Paradise Ltd, Group Chief Executive Officer at Airports of Mauritius Co. Ltd and lecturer at the Université Panthéon-Assas Paris II, France.
Prior to this appointment, Mr Nilamber was the CEO of SBM Bank (Mauritius) Ltd since July 2021 to February 2023.
Qualifications
• Master’s Degree in Banking and Finance – Université Panthéon-Assas Paris II, France
• BSc (Licence) in Economics – Université Panthéon-Assas Paris II, France
MR SANJAIYE RAWOTEEA
Background and Experience
Mr Rawoteea is a seasoned banker with a long career spanning over 20 years in the banking sector, with 10 years dedicated to Private Banking and Wealth Management in both local and international banks, he brings a broad experience to the organisation.
Mr Rawoteea joined the SBM in 2009 where he has since held several senior positions, including those of Senior Relationship Manager in the Private Banking Division and Head of Sales & Marketing at the SBM Non-Banking Financial Cluster. Mr Rawoteea has also served as Acting Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of SBM Bank (Mauritius) Ltd (SBMBM or the Bank) in 2023 and held the position of Head of Consumer Banking within SBMBM.
At SBMBM, he was instrumental in setting up, in 2017, the Private Wealth Division within the Bank with the objective to provide Wealth Management Solutions to Ultra High-Net-Worth clients. In his capacity as Head of Consumer Banking, he was responsible for the Private Banking & Wealth Management and Retail Banking Divisions of the Bank.
Qualifications
• Graduate and alumnus of the Harvard Business School
• Master of Business Administration, Management College of Southern Africa, South Africa
• Bachelor of Commerce - University of Natal, South Africa
MR NEELESH SHARMA SAWOKY
Background and experience
Mr Sawoky joined the SBM Group as Head of Internal Audit in February 2015. He is a seasoned professional with more than 25 years in the banking and financial sector, of which over 16 years of expertise in leading the Internal Audit function of various banks. He has led audits both locally and overseas. Over the years, he has also been instrumental in establishing high performing Internal Audit Teams within several banking institutions. Mr Sawoky is an avid supporter of data analytics and technology to support audit work and besides the internal audit function, he also oversees the Investigation Team of SBM Bank (Mauritius) Ltd and handles the responsibilities of the Internal Audit function of SBM Holdings Ltd simultaneously.
Qualifications
• Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
• Certified Financial Services Auditor (CFSA)
• Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, UK (FCCA)
• Master of Business Administration – University of Derby, UK