e-news

OUR COLORSUPFRONT

MARCH 2017

e-news March 2017Contents

Our Guest

Our People

Uganda

Ethiopia

Seychelles

New Jobs

Overseas Jobs

Events

What’s New

Editorial Team

P.1

P.3

P.4

P.5

P.6

P.9

P.11

P.12

P.14

P.19

e-news March 2017Our Guest

Arnaud Lagesse, CEO IBL Group

1

Who is Arnaud Lagesse?

First and foremost, I am a Mauritian businessman and the proud father of three teenagers.

After completing a ‘Maîtrise de Gestion’ from the University of Aix-Marseille II, France, I graduated in Finance at the ‘Institut Supérieur de Gestion’, France. A strong believer in continuous learning, I also completed an Executive Education Program at INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France, and an Advanced Management Program (AMP180) at Harvard Business School, Boston, USA, and I am now preparing for an Intensive Executive Breakthrough Program with Egon Zehnder, Lisbon, Portugal.

Career-wise, I joined the GML Group – formerly known as Groupe Mon Loisir – in 1993 as Finance and Administrative Director before becoming in August 2005 its Chief Executive Officer. On 01 July 2017, after the amalgamation of GML Investissement Ltée and its main subsidiary company Ireland Blyth Ltd, I was appointed as Group CEO of the newly formed entity, now known as the IBL Group. Along the way, I have also seized and accepted opportunities to grow as a leader and to play my role in Mauritius. I participated in the first National Corporate Governance Committee as a member of a sub-committee of the Board in 2004 and was more recently appointed as Chairman of the new National Committee on Corporate Governance for Mauritius which was set up to review the Code after ten years of existence. Former president of the Mauritius Chamber of Agriculture (MCA), the Mauritius Sugar Producers Association (MSPA) and the Sugar Industry Pension Fund (SIPF), I am moreover a member of the Board of Directors of several listed companies and the Chairman of Phoenix Beverages Ltd, Lux Island Resorts Ltd, BlueLife Ltd, and, since 2012, of the Fondation Joseph Lagesse.

What has been your biggest challenge since taking the position of CEO of the merged IBL?

The biggest challenge of this merger has been the reconciliation of the pre-existing working cultures of Ireland Blyth and GML. We are in the process of retaining the “best of both worlds” to create our own and unique IBL Together culture. I have always enjoyed team work and we have now a team of more than 13,000 members directly and indirectly. It is important for me to build trust, commitment, and excellence throughout this team to reach our goals. This process is as challenging as it is necessary. It’s also a priority for me to deploy our core values (People 1st, Passion, Integrity, Excellence, Responsibility, and Creativity) among the Group. This should help us deliver our Vision “Creating a brighter future for all” to our stakeholders.

Success is a volatile concept, it comes and goes. I prefer the term of

“achievement”, which entails the setting of goals and working towards them.

e-news March 2017

What is the secret of your success?

Success is a volatile concept, it comes and goes. I prefer the term of “achievement”, which entails the setting of goals and working towards them.

I am very grateful to have been born in a business owning family and to have had access to the appropriate education to pursue my ambitions. I can definitely say that I had a privileged view of the Mauritian business world via my farther – Cyril Lagesse.

On the other side, from a very young age I felt I found my true calling in entrepreneurship and the creation of new business ventures. I felt passionate about business, the rigor that you have to input, the thrill of working with a team and the satisfaction of a job well done. The decisions I take give results on short, medium, and long term. Those can be accurately measured in terms of value creation or client satisfaction and I enjoy this rating process which allows precise improvement.I feel that passion is a driving force in my day to day work and the key to achieve my goals.

In your opinion, what are the qualities of an effective leader?

It goes without saying that good business leaders must be highly effective in getting people to accompany them in pursuit of selected goals.

From my perspective, a great part of effective leadership is supporting and value the people in your organization and treat them with kindness and respect.

The other important part of leadership is to define the values you are going to work by and to apply them daily.

The real company values, as opposed to the nice-sounding values, are shown by how your team performs, the climate you set for achieving goals, the type of behavior that is rewarded. In other words, culture isn’t only a set of values we put up in the lobby or in the office. It’s every decision you make. It’s the example you set.

Every day is a chance to further shape our work culture.

How do you unwind?

Mostly by spending quality time with friends and family. I enjoy sports, especially outdoors’ one in Mauritius where running, cycling or swimming is such a pleasure. I am lucky to travel often, for work mostly, but when I have the time I like to go on an adventure and conquer new territories, like the Kilimanjaro – highest summit in Africa (5 986 meters) that I climbed last year with 3 friends from Lebanon.

What advice will you give to a young professional joining BDO?

The same advice that I would give any young professional: pursue excellence and passion in what you do and the rest will follow.

“... a great part of effective leadership is supporting and value the people in your organization and treat them with kindness and respect.

The other important part of leadership is to define the values you are going to work by and to apply them daily.”

Arnaud Lagesse, CEO IBL Group

2

Our Guest

e-news March 2017

3

Our People

National Basilica of the Sacred Heart Brussels

‘It has been more than one month since we are at BDO Belgium for our three months’ secondment. The first weeks have been very challenging since we had to drive long distances to client’s workplace, and also in winter conditions (0 degree). However, we knew beforehand that it would not be easy, and we were determined to succeed. Our colleagues here have taken good care of us since day one. A high sense of discipline and respect prevails among the staff members. There are nine BDO offices in Belgium, and we had the chance to work with most of them (Brussels, Antwerp, Gent, La Hulpe). BDO Belgium is right now in their peak audit period, but we still manage to meet up for group gatherings after office hours.

So far, we have been auditing clients coming from various industries, some of them world leading companies like Jan De Nul. During weekends, we have the opportunity to visit various Belgium cities and other European cities. Our colleagues have always been of great help in guiding us for these visits. We cannot wait to share these invaluable experiences with everyone in Mauritius when we come back.

In BDO Premises

National Basilica of the Sacred Heart Brussels

Gravensteen Gent

BDO Office Brussels

The adventures of our Staff on Secondment

e-news March 2017

4

Uganda

Team Building

The team building event was on December 22, 2016. It was hosted at Garuga Country Lake Resort on the shores of Lake Victoria.

We had two teams Lions (Red) and Hyenas (Orange). The activities were Quiz/brain teasers, Volleyball, Football, Basketball, and Tug of war.

Team Hyenas collected more points overall and were awarded a trophy.

It was a great event that was graced by the presence of Sandeep Khapre, CEO BDO East Africa

e-news March 2017

5

Ethiopia

The 5th African Business Forum

Africa Business Forum is an African led organization, by Africans promoting Africa with the aim of strengthening ties between the business world and one of the world’s most dynamic and fastest-growing regions.

It was first founded by Rashed Ahmed, forming part of the new breed of African entrepreneurs. He is from London but is based in Dubai. He started with a vision to build a global community of informed business leaders and challenge the perception of doing business in Africa.

The forum took place on March 1, 2017, at the Sheraton Addis Hotel with the Partnership of Sheikh Mohammed Al Amoudi.

Two of our staff members namely Niat Asrat Senior Consultant and Rolina Negussie Advisor to the Managing Partner attended the forum on behalf of BDO Ethiopia. According to their reports, they gained immense experience from the forum and they represented the company very well. They also received partnership award certificates for their valuable participation at the forum.

Niat (Left) and Rolina (Right) Business Networking at the forum

Lunch at the forum

Award Ceremony

e-news March 2017

6

Seychelles

SEYCHELLES

‘’Madam, thank you for your mail following our brief meeting last week. I also look forward to a lasting partnership with your organization as Seychelles advances along the path of nationhood under the leadership of President Danny Faure in a new era, characterized by good governance, transparency, and accountability. I wish you the best in the future.’’ Message from Vincent Meriton, Hon Vice President of Seychelles.

“Dear Nazrah, Thank you for your email. It has been well received. The conversation we shared was very informative and fruitful for our organization. We are convinced that our respective institutions will develop a very good professional relationship as we embark on the

various changes in the manner PEs are being Governed and recording their transactions.

We thank you for expressing interest in providing your support to PEMC and look forward to enhance our working collaboration as partners in making the necessary and much needed reforms.’’

Message from Roland Marengo, Public Enterprise Monitoring Committee team.

Afsar Ebrahim- Deputy Managing Partner BDO Mauritius, Nazrah Ramdin-Managing Partner BDO Seychelles, Hon. P. Pillay-Speaker of the National

Mrs A. Vidot- CEO Seychelles Savings Bank, Afsar Ebrahim, Nazrah Ramdin and Mr. S. Naqi-Financial Advisor

e-news March 2017

7

Seychelles

SEYCHELLES (cont.)

Nazrah Ramdin, Mr. Rupert Simeon, CEO of Société Seychelloise d’investissement, and Afsar Ebrahim

Meeting with the Hon. Minister of Finance, Trade and Economic Planning, Dr. Peter Larose

‘’It was my pleasure to meet with you and Mr. Ebrahim last Friday. I had just arrived from Mauritius after attending the African

Economic Platform Forum hosted by the Mauritian authorities. It was indeed an excellent event backed by systematic logistics. The hospitality was wonderful and highly appreciated by all the delegates. I must say that I was invited by Mr. Ebrahim to visit

BDO Headquarter in Mauritius but I had a very busy program with back-to-back meetings and of course, I could not make it. There

will be a next time.

I am really looking forward to work closely with your firm in delivering quality services. Let us keep in touch.My best regards

to you and the team.’’

Message from Peter Larose, the Minister of Finance

e-news March 2017

8

Seychelles

SEYCHELLES (cont.)

Staff Party

e-news March 2017

9

Audit and business advisory Internal Client Service (ICS)

Secretarial Department

KENYA

Tax and business advisory

Consulting and advisory

New Jobs

e-news March 2017

10

New Jobs

ETHIOPIA

Evertop Sportswear PLC

Om Consulting and Engineering

e-news March 2017Overseas Jobs

Pravesh Mogun- Manager and Krishna Pallianee-Manager on overseas assignment at UNDP Lesotho

Pravesh Mogun, Cristy Ahenkora – Deputy Resident Representative (DRR), UNDP and Krishna Pallianee

Pravesh Mogun, Mathabo Chaoana – Programme Associate UNDP and Krishna Pallianee

11

e-news March 2017Events

12

Rynnersing Ramlall, Experienced Senior Auditor with Marie Louise Teng Hin Voon, Regulatory Contact Partner, Kim Lai Hang Tsang-Senior auditor, Marie Louise Teng- Regulatory Contact Partner, Rynnersing Ramlall-Experienced Senior auditor and Sikka Ram-Semi-Senior auditor

Throwback pictures to the ICAEW Graduation Ceremony

e-news March 2017Events

13

Independence Day in our premises with our Chief Guest, Arnaud Lagesse, CEO IBL Group

e-news March 2017What’s New

New Recruits (MAURITIUS)

14

Tasneem MullooGroup B(SP)

James ReyGroup B(AR)

Kirvin BappooGroup B(AR)

Darren Chung KumGroup FA

Brinda CurpenGroup D(GC)

Waseem GurreebooGroup A(KH)

Jordan HoffmannGroup B(SP)

Nuveena JhowryGroup B(AR)

Wendy LamGroup B(SP)

Nawsheen ChoomkaGroup A(KH)

David LeeGroup A(KH)

Faeez MoserdeeGroup A(KH)

Walid NazirGroup A(KH)

Bilal HosenallyGroup D(GC)

Pawan RamnauthGroup B(SP)

e-news March 2017What’s New

New Recruits (MAURITIUS)

Solutions Team

15

Aartee Jangleea

Kervin Alam Meetilesh Purboo Melissa Wu Tai Wah Nabeel Korimboccus Neeshal Dabydial Nihal Balgobin

Ally Owarish Avisha Greedharry Balee Coonee Hadiyyaa Goolam Gookan

Humaira Seik Rossun Hussein Soogali

e-news March 2017What’s New

New Recruits (MAURITIUS)

Solutions Team

16

Nourinah Peerbocus

Yasine Rujbally

Yashveer Bhujun Pratish Bholanauth Hussein Soogali John Ah Kang Teena VEncatasawmy Yaasir Johar

Our New driver on Board

e-news March 2017What’s New

New Recruits (UGANDA)

New Recruits (MADAGASCAR)

Christopher Kintu SsenonoManager Integrated Client Services

Christopher has over nine (9) years’ experience providing accounting, auditing, and business advisory services to local and international organizations in Uganda.Christopher has played a key role in setting up financial systems and internal controls for various clients and gained a wealth of knowledge, understanding and designing innovative systems, controls and approaches for large and small scale projects alike operating in Uganda. He has advised clients in public and private sectors.

Sariaka ANDRIAMAMBAZAFY, sortante de l’INSCAE Madagascar

Je fais partie de l’équipe BDO Madagascar depuis environ 3 mois. Les conditions de travail y sont appréciables et ne cessent de m’apporter de nouvelles expériences.

Je connaissais la plupart de l’équipe qui a fréquenté l’INSCAE Madagascar, ce qui a bien facilité mon intégration.

Pour un premier emploi après l’obtention du diplôme, j’ai eu beaucoup de chance d’avoir intégré BDO Madagascar.

Sergio RAMANANERA, sortant de l’INSCAE Madagascar

J’ai intégré l’équipe BDO Madagascar depuis 3 mois maintenant.

Etant fraîchement diplômé, je me suis vite adapté à l’environnement de travail grâce aux aides des collaborateurs et aux diverses activités extra-professionnelles qui ont créés des liens entre les membres au sein du cabinet.BDO Madagascar est composé d’une équipe jeune, dynamique et surtout professionnelle dans le traitement des dossiers clients.

Tout ceci me fait dire que je me sens à ma place ici!

Sheila KoburungiDevelopment Consultant

Sheila is a highly motivated, versatile, dependable and hardworking professional Chartered Accountant (ACCA) with over 10 years of experience of working in the accounting, finance, business management and audit field who has demonstrated the ability to teach and mentor diverse teams while enforcing professional ethics and integrity at the workplace. Strong technical and business qualifications with an impressive track record of more than 8 years of hands-on experience in strategic planning and budgeting, financial reporting, internal controls development, administration management, and team work. Excellent interpersonal skills combined with ability to work under minimal supervision and ability to multi-task.

17

e-news March 2017What’s New

Read for You by Afsar Ebrahim

ULTIMATE ENERGY- How to get from tired to inspired by Tricia Woolfrey

Power up your day with instant and long-term energy boostsWhen your energy’s low it can feel like wading through treacle with brain fog, but good energy is yours for the taking if you follow the simple strategies in this book. Organised as an acronym - ENERGIZER - it covers mindfulness, resilience, saying ‘no’, nutrition, exercise, and much more.

By the end, you will be able to deal with all of life’s challenges more easily and, better still, enjoy the good times more fully. What’s not to love?

BUILT TO GROW- How to deliver accelerated, sustained and profitable business growth by Royston Guest

This book is straightforward, factual and to the point.If you asked a cross-section of business leaders, business owners and entrepreneurs what their biggest business challenge is, you would probably hear the same recurring thought: growing their business in a sustainable, predictable, yet profitable way – quickly.It’s a reality that most businesses and individuals never reach their full potential, always yearning for the ‘thing’ that will catapult them into significance, but never really finding it.

Avoid the common pitfalls of a trial and error approach to business growth, Built to Grow is full of practical strategies, tools, and ideas, backed up with real world case studies to illustrate what can be achieved - leaving you equipped to transform your businesses performance and drive tangible results.

Built to Grow is destined to become your handbook, your ‘go to’ guide, your roadmap to accelerated, sustained and profitable business growth.

THE INDUSTRIES OF THE FUTURE- A lucid and informed guide-Financial Times by Alec RossLeading innovation expert Alec Ross explains what’s next for the world: the advances and stumbling blocks that will emerge in the next ten years, and how we can navigate them.In the Industries of the Future, Ross shows us what changes are coming in the next ten years, highlighting the best opportunities for progress and explaining why countries thrive or sputter. He examines the specific fields that will most shape our economic future, including robotics, cybersecurity, the commercialization of genomics, the next step for big data, and the coming impact of digital technology on money and markets.In each of these realms, Ross addresses the toughest questions: How will we adapt to the changing nature of work? Is the prospect of cyberwar sparking the next arms race? How can the world’s rising nations hope to match Silicon Valley in creating their own innovation hotspots? And what can today’s parents do to prepare their children for tomorrow?Ross blends storytelling and economic analysis to give a vivid and informed perspective on how sweeping global trends are affecting the ways we live. Incorporating the insights of leaders ranging from tech moguls to defence experts, The Industries of the Future takes the intimidating, complex topics that many of us know to be important and boils them down into clear, plainspoken language. This is an essential book for understanding how the world works—now and tomorrow—and a must-read for businesspeople in every sector, from every country.

18

e-news March 2017

Mauritius Ethiopia

Uganda

Tanzania

SeychellesMadagascar

KenyaAfsar Ebrahim

Corinne Ng Man Chuen

Reza Ghanty

Prisca Veerappapillay

Rolina Negussie

George Ssebalamu

Memorina Mbinga

Nazrah RamdinHariniaina Randriambelomanana

Whitney Omusula Ah Chip Clifford

Editorial Team

19

BDO

MAIN OFFICE - MAURITIUS

10, Frère Félix de Valois Street - Port Louis Mauritius

Tel: (230) 202 3000 Fax: (230) 202 9993

http://www.bdo.mu/

https://www.facebook.com/BDO.Mauritius.and.Regional.Offices

Designed by