As one of the leading banks in Mauritius, SBM Bank (Mauritius) Ltd Board of Directors comprises a team of high-calibre profiles who are responsible for the strategic direction of the bank and its long-term success locally.
Mr Rundheersing Bheenick, GOSK
Date of appointment
September 2025
Qualifications
• Master of Arts (Oxon) - University of Oxford, United Kingdom
• Bachelor of Arts Honours, School of Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE) - Merton College, Oxford, United Kingdom
Background and experience
Mr Bheenick has a long and distinguished career, both in Mauritius and abroad, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to SBM Bank (Mauritius) Ltd. He began his professional journey as Lecturer at the University of Mauritius in 1968 and thereafter joined the Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Minister’s Office. He was then appointed at the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation in Vienna, Austria.
On returning to Mauritius in 1975, Mr Bheenick was appointed Deputy Director of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development before becoming Director-General in 1980. He was an elected Member of the National Assembly from December 1995 to September 2000, during which he served as Minister of Finance and subsequently as Minister of Economic Planning and Development.
In February 2007, he was appointed Governor of the Bank of Mauritius, serving in this capacity until December 2014. During his tenure, he received the ‘Central Banker of the Year for Africa’ award from the prestigious The Banker magazine for his stewardship of the economy during the global financial crisis.
Mr Bheenick has consulted widely for organisations such as the African Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the European Commission, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the United Nations, among others, in a range of countries from Albania to Zambia, and island States from the Bahamas to Tonga.
Directorship in Other Entities
Family Investment Holdings Company [private]
Mrs Kalindee Bhanji, GOSK
Date of Appointment
July 2025
Qualifications
• MSc Public Sector Management – University of Technology, Mauritius
• B.A Hons Economics – University of Delhi, India
• Diploma in Public Administration & Management – University of Mauritius
Background and experience
Mrs Kalindee Bhanji is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of leadership experience in public administration. Renowned for her integrity, strategic vision, and commitment to good governance, she has built a distinguished career with a proven track record in managing high-profile offices, shaping policy, and addressing international affairs. Currently serving as Senior Chief Executive, she heads and manages the Private Office of the Prime Minister.
Mrs Bhanji plays a pivotal role in the formulation and execution of national policies. She is adept at streamlining operations, leading to enhanced efficiency in Government functions. Her portfolio also includes engagement with international organisations, reinforcing global cooperation and alignment with international standards.
Mrs Bhanji has also served on several governmental and non-governmental boards and committees, including within the banking sector.
Mr Yajnik Bhujan
Date of appointment
July 2025
Qualifications
• BSc in Information Technology – University of Mauritius
• Diploma in Information Systems – Swami Dayanand Institute of Management
Background and experience
Mr Yajnik Bhujan is an IT expert with over two decades of industry experience, including 15 in managerial roles. Known for his strong leadership skills, strategic planning, and innovative approach to project management, he has dedicated his career to providing complex IT solutions tailored to clients’ needs across various sectors. As an avid business developer, Mr Bhujan is currently the Managing Director of Anagra Ltd (Mauritius), a consultancy company within the Information Technology marketplace operating across Africa.
He started his career in the early 2000s as Systems & Database Engineer at Orinux Mauritius Ltd before being appointed as Regional Director at Orinux Rwanda Ltd. He also held the position of Sales and Business Development Manager within the Orinux Group from 2012 to 2015. In 2016, Mr Bhujan founded Aequasys Ltd and served as its Managing Director till 2023.
Directorship in Other Entities
• NEB2Y Ltd
• Anagra Ltd
Mr Thierry Chellen
Date of Appointment
July 2025
Qualifications
• LLB (Hons) - University of Kent, UK
• Barrister, Bar of the Republic of Mauritius
Background and experience
Mr Thierry Chellen is a Barrister practicing in Mauritius since 1995 with extensive experience in legal services in the corporate and financial services sectors. He began his career as from 1989 as legal officer in the banking, insurance and accounting fields.
His areas of practice and experience include providing legal services to and in connection with individuals, corporate entities, local banks, management companies and their clients, specifically Global Business Licence (‘GBL’) companies, trusts and foundations.
In the course of his practice, Mr Chellen advises individual and corporate clients on their needs and requirements pertaining to drafting, vetting and negotiation of legal documentation, compliance and legal due diligence as well as in civil law and employment matters.
Mr Chellen has been working on cross-border transactions alongside international law firms and advisors, providing advice from a Mauritius law perspective. He has been involved in the drafting of pleadings and has provided advice in connection with international arbitration.
MR AVINASH GOBURDHUN
Date of Appointment
July 2025
Qualifications
• LLB (Hons) - University of Lancaster, UK
• Fellow of the Mauritius Institute of Directors
Background and experience
Mr Avinash Goburdhun is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of international experience in the apparel manufacturing and export sectors, with a strong track record in strategic leadership and business transformation. He is currently the Managing Director of Wensum Ltd, a globally recognised manufacturer of luxury formal wear.
Mr Goburdhun has previously held senior roles in India with Norwest Industries and Forbes Campbell Knitwear, where he drove export growth and international market development across Europe and other global regions. Mr Goburdhun is the Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Eswatini in Mauritius. He also plays an active role in export trade advocacy as Vice Chairman of the Mauritius Export Association (MEXA), having served on its Board since 2015.
Directorship in other entities
• Wensum Ltd
• Wensum Management Ltd
• Mauritius Export Association (MEXA)
MR GERVAIS GUA
Date of appointment
May 2026
Qualifications
• Chartered Banker by Experience (“CBBE”)
• Fellow, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), United Kingdom
• Member, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), United Kingdom
Background and experience
Mr Gervais Gua is a seasoned banking and financial services executive with extensive C-suite experience across wealth management, commercial, retail, and international banking.
Mr Gua has held senior leadership roles in global financial institutions and has led the establishment and scaling of regulated banking and wealth management platforms across multiple jurisdictions. Notably, he was part of the founding leadership team that established Deutsche Bank in Mauritius.
He later established and led a licensed wealth management platform in Singapore for the Reliance Financial Group, serving as Chief Operating Officer and subsequently as Chief Executive Officer.
Throughout his career, Mr Gua has operated under some of the world’s most stringent regulatory regimes and is recognised for his strong regulatory credibility, operational excellence, and disciplined governance. His leadership approach is focused on building resilient institutions and delivering sustainable, long-term growth.
Mr Gua is a Fellow Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), United Kingdom, a Member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), United Kingdom and a Chartered Banker with the Chartered Banker Institute, United Kingdom. He has operated under regulatory frameworks including the SEC, FCA, MAS, SEBI, RBI, CSSF, Central Bank of Ireland, CIMA, FSC, and FSRA.
Mr Gua is the recipient of multiple prestigious industry awards recognising outstanding leadership, client service excellence, and strategic business transformation. Notable recognitions include the Global Award Winner, Deutsche Bank (2006) for highest global revenue generation from a single transaction and exceptional service quality, as well as recognition for service excellence and superior client satisfaction in asset management at Reliance/Nippon Life Asset Management, Singapore.
Mr RAOUL GUFFLET
Date of appointment
July 2021
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
Background and experience
Mr Gufflet is a seasoned professional with over three decades of experience in banking and finance. Throughout his career, he has gained extensive knowledge of banking and financial markets across multiple and diverse jurisdictions. He began as a strategic consultant in audit and corporate advisory at PwC, working with banks and central banks across France, Central and Eastern Europe and Africa. He has also contributed to studies conducted in collaboration with the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, focusing on financial institutions in both developed and transitional economies.
Before joining the SBM Group, he served as Deputy Chief Executive Officer at a leading bank in Mauritius, where he also sat on the boards of its entities across Africa and the Indian Ocean. He has been instrumental in building the international franchise of that bank, establishing its footprint in Structured Finance and Commodities Trade Finance across Africa. He also played a key role in transforming other business units, creating alignment with international best practices, regulatory and technological trends. A strong advocate for ESG principles in responsible banking and finance, he is dedicated to fostering sustainable banking practices - key drivers in unlocking long-term shareholder value.
Directorship in other entities
Banque SBM Madagascar SA, SBM (Bank) Holdings Ltd, SBM Holdings Ltd, SBM Bank (India) Limited, SBM Bank (Kenya) Limited, SBM Capital Markets Ltd, SBM (NBFC) Holdings Ltd and other entities of the SBM Group
Mr Mooneesing J.Naikeny (Vimal)
Date of appointment
November 2025
Qualifications
• Strategic Management in Banking Programme – INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France
• Leading Digital, Executive Program – MIT Sloan School of Management - US
• Executive Program in FinTech and Regulatory Innovation – Cambridge Judge Business School - UK
• Master of Business Administration - Université Paris-Dauphine, France
• MSc in Project Management – University of Mauritius
• B.Eng. in Computer Science and Engineering – University of Mauritius
Background and Experience
Mr Janna Naikeny (J. Naikeny) brings over two decades of senior leadership across banking, central banking and financial services, complemented by deep expertise in the technology fields that increasingly define how banks compete. He represents a new generation of banking leadership: one that pairs sound financial judgement with the digital fluency modern institutions demand.
Before joining the SBM Group, Mr J. Naikeny served as Head of Technology and Operations at Standard Bank Group, where he sat at the centre of one of Africa’s largest banking franchises, contributing to a 20% increase in revenue and reducing client onboarding time by 40%. His remit covered core banking operations, payments, risk systems and the customer experience platforms that underpin retail and corporate banking across multiple African markets, thus giving him a rare end-to-end view of how a large bank runs.
His tenure as Advisor to Management at the Bank of Mauritius placed him at the heart of the country’s financial system. He led the implementation of the National Payment Switch, which materially improved the efficiency and resilience of interbank settlement in Mauritius and contributed to work undertaken by the Bank of Mauritius on the Central Bank Digital Currency. This gives him a regulator’s perspective on prudential supervision, payment system oversight and financial stability, which is an asset on any banking board.
Earlier in his career, Mr J. Naikeny held senior roles at Huawei Technologies and Emtel Ltd, where his work on Emtel Cash helped extend financial services to underbanked segments of the Mauritian population, which served as an early and concrete contribution to financial inclusion.
Mr J. Naikeny is a recognised voice on the future of banking, having addressed forums including Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and AfricaCom. He writes regularly on the intersection of financial services, regulation and technology.
Directorship in other entities
SBM Holdings Ltd, SBM (Bank) Holdings Ltd, SBM Bank (India) Ltd, SBM (NBFC) Holdings Ltd, SBM (NFC) Holdings Ltd, SBM Capital Markets Ltd and SBM Mauritius Asset Managers Ltd
Mr Aakash Krishan Kalachand
Date of appointment
August 2025
Qualifications
• Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ACA, ICAEW)
• BSc (Hons) in Accounting & Finance - London School of Economics, UK
Background and experience
Mr Kalachand is a distinguished business and finance expert with over 15 years of extensive experience across diverse sectors, including financial services, risk management, investment, operational and strategic management and corporate governance.
Currently, he holds the esteemed position of Executive Director at J Kalachand & Co. Ltd, where he contributes significantly to the management team, overseeing the company’s operations with strategic insight.
Mr Kalachand had served as an independent director on the Board of SBM Holdings Ltd (SBMH) and SBM Bank (Mauritius) Ltd (SBMBM) from 2014 to 2015. In his capacity as the former Chairman of the Risk Management Committee of SBMH and SBMBM, he was instrumental in fortifying their risk management framework and ensuring adherence to regulatory standards, notably the Basel III regulations.
His professional journey also encompasses roles at EPIC Private Equity LLP in London, where he functioned as an Investment Executive, and Deloitte LLP, where he served as a Senior Consultant. His expertise lies in audit, risk advisory, and regulatory compliance, having worked with prominent financial sector groups such as Morgan Stanley, Barclays Capital and BNP Paribas.
Directorship in other entities
J Kalachand & Co. Ltd, Mauritius Freeport Development, SBM Holdings Ltd and SBM Mauritius Asset Managers Ltd
MR JEAN LI WAN PO
Date of Appointment
July 2025
Qualifications
• BSc (Hons) in Economics - University of Warwick, UK
Background and experience
Mr Jean Li Wan Po is an experienced business leader and entrepreneur with a strong track record in strategic planning, sustainability, business and organisational development. He co-founded RT Knits Ltd in 2007 where he served as Executive and Managing Director until 2022.
Since January 2023, Mr Li Wan Po has been a Director of Li Wan Po & Co. Ltd, a family-owned enterprise with over a century of operations in the consumer goods sector. As Chairperson of the Audit and Risk Committee of Li Wan Po & Co. Ltd, he has enhanced board effectiveness by promoting transparency, corporate governance, and fostering communication between management and shareholders.
Mr Li Wan Po has served as Council Member of the Mauritius Export Association (MEXA), chairing its Textile Subcommittee from 2021 to 2022.
Directorship in other entities
• Li Wan Po & Co Ltd
• RT Knits Ltd
• Prochem Ltd
Ms Lavalina D Sawmy
Date of Appointment
July 2025
Qualifications
• ODR Training - ADR-ODR International
• ADR-ODR Accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator - ADR-ODR International
• Bar Professional Training Course - University of the West of England, UK
• Law LLB (Hons) - University of the West of England, UK
Background and experience
Ms Lavalina D Sawmy is a legal practitioner with six years of experience spanning Mauritius and the United Kingdom. Her areas of specialisation include civil and criminal law, particularly financial crimes, as well as employment, family, and medical law. She appears regularly before the Supreme Court, Intermediate Court, District Courts, and specialised tribunals such as the Medical Disciplinary Tribunal. Ms Sawmy is an ADR-ODR accredited civil and commercial mediator. She is also a co-opted member of the Bar Liaison Committee of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple. Beyond litigation, she plays an active role in the legal education. She serves as a panellist and speaker for The Inner Temple Insight Online as well as in-person events, where she shares her professional journey and mentors aspiring barristers.
Mr Sachin Sumputh
Date of appointment
July 2025
Qualifications
• MSc Actuarial Science – University of Kent, United Kingdom
• B. Bus. Sc. (Hons.) Actuarial Science – University of Cape Town, South Africa
• Certificate in Finance and Investment – Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, United Kingdom
Background and experience
Mr Sachin Kumar Sumputh is an actuary with extensive experience, having worked as Head of Actuarial Services at SICOM Ltd, and served as Senior Manager of the Insurance and Pensions cluster of the Financial Services Commission, among other senior managerial positions. He currently holds the position of Consultant at Safelane Insurance Brokers Ltd, part of the ABC Group.
Mr Sumputh’s career has been dedicated to applying sound actuarial principles with the goal of providing positive experience and outcomes for the insurance and pension sector in Mauritius. He has contributed to several Government projects, including the Portable Retirement Gratuity Fund and the Crop Insurance Scheme for small farmers. He has also worked as a consultant for several insurance companies and served as Senior Advisor (Project Monitoring) to the Government of Mauritius from 2015 to 2018. Mr Sumputh is an Associate of the UK’s Institute of Actuaries.
He has previously served as director on the board of several major companies in Mauritius.
Directorship in Other Entities
Avinya Finserv Ltd