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. VISVANADEN SOONDRAM
Date of Appointment
Appointed since July 2020 (Chairperson since September 2021)
Qualifications
Master's in Finance
Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA)
Background and Experience
Mr Soondram is currently Deputy Financial Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development. He has a fruitful career spanning over 25 years within the same Ministry where he previously served as Director (Economic and Finance), Accountant and Lead Analyst. His fields of expertise include economic planning, policy analysis and strategy development.
Directorship in Other Entities
SBM (Bank) Holdings Ltd
SBM Holdings Ltd
The Economic Development Board
Airport Holdings Ltd
Mr JEAN PAUL EMMANUEL AROUFF
Date of Appointment
Appointed since July 2020
Qualifications
Master's in Journalism
Background and Experience
Mr Arouff has over 20 years of experience in journalism, specialising in the analysis of economic and financial markets. He was previously Editor-in-Chief of Business Magazine, a leading economic news publication in the region, and acted as the country correspondent for the international news agency Reuters on economic and financial matters.
Directorship in Other Entities
Economic Development Board
Landscope (Mauritius) Ltd
SBM (Bank) Holdings Ltd
SBM Holdings Ltd
SBM (NFC) Holdings Ltd
Mr COOMARAH CHENGAN
Date of Appointment
Appointed since August 2020
Qualifications
MBA
BSc in Police Studies
Bachelor of Laws
Background and Experience
Mr Chengan has over 30 years of experience in the public service sector during which he held various positions within the Mauritius Police Force (MPF), including those of Police Sergeant, Police Sub-Inspector and Police Inspector. He is a consultant in Business Administration, Management and Marketing for Small and Medium Enterprises. Mr Chengan is also a Member and President of various NGOs across the country and is very active on the social front. He has initiated and collaborated on several projects advocating for the fight against poverty and supporting needy children, amongst others. Mr Chengan has also participated in various workshops and training programmes related to his duties in the public service sector.
Mr RAOUL GUFFLET
Date of Appointment
Appointed since July 2021
Qualifications
Advanced Management Programme – INSEAD, France
Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) - Institute of Internal Auditors, USA
Postgraduate 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
Member of the Mauritius Institute of Directors
Background and Experience
Mr Gufflet is a seasoned professional, who has spent nearly three decades in the banking and financial sector. He started his career as a strategy consultant, having been involved for over twelve years in restructuring and corporate advisory assignments with PwC in France, Eastern Europe and Africa. He has been involved in several studies with the World Bank and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on financial institutions in both developed and transitional economies. Prior to joining SBM Group, he was the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of a renowned bank in Mauritius, as well as Director of several entities across Africa and the Indian Ocean. He has led the international development of the Bank’s franchise on the African continent, as well as the transformation of most of its business lines, bringing them to international digital, regulatory and compliance best standards. As a firm believer in sustainability, he is committed to developing a sustainable banking and capital market philosophy, which is a prerequisite for unlocking value in Mauritius and across the African continent.
Directorship in Other Entities
SBM (Bank) Holdings Ltd
SBM Bank (India) Limited
Banque SBM Madagascar SA
SBM (Bank) Kenya Limited
Mrs IMALAMBAAL KICHENIN
Date of Appointment
Appointed since March 2020
Qualifications
LLB (Hons)
Member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators
Member of the Mauritius Institute of Directors
Member of the Association of Trust and Management Companies
Member of the Internal Fiscal Association
Background and Experience
Mrs Kichenin is a top-level executive with over 19 years of experience in the Financial Services sector, spearheading new ventures, product development, legal structuring and the creation of global distribution networks. She is the founder and current Group Chief Executive Officer of JurisTax Holdings Ltd. Mrs Kichenin also acts as director on listed companies and Private Equity Funds. She is moreover the promoter of the African Institute of Training and Development.
Directorship in Other Entities
JurisTax Holdings Ltd
JurisTax Ltd
JurisTax Services Ltd
AARROW Corporate Services Ltd (Seychelles)
Aarrow Fund Services Ltd (Seychelles)
JurisTax Mena and other local and regional entities falling under JurisTax
M. RAJCOOMAR RAMPERTAB, CSK
Date of Appointment
Appointed since March 2020
Qualifications
Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (LPC Solicitors Final)
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
BA (Hons) Social Science
Diploma of Higher Education
Member of the Mauritius Institute of Directors
Background and Experience
Mr Rampertab practised as an immigration lawyer in the UK for several years and has worked as a civil servant as well as local government officer before being elected as a Conservative Party local councillor for the Borough of Reigate and Banstead, Surrey, UK from 2007 to 2011 where he was a member of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. He also represented the Council on the Reigate and Banstead Sports Council. From 2011 to 2014, Mr. Rampertab held the position of Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) in a Management Company in Mauritius. Mr. Rampertab was an elected Member of the National Assembly of Mauritius from December 2014 to October 2019 during which he occupied the post of Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS). In addition, he was a Member of the Parliamentary Committee of ICAC from June 2015 to October 2019.
Mr MUHAMMAD AZEEM SALEHMOHAMED
Date of Appointment
Appointed since July 2020
Qualifications
BA (Hons) Economics, Politics and International Studies
MA (Hons) in Public Policy and Management
Background and Experience
Mr Salehmohamed started his career as Economist at the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), upon his return from the UK. He has served as board member for several organisations, including the SADC Business Council, the SADC Private Sector Task Force on Industrialisation, the National Ocean Council, the Mauritius Standards Bureau, the Economic Commission, under the aegis of the National Economic and Social Council, and the High-Level Technical Committee on Doing Business Reforms. His fields of expertise include economic planning, policy analysis and strategy development.
Directorship in Other Entities
Development Bank of Mauritius (DBM)
Ms OUMILA SIBARTIE
Date of Appointment
Appointed since August 2020
Qualifications
Master’s Degree in Economics (USA)
ACI Dealing Certificate (France)
International Certificate in Wealth and Investment Management (UK)
Member of the Mauritius Institute of Directors
Background and Experience
Ms Sibartie is a multi-faceted financial professional with over 23 years of experience in global financial markets including the USA, the UK and Mauritius. She is the co-founder and Director of Lineage Investment Services Ltd, a licensed and regulated corporate finance advisory firm. She has gained substantial experience, having worked in international firms such as Bloomberg LP for 11 years in the USA and the UK, and has held senior management positions in top financial institutions in Mauritius. During her career, she has been heavily involved in several areas of the financial markets, including multi-asset funds and portfolio management, research, investment advisory, implementation of trading systems and development of structured investment product solutions and training. Ms Sibartie is a Fellow Member of the Mauritius Institute of Directors and an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Securities & Investment (UK).
Directorship in Other Entities
Lineage Investment Services Ltd
Lineage Hub Ltd
Warwyck Phoenix PCC
Island Life Assurance Co. Ltd
Mr RANAPARTAB TACOURI, GCSK
Date of Appointment
Appointed since March 2020
Qualifications
Master’s Degree in Economics
BA (Hons) in Economics
Background and Experience
Mr Tacouri has a long and eminent career spanning over 50 years in the academic and financial sectors. He has previously been Managing Director of the Bank of Mauritius, Managing Director of the Development Bank of Mauritius and CEO of First City Bank. He has held directorship positions on several Boards, including Bourse Africa and the Bank of Mauritius.
MR. SANJAIYE RAWOTEEA
Date of Appointment
March 2023
Qualifications
Graduate and alumnus of the Harvard Business School
MBA, Management College of Southern Africa
Bachelor of Commerce, University of Natal (South Africa)
Background and Experience
Mr. Sanjaiye Rawoteea is the Acting Chief Executive Officer of SBM Bank (Mauritius) Ltd. 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 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.
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.
He has also served as the Head of Consumer Banking, overseeing the Private Banking & Wealth Management and Retail Banking Divisions of the Bank.