At the outset, I was uncertain about the career path I wanted to pursue. However, having received valuable guidance from a relative, I plumped for accountancy. It was a complete change as I had previously studied science subjects, but I was immediately attracted by the profession as I had always been interested in the business world and numbers in general.
I started my ACCA studies while working for an affiliate of Arthur Andersen, then one of the leading audit firms in Mauritius. Fifteen years later, when I was invited to take on the leadership of the finance team at IQ-EQ, the diversity of experience I had gained in practice made the transition to the corporate side a smooth one.
Global business companies such as IQ-EQ, which I joined in 2005, have been instrumental in making Mauritius the international finance centre (IFC) that it is today. Navigating the complex tax and regulatory landscape can be challenging, especially as we are also facing stiff competition from other IFCs, such as Singapore, GIFT City in Gujurat, India, and Dubai. We should have confidence, though, as the global business sector and Mauritius have proven their resilience before.
Setting up offices in UAE and India was a great learning experience
As an organisation, we give opportunities to young graduates to join the sector. We support them in their studies to continue feeding our talent pool. With internationally recognised qualifications such as ACCA, they go on to service clients across the world. We are also working on innovative automation tools to ensure that our processes as well as our people remain competitive and relevant.
I stepped out of my comfort zone when we launched our offices in UAE and India. These were unknown jurisdictions to me, and it was a significant challenge to help set up those offices and navigate the different regulations. However, with the support of local experts, we have been able to establish the operations. It was a great learning experience.
What I like most about my job is that we are a very dynamic organisation. There are constantly new challenges, which creates an environment of continuous learning. I also like that we have a strong culture of collaboration, which enables me to interact with people from diverse backgrounds and see different perspectives.
This quote from Lao Tzu is my favourite: ‘The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.’ This beautifully encapsulates the idea that significant achievements are built upon small, consistent actions.
It was satisfying to be part of the team that handled the acquisition of our company
My biggest achievement came when I was part of the very restricted deal team assembled to handle the acquisition of our company by a multinational group. I had the opportunity to work with various international audit firms, tax advisers and lawyers, and I found it very satisfying when the deal was concluded.
If I had law-making powers, I would legislate for a fairer distribution of wealth. In today’s world, economic reasons should be less of a constraint for people who are trying to access housing, health and education. I believe such legislation would create a society where individuals have more opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship.
If I wasn’t in finance, I would probably be an architect. I admire the way architects express their creativity through the design of buildings, especially the older ones, which were made with limited resources but still left a lasting impact.
When I am not at work, I enjoy scenic drives to the north of the island where there are the most beautiful beaches. I also like badminton and table tennis and never say no to a friendly match!
