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 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.
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 close to 19 years of experience in the banking and financial services sector. At SBM Holdings Ltd, he is currently in charge of overseeing and monitoring 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 both 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
Directorship in other entities
SBM Overseas One Ltd, SBM Overseas Two Ltd, SBM Overseas Three Ltd, SBM Overseas Four Ltd, SBM Overseas Five Ltd and SBM Overseas Six Ltd.
MR AKSHAY FAUGOO
Background and Experience
Mr Faugoo has over 20 years of experience in the banking and financial services, and technology sectors. With a practitioner’s approach, he currently oversees the operations, technology and digital transformation functions of the organisation, providing both strategic and hands-on support to the Group’s entities.
Before joining SBM Holdings Ltd, he was the Head of Transformation at Bank One Limited, 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 The Mauritius Commercial Bank 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 as Group Chief Financial Officer manages the finance, capital, performance management and procurement of SBM Holdings Ltd. He also provides his support and assistance to the different entities across the SBM Group on finance matters, performance management, budgetary control, capital requirements and any project related matters.
During his span at SBM, Mr Goinden has contributed much to the evolution of the Group with his vast experience in merger & acquisitions, Group restructuring and capital projects.
Mr Goinden has worked in the financial industry for nearly 2 decades now out of which 17 years of banking experience.
Mr Goinden is a Director on certain entities of the SBM Group while also being a Councillor of 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, SBM (NFC) Holdings Ltd and other SBM Subsidiaries
MR NADIM IMRIT
Background and Experience
Mr Imrit leads the development and management of sustainability strategies across all SBM entities, ensuring alignment with the Group’s Sustainability Agenda. With a robust two-decade career in banking and financial services, his expertise is instrumental in driving the Group’s strategic objectives.
Before joining SBM Holdings Ltd, Mr Imrit served as Chief Risk Officer at SBM Bank (Mauritius) Ltd, where he was pivotal in designing and implementing a governance and risk management framework that emphasized climate and environmental financial risks. Previously, he held the position of Head of Credit Analysis & Structuring in the Corporate & Institutional Banking division at The Mauritius Commercial Bank Ltd, spearheading the integration of Environmental and Social Risk Management into the bank’s credit processes. He also played a key role in developing sustainable finance products and shaping a comprehensive sustainability strategy across the bank.
Mr Imrit began his career in the United Kingdom’s consulting sector with KPMG and Deloitte, laying the groundwork for advancement into strategic management roles at major financial institutions, including Barclays Group and Renaissance Capital. Additionally, he is a founding member of The Sustainability Circle, an exclusive global network for sustainability leaders committed to elevating their impact alongside trusted peers.
Qualifications
• Chartered Banker Certified Green & Sustainable Finance Professional (GSFP)
• Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (FCA, ICAEW)
• Bachelor of Science (BSc), Management & Information Technology - University of Manchester, UK
MR AHMAD MAZAHIR KOUSSA
Background and Experience
Mr Koussa brings over two decades of extensive expertise in risk management and governance, acquired at prominent financial institutions including Barclays Capital (UK), Standard Bank Group (South Africa) and Barclays DIFC (UAE). Prior to joining SBM Holdings Ltd, he served as the Vice President of Group Risk Management for the global Corporate and Investment Banking division at First Abu Dhabi Bank (UAE), he oversaw risk management operations across more than 20 countries.
Throughout his career, Mr Koussa has held senior leadership roles in risk management, demonstrating a proven ability to establish and enhance comprehensive risk frameworks, cultivating a strong risk culture, leveraging technological advancements and foster strategic relationships with key stakeholders. He has been instrumental in the development and implementation of the Group’s Enterprise Risk Management Framework with a strong focus on embedding a risk-aware culture across the organisation. His leadership has been instrumental in driving initiatives that reinforce risk awareness, transparency and accountability.
Mr Koussa is a Fellow Chartered Accountant and began his professional journey with a Big Four 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 SANJAIYE RAWOTEEA
Background and Experience
Mr Rawoteea is a seasoned banker with a long career spanning over 25 years in the banking sector, with 15 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, Head of Sales & Marketing at the SBM Non-Banking Financial Cluster and also Head of Consumer Banking. Mr Rawoteea has also served as Acting Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of SBM Bank (Mauritius) Ltd (the Bank or SBMBM) in 2023.
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
• Senior Executive Leadership Program - Harvard Business School, USA
• Master of Business Administration, Management College of Southern Africa, South Africa
• Bachelor of Social Science – 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 26 years in the banking and financial sector, of which over 17 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