Absa Bank (Mauritius) Limited
Absa Bank (Mauritius) Limited is part of Absa Group Limited which is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and is one of Africa’s largest diversified financial services groups. Absa Group offers an integrated set of products and services across personal and business banking, corporate and investment banking, wealth and investment management and insurance.
Absa Group owns majority stakes in banks in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania (Absa Bank Tanzania and National Bank of Commerce), Uganda and Zambia and has insurance operations in Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, South-Africa and Zambia. Absa also has representative offices in Namibia, Nigeria and the United States, as well as securities entities in the United Kingdom and the United States, along with technology support colleagues in the Czech Republic.
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Our Board
Iqbal Rajahbalee
Non-executive Chairman of the Board since 1 July 2018
Member of the Remuneration and Governance CommitteeIqbal Rajahbalee was the Managing Partner of BLC Robert & Associates, a leading law firm in Mauritius. He has over 40 years of practice as barrister before the Mauritius courts and was elevated to the rank of Senior Counsel in 2010.
He has appeared as counsel in a number of high-profile commercial litigation cases. He also advised on diverse cross-border finance transactions, including asset financing and investment funds both for the public and private sector. He served for more than ten years at the Attorney General ‘s Office, Ministry of Justice rising to the position of Assistant Solicitor General. He is regarded as the founder of the Mauritius offshore industry and was made the first Executive Director of its regulatory body. He assisted in the setting up of the Financial Services Commission of Mauritius, the regulatory authority of the non-banking financial services industry, and subsequently was made to lead the institution as Chief Executive.
Iqbal was also director on the governing board of the Bank of Mauritius. He was Chairman of the Mauritius Telecom just after its privatisation. He has been as a director on both local and international private and public companies. In addition, Iqbal holds a Masters law degree from the London School of Economics and is a member of the Middle Temple Inns of Court. Iqbal joined the Board of the bank on 20 March 2018 and acceded to the role of Chairman of the bank on 1 July 2018. Iqbal is a Non-Executive Director of the bank and is also a member of its Remuneration and Governance Committee.
Ravin Dajee
Managing Director and Executive Director of the Board
Member of the Remuneration and Governance CommitteeRavin Dajee is the Managing Director of the bank since July 2007. Ravin has positioned the bank as one of the major players in the Mauritian banking sector. Prior to joining the bank, Ravin held several leadership positions, including the role of General Manager of the State Trading Corporation from 2002 to 2004 and the General Manager of the Central Electricity Board from 2004 to 2006. He was also the Chairman of the Mauritius Bankers Association.
Ravin graduated from the University of Oxford with a post graduate diploma in Strategy and Innovation. He is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers and holds a Master’s Degree in Finance from the University of Leicester. In addition, Ravin holds an Executive Leadership Programme, Harvard Business School, USA. Ravin is in addition a member of the Remuneration & Governance Committee of the bank.
Franco Davis
Chief Enablement Officer and Finance Director
Executive Director of the Board and Member of the Digital CommitteeFranco Davis, presently the Chief Enablement Officer and Finance Director of the bank since 2022, is a distinguished finance professional with a remarkable 33-year tenure. He oversees key support functions at Absa Bank Mauritius Limited (ABML), with senior executives in Operations, Legal, Treasury, People & Culture, Finance, and Customer Experience reporting directly to him, highlighting his strategic and business acumen.
Since 2013, he has been an Executive Director of the Board. In 2009, Franco was appointed Finance Director, a role he held with distinction till present. From 2009 to 2015, he was also appointed as Financial Director of Absa Seychelles, enhancing his regional financial management expertise. Additionally, from 2015 to 2016, he then served as Interim Chief Financial Officer of Absa Mozambique alongside his Finance Director role in Mauritius, demonstrating his adaptability and leadership in diverse markets. In 2022,
Franco was promoted to the cumulative role of Chief Enablement Officer and Finance Director till present. Starting in various roles, he quickly advanced through the organization. Throughout his career, he has made significant contributions across Retail, Administration, and Finance, driving the bank’s financial strategy and operational efficiency. As a member of the Digital Committee, he remains passionately engaged in the bank’s digital transformation, strategically enhancing efficiency through internal digitalization. His international experience spans Mozambique, Seychelles, Dubai, and South Africa, enriching his global perspective and ability to navigate complex financial landscapes.Central to his leadership is a steadfast commitment to customers. He ensures that customer needs are at the heart of all strategies and leads his teams to prioritize exceptional service. This customer-centric approach has been instrumental in driving both financial performance and operational excellence at the bank. Franco holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Financial Services from the University of Manchester and is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (ACIB). His comprehensive expertise in banking, finance, and corporate governance has been pivotal to the bank's sustained growth and success.
Jacques Paul Rene de Chasteigner du Mee
Independent Non-executive Director of the Board since 1 January 2022
Chairperson of the Audit Committee
Member of the Risk Management CommitteeJacques De Chasteigner du Mee joined the Board on 1 January 2022, and he also sits as the Chairperson of the Audit Committee and is a member of the Risk Management Committee of the bank. Jacques is a Chartered Accountant (ICAEW) with more than 25 years of experience. He has built his career spanning the profession and industry and gained valuable experience in several countries. He was responsible for a large portfolio of clients comprising large local institutions and global business companies. Jacques started in 1982 at Coopers and Lybrand in UK where he gained auditing and tax experience. In 1986, he moved to the then known as De Chazal Du Mée where he enhanced his tax experience. He was also involved in the audit of World Bank funded projects in Zaire and Rwanda.
In 1990, Jacques had a brief spell at ESSO Mauritius Limited as Chief Accountant and Company Secretary. He later joined Kemp Chatteris, which was a Member Firm of Deloitte & Touche in Mauritius, as Tax Manager, a role he assumed for 2 years. He left the profession to join Mauritius Tuna Fishing and Canning Enterprises Ltd as Finance Manager and rose to the position of Chief Operating Officer. Thereafter, he moved to Australia where he occupied positions as Accountant and Financial Controller during 1999-2001. He returned to Mauritius and was appointed the Financial Controller at Ireland Blyth Limited Tourism Division. He renewed his ties with Deloitte Mauritius in 2002 as Partner in the Audit and Assurance service line. In 2012, Jacques took over the leadership of Deloitte Mauritius as Managing Partner until he retired in June 2021.
Preetee Jhamna
Independent Non-executive Director of the Board since 1 July 2019
Member of the Remuneration and Governance CommitteePreetee Jhamna is an Independent Non-Executive Director of ABML since 1 July 2019 and is also a member of its Remuneration & Governance Committee. She previously sat on the Audit Committee of ABML until March 2022. Preetee is the Chief Financial Officer – Group Operations of IBL Ltd since April 2018. She was a partner in Transaction Advisory Services with a Big 4 firm in Mauritius from 2008 to 2016 advising clients across a variety of sectors in Mauritius and Africa.
Preetee holds a degree in Economics from the University of Cambridge and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).
Clairette Ah-Hen
Independent Non-executive Director of the Board since 9 September 2020.
Chairperson of the Risk Management Committee and member of the Audit Committee.Clairette Ah-Hen was appointed as an Independent Non-executive Director of the Board, Chairperson of the Risk Management Committee, and member of the Audit Committee, for the bank since 9 September 2020. Clairette is a fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW, UK) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA, UK). She holds a BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance and an MPhil degree. Clairette has worked for both the public and private sectors, including regulatory agencies, academia, financial institutions and multi-national corporations, in either an executive or advisory capacity. She was an Associate Professor at the University of Mauritius and Dean of the Faculty of Law and Management.
Clairette practised as a professional accountant in Mauritius, the UK and Sub-Saharan African countries with Big 4 firms. She is a Board member of the listed companies, Vivo Energy Mauritius Limited since 21 July 2020, Swan General Ltd and Swan Life Ltd since 25 April 2024. She served as member or chairperson on boards and committees both in and outside of Mauritius, contributing to the development of corporate governance and financial reporting landscape and the financial services sector of Mauritius. She was tasked with the setting up of the Mauritius Financial Reporting Council and led the Council as its first Chief Executive Officer. She was also the Chief Executive of the Financial Services Commission from 2011 to 2015. She has previously served as member of the Financial Stability Board (FSB) Regional Consultative Group for Sub-Saharan Africa and of the Committee 1 (Committee on Issuer Accounting, Audit and Disclosure) of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), and as Vice-president of the Committee of Insurance, Securities and Non-Banking Financial Authorities (CISNA) of Southern African Development Community (SADC).
David Renwick
Non-executive Director of the Board since 1 March 2023
Member of the Risk Management Committee.David Renwick is a Non-Executive Director of the bank, and member of its Risk Management Committee Since 01 March 2023. In addition to his directorship at Absa Bank Mauritius, he is a Non-Executive Director at the ABSA Securities UK Limited David is the Global Head of Investment Banking Division at Absa CIB. In his role, David is responsible for leading a business that enables advisory, capital raising and financing solutions to targeted Pan African corporates and government entities. The business drives activities with local, regional, and international investors supporting many of Africa’s high growth sectors including Renewable Energy, TMT, Natural Resources and Consumer.
David previous role within the Absa Group was to Head up the Global Finance and Trade business unit focusing on financing solutions and credit distribution across the regional footprint and to international investors.
Aruna Radhakeesoon
Independent Non-Executive Director of the Board since 27 April 2023
Chairperson of the Remuneration and Governance Committee and Member of the Digital CommitteeAruna Radhakeesoon is a practising Attorney-at-Law and a Solicitor of England & Wales. In 2023, she became a Green & Sustainable Finance Professional. During her 22-year tenure with Rogers Group, a Mauritian listed conglomerate with offices in 12 countries, she held the positions of Chief Legal and Compliance Executive and Executive Director. Aruna chaired the National Committee on Corporate Governance (NCCG) for six years. Through the NCCG, she has influenced positive changes in corporate governance in Mauritius, including the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion space.
Aruna chairs the Central Depository and Settlement Co. Ltd. She is an INED on the Board of The United Basalt Products Limited and a Credit Rating Committee member of Care Ratings (Africa) Pte Ltd. She holds a degree in Jurisprudence from Balliol College, Oxford University. She is a member of the Mauritius Law Society, The Law Society of England and Wales and a Fellow of the Mauritius Institute of Directors. Aruna is the Chairperson of the Remuneration & Governance Committee of ABML and Member of the Digital Committee.
Gary Patterson
Independent Non-executive Director of the Board since 19 September 2023
Chairperson of the Digital Committee and Member of the Audit CommitteeGary Patterson joined the bank in September 2023 where he currently serves as the Chairperson of the Digital Committee and Member of the Audit Committee. Gary is a banker with more than 45 years of international banking experience having worked in Hong Kong, London, Mauritius and South Africa. His most recent assignment was as CEO of a trade finance provider based in Hong Kong. Prior to that he was CEO of SBM Nedbank International Limited, a Mauritian licensed bank. He retired in 2022.
Gary is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and completed an Executive Development Program at Stellenbosch University. He has extensive cross border financing, capital market and M&A experience and has successfully started and managed the foreign operations for South African incorporated banking groups. -
Our Executive Committee
Ravin Dajee
Managing Director
Ravin Dajee is the Managing Director of Absa Mauritius since July 2007. Ravin has positioned the Bank as one of the major players in the Mauritian banking sector. Prior to joining the Bank, Ravin held several leadership positions, including the role of General Manager of the State Trading Corporation from 2002 to 2004 and the General Manager of the Central Electricity Board from 2004 to 2006. He was also the Chairman of the Mauritius Bankers Association. Ravin graduated from the University of Oxford with a post-graduate diploma in Strategy and Innovation. He is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers and holds a Masters Degree in Finance from the University of Leicester. He is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School (USA). Ravin is in addition a member of the Remuneration & Governance Committee of the Bank.
Franco Davis
Chief Enablement Officer and Finance Director
Franco Davis, Chief Enablement Officer and Finance Director at Absa Mauritius since 2022, is a seasoned finance professional with 33 years of experience. He leads key support functions including Operations, Legal, Treasury, People and Culture, Finance, and Customer Experience. A Board Executive Director since 2013, he has served as Finance Director since 2009, also holding regional roles in Seychelles and Mozambique. Mr. Davis has contributed significantly across Retail, Administration, and Finance, and plays an active role in the bank’s digital transformation. His international experience spans Mozambique, Seychelles, Dubai, and South Africa. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Financial Services from the University of Manchester and is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (ACIB), with deep expertise in banking, finance, and corporate governance.
Ajay Beegun
Chief Operating Officer
Ajay Beegun is the Chief Operating Officer at Absa Mauritius. With over 30 years of experience in the banking sector, Ajay has held several key strategic positions. He began his career with the Bank in 2008 as the Head of Information Technology and was appointed Chief Operating Officer in January 2015. In addition to his role at ABML, Ajay was responsible for overseeing Absa Seychelles' operations in 2015 and served as the Chief Operating Officer of Absa Mozambique in 2018. Throughout his career, Ajay has led numerous transformation initiatives, including serving as the Change Enablement Lead for the rebranding program to Absa in Mauritius. Ajay holds a BSc (Hons) in Business Information Technology from South Bank University (UK) and an MBA with a specialisation in Information Management from Brunel University (UK).
Jennifer Johnson
Head of Marketing and Corporate Relations
Jennifer Johnson is the current Head of Marketing and Corporate Relations of Absa Mauritius. Jennifer joined Barclays Mauritius as Head of Change in 2007. After holding the role of Head of Customer Service and three years of secondment to the Barclays Africa Regional Management, Chief Executive Office, she was appointed Head of Strategy, Marketing and Corporate Relations. Before joining Barclays, she held several senior roles in a large conglomerate, specifically in managing group change projects, and developing and implementing the strategic IT plans of companies in different industries. She holds a Masters in Finance (Paris – Sorbonne), Masters in Business Administration (Massey University - New Zealand), Masters in Engineering (France), and a BSc (Hons) in Applied Science (France).
Marie Christine Liu
Head of Retail and SME Banking
Marie Christine Liu, who joined Absa Mauritius in November 2014 as Head of Customer Network, was appointed as Head of Retail Banking on 26 December 2016. Marie Christine has been in the banking industry for more than 30 years, where she held various key positions. Marie Christine is currently the Head of Retail and SME Banking at ABML. Marie Christine holds a post-graduate diploma in Marketing from the UK Chartered Institute of Marketing.
Oumesh Mungroo
Interim Chief Business Officer
Oumesh Mungroo currently serves as the Interim Chief Business Officer and has been with Absa Mauritius since 2002. He has held various senior positions in Markets and Treasury, including Treasurer in 2007, with additional responsibilities for Absa entities in Mozambique and Seychelles. In May 2022, Oumesh took on the role of Interim Head of Business Banking to drive growth in the segment by revising the operating model, before resuming his position as Treasurer in August 2023. Prior to joining the Bank, he worked at the Central Bank of Mauritius for nearly 10 years. Oumesh holds an Executive MBA from the University of Oxford (2014) and an MSc in Applied Economics with a specialization in Banking and Finance from the University of Mauritius. He is a fellow member of The Chartered Association of Certified Accountants (UK) and also holds an ACI Diploma.
Mark Fink
Chief Risk Officer
Mark Fink, a long-standing member of the Absa Group, officially joined Absa Mauritius as Chief Risk Officer at the end of 2018. With over 30 years of experience in risk management, Mark previously served as Chief Risk Officer at Barclays Bank Ghana (now Absa Bank Ghana) and held various senior management roles at Barclays Africa (now Absa Group Limited) and Barclays PLC. His extensive experience spans risk management and international business across Africa, Emerging Markets, and the UK. Mark is also an associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers.
Sandeep Mohapatra
Head of Digital Transformation
Sandeep Mohapatra assumed the role of Head of Digital Transformation at Absa Mauritius in March 2019, after serving as the National Head of Sales and Strategy for the B2C segment at a leading Indian stockbroking firm. With 15 years of experience in the banking and financial services sector, Sandeep has held senior roles in innovation, business, and marketing. Recognised for his expertise in digital transformation, he has led several award-winning initiatives, including industry-first projects like Abby, the AI-powered 'Digital Personal Banker,' and the groundbreaking Absa Digi Account – a 100% digital bank account. Sandeep holds a BCom (Hons) in Financial Accounting from B.J.B. (Autonomous) College, India, and an MBA with a specialization in Marketing and Finance from Xavier Institute of Management, India. His leadership and commitment to digital innovation make him a key driver of transformative initiatives in the banking industry.
Shaun Edmeston
Head of Customer Experience
Shaun Edmeston joined Absa Mauritius in December 2020 as Head of Customer Experience. With a proven track record in enhancing efficiency and driving profitability, Shaun brings over 20 years of experience in senior management roles. He has worked with some of South Africa’s largest companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Before joining ABML, Shaun was Head of Private Education at First National Bank, one of South Africa’s leading financial institutions.
Yoshinee Parasuraman
Head of Compliance
Yoshinee Parasuraman holds 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. Yoshinee joined Absa Mauritius as Money Laundering Reporting Officer in 2014. Since then, she has held various key positions such as the Head of Financial Crime Compliance, Deputy Head of Compliance, before being appointed as Head of Compliance in May 2022 and CMC. Yoshinee holds a BSC (Hons) in Economics from the University of Mauritius and studied Master classes with the University of Stellenbosch Business School on Strategic Thinking and Coaching in Performance. She is also a Trained Ethics Ambassador with The Ethics Institute of South Africa and has occupied the position of Chairperson of the Compliance Committee of the Mauritius Bankers Association. Yoshinee has completed the Advanced Management Programme with IMD Business School in Switzerland in 2023 and in 2024, she has successfully completed the Negotiation Programme with London School of Economics.
Nathan Carr
Chief of Staff and Head of Legal
Nathan Carr joined Absa Mauritius as Head of Legal and Sustainability in May 2023. An accomplished Legal and Risk professional, Change Manager, and Business Executive, Nathan has extensive international experience across the UK, UAE, South Africa, Sub Sahara Africa and Mauritius. He has held senior leadership roles, including Barclays Africa Legal Counsel, Barclays Mauritius COO, and Group Head of Legal and Corporate Strategy at NVest Financial Holdings Limited, where he served from 2015 to 2023. Nathan has led various organizational transformation projects, including business incorporations, integrations, restructurings, and acquisitions. He is a dual-qualified lawyer in England and Wales, and South Africa, and holds an MBA from Rhodes Investec Business School. A certified PRINCE2 Project Manager and a member of the Institute of Directors in South Africa, Nathan’s expertise underscores his ability to manage complex initiatives and deliver results. With effect from 1 March 2024 Nathan assumed the role of Chief of Staff, remaining responsible for Legal and Sustainability.
Ravi Nundhoosing
Interim Head of Treasury and Head of Finance
Ravi Nundhoosing is an accomplished finance professional with a 20-year career spanning across Mauritius and Africa. He currently serves as the Head of Finance and Interim Treasurer of Absa Mauritius. Ravi joined the bank in 2000 and has steadily progressed through the ranks. From 2014 to 2018, he was the Chief Finance Officer for Retail and CIB at a regional level. Upon returning to Mauritius in 2018, Ravi became Deputy Head of Finance and led strategic projects related to the Bank’s transformation journey. In November 2022, he was appointed Head of Finance. With extensive technical expertise and a proven ability to lead large teams, Ravi has consistently driven sustainable business growth. He holds an MBA in Finance from Charles Sturt University (Australia) and is both an Associate Chartered Management Accountant and a Chartered Global Management Accountant.
Aslam Taher
Head of Wholesale Banking
Aslam Taher, Head of Wholesale Banking; Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB) at Absa Mauritius, stands out as a seasoned banker with over two decades experience in the industry. With a robust background in Corporate & Investment Banking, as well as Private Banking & Wealth Management, Aslam Taher has held several senior positions in both local and international financial institutions. His work spans across large domestic and international corporates, multinationals, and financial institutions, reflecting his expertise in strategic planning, business development, and risk management. Aslam Taher is a dynamic leader and communicator, known for successfully managing diverse teams and fostering robust client relationships across various cultures and markets. His experience in overseeing extensive Corporate and Investment Banking portfolios, balancing risk with growth, has solidified his reputation as a strategic thinker with a knack for managing complex financial landscapes. Under Aslam Taher’s leadership, Absa CIB brings to life its brand promise, “Invested in Your Story.” This ethos goes beyond traditional banking, focusing on understanding each client’s unique journey and co-creating customised solutions to empower their success.
Ashraf Burokur
Head of Strategy, Business Intelligence and Transformation
Ashraf Burokur, Head of Strategy, Business Intelligence, and Transformation at Absa Mauritius since 2017, brings nearly two decades of experience in strategic roles within the banking sector. He started as a Management Consultant at DCDM Research, leading advisory projects across industries such as Agriculture, Banking, Commerce, and Telecommunications in Mauritius and mainland Africa. With strong business and financial acumen, Ashraf plays a key role in developing and executing strategies that align with the company’s vision. He holds a degree in Economics from the University of Mauritius, a Higher Certificate in Statistics from the Royal Statistical Society (UK), and is a member of both the Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals (USA) and the International Institute of Business Analysis (USA).
A key contributor to socio-economic growth in Mauritius with several firsts to its name in the banking industry
- 1950 - employed a female workforce
- 1969 - set up a branch in the island of Rodrigues
- 1989 - obtained an offshore banking licence
- 2019 - registered a large corporate with the SWIFT network
- 2019 - provided Host-to-Host services to a large corporate
- 2020 - introduced an Al-powered Digital Personal Banker (Abby)
- 2020 - introduced WhatsApp Banking
- 2021 - introduced a digital retail account
- 2022 - enabled contactless and cardless ATM withdrawals powered by QR code
- 2022 - launched open banking
- 2023 - introduced a digital business account
We have set our aspiration to be a leading Pan-African bank. To drive outperformance, we are focusing on delivering against four strategic themes:
- A diversified franchise with deliberate, market-leading growth
We aim to be purposeful regarding where we compete, identifying attractive growth pockets by geography, segment and product. We aim to allocate our capital sustainably and manage risk appropriately.
- The primary partner for our clients
We aim to be the primary partner for our clients, truly understanding and satisfying their day-to-day needs, creating and delivering value across the entire client relationship and building a brand our people and clients can be proud of.
- A digitally powered business
We aim to be a digitally powered business, delivering a superior digital experience, using data as a strategic asset, continuously evolving our technology architecture, and improving trust and security while operating as a nimble organisation.
- A winning, talented and diverse team
We aim to build a winning team by developing a competitive advantage through our culture, attracting and retaining Africa’s leading talent, organising distributed leadership around our clients and supporting and enabling our people
