BOARD
Tahen Kumar Servansingh
Chairman
Area of expertise: Corporate Governance, business management, strategic consulting
Mr. Servansingh has had an illustrious career and has served on the board of a number of state-owned companies. He has previously served as chairman to the Mauritius Institute of Directors and several large companies in Mauritius. He also operated as a strategic advisor to another leading financial services company in Mauritius. He has also served as the senior adviser to the ministry of finance from August 2005 to June 2021 and has made notable contributions to the development of Mauritius as an international financial center. He has contributed to the formulation and implementation of national economic policies, capacity building, national economic empowerment programme and corporate social responsibility framework. The results of these policies have had impressive positive impact on the Mauritian economy. He is currently a board member of Building and Civil engineering, and the Mauritius Development Investment trust.
Mr Servansingh holds a Teacher’s diploma (Distinction) and a B.Sc Physics from the St Xavier’s College, Mumbai University.
Sanjeev Manrakhan
Independent Director
Area of Expertise: Research and innovation, Business Analysis & Planning, Information & Financial Technologies and Digital Transformation
From seasoned Senior Executive with leading corporations, Mr. Manrakhan held various positions such as Head of Marketing and International Roaming with Mauritius Telecom [Cellular Division], Consultant to the GM of France Télécom (Mexico), Regional Director of Central, Eastern and Southern Africa with Gemalto [Telecom, Banking & ID], Advisor to the Chairman of Bharti-Airtel and Senior Advisor to the President of Huawei SSA [Networks], Turned Serial Entrepreneur with a successful run in the Technology and Financial Services industry with start-ups such as InfoSystems [IT], NanoBNK [Fintech] and DigiConsult [Proptech].
Mr. Manrakhan is the chairperson of the Anglo African Foundation whose vision is to leverage technology in the fight against poverty, diseases, ignorance and climate change. He was appointed as an Independent Director of Standard Bank (Mauritius) Limited in April 2020 and is the Chairperson on the Board Technology and Information Committee. He is also a member of the bank’s:
- Board Audit Committee
- Board Risk Management/Conduct Review Committee
Since October 2021, he has been appointed as Independent Director of Axis Fiduciary Ltd.
Mr. Manrakhan is a strong business development professional with an MBA focused in Information Strategy from l’École des Hautes Études Commerciales, Nice, France; a post graduate certificate in Development in Télécommunications from Bailbrook College, Bristol, UK; and a Bachelor of Business Science degree in Services Marketing with sub-majors in Statistics and Economics from UCT, South Africa.
Delphine Ahnee
Independent Director
Area of Expertise:
Financial Services, Insurance Professional, Risk Management, Legal & Compliance, Business Development, Social Justice, Agile Project Management, Customer Care, Process Review, Association, Foundation and Board Membership, Corporate Social Responsibility.
Delphine, a remarkable leader with an impressive 23-year journey in the financial services sector, has excelled in various Senior Management and Board roles, throughout her career, showcasing her dynamic and accomplished leadership abilities. She is currently the Head of Retail & Group Chief Claims Officer at MUA.
Delphine’s expertise is grounded in her legal background. Her academic qualifications include an LLB Hons (Bachelor of Law) which provides a solid foundation for her thriving career as a jurist. She has honed her legal acumen through Executive Education programs at renowned institutions.
With extensive experience in Claims Management and Litigation, Delphine’s leadership shined through her role as Head of Claims, then Head of Group Risk, Legal, Compliance at MUA Group where she also looked after Customer Care. In addition to her positions and MLRO, her global impact is evident, having served as Group Risk Officer for MUA’s East Africa operations, and as a Board member of Phoenix of Tanzania.
Delphine’s previous appointment as Chief Operating Officer -GI- is a testament to her continued success in leading critical aspects of the General Insurance Business. Her dedication to social causes is further emphasized by her active involvement in industry associations. However, her passion extends beyond her professional accomplishments, as she is deeply committed to social justice and her engagement in NGOs, reflecting her identity as a humanist.
Assad Abdullatiff
Managing Director
Areas of expertise: corporate law & governance, tax planning and structuring, fund formation & administration, company secretarial, trusts and estate planning
Assad is an influential figure in the financial services industry, bringing over 20 years of expertise in corporate law and governance, tax planning and structuring, fund formation and administration, company secretarial matters, trusts, and estate planning. As the Managing Director of Axis, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s success and establishing its reputation as a leading player in the industry. His extensive experience and influential roles in the industry directly contribute to the added value of client structures at Axis and such expertise enables him to provide comprehensive and strategic advice to clients.
Assad began his illustrious career at Standard Bank Trust Company, where he honed his skills and acquired valuable experience. Over the years, he held several senior positions in various international financial services companies in Mauritius, further expanding his knowledge and influence.
Prior to his appointment as Managing Director at Axis, Assad served as the Assistant Director at the Board of Investment of Mauritius. In this role, he led the Financial Services Cluster and played a vital role in promoting Mauritius as an International Financial Centre. His strategic vision and leadership acumen contributed significantly to positioning Mauritius as a preferred destination for global financial services.
Assad’s influence extends beyond his role at Axis. He has held prominent positions in prestigious organizations, showcasing his commitment to professional excellence and industry advancement. He served as the Chairman of the Association of Trust and Management Companies (ATMC) from 2017 to 2018. During his tenure, he seeded the idea of consolidating the Mauritius financial industry under one leading organization. This idea came to fruition when ATMC and several key organizations in the financial services sector merged to establish Mauritius Finance in February 2021. Assad played an integral role as part of the merger sub-committee of the ATMC and currently serves on the board of Mauritius Finance. In this capacity, he diligently works to defend the interests of the Mauritius financial services industry on both the local and international stage. He was also actively engaged in the Blueprint Steering Committee, where he contributes to shaping the future direction of the financial services industry in Mauritius.
Furthermore, he served as the Chairman of STEP Mauritius (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners), an organization that plays a crucial role in promoting best practices and high standards in the trust and estate planning industry. His exemplary leadership earned him the appointment as a Council Member of STEP Worldwide, representing the Africa & Arabia regions, including branches in India, Mauritius, South Africa, Seychelles, and the UAE from 2017 to 2020. Recognizing his exceptional contributions, Assad was also appointed as a Director on the STEP Worldwide Board, further highlighting his global influence and recognition within the industry. This appointment for two consecutive mandate of two years from 2020 to 2022 and from 2022 to 2024, demonstrates the trust placed in his expertise and his ability to shape the future of the industry on an international scale.
As an international speaker, Assad actively participates in conferences and roadshows across Africa, advocating for Mauritius as the gateway to ‘The Hopeful Continent.’ His on-the-ground presence and compelling insights further solidify his position as an influential figure within the financial services landscape.
In addition to his leadership roles, Assad serves as an Independent Director on numerous Mauritian companies operating in diverse economic sectors. This multidimensional involvement underscores his versatility and ability to bring valuable insights to various domains.
Beyond his professional endeavours, Assad remains committed to knowledge sharing and staying at the forefront of industry developments. He contributes regularly to local and international publications, providing valuable insights on topics relevant to his practice, and keeping his peers informed about emerging trends and regulatory changes.
Assad holds an LLB Hons (Bachelor of Law) from the University of Wolverhampton (UK) and an LLM (Master of Laws) in Business Law from the University of Hertfordshire (UK). Furthermore, he is qualified as a Barrister-at-Law in Mauritius, further solidifying his legal expertise and understanding of complex legal frameworks.
Jean Claude Permal
Executive Director – Chief Operation Officer
Areas of expertise: accounting, operations, administration, business management and governance
Jean Claude brings over 25 years of experience to Axis Fiduciary. He oversees Axis business operations and is responsible for the team of specialist administrators and accountants focused on responding to the individual needs and financial aspirations of clients, aligned to service excellence.
During his career, Jean Claude has worked in various sectors such as manufacturing, construction and retail including imports, exports and sales, in Mauritius and Eastern Africa. In the financial services sector, he held senior positions in international financial services organisations in Mauritius. While working for a regulated credit institution in the Global Business sector of Mauritius, Jean Claude had responsibility of the accounting and administration functions and was also actively engaged in the credit and investment areas.
Jean Claude has expertise as an accountant and received his MBA from Surrey University. Jean Claude is also a fellow member of the Chartered Governance Institute (formerly known as the ICSA) and a Chartered Governance Professional. Moreover, he is a part of the developing global community of governance professionals dedicated to the advancement of the sector by abiding by the Institute’s Code of Professional Ethics and Conduct and seeking continual professional development.
Company Secretary
Nigaar Abubaker Esmael
Company Secretary and Head of Projects
Areas of expertise: corporate governance, registered insolvency practitioner
Nigaar is a highly experienced professional serving as the Company Secretary and Head of Projects at Axis. In this role, she is responsible for developing and upholding Axis’s Corporate Governance framework, as well as establishing and overseeing internal procedures, protocols, systems, and controls. Nigaar leads all the projects at Axis and ensures their successful implementation. She also serves as a Director on selected Axis Companies within the Group and acts as the Data Protection Officer for the Axis Group of Companies.
With over 25 years of expertise, Nigaar has a strong track record of providing governance, company secretarial, and insolvency services to a diverse range of companies, foundations, and trusts, both within and beyond the financial services industry.
Before joining Axis, Nigaar held key roles related to governance and company secretarial functions at Kross Border Trust Services (a subsidiary of KPMG Mauritius) and served as the Company Secretary and Head of Compliance at an international financial services company.
Nigaar’s professional credentials include being a Fellow Member of the Chartered Governance Institute of the UK, a TEP member of the Society of Trusts & Estate Practitioners (STEP), and a member in the STEP Worldwide EDI committee. She is a Registered Insolvency Practitioner in Mauritius. She has been previously the Vice President and is now currently serving as an executive member of the local branch of the Chartered Governance Institute of the UK and Ireland in Mauritius. Nigaar is also a Member of the Mauritian Institute of Directors since 2010 and has been a member of The Board of Good since 2022.
