What has stuck with you about your time in Swansea? Apart from being taught how to iron a shirt by Raj Barchha in digs, I was introduced to classical music by Suzanna, via the Music Society. It was not my idea of a date… but the music stayed in my head even if the date faded. Now I am on the Advisory Board of the Bozeman Symphony, deriving much pleasure. I decidedly did not take to Welsh lava bread and have avoided it ever since. Moving to Sibley Hall in second year opened a whole new world to me. Formal dinners in gowns and a diverse new group of friends with long coffee chats, learning bridge and chess at all hours. The friendships I developed continue to this day. Apart from the bridge gang, Sibley and Economics classmates, I still maintain ties and periodic exchanges with several overseas students from many parts of the world. Much bonding took place during my tenure as Chairman of the Overseas Students’ Society, but even earlier, when Bill Coote from Canada and I teamed up to reach the final of the College debating competition. On the somewhat darker side, I was involved in a scuffle with the college doctor over parking, and the matter was reported to the Principal. Also, during Rag Week I joined the Sibley boys to carry out a panty raid on the Nursing college residence, which got us lined up before the Chief of Police and the Nursing College Principal…we were suitably chastised with threat of expulsion and a few days in the lock up! Did your time in university influence your career? Just about graduation time, Professor Dennis Lees asked about my plan, which was to take up a job with Albright & Wilson to become a chartered accountant after some industry experience. Professor Lees was adamant that I should abandon this plan and instead pursue further studies in applied economics. Given the midyear timing, the prospects for applying, admission, finance and logistics were daunting. Unbeknownst to me, Prof. Lees broached the idea of my admission directly with University of Chicago, where he had been a visiting professor. He then advised me that U of C would waive the entrance requirements and offer financial assistance starting the Fall Quarter. I was in total disbelief and consulted my family who offered to also
help – sternly advising that I would be a fool to decline this opportunity. Chicago opened a whole new world to me not just in economics but also in trade, commerce, finance and international business. One Saturday in my second year, the School Placement Director called to suggest I meet with a visiting representative from Bank of America (BofA). BofA was embarking on rapid expansion internationally and was seeking candidates with matching interest. I loved the people and the city and joined BofA after receiving my MBA. I never planned Swansea, Chicago or BofA. Someone was creating my path forward. After a six-month rotation through the various departments in a management training program, I was assigned to the Canadian desk working on leasing new jumbo aircrafts to Canadian airlines. Two years later I was in the Singapore Regional office in charge of all loans above branch manager limits in Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam. Next, I was sent to Kuala Lumpur as Senior Lending Officer and later, Acting Manager, restructuring problem loans and expanding relationships with local and international businesses, before being assigned as a Project Finance Head in Asia, based in Manila, Philippines. Working with tech and mining engineers I led the financing of several gold and copper mines, as well as manufacturing and textile businesses. In late 1976, I headed a team of professionals based in New York City, who oversaw ship and marine transportation financing. At seven years, this was the longest stint which flew by with fun and excitement in New York City, plus much domestic and international travel. Among my memorable experiences is the financing of multiple ships for an oil major at a UK shipyard under the auspices of the UK Government, leading to the first ever cross-border double-dip leveraged lease transaction…a valuable lesson in trying to blend political imperatives with business necessity. Next, as Asia-wide Head of Capital Markets for BofA, I covered a vast region from Japan to India and down to Australia and New Zealand, leading a team of 53 professionals. The daily interaction with corporations, governments, industrialists, competitors involving multiple cultures, philosophies, languages and social life assured there was never a dull day.
The next move was to London as Executive Director. After a year I left the organization to start my own investment and financial boutique based in London. Following a short-lived joint venture with American Express, I branched out alone once more in 1987 and formed Sandown Capital Corporation. This entity was involved mostly in interest and currency swaps as well as securitization covering mid-market US corporations which did not have ready or direct access to the London capital market as well as several UK entities. A series of significant and pioneering transactions propelled Sandown Capital into a Private Equity business. Although Sandown Capital was thriving, the extensive travel requirements and age, led you to a decision to wind the business down. What’s next for you? Currently, I am edging into retirement but staying active and busy with personal holdings and educational, humanitarian and arts related philanthropy. I sit on the Advisory boards of Montana State University, the Bozeman Symphony, and the Shane Lalani Center for the Arts as well as personal business holding companies. The most rewarding aspect of my current work is helping the younger generation obtain educational access through providing scholarships and mentoring. A large part of that involves the education, particularly of women, in the developing world, as well as selectively in the USA and UK. Together with my wife, we are also very involved in projects to prevent child slavery and human trafficking. Another rewarding aspect of my current life is helping budding entrepreneurs and small businesses through mentoring and provision of capital to start up or grow the business. I would like to continue my philanthropic and educational and business seeding endeavours while enjoying sports and travel around the world.
Read the full profiles here: swan.ac/profiles
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