The Kanoo Group bids farewell to outgoing Chief Financial Officer P.S. Ganapathi

Dubai, UAE: A chapter of The Kanoo Group’s history was inscribed on Tuesday 8th May 2018, when members of The Kanoo Group bid farewell to veteran CFO PS Ganapathi who is retiring after over four decades of working for the company. For the group, he is considered part of the Family.

Mr. P.S. Ganapathi (left) receives a token
of appreciation from Mr. Mishal Kanoo

At the farewell tribute held at Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel in Bur Dubai, Mr. Mishal Kanoo, Chairman of The Kanoo Group took deep breaths and appeared emotional as he delivered his wonderful speech for the outgoing CFO, in the presence of department heads, joint venture partners, and staff.

He said, “I’m tremendously grateful for all the hard work and the many sacrifices you’ve made for The Kanoo Group. Working with you has made my time with the company nothing short of a privilege. You are like a rock where I could always put my ship to anchor and not worry. Now that you are retiring, I feel sad and happy at the same time. Sad to see you go, but happy that you will finally be spending time with your direct family. After all, we are a family business. And family is the most important aspect of our lives.”

“You have been a great colleague, partner, peer, and a great mentor to your team. From the bottom of my heart and from all your family over here, I wish you a beautiful, happy, enjoyable retirement,” he added.

Mr. PS Ganapathi would be delegating his duties and responsibilities to Mr. Badri Ramaswamy, General Manager – Finance and Accounts, whom Mr. Mishal Kanoo described as ‘trained and groomed well by Mr. Ganapathi, with big shoes to fill in and would surely do a superb job.’

See also: The Kanoo Group honoured by MOHRE for supporting Emiratisation policy

Mr. Bob Curtis, CEO and Mr. Fahad Kanoo, Executive Director in the UAE & Oman also expressed their sincerest thanks to Mr. PS Ganapathi for being a part of The Kanoo Group family. Mr. Bob Curtis said that despite professional differences at times, it has been great working with Mr. Ganapathi. Mr. Fahad Kanoo said that during his relatively short tenure with the company, he has learnt a lot from him.

Left to right: Mr. Fahad Kanoo, Mr. P.S. Ganapathi, Mr. Mishal Kanoo, Mr. Bob Curtis

Mrs. Parvati Ganapathi (1st right) delivers message to her husband at the farewell party

Mr. Sean Bradley, the Managing Director of Freightworks recollected his long association with Mr. Ganapathi even before he joined Freightworks and acknowledged that Mr. Ganapathi has always helped and supported him whenever required. A number of employees as well gave their warm wishes and personal tribute messages to the retiring CFO.

In his parting speech, Mr. Ganapathi said, “The journey has been very exciting. It has been a great responsibility heading the finance and accounts division of a large company like The Kanoo Group with its many joint ventures. I believe I was able to deliver what was expected of me due to the cooperation of all concerned.”

Mr. Sean Bradley, Managing Director
Freightworks 

He recalled how he has been a part of the growth of this organization from strength to strength over the years. He added that it was a privilege to have worked closely with the ex-Chairmen and UAE’s founding father Mr. Hamed Kanoo and also the ex-Chairman Mr. Yusuf Kanoo. He added that he had no words to thank the present Chairman Mr. Mishal Kanoo, for the trust and confidence reposed in him and for his unstinted support. He also acknowledged the affection shown by Mrs. Lulwa Kanoo, Miss Maha Kanoo and Mr. Bassem Kanoo. Mr. Ganapathi also thanked Mr. Fahad Kanoo, Mr. Mohamed Kanoo and Mr. Bob Curtis for the excellent association he had with them.

See also: P.S. Ganapathi recognised by Forbes Middle East among Top Indian leaders: Top CFOs in the Arab World 2014

Mrs. Parvati Ganapathi was requested to say a few words about her husband. In her heart-warming speech, she said: “I believe that each and every one of us is blessed with great qualities, talents and abilities and it rests with us to discover, tap and develop them in order to achieve maximum success in life, mental peace and contentment.”

 “I partially agree that ‘behind every man’s success there is a woman’. I believe Ganapathi has been blessed with great qualities ... no doubt about it ... the deep understanding and patience, a positive attitude towards life and to fellow human beings in general. He has a big heart and is never judgmental. He is a thorough gentleman. On a personal note, Ganapathi is an awesome dad to our girls. ” she remarked.

Mr. Ganapathi thanked each and every one of his colleagues for their love and support and urged his colleagues to keep up the hard work for the continued growth of the organization. He wished them and their families a bright and happy future.

P.S. Ganapathi is a qualified Chartered Management Accountant from the U.K. and India and has been in charge of accounting and financial functions of The Kanoo Group in the UAE & Oman for the last several years. He has held various senior positions and has been a Member of the UAE & Oman Board and a Director of The Kanoo Group and some of the joint venture companies.

See also: The Kanoo Group honours Accounts Employees at farewell party 

Some of Mr. Ganapathi’s remarkable achievements were being placed in the second spot at the Forbes Middle East’s list of Top Indian CFOs in the Arab World in 2014, and also one of the Top 50 Indian Business Executives in the Arab World  in 2017.

Visit The Kanoo Group website to see more photos of the event.

The Kanoo Group honours Accounts Employees at farewell party

Dubai, UAE: The Kanoo Group hosted a farewell party for three senior employees of the Accounts Department, Mr. T.K. Sivadas, Mr. Charles Wilson and Mr. P.D. John, who retired recently, to  honour  them for their long years of fruitful and sincere services and achievements throughout their tenure in the company. The event was held on 13^th September 2015 at Panorama Grand Hotel, Bur Dubai.

Mr. Mishal Kanoo, Deputy Chairman of The Kanoo Group graced the send-off ceremony along with top management: Mr. Fahad Kanoo (Executive Director), Mr. Pieter Vorster (Regional Human Resources Manager), Mr. P.S. Ganapathi (Chief Finance Officer), and Mr. Badri Ramaswamy (Senior Finance Manager), in the presence of the Accounts staff and other employees.

Mr. P.S. Ganapathi welcomed the audience and spoke highly of the three employees. He said that they have rendered exemplary service for over 3 decades through their hard work, dedication and total loyalty to the company. He added that they are an inspiration to the younger members as each of them worked hard till the last day of their service. He wished them and their families all the best for the future.

Part of the gathering included a parting message from each of the three honorees. With a heartfelt message to everyone present in the event, Mr. Wilson said, “This is the most memorable day of my life. Being part of The Kanoo Group for over 33 years, it has become like a second home for me. It’s hard to say goodbye. I wish the company continued success in the future”.

Similarly, Mr. Sivadas in his speech said, “Working here has always been a pleasure. For almost 4 decades, The Kanoo Group has been a huge part of my existence. I do not have enough words to express my gratitude to my colleagues and to the company.”

Recounting his experience, Mr. John shared, “For 40 years that I watched the company – I joined in 1975… there was nothing, no rooms … offices were not there and no proper arrangements. We struggled and worked very hard and there were no computer facilities. We used stay in the office from 8:00 in the morning till 10:00 in the evening...  but it was an enjoyable experience and memory. For me, The Kanoo Group is like my own company”. He said that even though there were challenging moments, it was prayers that helped him throughout.

All of them also expressed their thankfulness to the Kanoo family, the management and their superiors for the opportunity, growth and experience that they have acquired from the very start to the end. 

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Mishal Kanoo expressed his admiration to the three trustworthy employees and felt emotional with their messages and recollection of the humble beginnings and how much time they have put in for the success of the group. “I am honoured and privileged for being part of you and the growth. I feel sad to see you go. But I am happy that you will continue with your journey to be with your families and enjoy whatever you like to do for the rest of your lives. This is important for me, and I want to get this message across all of you. We all should have a purpose in life and we must work hard to achieve that.”

“I wish you the best from the bottom of my heart, on behalf of my family, the company and all your colleagues”, he ended.

Mr. Fahad Kanoo also delivered his message and sincerely thanked the senior staff for their valuable contributions to the growth of The Kanoo Group.  

Mr. Pieter Vorster said that retirement is not an easy decision to make. “The biggest challenge is not what they are going to do with their money, but what they are going to do with their time and how to keep themselves busy after they stop working. Kanoo has been fortunate to have a mix of experienced and new staff which keeps things in balance. With the roles that they played, these three gentlemen have been part of the balancing factor.”

Mr. Mishal Kanoo said “I wish you all the best and please don’t hesitate to come to us even in the future for things that we can help you with”.

Closing the ceremony, the management awarded the trio with a small memento on behalf of The Kanoo Group. This was followed with a buffet lunch, as the colleagues bid good bye to the three gentlemen. The farewell party was coordinated by Ms. Niloofer Kasad, the Executive Secretary.

About The Kanoo Group

‘The Kanoo Group’ is one of the largest, independent, family-owned groups of companies in the Gulf region established in 1890. It has diversified business industries in shipping, travel, machinery, engineering, logistics, property, oil & gas, power, industrial chemicals, training, joint ventures, retail and commercial activities, among others, and operates extensively throughout Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen and Qatar.

Our Vision
The Leading Family Business in the Region and Beyond

Our Mission 
Delivering Sustainable Excellence

Our Values 
Customer Focused, Ethical, Innovative, Agile, Competent & Intelligent, Collaborative, Accountable 

P.O. Box 290, Dubai, UAE. Toll Free: 800 KANOO, Fax: 04-3933636, Websites: www.kanoo.com / www.kanoogroup.com 

To comment on the article, send an email to:
Michelle Laylo Verzola 
PR Executive
The Kanoo Group

P.S. Ganapathi recognised by Forbes Middle East among Top Indian leaders: Top CFOs in the Arab World 2014

Dubai, UAE: P. S. Ganapathi, Director/Chief Financial Officer, UAE & Oman of The Kanoo Group was recently ranked second highest among the ‘Top Indian Leaders in the Arab World: Top 10 CFOs’ by Forbes Middle East. 

Forbes Middle East is part of the world renowned Forbes magazine. The magazine researches and publishes original and relevant Lists/Rankings, based on the criterion of neutrality, authenticity, commitment to the methodology of scientific research and the quality of standards set globally by Forbes Media, US. Forbes Middle East is the guiding compass for investments and best practices in the Arab region. 

According to Forbes Middle East, “As the financial forces behind their companies, the Arab world’s top Indian CFOs are worth special recognition”. 

P.S. Ganapathi is a qualified Chartered Management Accountant from the U.K. and India and is in charge of accounting and financial functions of The Kanoo Group - UAE & Oman. He has held various senior positions within Kanoo and its joint ventures in the UAE and Bahrain, serving the organization for over three decades.

As a senior member of the management team, P.S. Ganapathi has played a vital and active role in formulating the financial policies of the company working closely with the Group management,  Chairman and the Deputy Chairman. He is also a Member of the Board of the Kanoo Group UAE & Oman and some of its joint ventures. Through his dedicated and exemplary service, he has earned the trust of the Kanoo family.

The Kanoo Group congratulates him for his achievement.

-end-

About The Kanoo Group

‘The Kanoo Group’ is one of the largest, independent, family-owned groups of companies in the Gulf region established in 1890. It has diversified business industries in shipping, travel, machinery, engineering, logistics, property, oil & gas, power, industrial chemicals, training, joint ventures, retail and commercial activities, among others, and operates extensively throughout Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen and Qatar.

Our Vision
The Leading Family Business in the Region and Beyond

Our Mission 
Delivering Sustainable Excellence

Our Values 
Customer Focused, Ethical, Innovative, Agile, Competent & Intelligent, Collaborative, Accountable

P.O. Box 290, Dubai, UAE. Toll Free: 800 KANOO, Fax: 04-3933636, Websites: www.kanoo.com /www.kanoogroup.com 

To comment on the article, send an email to: 
Michelle Laylo Verzola
PR Executive
The Kanoo Group