Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards Programme
Master Category Finalists Ernst & Young is pleased to recognise the achievements of this year's Master category finalists:
Mr.Vimal Shah
BIDCO OIL REFINERIES
Mr. Vimal Shah was born in Nyeri where he began his primary school education before transferring to Highridge primary. He joined Jamhuri high school then studied for his Business Administration degree at the United States International University (USIU) in 1980.Almost immediately after graduating from university, the young twenty year old Vimal thought of a way to implement an idea where the cotton seeds could be crushed into oil which came a long way to the creation of Bidco Oil Refineries. Vimal B. Shah Orchestrated the complete turn-around of Bidco Oil refineries limited into a world class organization with enhanced levels of value addition and customer focus.
In addition to his position as a founder Director & CEO, Bidco Group, Vimal has served as the immediate former Chairman & Board Director Kenya association of manufactures; Chairman Trade and Investment Committee-East Africa-East African Business Council; director, East African Business Council; Trustee/Board Director USIU/International University of Kenya; Member, National Economic & Social Council (NESC);Trustee, Alumni Association Africa USIU; Director, Oshwal Education Relief board; Trustee, Oshwal youth League; Member of young Presidents Organization; Founder Member, ORC, a neighborhood watch Scheme.
In management, Vimal has created a culture of participation by providing a compelling mission and a set of worthy values that employees could identify with, cemented on a structure that encourages maximum participation by emphasizing flexibility and autonomy.
Mr.Tarun Shah
BIDCO OIL REFINERIES
Tarun Shah is the backbone and Group Executive of the Bidco Group, a leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of edible oils, fats and hygiene products. The Bidco Group has standards that give measures particularly in dealings with customers, suppliers, the people and the wider communities.
Dr. Jonathan Ciano
UCHUMI SUPERMARKETS
When you are talking to Jonathan, the Chief Executive officer at Uchumi supermarkets, you realize that the well documented rise of the superstores h runs with his new team is largely the result of his personal magnetism, his management prowess and business acumen.
Jonathan holds a Bachelor of commerce, Honors degree with Finance and accounting and masters in Business administration (Strategy & Finance) from University of Nairobi. He is a fellow of the Kenya Institute of management-FKIM and was decorated by His excellence the President of the Republic of Kenya with order of the Moran of the Burning Spear (MBS). He holds s a Doctorate in Leadership (Honoris Causa) from United Graduate College and seminary from California-USA.
Jonathan’s experience extends to but is not limited to managing organizations, corporate strategy development & turnaround/change programmes implementation restructuring and reorganization, finance and assets management, contracting & Logistics, legal services, information technology, and human resource policies/disciplines and PR/administration.
Dr. James Mwangi
EQUITY BANK
Dr. Mwangi has continued to lead Equity Bank into becoming a premier institution in the region and continent for that matter. With over 22 years of management experience Dr. Mwangi has spearheaded the transformation of Equity Bank from its humble beginnings to becoming a behemoth financial services organization. Utilizing his entrepreneurial skills and the unique business model of providing affordable and inclusive financial service, he has been able to continually transform many lives and livelihood in tandem with the organization’s mission. The strategy incorporates a robust corporate governance processes that has helped establish an organizational culture with strong core values and high standards of professionalism.
Dr. Mwangi serves in major international bodies and initiatives with an aim of raising the profile of Africans and Africa. These include being a; Board Member of the African Leadership Academy in South Africa; Member, UN Advisors Group on Inclusive Financial Sectors. ;Vice President, Global Economic Network for what was described as ‘his ability to combine social subject with entrepreneurial thinking’.; Advisor, United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) on commercialization of Microfinance in Africa; Member, Clinton Global Initiative.; Member, Frontier 100 CEOs of Initiative for Global Development, IGD ;Member, World Economic Forum’s Council of Business Alliance Against Chronic Hunger; A panel round table member of the Gates Foundation on Microfinance program.
In addition to the accolades Equity Bank has been able to amass, Dr. Mwangi has also had numerous awards and honors.
Vinnay Dawda
BRITANIA ALLIED INDUSTRIES
Coming from a company of a veteran businessman, and with Academic qualification of A-Level, Vinnay has no formal qualification and acquired business acumen through hands on experience. Vinnay previously managed other companies including Masaba Cotton company limited, Kyoga cotton company limited, Uganda pharmaceuticals(1996) limited, Global Distributors Limited-Britania cosmetic Limited. As the managing director, Vinnay has spearheaded the establishment of the various divisions for manufacturing foods at the Britania allied industries including, biscuits, Confectionary, Fruit juices, water, Plastics.
Bimal Kantaria
ELGON KENYA LIMITED
Born in 1969, Bimal Kantaria is currently the Director at Elgon Kenya Limited. He holds a B.Soc. Sc Degree in Economics from the University of Birmingham, a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Imperial College, London University and a Master of Science (MSC) degree in Packaging Technology, Loughborough University UK.. Bimal is also a member of the Rotary Club of Industrial Area, Nairobi and also a Board Director of Kenya Association of Manufacturers.
Previously, Bimal served as the Chairman of ministry of Environment of Kenya National Plastics and Environment Committee; Chairman of Plastics sector Kenya KAM; Chairman of Finance committee at KAM; Chairman of Standard and regulatory committee at KAM; Board director at the Institute of packaging of Kenya; Member of the institute of packaging of UK; Member of the Association of Masters in Business Administration of UK.
