SIT is administered and managed by a Board of Directors consisting of 9 persons, of which 6 are elected by shareholders as representatives of planters and employees of the sugar industry sector. The remaining 3 Directors including the Chairperson are appointed by the Governmentas provided under the SIE Act.
Each of SIT’s subsidiaries is managed by its respective Board of Directors. SIT directors come from diverse professional backgrounds and possess the requisite knowledge, skills, and integrity to safeguard shareholders’ interests by making sound judgements on key issues relevant to the businesses of the Group.
Board Members
Mr. Praveen Kumar Ramburn is a non-executive Chairperson of the Company and is one of the 5 persons appointed by the Minister of Agro Industry & Food Security under section 5(2)(f) of the SIE Act. He is holder of a Diploma in Business and Industrial Administration. He has previously served as Mayor of the Municipal Council of Vacoas Phoenix and as Chairperson of the National Housing Development Co. Ltd (NHDC). He is presently a Councillor of the Municipal Council of Vacoas Phoenix.
Mrs. Indira Rugjee was appointed as director on the Board of SIT on 22nd April 2024 by the Ministry of Agro Industry & Food Security in pursuance to section 5(g) of the Sugar Industry Efficiency Act 2001. She is currently the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agro Industry & Food Security and has ample experience in public administration at different ministries. Mrs. Rugjee also serves as Board member of SIT Land Holdings Ltd and Chairperson of the Mauritius Cane Industry Authority
Mr. Vageesh Ramduny is a non-executive director of the Company since 8 December 2021 and is one of the 3 persons appointed by the Minister. He is holder of an LLB from the BPP University (UK) and also holds a Diploma in Business/Commerce. Mr Ramduny is the Chief Operating Officer of Alouette Bus Transport and also serves as Vice Chairman of the District Council of Moka. He has also served as Chairperson of SIT Land Holdings Ltd between April 2022 to May 2023.
Mrs. Madoobala Jeetah, OSK is a non-executive director of the Company since 8 December 2021 and is one of the 5 persons appointed by the Minister. She is a devoted social worker since many years and on 12th March 2023, she was awarded the rank of Officer of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (O.S.K) for her contribution in the social field. She has previously served as Chairperson and Board member of the National Women Council for 15 years as well as President and Village Councillor of Flacq Village Council. She is presently the Chairperson of the Staff & Remuneration Committee (SRC) of the SIT Group and also represents SIT on the Board of Directors of Omnicane Holdings Ltd, Omnicane Limited, Omnicane Management & Consultancy Ltd and Omnicane Thermal Energy Operations (La Baraque) Limited.
Mr. Yosundeo Buchoo, MSK is a non-executive director and is one of the five directors appointed by the Minister. He has previously briefly served in the Mauritius Police Force before changing his career path to teaching sector. He holds an Advance Certificate in Education, Diploma in Education and Diploma in Educational Management has a rich experience as primary school teacher. Mr Buchoo is now retired and was awarded the rank of Member of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (MSK) by the President of the Republic of Mauritius. He is also currently the Chairperson of the L’Avenir and Beau Bois Village Council.
Mr. Narainsamy Veeraragoo is a non-executive director and is one of the five directors appointed by the Minister. He is holder of a Certificate in Personal Management (South Africa) and Diploma in Business English (Manchester, UK). He has a long working experience at the Central Water Authority (CWA), where he occupied various positions. He also served as Board member of the Medical Council in the past. Mr Veeraragoo is now retired. He is a devoted social worker and is currently the Chairman of ‘Club des Seniors Dynamiques de Riche Terre’. He has previously served as Secretary at ‘Action Civique de Le Hochet Terre Rouge.
Mr. Gansam Boodram is a non-executive director and representative of sugarcane planters cultivating less than 5 hectares of land. He was elected as director in November 2021 pursuant to section 5(2)(a) of the SIE Act for a term of 3 years. Mr Boodram is a professional in the agribusiness sector and he has acquired experience in Israel, Holland, USA and India. He graduated in agriculture with specialisation in soilless culture and protected cropping as well as agriculture in Israel. He also studied environment control crop in Holland, mechanisation in USA and sugar technology in India. He is currently the Managing Director of Greenmundo (Africa).
Mr. Kamless Seeam is a non-executive director and representative of sugarcane planters cultivating less than 5 hectares of land. He was elected as director in November 2021 pursuant to section 5(2)(a) of the SIE Act for a term of 3 years. Mr Seeam has been in employment with Bon Accueil Farmers Service Centre. He is presently the Chairperson of the Mauritius Co-operative Agricultural Federation Ltd.
Mr. Douvendra Seesurun is a non-executive director and representative of sugarcane planters cultivating more than 5 hectares of land. He was elected as director in November 2021 pursuant to section 5(2)(b) of the SIE Act. He is a hydroponic technician.
Mr. Yousouf Oodally is a non-executive director and representative of agricultural workers of the sugar industry. He was elected as director in November 2021 by virtue of section 5(2)(c) of the SIE Act for a term of 3 years. Mr Oodally has been in employment with Alteo Ltd and has over 30 years of experience in the sugar industry. He is a field supervisor.
Mr. Thierry Desiré Laval Govinden is a non-executive director and representative of non-agricultural workers of the sugar industry. He was elected as director in November 2021 by virtue of section 5(2)(d) of the SIEAct for a term of 3 years. Mr Govinden has vast experience in the sugar industry and is currently employed as Operations Supervisor at Alteo Milling Ltd.
Mr. Emmanuel Lindsay Hope is a non-executive director and representative staff of the sugar industry. He was elected in November 2021 by virtue of section 5(2)(e) of the SIE Act for a term of 3 years. Mr Hope has been in employment with Alteo and is a weigher by profession.
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The Board also has five standing Committees, respectively the Audit & Risk Management Committee, the Corporate Governance Committee , Staff and Remuneration Committee, Strategic Investment Committee and Finance & Investment Committee. Each of them meets regularly under the terms of references set by the Board. A brief on each committee is presented below.
Audit & Risk Management Committee: The Audit & Risk Management Committee is the one of the most important Committees of SIT Group and generally provides independent assurance and advice on risk management, internal control, financial statements and compliance requirements.
Corporate Governance Committee: The Corporate Governance Committee acts as a useful mechanism for making recommendations to the Board on all corporate governance provisions to be adopted so that the board remains effective and complies with prevailing corporate governance principles.Staff and Remuneration Committee: The Staff & Remuneration Committee has been established with a view to improve the quality of working life by proposing a framework to help focus and interpret mutual expectations within a growing organisation like the SIT Group. Its functions essentially relate to advise the management on work matters of interest and of concern to staff, policy on recruitment and conditions of employment and remuneration policy.
Strategy & Investment Committee: The Strategy & Investment Committee of SIT Group is a committee through which the Boards can delegate some of their decision making powers regarding issues of strategic importance, set targets, monitor performance and manage investments, amongst others.
Finance Committee: The role of the finance committee includes; monitoring of expenditure and revenue performance with reference to approve budget, review and recommend to the board financial, management policies and strategies, cash flow management, budget administration and cost management programme.