RAJ Sharma will assume the CEO role of the Sugar Cane Growers Fund (SCGF) come this September.
This after the Labasa man was appointed by the fund’s board following a comprehensive selection process.
SCGF chairman Ariff Ali, in making the announcement, said Mr Sharma was no stranger to the agriculture and financial sectors having previously worked for the fund.
Mr Ali said the board had full confidence that Mr Sharma possessed the relevant attributes needed to take the SCGF forward.
Mr Sharma will replace Vimal Dutt who was previously the acting CEO for some time.
In acknowledging his appointment, Mr Sharma said he was honoured and privileged to be appointed to the CEO role of the institution.
The SCGF is an important stakeholder in the sugar industry serving the interests of the sugarcane growers by providing loans within the risk parametres approved by the board.
Mr Sharma has over 32 years of experience in banking, project and risk management, governance, agricultural and maritime roles, and is currently the General Manager Governance & Projects at HFC Bank. He has acted as Chief Executive Officer of HFC Bank on numerous occasions.
He holds a Masters in Commerce (Banking) and a Bachelor’s Degree (Banking & Finance) from the University of South Pacific.
Mr Sharma is also a member of various professional institutes relating to management, banking and company directorships.
He is currently the chairperson of Fiji Rice Limited and Copra Millers Fiji Limited, a member of the Board Audit Risk Committee of the FNPF, and National Treasurer for the Fiji Education for Needy Children Charitable Trust.
Mr Sharma hails from a sugar cane farming community in Vuniyalayala, Labasa, and is married with two children.
