our pEOPLE ARE OUR GREATEST ASSETS
WE ARE IN THE INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL BUSINESS
DIRECTORS
FOUNDER & CEO
AMIT BAKHIRTA
MBA (Finance) (UK), PgDBAM, BHM
Since November 2016, Amit has been the Founder / CEO of ANNEAU Ltd (“ANNEAU”).
ANNEAU is a financial services firm focused on Investment Management, Portfolio Management and Advisory in Mauritius and Africa. The Firm is licensed by the Financial Services Commission (“FSC”) in the Republic of Mauritius.
Amit has garnered more than 10 years’ experience in Investment Management, Corporate Finance, Banking and Investment Banking in Africa including Mauritius. Amit has invested in more than 150 Public companies (including the largest companies by market capitalization in Africa) and 25 Sovereign & Corporate Debt instruments in Africa over the past decade. He further cherishes his 8 years’ experience in the Hospitality, Textiles and Retail (FMCG) industries in Mauritius, India, and the UK. With his corporate finance, Investment Banking and Multi Assets Investment background, he has been actively involved in the founding, management and distribution of Pan African (including Mauritian), Global, Emerging Markets and Frontier Markets Multi Assets Investment Solutions and has headed IPRO’s operations in Africa from 2011 to 2016.
He previously managed the IPRO Growth Fund and the African Market Leaders fund (Top USD Quartile Performance-Globally) and advised on the Investment mandate of the Policy Growth Fund; open / closed ended funds listed on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius (SEM). Amit has also sat and chaired on various Boards, Audit & Risk, Remuneration, and Investment & Risk Committees. Until 2016, he was the Deputy Chairperson (IC/RC) of 2 Pan African Funds (Long only Equity and Fixed Income-Hard/Multi-Local Currency) invested across an array of industries and Equity/Credit instruments across Africa. Funds which he co-launched in 2008 and 2013 and actively managed until 2013.
Amit has an extensive experience in investing in African as well as global currency pairs and global commodities (including Hard/Soft commodities and precious metals). He has served as a Managing Director of IPRO Botswana and an Executive Director of the Ponelopele Fund. Amit was previously with the IPRO group (member of Ciel Finance-CIEL GROUP/AMETHIS FINANCE) and AfrAsiaBank (Member of IBL/National Bank of Canada / Intrasia Capital) in Mauritius. Amit is a holder of an MBA, Finance from UWIC, UK and is a seasoned speaker on CNBC-Africa and at select African Investment and Capital Markets conferences. He has also contributed numerous articles on Finance, economics, and investments.
Amit is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of Bagatelle. He is Paul Harris Fellow, PHF + 1.
ADVISORS
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAIRPERSON - BOARD OF DIRECTORS [ ANNEAU - INVESTISSEMENTS ]
RAMESWURLALL BASANT ROI, G.C.S.K
B.A. Hons (Economics), University of Delhi,
M.A (Economics with Specializations in Monetary Economics and International Trade Theory), Delhi School of Economics.
Mr. Basant Roi has occupied one of the most eminent posts in the country. He has been the Governor, Bank of Mauritius, 2015 to 2018 & 1998 to 2006. He was the Economic Consultant from 2007 to 2014. The Director of the Research Department, 1987 to 1998. The Assistant Director Research, 1984 to 1987 and the Research Officer, Research Department, Bank of Mauritius, 1976 to 1984. He also occupied the post of Economist at the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development January- April 1976.
Mr. Basant Roi has co-authored with Prof. Maxwell Fry, Monetary Policymaking in Mauritius. Published numerous articles on the Mauritian economy. Throughout his professional career, he has been involved in Monetary Policy Making in Mauritius and foreign exchange reserve management of the Bank of Mauritius. By virtue of the various positions he has occupied, chaired and has been a member of several African and other international multilateral organizations.
He is currently a member of the Bretton Woods Committee, Washington D.C. In 2004, he was awarded by the Government of Mauritius the highest national distinction, the Grand Commander of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (G.C.S.K) for his contributions to the development of the financial industry of Mauritius.
In 2016 and 2017, he received four accolades, Central Bank Governor of the Year, by four institutions, including the Magazine, The Banker.
VICE CHAIRPERSON - BOARD OF DIRECTORS [ ANNEAU - INVESTISSEMENTS ]
Dr. / ME. MILAN J.N MEETARBHAN, G.O.S.K
Doctorate in International Law, Université Panthéon-Sorbonne, Paris,
Postgraduate degree in Diplomacy and International relations, Université Paris XI (Diplôme d’Études Supérieures Spécialisées en Diplomatie et droit des relations Internationales),
Postgraduate degree in International Law and Relations, Université Panthéon-Sorbonne, Paris (Diplôme d’Études Approfondies en Droit des Organisations Internationales et les relations Économiques Internationales); and
B.A Hons Law.
He was called to the Bar, Middle Temple, London.
Me. Milan J.N Meetarbhan is currently the Permanent Representative of Mauritius to the United Nations.
He is Barrister whose practice focuses on corporate and regulatory affairs, Public Law and International law. He has been in private practice from 1998 to 2005 and is now the Barrister at law and the Head of Nyam Chamber since 2015.
He served as an Academic Consultant at the Université Paris-Assas from 2017 to 2023. He has served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Mauritius to the United Nations Oceans from January 2011 to January 2015; and Special Envoy of the Government of Mauritius. Prior to his appointment at the UN, he was the Chief Executive of the Financial Services Commission from December 2005 to December 2010. Mr. Meetarbhan has experience of both the public and private sectors and at both national and international levels. He has been a Senior Lecturer, then Associate Professor and Head, Department of Law, University of Mauritius in 1986 to 1998.He has a long record of public service having served as Senior Policy Adviser to the Prime Minister, Legal Adviser to the Ministry of Finance, in 1988 to 1990 he was a Board Member of the Stock Exchange Commission and between 1998 to 2000 he has been the Chairman of Mauritius Telecom. He worked as an international civil servant from 1982 to 1986 as Legal Officer, ICPO-INTERPOL, Paris. In addition to his public service record, Mr Meetarbhan has experience of the private sector and of the corporate world having acted as lawyer and consultant to several international corporations and as member of the Board of Directors of a number of international funds.
Dr. Meetarbhan studied law in London and Paris. He was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple and then obtained a Diplome d’Études Approfondies en Droit des Relations Économiques Internationales et des Organisations Internationales from the Sorbonne, a Diplome d’Études Superieures Specialisées en Diplomatie et Relations Internationales from Université Paris X1 and a Doctorate in International Law from the Sorbonne.
He is also a Visiting Lecturer at Université Aix-Marseille, France and at Université de la Réunion; Guest lecturer at NYU School of Law, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Indian Society of International Law, South Asian University, Harvard Kennedy School. He has been a Visiting Fellow, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India from January 2016-May 2016. He acted as Rapporteur General, 3rd International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) held in Samoa in September 2014. He also chaired the National Dialogue on Oceans, organised by the Government of Mauritius in July 2013. In 2012 to 2013, He was the President, 18th Session of the Assembly of the International Seabed Authority and was a member of Mauritian delegation in Mauritius v UK arbitration proceedings before a Tribunal appointed under Annex 7, UNCLOS in 2012 to 2014. Me. Milan Meertarbhan co-chaired the UN Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and Law of the Sea In 2010 to 2014. He was the Vice-President of the UN General Assembly (& Acting President on various occasions between 2011 and 2012. He has also been the vice-chair of the CISNA (Committee of regulators from the SADC region) in 2009 to 2010. In 1997 to 1998, he was the Chairman Task Force appointed by Government of Mauritius on the setting up of a Medical College. Chairman, Task Force appointed by the Government of Mauritius on Legislative Framework for Financial Services in 1996-1997.
Dr. Meetarbhan was conferred the title of Honorary Fellow in Law by the University of Mauritius in October 2007. He was made Grand Officer of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (G.O.S.K) in the National Day Honours list in 2010. He has been the Past President of the Rotary Club of Phoenix, Mauritius.
DIRECTOR /
CHAIRPERSON - AUDIT & RISK COMMITTEE
[ ANNEAU - INVESTISSEMENTS ]
YANDRADUTH GOOGOOLYE
Chartered Accountant [ ACCA, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, UK ].
Mr Yandraduth Googoolye was appointed Governor Designate on 12 December 2017 and Governor of the Bank on 15 January 2018. As such, he was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank and chaired the Monetary Policy Committee. Mr Googoolye retired as Governor in February 2020. Prior to his appointment, and since July 2006, Mr Googoolye was the First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Mauritius. He also acted as Governor of the Bank from 1 January to 13 February 2007 and from 16 February to 20 May 2010. Mr Googoolye joined the Bank of Mauritius in 1985 as Accountant, then became Assistant Inspector of Banks. He was appointed Director-Banking Supervision in 1991 before moving as Director to the Operations Department in 1997. Following a reorganisation of the Department, he became Director-Accounting, Budgeting and Payments System in early 2001.
He was the Project Coordinator for the establishment of a Real Time Gross Settlement System for the banking system in Mauritius and was also responsible for the automation of the clearing house. In 2019, Governor Googoolye brought to fruition the Mauritius Central Automated Switch and kick-started the Centralised e-KYC project.
Mr Googoolye also served as a member of the Technical Committee of the Mauritius Offshore Business Activities Authority and of the Board of the National Investment Trust. He was the Country Leader for the SADC Payment System Project and member of the SADC Payment System Steering Committee. He was equally a member of the Committee of International Payment Experts on the COMESA Payment System Project. Mr Googoolye was the former Vice Chairperson of the Financial Services Commission.
Mr Googoolye has been actively involved in key regional and international organisations. He was, until his retirement, the current Chairman of the Eastern Africa sub-region Committee of Central Bank Governors of the Association of African Central Banks.
He was also a Council Member of the Islamic Financial Services Board and a member of the Governing Board Member of the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation, of which the Bank of Mauritius is a founding member. Mr Googoolye has been a regular speaker at international conferences on central banking.
Under Mr Googoolye’s governorship, the Bank has won significant international recognition for its focus on good governance from prestigious institutions including Capital Finance International, International Business Magazine and Finance Derivative. The sixth and latest award won by the Bank under his governorship is the 2019 MEA Markets Business Excellence Award received on 28 January 2020 as Best Public Financial Services Institution – East Africa. Mr. Googoolye is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, UK and a Fellow of the Association of International Accountants. He is an active member of the Rotary club of Curepipe and was Past President in the year 2021-2022 and he has been reappointed as President Elect for the Golden Jubilee year of Rotary Club of Curepipe for year 2024-2025.
DIRECTOR - BOARD OF DIRECTORS [ ANNEAU - INVESTISSEMENTS ]
DR. AMARESH RAMLUGAN
BSc. Physical Sciences,
Master’s in international business,
MSc. in Marketing Management,
MBA in Financial Management,
MPhil in Development Finance, MPhil in Management Coaching; and
Doctoral Research Training.
Amaresh Ramlugan is a seasoned professional with considerable international exposure during his 20 year plus career. He has been part of the senior leadership teams of various organizations including as Head of Marketing & Communications, State Bank of Mauritius and as Head of Marketing & Corporate Affairs, Barclays Bank Mauritius with a secondment to Barclays Dubai HQ.
Amaresh is currently the CEO of The Concreate Agency www.tca.mu, a leading full-service marketing communications agency in Mauritius handling several prominent leading local and multinational brands and projects. The agency has an offshoot www.smemarketing.mu that provides tailor-made marketing solutions for SMEs and launched www.bonappetit.mu, the first foodie portal of Mauritius. Latest joint venture includes the setting up www.africadigitalalliance.com to tap into digital opportunities in the African continent.
His passion for people and training led him to set up The Corporate Leadership Centre www.clcl.mu, a training institution which aspires to play a prominent role in the field of training in the Indian Ocean region and East Africa. As an executive coach, he offers coaching through his coaching practice, The Executive Coaching Company www.coaching.co.mu. He is a Fellow of The Institute of Leadership and Management (UK) and The Mauritius Institute of Directors (MIOD) and a member of the Coaches and Mentors of South Africa (COMENSA). He has extensive board level experience and has served in various leadership roles including as: Non-Executive Director – Information Communication and Technology Authority (ICTA), 2005-14,Trustee – University of Mauritius Trust Mauritius International Business School, 2006-08; Trustee – State Bank of Mauritius Education Fund and State Bank of Mauritius Staff Children Education Fund, 2008-13, President – Royal College Curepipe Alumni Association, 2013-17, President – Rotary Club of Phoenix, 2011-12 & 2015-16, President – The Mauritius Gymkhana Club, 2018-19, Charter President Rotary Club of Bagatelle, 2022-23 and Founder Member Toastmasters Bagatelle, 2022-23.
Dr. Amaresh Ramlugan has always been passionate about helping the needy and the less fortunate and serving the community at large. This led him to join the service organization Rotary International since 2001. He has since, held all offices at Rotary Club level and served twice as President – Rotary Club of Phoenix in the years 2011-12 & 2015-16 respectively.
The Club received Gold Presidential Citation in both years. He has also served as Assistant District Governor 9220, 2016-17 and as District Officer Community Service, District 9220, 2018/19. He is currently Co-Vice President- Rotary Leadership Institute (Francophone Division), District Officer and is Charter President 2022- 23 Rotary Club of Bagatelle. He is Paul Harris Fellow, PHF + 2.
Dr. Ramlugun is currently acting as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation “MBC”).
DIRECTOR - BOARD OF DIRECTORS [ ANNEAU - INVESTISSEMENTS ]
DR URSULA SCHMIDT
Doctorate in Economics, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (Summa Cum Laude),
Masters Degree in Economics, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg & Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz / Germany
Certified Director and Certified Financial Expert at Deutsche Börse, Germany,
Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP-Int.) at Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics, Minneapolis.
Dr. Schmidt is an independent Internal Audit & Compliance consultant and founder of the consulting practice schmidt advisory. She is former Executive Executive Vice President Audit & Compliance at RTL Group (based in Luxembourg), a listed leading entertainment company with interests in television channels, radio stations, streaming services, and content production companies in over 25 countries worldwide.
She also served as Secretary to the group´s Audit Committee and was chairman of the audit committee of Channel Five in the UK between 2005 and 2008. Before this role, which she held from 2004 to 2020,
Dr. Schmidt held senior positions in controlling and strategy at the same group between 2000 and 004. She also was a Member of the Board of Directors of RTL AdConnect SA (formerly IP Network SA), an international sales house and subsidiary of RTL Group. In earlier roles, between 1994 – 1999, she held several positions as international statistics consultant for Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.
Dr. Schmidt is a member of the Board of Directors of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Luxembourg and serves as an independent director on several boards in the Luxembourg finance sector.
She is a regular speaker at international conferences and a podcast guest in the fields of internal audit and compliance. She publishes extensively, on LinkedIn and other media. In 2023 she received the prestigious Internal Audit Beacon Award for her relentless advocacy for the internal audit profession.
DIRECTOR - BOARD OF DIRECTORS [ ANNEAU - INVESTISSEMENTS ]
Edouard de Burlet
Licence in Law, Bae +5 (University of Louvain, Belgium),
B.A. in economics at the European University of Antwerp; and
MBA (International Management) from the University of Dallas (USA).
Edouard started his career in 1979, as financial analyst with Manufacturers Hanover Bank in Brussels and became corporate account officer in charge of the International Corporations. In 1986 he joined Kredietrust in Luxembourg (later Kredietbank), as portfolio manager. From 1989, he continued his career with Banque Privee Edmond de Rothschild Europe (BPERE) and became Head of the Private Banking Department till 1994. In 1994, he joined the Investment funds Services department for UCI and in 1998 he became Head of Investment funds commercial department and member of several coordination Committees within the group. In 2000 he became also member of the Management Committee for the Spanish subsidiary ofBPERE. From 2004 he was in charge of the development of transversal services: he initiated and developed, with the respective departments, strategic projects and partnerships, including also the setting-up, administration or portfolios management of specific Investments funds distributed by the partners, mainly with Nikko/SMBC ( in Japan),
He was member of the Edmond de Rothschild group’s Responsible Investment Committee, representing the Luxembourg’s Hub of Edmond de Rothschild: the committee is in charge of the sustainable development initiatives within the group(ESG). He was also member of the Board of Directors of Edmond de Rothschild Nikko Co ltd. in Tokyo till his retirement age on the 28/02/2017. At the end of his career, he was in charge of the desk Professional Business Solution, promoting the wrapping structures and the transversal business of the Bank.
Currently, he is independent director of 9 investment funds domiciled in Luxembourg and distributed internationally by various promoters. He is also in the board of Directors of H2WIN SA (Hydrogen disruptive production technology) and a Director of 2 SPVs in Luxembourg (securitization companies) in the Art sector.
DIRECTOR - investments & risks
sameer sharma
CAIA, FRM, MSc (Applied Finance), BA Hons Economics
In the recent past, Mr. Sameer Sharma was heading the International Reserves Management Division of the Central Bank of Mauritius (“BOM”) and was responsible for more than USD 6.7 Billion in assets under management. Sameer is a specialist in institutional multi asset portfolio construction and management with a focus in factor-based investing and also designed the private asset investment program of the Republic of Mauritius. Sameer sits on both the senior management and investment committees of the Central Bank and is also a regular contributor and advisor to the COMESA Monetary Institute and has an in-depth knowledge of African economies and capital markets. Sameer has accompanied the Governor on many occasions at the IMF spring meetings and has been invited to participate at various forums such as the World Bank Treasury executive forum. Sameer has also represented the Bank of Mauritius as Director at the clearing house of the country, the CDS Ltd (“CDS”). Prior to joining the Bank of Mauritius Sameer worked as the Head of IPRO Fund Management where he oversaw close to USD 500 million in AUM and Co managed the flagship African Market Leaders Fund one of the best performing Africa funds during his tenure. His job involved extensive research and travelling across the African continent. Sameer has also worked as associate at the Chaire de la Caisse De Depots et Placements du Quebec in Montreal focusing on alternative risk premia and passive hedge fund replication where he has published in various academic journals. He holds an MSc in Applied Finance, a BA Honours in Economics and has earned both the CAIA (Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst) and the FRM (Financial Risk Management) professional certifications. Mr. Sharma sits on the Board of Directors, the Investment Committee and Risk Management Committee of Anneau Ltd.
EXECUTIVES
CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER / DEP.MLRO
JENNY LO NAM
ACCA, BSc. Finance with Law
Miss. Jenny Lo Nam is the CFO of Anneau. She started her career as Junior Analyst at IPRO Fund Management Ltd before joining Deloitte as External Auditor. She then took up the role of Accounts Reviewer in the Trust Department of Deutsche Bank where she spent almost 4 years.
Prior to joining Anneau Ltd as Chief Finance Officer, Jenny was an Accountant in the Finance Team of Standard Bank Trust Company Mauritius Ltd. Miss. Lo Nam holds a BSc (Hons.) in Finance with Law from the University of Mauritius and is a member of the Association of the Chartered Certified Accountants.
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER / MLRO
MANEESHA ROSHNEE MOHER
Bachelor of Law (‘LLB’)
Prior to joining ANNEAU as our Chief Operations Officer / MLRO, Maneesha was a Senior Legal & Compliance officer and MLRO. Maneesha has acquired years of experience and expertise in the Mauritian Financial Sector, working for Investment advisers, CIS managers, Family Office, Management Company, Corporate Finance companies. She is an MQA approved trainer. She has championed numerous projects regarding GDPR & Data Protection, FATCA & CRS. She has an international exposure, for having served in various European and Swiss-based companies.
Maneesha holds a Bachelor of Laws LLB from the University of London and completed the Law Practitioners Vocational Course at the University of Mauritius.
FINANCE MANAGER / DEPUTY MLRO
SIMLA GUNGADIN
FCCA, BSc. (Hons.) Accounting and Finance
MIPA
Mrs Simla Gungadin is Finance Manager of Anneau. She started her career as Accounting Officer at Accenture Mauritius Ltd in 2004 and joined Nexia Baker & Arenson in 2007 as Semi-senior in Accounting department and had since climbed to the rank of Assistant Accounting Manager. She holds a professional background of more than 15 years of experience in the accounting and tax field in various sectors including domestic companies as well as global business.
Simla is a Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA). She has had the priviledge of being first at national level in ACCA modules “Performance Management”. She is a member of Mauritius Institute of Professional Accountants (MIPA) and she holds a BSc. (Hons.) Accounting & Finance degree from the University of Mauritius.
FUND MANAGER [ ANNEAU - INVESTISSEMENTS ]
PATRICK EUGENE DIETHELM
Certificate in Quantitative Finance, CQF Institute, London, UK
Master in Business Management, HEC Lausanne, Switzerland.
Patrick brings over two decades of experience in investment management, with expertise in both Investment Advisory and Discretionary Portfolio Management. Throughout his career in private banking, he has successfully navigated major financial events including the Asian Financial Crisis of 1998, the Internet Bubble of 2000, and the Global Financial Crisis of 2008. These experiences have shaped his disciplined approach to portfolio construction—emphasizing diversification, risk awareness, and the critical importance of liquidity during times of stress.
Patrick believes that strong communication is at the heart of effective investment management. Whether guiding clients through volatile markets or collaborating with colleagues, he ensures transparency, clarity, and trust, laying the foundation for long-term partnerships and sound decision-making. An optimist by nature, Patrick is driven by curiosity and a passion for continuous learning. He actively explores new technologies, evolving investment strategies, and innovative approaches to risk management. This forward-looking mindset not only enhances portfolio outcomes but also fosters knowledge-sharing across teams and clients. Patrick views investment management as a collective endeavor—where collaboration and shared insights lead to better results for all.
Patrick was previously Investment Counsellor, HSBC Private Banking, Singapore. He was also the Head of Discretionary Portfolio Management – Asia (ex-Japan), Société Générale Bank & Trust, Singapore and a Member of its Global Investment Committee. He was also an Investment Advisor at UBS, Singapore — and at UBS, Lausanne, Switzerland — 1998 – 1999, Junior Portfolio Manager, Swiss Bank Corp, Hong Kong — 1996 – 1998, a Graduate, Swiss Bank Corp; Lausanne, Switzerland where he Completed the Graduate Programme in the Investment Advisory team. He had also acted as a Financial Consultant, AWD in Geneva, Switzerland.
Patrick joined ANNEAU – INVESTISSEMENTS as Portfolio Manager in August 2025.
