Dirish Kumar Noonaram
Soreze,Pailles
Work Preference
Summary
Dirish and his partner co-founded data consulting and corporate finance advisory practice VERDE, which is licensed by the Financial Services Commission of Mauritius. He started the activities of the firm from a blank page in 2016 to become an important player in the sub-Saharan region. Dirish also extended the activities of VERDE in multiple markets through a network of partners and collaborators. In 2020, Dirish developed his activities through its holding company VENDI Group. Major brands such as ionnews.mu which is a leading pure-player media agency and CAFE LUX* have been in the investee companies of the group.
Before embarking on his entrepreneurial journey, Dirish acquired 15 years' experience in financial services, first as a proprietary commodity and currency trader, then moving to senior analyst roles and in senior executive positions. He led teams in listed markets (equities and bonds) before moving to alternative assets.
Dirish managed a diversified illiquid portfolio of real estate and private equity investments, and also served Silk Invest, a UK based frontier market investment advisory firm. Dirish has extensive experience in project implementation, having led assignments with major corporations in over 8 industries across Europe and Africa. From very modest beginnings, Dirish is today a well-known and respected entrepreneur, despite facing many challenges over the years. He has a very competitive mindset and a drive to succeed which he permeates across all his companies, in his quest for excellence and success.
Dirish today leads his companies, which form part of the VERDE Frontier Group, and drives strategic initiatives and expansion plans. Dirish also lectured at university level for a number of years in applied statistics. Dirish holds an MSc with Distinction in Management Science from the Kent Business School, University of Kent, UK, and a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics from the University of Mauritius.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Investor
ION NEWS
Mauritius
10.2020 - Current
- Strategic acquisition of ionnews.mu and its related digital platforms
- Drives collaboration and partnership opportunities
- Ionnews.mu is a 2013 incorporated brand, the first pure player in the country. ionnews.mu is the third largest digital media agency in the country (1.8m average monthly website page views, 325000 followers on Facebook, 105000 subscribers on YouTube)
Partner
VENDI Group
Mauritius
04.2015 - Current
- Led strategic partnerships, aligning objectives to enhance business growth and market reach.
- Developed and implemented operational strategies, improving efficiency across key projects.
- Partnerships and global expansion initiatives
- Launch of new business ventures
- Lead other activities of the group
Co-Founder & Partner
VERDE
Mauritius
04.2015 - Current
- Founded a specialist data consulting and corporate finance advisory practice and leads a multi-disciplinary team of 15 people
- Developed VERDE into one of the leading firms in the Sub-Saharan region (highest CAGR for peers)
- Initiator of several custom tech projects with partner firms
- Launched VERDE VENTURES which is a licensed incubator by the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council
- Licensed and regulated by the Financial Services Commission as a Corporate Finance Advisor since August 2020
- Launched africavcx.com, a regional platform for VC investments
- Founded a specialist data consulting and corporate finance advisory practice and leads a multi-disciplinary team of 15 people. Developed VERDE into one of the leading firms in the Sub-Saharan region (highest CAGR for peers).
Investor
Great Delight Chain of Restaurants
Mauritius
07.2022 - 11.2024
- 100% buy-out of Great Delight Restaurant
- Launched a second outlet in Plaisance Shopping Mall, Rose Belle
- Drives expansion of the Great Delight brand, a comfort fusion food business targeting the middle income since 2014
Consultant for Africa Fixed Income Fund
Silk Invest Ltd
UK
09.2015 - 03.2018
- Assisted the setting up of distribution channels across Africa
- Risk management and monitoring of investments across listed markets, and private equity funds
- Assisted the development of funds and other strategic initiatives
- Acted as the representative for development of the Silk Invest fixed income platform through Mauritius and into Africa
- Licensed with the Financial Conduct Authority of the UK.
Lecturer, Moderator
University of Technology (UTM)
Mauritius
01.2010 - 11.2016
- 7 years - Lecturing for Mathematics, Actuarial and Engineering programmes on a part time basis
- Modules taught: Probability and Statistics, Logics and Graph Theory, Decision Analysis and Modelling, Engineering Mathematics and MatLab Programming
- Moderator for exam papers
Portfolio and Fund Manager
Bramer Group
, Mauritius
08.2012 - 03.2015
- Promoted to Assistant Vice President in December 2013
- Conceptualized the Emerging Africa Bond Fund, one of the first pan-Africa bond strategies in the industry
- Structured and licensed a USD 150m property fund
- Devised strategies for investments and rebalancing of proprietary funds
- Conceptualized new products and services
- Developed detailed financial models to assess revenue prospects, profitability, cash flow generation and credit ratios
- Prepared of quarterly performance reviews discussing recent financial and operating results, key-operating metrics, cash flow status, funding needs, detailed liquidity assessment, expected profitability and overall performance of funds
- Conducted a number of road-shows in Africa and Europe for fund raising activities
- Brought a number of strategic partners including Emirates NBD (Dubai), Kedari Capital (Nigeria) and Silk Invest (UK) to Mauritius
- Drafted research and investment reports for discretionary mandates
- Implemented investment decisions and monitored portfolios
- Prepared investment committees
Trader
Bramer Global Trade Ltd
, Mauritius
08.2010 - 12.2011
- Derivatives broker on the Global Board of Trade (GBOT)
- Conducted proprietary trading in currencies and commodities
- Traded complex strategies and designed in house models
- Recalibrated models through back-testing, calculations of volatilities and correlations, scenario testing and daily monitoring
- Advised clients and proposed hedging strategies to institutional investors
- Treasury management services offered to select clients
Derivatives Trader and Analyst
GHF Futures
, Mauritius
03.2009 - 07.2010
- Proprietary trader on the London International Financial Futures Exchange
- Traded complex strategies such as spreads, flies, difference of flies and inter product hedging, through predominantly interest rate products
- Proficient in the use of Bloomberg terminal and Future Source workstation
- Analysed and researched Euro Libor, Government Bonds and Energy products
Education
MSc. with Distinction - Operational Research
University of Kent
09.2008
BSc. (Hons) - Mathematics
University of Mauritius
07.2007
Other Achievements
Associate of the Operational Research Society of the UK (AORS), 2013-10-01
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 1985-04-29
- Nationality: Mauritian
Certification
Representative of Investment Advisory License by the Financial Services Commission of Mauritius
Accomplishments
Shareholder of various market leading brands notably CAFE LUX* and IONNEWS.
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Skills
Business development
Strategic partnerships
Strategic visioning
Customer relations
Affiliations
- OR SOCIETY UK
- ESOMAR
Languages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
French
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Interests
Football
Family and Private Life
Timeline
Investor
Great Delight Chain of Restaurants
07.2022 - 11.2024
Investor
ION NEWS
10.2020 - Current
Consultant for Africa Fixed Income Fund
Silk Invest Ltd
09.2015 - 03.2018
Partner
VENDI Group
04.2015 - Current
Co-Founder & Partner
VERDE
04.2015 - Current
Portfolio and Fund Manager
Bramer Group
08.2012 - 03.2015
Trader
Bramer Global Trade Ltd
08.2010 - 12.2011
Lecturer, Moderator
University of Technology (UTM)
01.2010 - 11.2016
Derivatives Trader and Analyst
GHF Futures
03.2009 - 07.2010
MSc. with Distinction - Operational Research
University of Kent
BSc. (Hons) - Mathematics
University of Mauritius