Sights and insights

"Good conversations mean good relationships which mean good business,” reminded Shernaz Engineer, chair of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) UK Chapter referring to the program lined up for the 105 delegates who attended the global conclave in London. The theme selected being "Inspiring conversations in Inspiring locations,” caused some misgivings initially among prospective delegates when they were informed each day’s proceedings would be held at different iconic locales in London. Accustomed to a stay and deliberations in a single venue, usually a prime hotel property for the duration of the meet, the majority of the regular global conclave delegates who are senior citizens were on tenterhooks.

But they need not have worried as "most of our delegates felt very privileged to have access to places they would not have had as ordinary tourists. This combined with world class speakers made it a conference that no one will forget in a hurry,” Engineer was quoted in the WZCC newsletter of October to December 2023. The four-day program from July 26 to 29, 2023 in London spanned the Zoroastrian Centre, the Sky Room at the Tower Suites overlooking the Tower Bridge, the River Terrace at the House of Commons, the Lords Cricket Ground and finally St James’ Court, A Taj Hotel for the gala awards night banquet.

Pushed back by two years due to Covid, the meet ultimately turned out to be a unique conclave enjoyed by all. "Very well planned and professionally handled,” opined WZCC global president Capt Percy Master, recapitulating the highlights of the event for those who missed out on the opportunity. Besides providing avenues for bonding and interaction, all the speakers indicated they "wanted to give back to society and wanted our community to succeed.”

Sunset cruise on the Thames

Inspiring interlocutors

At the cocktail reception at the Zoroastrian Centre, the headquarters of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE), Malcolm Deboo, president of ZTFE welcomed those present. Guest of honor, Lord Karan Bilimoria, founder chair of the WZCC UK chapter, stated that his Zoroastrian ethos governs his business, education and political endeavors. In his keynote address Sam Balsara, chairman of Madison World, referred to the factors, positive and negative, that contributed to his firm rated as the second most powerful media agency in India by the Economic Times Brand Equity Reckoner. "Real success can come only after real failure,” stated Balsara, a firm believer of "Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” An inspirational team leader, he remarked, "I wanted Madison to be the agency that I would be happy to work for if I did not own it.”

Javid Canteenwala, chief financial officer (CFO) of Compagnie Financiere Tradition, served as anchor when Zubin Karkaria, chief executive officer (CEO) of VFS Global spoke on "Innovation and Entrepreneurship.” VFS manages visa and passport issuance related services to governments. Having trained as a mobed, Karkaria acknowledged the power of prayers in his personal life, his reverence for the Rustom Framna Agiary in Bombay, and his professional journey that resulted in VFS becoming a global behemoth.

In another session, Canteenwala drew Zar Amrolia, chairman of XTX Markets, to speak on "My journey of a start-up and beyond.” Amrolia explained the complexities of currency trading and his willingness to think outside the box. Alongside Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia and Prof Almut Hintze, he is currently using his resources to develop an education program for mobeds in India and Iran.

In conversation on the final day at Lords were Canteenwala with Sir Rohinton (Ron) Kalifa, chairman of Network International and former CEO of Worldpay Group who spoke on "My Innings with FinTech, Private Equity and the wonderful world of Payments.” Erstwhile ZTFE president Dorab Mistry introduced Kalifa as "a serial entrepreneur who wanted to become a cricketer and is currently leading the Selection Committee of British Cricket.”

Among Kalifa’s earliest childhood memories are sitting on a balcony at his grandparents’ place overlooking the H. B. Wadia Atash Behram at Dhobitalao. After he came to the UK at eight years of age, he once got the cane from his headmaster for missing school to watch a match India was playing at the Oval. With young Kalifa’s face shown on television, his presence was etched in the annals of history. On completing his studies from Harvard, Kalifa worked as personal assistant to Robert Alexander, chair of NatWest (major retail and commercial bank in the UK) whom he considered his mentor. Always wont to take chances, Kalifa advised, "If the door is ajar, you must walk through it. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t but you won’t know until you try… Opportunities are always in front of us.”

To those contemplating to start a business, Kalifa recommended, "Make sure you have an understanding of what purpose is driving you” for that is more important than vision or objectives. Driving his enterprises has been a focus on customers and a single-minded devotion to their needs.

There were other individuals too who alluded to their entrepreneurial journeys: Master’s subject was "From Shipping to Shipping Services and Beyond.” Compartmentalizing his sojourn in three phases: as a professional, rising from a cadet to chief officer with Scindia Steam Navigation Company; as a business entrepreneur starting with Master Marine Services, progressing to allied services, diversifying into generation of hydropower and agro processing; as a social entrepreneur he launched Master Foundation that renders medical, educational and financial support to the underprivileged. Supported by his wife Arin in every venture, Percy recommended, "Take calculated risks with an exit policy in mind always.”

Cyrus Todiwala of Café Spice Namaste referred to his struggles and fulfilment in the hospitality industry. Financial expert Melwin Mehta, investor and fund manager at Sterling Investment Management, summarized the dos and don’ts of individual investments. Neuroscientist Karishma Koka who is the founder of the online portal Ba Humata, spoke on "Learning from the Gathas about running a business the Zoroastrian way.”

There were insights from non-Zoroastrian dignitaries too. At the Palace of Westminster, Lord Simon MacDonald, recently head of the UK Diplomatic Service and permanent under-secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, spoke about global trade and industry and prospects for world trade in the current scenario impacted by wars. At another session, Paul Drechsler, chairman, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), UK referred to the various activities of ICC and elaborated on how WZCC and ICC can collaborate in mutual areas of interest.

From l, top row: Capt Percy Master, Shernaz Engineer, Dorab Mistry, Farokh Engineer, Sir Ron Kalifa,

Javid Canteenwala, Dr Shernaz Cama, Zar Amrolia; 2nd row: Malcolm Deboo, Sam Balsara, Zubin Karkaria,

Paul Drechsler, Frazaan Kotwal , Pervin and Cyrus Todiwala, Dr Karishma Koka

Pentads on panels

There were two five-member panels that piqued the interest of delegates. The Women in Business panel was led by Zarin Patel, non executive director at His Majesty’s Treasury and previously CFO and executive director of BBC. With her were Bapsy Dastur, general counsel, head of corporate risk, compliance and legal at VFS Global; Behroze Daruwalla, global chair, WZCC Women Entrepreneurs; Mehrnavaz Avari, area director UK and general manager St James’ Court, A Taj Hotel; Dr Shernaz Cama, associate professor at Lady Sriram College and Parzor director; and Engineer, founder director of Verity Appointments. They spoke about the challenges of fighting all odds in a patriarchal society and the strategies, coping mechanisms and failures they took in their stride before they earned respect.

Yet another panel on "Entrepreneurship, Risk and Wealth Creation” was led by Perses Sethna, global vice president of WZCC and CEO of PRT Partners Ltd. With him on the panel were Darius Kumana, co-founder/chief product officer at Wrisk; Jehaan Kotwal, CEO of JFK Transporters Pvt Ltd; Jeroo Doodhmal, founder of Pip & Henry, a sustainable footwear brand for kids; Navaz Sethna, director at Kumon Maths and English Study Centre; and Ruzbeh Bacha, founder and CEO of CityFALCON, a fintech company. Despite their initial travails, they were happy they had launched their enterprises. Many acknowledged they would have appreciated mentorship in their early days and offered to assist others if WZCC would undertake this effort in a structured manner.

The WZCC strategy session saw the office bearers and international directors of the organization elaborate on six earmarked Thrusts (T1 to T6). Promoting intellectual, economic and social value constituted T1 outlined by Prof Farrokh Mistree and Koka. Youth to the fore was T2 by Kotwal; Women Empowerment, T3, by Daruwalla; Chapter development and membership, T4, by Viraf Deboo; Empowering entrepreneurs, T5, by Edul Daver and Zerick Dastur; Communication and outreach, T6, by Perses Sethna.

Above: sessions at the Sky Room at the Tower Suites

WZCC delegates at the Palace of Westminster in London; inset: Lord Karan Bilimoria

top r: at the Zoroastrian Centre Photo: Raj Bakrania above r: Long Room at the Lords Cricket Ground

In the august precincts

Availing of a rare opportunity to visit both, the House of Lords as also the House of Commons, the participants enjoyed a private reception hosted by Bilimoria.

For sports enthusiasts, the visit to the Lord’s Cricket Ground gave them a rare opportunity to see the Media Box, the hallowed Long Room, the original Ashes in the Lords Museum as also the plaque celebrating the first team from India, the all-Parsi team.

Some of these privileges are reserved only for members of the Marylebone Cricket Club (to become a member, a 27-year wait is normal) but as acknowledged Dorab Mistry, "Sir Ron opens the doors that others cannot!” Pointed out Kalifa, the capacity at Lords is large enough to accommodate one-third of the global Parsi community. The presence of Farokh Engineer, erstwhile wicket keeper on the Indian national cricket team, who had come down from Manchester brought back fond memories for many delegates.

Farokh Engineer was later seen presenting the awards at the St James’ Court when Dorab Mistry officiated as the master of ceremonies. Amrolia was honored as the 2021 Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year; Kalifa as the 2022 Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year; Cama as the Social Entrepreneur for 2022. After an Indian cuisine dinner, countertenor Frazaan Kotwal entertained the delegates.

The lively chair of the UK Chapter, Shernaz Engineer ensured the delegates started each day with a smile narrating amusing incidents from her early days in Karachi. Whether heading to the different destinations or their respective hotels on the iconic London red double decker buses or using the London Tube that fortunately did not go on a threatened strike during those days, the delegates experienced many novel experiences. A sunset cruise on the Thames, meals catered by Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala and their team, entertainment by Dinaz Hira, an optional tour of Oxford and Windsor Castle on the last day were some of the other treats in store for the delegates.

From l, front row: Edul Daver, Jimmy Contractor, Dorab Mistry, Canteenwala, Zubin Sethna;

back row: Darius Karkaria, Perses Sethna, Katy Contractor, Shernaz Engineer, Lord Simon MacDonald,Bilimoria, Master

From l: Master, Engineer and Viraf Deboo

Teamship and feedback

Describing the cooperation of her fellow organizers as a "textbook case of how a team can work effectively and with purpose,” Shernaz Engineer gave credit to the committee members: vice chair Jimmy Contractor and his wife Katy dealt with registration; Perses Sethna handled communications and speakers; Dorab Mistry contributed to fundraising while Canteenwala with finance; Darius Karkaria built the website and oversaw digital content: Cyrus Todiwala assisted with hospitality; Dr Zubin Sethna oversaw logistics and helped with communications.

Thanks to the small size of the group, "one got a chance to speak meaningfully with every single participant and make friendships and network professionally,” commented Arzan Wadia, president of the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America, on his online portal Parsi Khabar after attending the conclave. "All the panelists and speakers gave freely of their time… and looked forward to being involved with WZCC (that) can only augur well for the organization… A lot of amazing talk, discussion and debate happened and in this day and age, to not record it, seems a waste of opportunity,” added Wadia.

In the opinion of Zubin Sethna, "All the delegates left London both inspired and motivated. The participants gained practical knowledge that helped them stay ahead in this cutting edge technology. What truly made it amazing was the energy and passion of everyone involved (making the conclave) a melting pot of ideas and dreams and determination…”

With inputs from Ruzbeh Hodiwala and Parinaz M. Gandhi.