From humble origins in Bihar to Group Company Secretary at Sharaf Dubai: Prospects for CS Professionals in UAE

• Meet Vijay Ojha, who transitioned from a modest upbringing in Bihar to becoming a Group Company Secretary at Sharaf Group, Dubai.
• Working with a conglomerate with a presence in 55+ countries and over 10,000 employees, his journey is inspiring.
• He also delves into the emerging opportunities for Company Secretaries in the UAE.

From a tiny village in Bihar to Dubai

I,”    was born and raised in a village called Moudihra in Bihar; like most students after 12^th grade, I was trying to figure out my career path.

In Bihar during the late 1990s, engineering and medicine were the most popular career choices.

Unsure of my next steps, I consulted a few of my friends and my father, an Ex-Army Education Corps Officer. After considering multiple options, he recommended that I pursue the Company Secretary course. 

With the establishment of the Securities and Exchange Board of India in 1988, the economy was poised to grow, leading to increased compliance. I enrolled in the CS course. 

In December 2003, I completed all the exams and acquired my ICSI Membership in 2004. 

I was excited to start my corporate career, but it was challenging. The main challenge was that very few people knew about Company Secretaries, leading to confusion with personal secretaries.

Navigating this career path took a lot of work, yet I maintained my confidence throughout.

I moved to Bangalore, India, and joined an Indian chemical company as a Company Secretary. This experience introduced me to a wide range of secretarial functions.

Moving forward to 2011, as things were progressing smoothly, an HR Director from the Sharaf Group UAE stumbled upon my CV and approached me for an interview. Given that I had never contemplated relocating abroad, I felt hesitant initially.

After discussing the opportunity with my parents, they encouraged me to try it. That’s when I thought, ‘Why not embrace this chance and venture onto this new path?’

I was selected and joined the Sharaf Group UAE. 

Dubai and career growth

When I joined Sharaf in 2011, I was a one-person team.

The company needed more awareness of the scope of my role, so I began from scratch. I made databases, created procedures, met business needs, organized records, set up board guidelines, and made policies. Thanks to my superiors, I successfully implemented many of these initiatives.

From starting with no team to building a substantial unit supporting operational and corporate levels, we now boast robust frameworks and clear governance standards at Sharaf Group.

As the team’s leader, I collaborate with a dedicated group that aids me in fulfilling these duties.

Looking back, I’m glad I chose to move to Dubai.

The growing demand for Company Secretaries in the UAE

While not obligatory for all businesses, listed entities in the UAE must appoint a Company Secretary to their board as a crucial managerial presence.

Companies are increasingly recognizing the value of CS professionals. Here’s why:

1. The introduction of Corporate Tax on 1 June 2023 in the UAE triggered significant changes in corporate regulations.
2. The emergence of new anti-money laundering regulations, Economic Substance Regulations (ESR), KYC regulations, and other impending measures.
3. In the present landscape, with increasing emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations, the demand for Company Secretaries is expected to rise even further due to their expertise in compliance matters.

These changes are amplifying the importance of compliance and governance within companies.

Both legal and consultancy firms are consistently recruiting CS professionals. Additionally, diverse global enterprises and corporations actively seek Company Secretaries to oversee governance and compliance functions.

The extent of their responsibilities can vary from one organization to another. Larger entities might opt for specialized teams, while smaller ones may rely on a single Company Secretary to handle multiple duties.

How to find a CS job opportunity in Dubai

Apart from ICSI, Company Secretaries from South Africa, the UK, and Australia have also established themselves in the UAE, thereby increasing competition in the job market.

To navigate this competitive field and discover promising opportunities, consider the following steps:

Explore job portal: 

• Stay abreast of vacancies by perusing job portals like Gulftalent and LinkedIn.

Strategic career approach:

• If you’re actively seeking opportunities, it’s imperative to regularly update your profile on platforms such as LinkedIn and other relevant job portals.
• Emphasize your expertise in compliance, governance, and anti-money laundering, expanding your range of potential job prospects.

Gain experience in India :

• Acquiring a few years of experience while you are in India will equip you with a robust groundwork for tackling challenges overseas.
• Familiarity with Indian laws and corporate regulations will arm you to handle similar situations in the UAE. This is particularly relevant as tax and new rules in the UAE frequently reflect Indian corporate laws.

Irrespective of your work location, cultivating a positive mindset and consistently delivering your best effort is paramount.

Stay enthusiastic even if you’re rejected many times, as luck also creates opportunities. Believe in yourself, and you will be able to overcome obstacles.

Essential steps for working as a Company Secretary in the UAE

Apart from having a solid grasp of local laws, regulations, and compliance requirements, here are the essential skill sets you should master. 

Effective communication:

• Communication is central to fulfilling your responsibilities as a Company Secretary.
• Frequently, you must compose agendas, resolutions, and correspondence for shareholders, boards, or external financiers. Therefore, it’s advisable to focus on enhancing your spoken and written English proficiency.

Cultivate Confidence:

• Cultivating self-assurance and maintaining a positive mindset is imperative.
• Remind yourself that every challenge comes with a solution, and you possess the capability to uncover them.

Learn Arabic:

• While English remains a widely accepted language in the UAE, mastering Arabic, the country’s local language, can provide a competitive advantage and unlock additional opportunities.
• I am still in the process of learning Arabic myself.

Embrace technological advancements:

• In this era of rapid technological advancement, the ability to swiftly craft presentations and provide solutions is indispensable.
• Familiarize yourself with the latest software tools and ensure you stay up-to-date. 

Wrapping up…

The role of Company Secretaries has undergone significant evolution in the last two decades.

In the UAE, over 600 Company Secretaries from ICSI are employed in company secretarial positions and as finance or legal experts. This illustrates the extensive possibilities for CS professionals.

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India has even established a Middle East chapter in Dubai.

I take pride in being one of the founding members of this ICSI chapter. We’re actively working to raise awareness about this profession through seminars, aiming to enable more Indian CS professionals to tap into the opportunities presented by the UAE.

Growing up in a village, I now find myself in a position to affirm that success stems from a combination of confidence, knowledge, and practice.

A genuine professional isn’t someone who evades challenges but rather someone who faces and conquers them.