We're here to stay,
says financial manager
Leonard Neill
DIAMOND SHIPPING will remain in the South African market, and there is no chance of the company's offices in this country being closed as has been suggested in rumours circulating in the industry. Instead a completely new business profile is being developed with Durban remaining the headquarters of the South African operation, says new financial manager Hemant Chawla.
Rumours of a possible closure of South African offices surfaced when it was announced that Brian Hawkins had resigned from his post as managing director. But, says Chawla, Hawkins remains a shareholder of the South African operation and will be replaced as managing director by Howard James from Dubai, who is expected to arrive in Durban shortly.
"We are a Dubai-based company with strong financial backing, and have 25 companies established in various countries, South Africa among them," he says.
"I came here six months ago to look after the financial side of affairs. We are bringing in new principals to man the ship here. Apart from a new managing director we will also appoint an operations manager to help steer the new direction which we are planning.
"There is tremendous potential in this country, and we are currently finalising new deals and are involved in further negotiations all of which are designed to get Diamond Shipping back on its feet."
Company directors from Dubai were in South Africa last week when they visited all the branch offices in order to ascertain the needs for future development, he says.
