CEO Today Middle East Awards

www.ceotodaymagazine.com 32 CEO Today Middle East Awards 2019 oman opportunities. What inspired you at the start of your career to enter the petroleum sector as an analyst programmer? I graduated from Sultan Qaboos University in Computer Science and Mathematics. I chose computer science as my field of study as Technology has always intrigued me and IT subjects have been my forte. The IT sector and software industry was witnessing tremendous growth when I graduated. I was fortunate to have got an opportunity to start my career with PDO, as it gave me a platform to enhance my IT skills. I enjoyed designing, developing and implementing computer programs. My role as an analyst programmer helped me to be well acquainted with new technology. How has your expertise aided Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC in its development? I joined the Internal Audit & Computer Systems Division in 1994 and started at the lower level of the organization. My father, Late Mohsin Haider Darwish, was my guiding force and from him, I learnt the ropes of the business and gradually worked my way up the organizational hierarchy. Having majored in Computer Science, I brought about the necessary changes in the Computer systems division. Under my leadership, the company achieved ISO 9001:2000 compliance for Quality Management System, ISO 27001 compliance for Information Security Management System, besides successful implementation of Business Continuity Plan and Disaster Recovery Plan for the centralized data center. I also provided strategic direction to the automotive divisions and guided it to a leadership position in the luxury car segment by implementing a customer-centric operating model and executing brand reinforcement strategies. Since assuming the role of Chairperson, I have been successful in achieving considerable operational and financial synergies. What has been the key behind Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC’s success? Success in itself isn’t a destination, but a continuous journey towards excellence. The spirit of progress, unlocking opportunities and propelling the nation ahead is what drives MHD. MHD LLC has been successful due to the relentless dedication, foresight and perseverance of my father, Late Mohsin Haider Darwish. He was the architect and mentor of MHD and his relentless pursuit of excellence made MHD LLC into the large business house it is today. With diverse business presence and varied interests in trading, contracting, projects and manufacturing, MHD LLC has brought some of the most reputed brands to Oman. My father’s leadership, professional management, ability to spot opportunities and build upon them is what led to MHD LLC’s growth and success. The growth of the company has kept pace with the tremendous progress the Sultanate of Oman has achieved under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. What impact would you say the company has had on Sultanate’s economy? At inception, MHD LLC was a family proprietary business. It was converted to its present form of a corporate entity in 1987. MHD LLC has played a prominent role in the rapid progress of Oman and since its foundation, its sole aim has been to positively contribute to building the nation across the length and breadth of Oman. The company has expanded its operations and has set up a range of offices, showrooms and workshops which distribute and provide products and services to the people of Oman. We brought in agencies of world-renowned brands from all sectors to the nation and were the first to establish the first gas manufacturing plant in Oman which catered to the demands of the fast-growing industries in the Sultanate. Although innovation, technology and automation have significantly contributed to transforming Oman into an economically developed country, we believe that the youth of Oman have played a crucial role in building our nation too. My father was a firm believer that the Omani youth is the potential of today and the power of tomorrow. At MHD, we nurture Omani talent by providing them with training, mentoring, employment and growth opportunities so that they make a meaningful contribution to the economic and social development of Oman. What are the most important skills and values that you foster at MHD LLC? MHD LLC is a renowned business house and the values that we foster define our company culture. The remarkable success of MHD LLC is propelled by key values such as ethics, teamwork, respect, integrity, excellence and equality. These core values are the foundation on which our Group is built and defines the way we conduct business. It’s often said that any organization is only as good as the people behind it. In today’s dynamic world, every employee has an important role to play in