Labasa lawyer Adrian Sunil Parshu Ram has been appointed a director on the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) board.
He replaces Athil Narayan who served on the board for the last seven years.
FSC board chairman Nitya Reddy said Mr Ram had a wealth of valuable experience and background in insurance, commercial, company, labour and employment laws, taxation and finance in a broad range of industries.
“He combines his legal expertise with a strong background in litigation, mediation, dispute resolution, negotiations, contract drafting and general business management, all of which we are desperately in need of,” Mr Reddy said in an announcement Thursday.
He said the company needed directors who could deliver.
“The industry is currently facing the greatest financial and operational challenges in its 150-year history, through massively declining cane production, milling efficiencies, collapsing mill plant and machinery, seriously degraded transport infrastructure, escalating costs, skill shortages and multiple contractual litigations.
“He will add significant value to our ranks in terms of planning, evaluating and implementing legal strategies to manage those challenges.”
Mr Ram holds a Bachelor of Laws and Commerce degrees from the University of Queensland (1986), an MBA from USP (2012), admission to the Supreme Court of Queensland (1986), and a member of the Fiji Institute of Accountants.
At present, he is the managing partner of Labasa-based firm Gibson & Company. His board appointment becomes effective on April 1.
Mr Reddy also acknowledged Mr Narayan’s contributions to the industry, and his leadership in climate sustainability advocacy, ethanol and sustainable aviation fuel.
NOTE: This article was first published in the print edition of the Fiji Times dated MARCH 15, 2025.
